Child Support Lawyer in Colorado
Expert Guidance From Leading Child Support Attorneys
Whether you are navigating straightforward cases or complex disputes, child support decisions can be daunting. With over 30 years of experience, the child support team at Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. offers the compassionate guidance you need to secure the best possible outcome for you and your family.
Together, we will create a strategic solution that aligns with your family's unique needs, ensuring your child support agreement is fair, comprehensive, and serves your child's best interests. Contact us today!
Understanding Child Support
When family dynamics change, the family law team at Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. works hard to ensure your child’s needs remain a priority. If you’re facing the transition of a separation or divorce, it’s important to understand how child support plays a role in providing for your child’s basic needs, including:
- Housing
- Food
- Clothing
- Education
- Medical expenses
- Extracurricular activities that foster growth and happiness
Child support orders issued or approved by the court are used to ensure each parent contributes fairly to these financial needs.
Determining fair child support involves looking closely at each parent's income, the time spent with the child, and other continuing expenses such a medical insurance. Because child support depends on the incomes of the parties, overnights, and other expenses, it is not always the primary parent that receives support.
More About Colorado Child Support Guidelines
In Colorado, child support guidelines follow a specific formula that makes support awards consistent and certain. The state's approach to determining child support is based on “income shares,” meaning children are entitled to a portion of each parent's income. This approach is designed to guarantee that children receive financial support equivalent to what they would have had if their parents were still married or shared custody.
The following are the factors the court takes into consideration when determining child support:
- Both parents’ gross income
- Standard of living the child would have had if the parents stayed married
- How many nights the child spends with each parent
- Expenses like daycare, private school, health insurance, etc.
- Parenting travel arrangements/logistics
- The child’s medical needs
- Financial resources and needs of both parents
The duty to pay child support often ends when the child becomes 19 years of age or until high school graduation—whichever comes later. If a child has special needs that prevent them from becoming self-sufficient or independent, child support may continue past this typical deadline. To ensure your child will be financially taken care of and happy, talk to our team about arranging for a fair and effective child support amount.
If you have a question about family law, the frequently asked questions below may be a useful starting point. For more specific guidance, please reach out to our experienced team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the amount of child support determined?
In Colorado, the courts typically determine this by considering the income of both parents, the number of children, and the custody arrangement. This approach attempts to replicate the amount of financial support the child would have received if the parents were living together. Our family law attorneys can help you understand how these guidelines apply to your situation and calculate the expected amount of support.
Can child support be modified?
Yes, if there is a significant change in circumstances. This might include a substantial change in either parent's income, a change in custody arrangements, or a change in the child's financial needs. To modify child support, the requesting parent must file a petition with the court, and the court must approve the change.
What happens if a parent fails to pay child support?
Our state does not take these issues lightly. Failure to pay child support could lead to garnished wages, suspension of licenses (including driver’s and professional licenses), the imposition of property liens, and even jail time. Needless to say, failure to uphold this important parental duty is a serious matter that can have significant legal consequences.
Does child support cover all expenses related to the child?
Child support is intended to cover the basic needs of the child, but it may not cover all expenses. Extraordinary expenses, such as medical treatments not covered by insurance, special educational needs, or extracurricular activities, may be handled separately. The parents may agree, or the court may order, that these costs be shared in addition to the regular child support payments. It's crucial to clearly outline how these additional expenses will be managed in the child support order or agreement.
How does co-parenting or shared custody impact child support payments?
In these situations, child support payments are still required to ensure that the child's financial needs are met in both households. However, the amount of support might be adjusted to account for the time the child spends with each parent. The calculation will take into account the incomes of both parents, the division of parenting time, and the expenses incurred by each parent for the child's needs. Our lawyers can help by carefully analyzing your shared custody arrangement and advocating for a child support order that reflects the true costs of raising your child in a fair and equitable manner.
Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C.: Three Decades of Family Law Service
Whether you are navigating the complexities of child support, adoption, property division, custody issues, or other family law matters, the legal team at Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. is here to assist you. With over 30 years of experience, our expert legal team is here to guide you toward the best possible outcome and ensure your voice is heard. Contact us today!
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