Boulder Child Support Lawyer
Serving Denver and the Surrounding Areas
Child support is one of the most important financial arrangements made in a divorce or separation. It is crucial to ensure that the amount of child support your child receives is fair and will meet their needs. The experienced Boulder child support attorney at SM Family Law, LLC is here to help you protect your rights as a parent and make sure that your child is cared for.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Colorado?
Under Colorado law, child support is determined by a formula. This formula considers several factors, including the income of both parents, the number of overnights the child spends with each parent, and the cost of health insurance and daycare. In general, the noncustodial parent is responsible for paying child support to the custodial parent.
The formula used to calculate child support in Colorado considers the following factors:
- Each parent’s gross income
- The number of children the parents have together
- The number of overnights the child spends with each parent
- Childcare expenses
- Health insurance costs
- Extraordinary medical expenses
- Any additional children the parents have
Contact us online or by calling (720) 586-4227 to speak to a Boulder child support lawyer.
Enforcement of Child Support Orders in Colorado
Child support is a legally enforceable obligation. If a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, the custodial parent can go to court to seek enforcement of the order. The court can take several actions to enforce the order, including garnishing the noncustodial parent’s wages, seizing their bank accounts, or placing a lien on their property.
If a parent is significantly behind on child support payments, they can be held in contempt of court. This can result in fines, jail time, or both.
It is important to note that child support and parenting time are two separate issues under Colorado law. A parent cannot withhold parenting time from the other parent because they are not receiving child support. If you are not receiving child support, you should still allow the noncustodial parent to spend time with your child as ordered by the court.
LEADING THE WAY IN FAMILY LAW
Why Choose SM Family Law, LLC?
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Exclusive Focus on Family LawSM Family Law, LLC exclusively handles family law cases, ensuring specialized and in-depth expertise for each client's unique situation, offering the highest level of focused legal assistance.
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Exceptional Client-Centered ApproachAt SM Family Law, LLC, we prioritize the unique needs of each client, providing personalized, empathetic, and effective legal representation to ensure the best outcomes in family law matters.
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Proven Track Record of SuccessWith a history of winning complex cases and achieving favorable outcomes, SM Family Law, LLC is dedicated to delivering reliable, professional, and strategic legal solutions for all family law issues.
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Comprehensive Legal ExpertiseOur team specializes in a wide range of family law services, from divorce and child custody to alternative dispute resolution, ensuring that clients receive thorough and knowledgeable support throughout their legal journey.
Modifying Child Support Orders
Child support orders can be modified in Colorado if there has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. This means that if you or your child’s other parent has experienced a significant increase or decrease in income, you may be able to have the child support order modified.
Some situations that may warrant a modification of child support include:
- Job loss
- Pay raise or promotion
- Change in employment
- Change in the cost of health insurance or daycare
- Disability
- Change in the number of overnights the child spends with each parent
- Change in the child’s needs
It is important to note that child support orders can only be modified by the court. If you and your child’s other parent agree to a change in child support, you should still submit the agreement to the court for approval. If you do not, you could be held responsible for past-due child support.
Our child support lawyers in Boulder can help you petition the court for a modification of child support. We can also help you if you have received a petition to modify child support from your child’s other parent. It is important to take action if you believe that the child support order should be modified, as you could be held responsible for past-due child support if the court approves the modification.
Speak to a Child Support Lawyer in Boulder Today
If you have questions about child support, we are here to help. Our Boulder child support attorneys can help you apply for child support services, modify a child support order, or take enforcement actions if the other parent is not paying. We are dedicated to helping parents protect their rights and make sure that their children are cared for.
Schedule a consultation with our Boulder child support attorney by calling (720) 586-4227 today!