Opinion ID: 1995800
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: General Principles Governing Child Support.

Text: A parent's legal obligation to support his or her children does not necessarily end when the child reaches the age of majority. Iowa law includes within a parent's support obligation support for a child of any age who is dependent on the parties to the dissolution proceedings because of physical or mental disability. Iowa Code § 598.1(9) (defining support payments); see also id. § 598.21(4)( a ) (authorizing district court in dissolution proceeding to require parent to pay an amount reasonable and necessary for supporting a child). To determine whether a child is dependent, we consider the child's ability to be gainfully employed and whether the child receives income or benefits from other sources. See In re Marriage of Hansen, 514 N.W.2d 109, 112 (Iowa Ct.App.1994). Our child support guidelines do not apply to support involving dependent adult children. See In re Marriage of Davis, 462 N.W.2d 703, 705 (Iowa Ct.App. 1990). Therefore, in determining what amount of support is reasonable and necessary, we look to the ability of both parents to contribute to the support of the dependent child. See id.