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When a child support order is first established, it reflects both parents’ financial circumstances and the child’s needs at that specific time. But as life changes—jobs shift, incomes rise or fall, parenting time is adjusted, or a child’s needs evolve—the original support order may no longer be fair or appropriate. In these situations, Iowa law allows parents to request a modification of the existing child support order, but only under certain conditions.
At Feitelson Law Firm, our Des Moines child support modification attorney helps parents request or respond to changes in support obligations with clarity and confidence. With over 20 years of Iowa family law experience, we understand the legal standards, practical concerns, and emotional pressures of modifying child support.
Whether you need to lower your payments due to financial hardship or seek an increase to meet your child’s growing needs, we will help you take the proper legal steps while protecting your rights and prioritizing your child’s well-being. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
You cannot modify child support simply because you disagree with the amount or feel it is unfair. Iowa courts will only consider a modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the current order was issued.
In addition, the state’s child support guidelines allow for review if the existing order significantly differs from what a new calculation would produce.
Common reasons to seek a modification include:
Our attorney will evaluate your situation and determine whether you meet the legal criteria for filing a modification request. If so, we will prepare the necessary documentation and represent you.
In most cases, Iowa uses a standardized formula to calculate child support based on the Iowa Child Support Guidelines.
These guidelines take into account:
If a recalculation using the updated financial information results in a 10% or greater change from the existing order, the court may approve the modification without proving other substantial changes.
Our attorney will ensure that the correct financial data is used and that the court receives a complete and accurate picture of your current circumstances. We also help clients challenge inaccurate or incomplete financial disclosures from the other parent when necessary.
Even if both parents agree to the change, it must be approved by the court to become legally enforceable. Informal agreements—even when well-intentioned—are not binding, and either parent can later deny the terms or ask the court to revert to the original order.
The formal process for modifying child support includes:
Feitelson Law Firm can guide you through each step of this process, ensuring compliance with procedural requirements while keeping your case on track.
A job loss or reduction in income may qualify as a substantial change in circumstances, but the court will also evaluate whether the change was voluntary or unavoidable. If you were laid off or terminated due to no fault of your own or experiencing a medical condition that affects your ability to work, you may be eligible to request a modification.
However, if you voluntarily left your job, reduced your hours, or took a lower-paying position without good cause, the court may impute income—assigning a potential income level based on your education, experience, and work history.
We help clients present credible job loss or hardship documentation and protect against unfair assumptions. Acting quickly after a change in income can also help prevent unpaid support from accumulating, which can result in enforcement actions and legal penalties.
If the other parent files a motion to modify child support and you disagree with the proposed changes, you have the right to respond and present your side. This is particularly important if you believe the financial disclosures are inaccurate, the change is unnecessary, or the request is being made in bad faith.
Our attorney represents both paying and receiving parents in contested modification cases. We’ll help you gather the financial records, parenting documentation, and legal arguments needed to protect your position.
While Iowa does provide a legal framework for modifying child support, the actual process is often more complicated than it appears. From meeting the legal thresholds to preparing detailed financial disclosures and representing your interests in court, an experienced attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Feitelson Law Firm provides:
We’re here to take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on what matters—providing for your child and building a stable future.
Your child support order should reflect your current financial situation and your child’s actual needs—not outdated assumptions from years ago. Whether you are seeking a fair adjustment or responding to a proposed change, Feitelson Law Firm is here to help.
Contact our Des Moines child support modification attorney today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you understand your options, take swift legal action, and work toward a solution that supports your child and protects your future.
In Iowa, a substantial change may include significant alterations in either parent’s income, employment status, health, or the child’s needs. For instance, job loss, remarriage, or the child’s medical needs could warrant a modification.
You can request a child support modification if there has been a significant life change, such as a change in your financial situation, employment, or the child’s needs. Common reasons include job loss, a raise in income, a change in custody, or medical needs for the child.
In general, child support modifications are not applied retroactively. However, if the modification is approved, it will be used from the date the petition was filed unless the court decides otherwise.
Even if both parents agree, the modification must be approved by the court to ensure it aligns with the child’s best interests and complies with Iowa law. Seeking legal guidance from a Des Moines child support modification attorney can be helpful even if you both agree.
Yes, child support can be modified in joint custody situations if either parent’s circumstances change, such as a significant change in income or the child’s needs. The court will consider the amount of time each parent spends with the child and the financial responsibilities of both parties.
Yes, if your child has special needs that require additional financial support, you can petition the court to modify child support. The court will consider the child’s medical, educational, and other special needs when determining the appropriate amount of support.
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