Child Supp. Guid. 9.11

As amended through September 9, 2024

Rule 9.11 - Variance from guidelines

The court shall not vary from the amount of child support that would result from application of the guidelines without a written finding that the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate as determined under the following criteria:

(1) Substantial injustice would result to the payor, payee, or child(ren).

(2) Adjustments are necessary to provide for the needs of the child(ren) or to do justice between the parties, payor, or payee under the special circumstances of the case.

(3) Circumstances contemplated in Iowa Code section 234.39.

(4) The court may impute income in appropriate cases subject to the requirements of rule 9.5. If the court finds that a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed without just cause, child support may be calculated based on a determination of earning capacity.

a. Incarceration is not voluntary unemployment for purposes of establishing or modifying child support.

b. A determination of earning capacity must take into consideration the specific circumstances of the parent to the extent known, and may include such factors as employment potential and probable earnings level based on work and training history, occupational qualifications, prevailing job opportunities, availability of employers willing to hire the parent, and earning levels in the community.

c. The court may also consider the parent's assets, residence, educational attainment, literacy, age, health, criminal record and other employment barriers, record of seeking work, and other relevant factors.

d. court may not use earning capacity instead of actual earnings or otherwise impute income unless a written determination is made that, if actual earnings were used, substantial injustice would occur or adjustments would be necessary to provide for the needs of the child(ren) or to do justice between the parties.

Child Supp. Guid. 9.11

Court Order November 9, 2001, effective 2/15/2002; 9/23/2004, effective 11/1/2004; 3/9/2009, effective 7/1/2009; 5/9/2013, effective 7/1/2013; 7/20/2017, effective 1/1/2018; court order September 3, 2021, effective 1/1/2022.