Opinion ID: 2157414
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Amount of Back Child Support

Text: Unlike a current child support obligation, the guidelines are not used to establish the amount of past child support. Instead, our legislature permits the court to order a parent to pay an amount the court deems appropriate for the past support and maintenance of the child. Iowa Code § 600B.25(1). This standard permits the court to consider all the surrounding facts and circumstances to determine the amount in light of the purpose of child support and the duty of a parent to pay child support. In considering the circumstances presented by the parties, we believe the analysis should begin with the amount of support that would have been paid under the guidelines if no delay had occurred. This is an important starting point because the guideline amount is based on the usual needs of a child and the ability of parents to contribute to those needs under normal circumstances. Thus, the decision by the legislature not to use the guidelines to set past child support does not mean the guidelines become irrelevant. Notwithstanding, the passage of time can give rise to other circumstances that must be considered in deciding if it is equitable for a parent to pay an amount of past child support that is less than the total sum that should have been paid without the delay. Kristy relied primarily on the circumstances showing the amount of support Joseph should have paid under the guidelines if a support order had been entered at the time Dylan was born. Based on the income history of the parties, Kristy calculated the average amount of monthly support over those years should have been $429, or a total amount of $30,016. Joseph focused on his present personal financial circumstances to argue that the total judgment should not exceed $7000. He pointed out that he is married and has a child to support. He also has numerous substantial additional financial obligations, including back income taxes. He asserts the current obligation imposed in the case constitutes a substantial demand on his finances and severely limits his ability to pay back support. We recognize the circumstances presented by Joseph are properly considered in determining the amount of past child support. Yet, it is also important to recognize that Joseph knew Kristy was confident that he was the biological father of Dylan. Instead of taking action to determine paternity before getting married and having a child, Joseph essentially ignored the situation. See Callender v. Skiles, 591 N.W.2d 182, 192 (Iowa 1999) (allowing a biological father standing to establish paternity). We think the disposition reached by the trial court was proper under all the circumstances. Upon our review of all the circumstances, we find the amount of support determined by the trial court fairly considers the financial burden of paying past child support in conjunction with a current support obligation, while serving to maintain the fundamental and basic obligation of a parent to support a minor child. Both of these important considerations are further addressed by the trial court's decision to structure the obligation as a judgment that is payable at the rate of $100 a month for an extended period of time. Although Joseph must ultimately pay a substantial portion of the total amount of support he would have paid without the delay, the payment is structured to fairly consider his current financial circumstances.