Child Support

Child Support Attorney in Des Moines

Big-Firm Trial Skills, Direct Attorney Access, & 18 Years of Family Law Experience

Child support decisions made at an initial hearing can shape a family’s finances for years. Whether you’re seeking an order for the first time, facing a modification request, or trying to collect payments that have stopped, Law Offices of Amanda T. Adams represents parents on both sides of these cases throughout Des Moines and Iowa.

Amanda Adams has been licensed in Iowa since 2008 and brings more than 18 years of legal experience to child support matters. She represents both custodial and non-custodial parents and is equally prepared to negotiate a resolution or litigate before a judge when that’s what the situation requires. Complimentary consultations are available in-office and virtually, and Spanish-language services are offered for families who prefer to communicate in Spanish.

Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation. Call (515) 575-4423 or reach us online.

Child Support Representation Across Des Moines & Polk County

Child support matters fall into three distinct stages, and each carries real stakes. We handle all three for clients in Des Moines and throughout Polk County, with cases heard at the Polk County Courthouse.

Establishing an Initial Order

Child support orders arise during divorce, legal separation, and paternity proceedings between unmarried parents. Iowa courts apply the Iowa Child Support Guidelines and the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations to calculate the guideline amount, which carries a presumption that it’s correct. That presumption can be challenged. An attorney who understands the guideline formula and the grounds for deviation can make a significant difference in the number that gets entered as your order.

Modifying an Existing Order

Circumstances change. Under Iowa Code section 598.21C, a modification is available when recalculating support under current guidelines produces a result that differs from your existing order by 10% or more. Significant income changes, custody shifts, or changes in the child’s needs can also support a modification petition. No modification takes effect until it’s approved by the court, so acting promptly matters.

Enforcing an Order That Isn’t Being Followed

Iowa law gives courts several tools to compel payment: income withholding, wage garnishment, tax refund interception, property liens, driver’s license suspension, and contempt proceedings. We can help you pursue the enforcement path appropriate for your specific case. Child support payments in Polk County are processed through the Iowa Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU) or the clerk of court, but the CSRU doesn’t provide the case-specific representation a private attorney does.

Why Des Moines Parents Choose Law Offices of Amanda T. Adams

Amanda Adams built her trial experience at a large Des Moines firm before founding her own practice. That background matters in child support cases because some opposing parties respond only when litigation is a realistic possibility. Her clients get big-firm courtroom capability without being handed off to a junior associate.

Martindale-Hubbell awarded Amanda the Platinum Client Champion designation in 2026, and she received the Avvo Client’s Choice Award in 2017. Both reflect a consistent record of client satisfaction across more than 18 years of family law practice.

Every client at our firm works directly with Amanda Adams. She handles your case, answers your questions, and appears in court on your behalf. That continuity isn’t common at larger firms, and it makes a practical difference in a matter as financially consequential as child support.

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation

If you’re dealing with a child support matter in Des Moines, whether you need an initial order, a modification, or enforcement, a complimentary consultation with Amanda Adams can help you understand your next steps. We offer in-office and virtual appointments, and Spanish-language services are available.

Call (515) 575-4423 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.

How Iowa Calculates Child Support

Iowa uses the income shares model under Iowa Court Rules Chapter 9 and Iowa Code section 598.21B. Both parents’ adjusted net monthly incomes are combined to find the base obligation on the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations, and each parent’s share is proportional to their contribution to that combined income.

The 2026 Guideline Update

The Iowa Supreme Court updated the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations effective January 1, 2026. Average obligations increased by approximately 7.6% for one child, 10.5% for two children, and 11.6% for three children. If your current order predates 2026, it may be worth reviewing whether you qualify for a modification under the updated guidelines.

How Courts Calculate the Amount

Courts factor in each parent’s gross income from all sources, including wages, bonuses, and pension income, along with the number of children, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. The guideline amount carries a rebuttable presumption of correctness, meaning either party can ask the court to deviate if special circumstances make the guideline amount unjust.

Medical Support & Coverage
Iowa law requires every child support order to include a medical support component. If health insurance is available to either parent at reasonable cost as defined by the Medical Support Table in Rule 9.12, the court orders that parent to provide coverage.

Duration of Support
Iowa child support typically continues until the child turns 18, or to age 19 if the child is still enrolled full-time in high school and expected to graduate before turning 19. Support for a child with a physical or mental disability may continue beyond those ages under Iowa Code section 598.1(9).

Post-Secondary Education
Under Iowa law as amended effective July 1, 2025, courts are no longer permitted to order a post-secondary education subsidy for orders entered on or after that date. If your existing order was entered before July 1, 2025, and includes a post-secondary subsidy provision, that provision remains in effect. An attorney can advise you on how these changes apply to your specific situation.

Modifying & Enforcing Iowa Child Support Orders

A child support order isn’t permanent. Iowa Code section 598.21C allows modification when recalculating support under current guidelines produces an amount that differs from the existing order by 10% or more. That difference alone constitutes a substantial change in circumstances sufficient to support a petition. Other grounds include a significant change in either parent’s income, a shift in the custody arrangement, or meaningful changes in the child’s needs or expenses. Modifications must be approved by the court before they take effect. An informal agreement between parents to pay a different amount carries no legal weight and won’t protect either party if a dispute arises later.

When a parent fails to pay, Iowa law provides several enforcement mechanisms:

Income withholding and wage garnishment directed to the non-paying parent’s employer
Tax refund interception at both the state and federal level
Property liens against real estate or other assets
Driver’s license suspension for parents significantly behind on payments
Contempt of court proceedings, which can result in fines or incarceration

The Iowa Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU) handles collection and disbursement of payments statewide, but it doesn’t provide individual legal representation. In Iowa, the custodial parent is responsible for initiating enforcement action when the other parent doesn’t pay. A private child support attorney can assess which enforcement tools apply to your situation and move the case forward on your timeline.

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Why Choose Law Offices of Amanda T. Adams?

Big-Firm Experience With a Personal Approach

Over 15 Years of Legal Experience
Deep Knowledge Of Specific Family Laws
Virtual Consultations Available
Spanish Speaking Services Available

Presented a Solid Case
“Amanda Adams fought tirelessly for our case.”

- Cynthia A.

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Amanda T. Adams

Attorney at Law

Ready To Solve Your Legal Puzzles Resolving Family Matters One Step at a Time

Take charge of your circumstances and hire the founding attorney of the Law Offices of Amanda T. Adams PLLC.
She is ready to investigate your case and find the resolution that will work best for you.

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