Iowa Divorce With Children — Custody & Support
Custody, child support, and parenting plans when children are involved in an Iowa divorce
How custody is determined §598.41
Courts determine custody based on the best interests of the child, with a preference for liberal visitation rights and maximum continuing contact with both parents.
Types of custody
- Legal custody — the right to make major decisions about the child's education, health care, and welfare
- Physical custody — where the child lives day-to-day
- Joint custody — both parents share legal custody, physical custody, or both
- Sole custody — one parent has primary decision-making authority or residential time
Child support §598.21B
Iowa uses an model to calculate child support.
- The guidelines take both parents' responsibility to support the child into account; confirm the exact calculation with a lawyer
- Iowa Child Support Guidelines set presumptive amount
- Deviation requires specific written findings of relevant criteria
- Income can be withheld directly from the paying parent's employer §598.22
The parenting plan
Most Iowa courts require a written parenting plan that addresses:
- Regular custody and visitation schedule
- Holiday and vacation time allocation
- Transportation arrangements and exchange locations
- Decision-making authority for education, health, and extracurricular activities
- Communication protocols between parents
- Relocation restrictions and notice requirements
Temporary orders during the divorce §598.10
Courts may order temporary separate support and maintenance for a spouse and children and determine temporary custody of any minor child while the dissolution is pending; a temporary custody order must provide a minimum visitation schedule with the noncustodial parent unless visitation is not in the child's best interest. Temporary custody and support orders typically remain in effect until the final decree is entered.
Modifying custody later
Custody may be modified if there has been a substantial change in circumstances not contemplated by the original decree. §598.41
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Related guides
- The guidelines take both parents' responsibility to support the child into account; confirm the exact calculation with a lawyer
- Iowa Child Support Guidelines set presumptive amount
- Deviation requires specific written findings of relevant criteria