The purpose of this chapter is to establish a uniform system to be used in the determination of the amount of child support, to minimize the economic consequences to children, and to comply with applicable federal law by using specific guidelines based on the following principles:

1. I. Both parents shall share responsibility for economic support of the children.
2. II. The children in an obligor's initial family are entitled to a standard of living equal to that of the obligor's subsequent families.
3. III. The percentage of net income paid for child support should vary according to the number of children and according to income level.

Source. 1988, 253:1. 2005, 273:8. 2012, 248:2, eff. July 1, 2013.