child support during separation, iowa

[IceMountain]

my brother & his wife are separating in iowa.  he wants to pay child support for his daughter but since it has not been ordered yet (less than week since separation) he doesn't know how to 'legally' pay it.  if he gives her $$ and she signs a receipt is that considered verifiable and will it count towards child support?

i've advised him to keep receipts for everything, any other suggestions?

[Fobbed-Fodder]

Make sure that both the check/money order and the signed receipt clearly indicate that the payment is for child support, e.g. (May/2005 child support for child(ren's) name(s)).

I was paying my wife direct for awhile and she would write me receipts with miss, gas, support, in the memo section of the receipt, later I had to get a letter from her stating that all the payments were intended for support to get full credit.