Denver Child Support Attorney

How Our Child Support Lawyers Can Assist You

Marriages may end. Parenting does not. Post-divorce, parents remain responsible for their children’s emotional and financial well-being. Child support is a payment from one parent to the other to provide financial care for their children.

At Price Family Law, our team is experienced in handling child support cases. Our assistance includes:

• Drafting appropriate and reasonable agreements
• Reviewing agreements submitted by your spouse
• Managing communication to reduce tension and avoid arguments
• Addressing instances when agreements are not upheld.

We work tirelessly to protect your children and their rights. Whether you’re initiating a support arrangement or dealing with enforcement issues, having a knowledgeable family law attorney on your side can help you avoid common pitfalls. Contact us today at 720-615-1750 for your free consultation.

Our Experienced Child Support Attorneys Provide Trustworthy Services

Divorcing and determining how to support your children can be challenging and emotional. Thus, creating a plan to ensure that your children are protected is the most important thing you can do.

Price Family Law child support attorneys know that the combination of finances and children is a sensitive one. We pride ourselves on being a calming presence during child support negotiations. Because we are not emotionally involved, we can offer objective and professional counsel to ensure that the agreement reached is fair and appropriate for your children and your unique situation.

Understanding Child Support

When couples divorce, they find themselves responsible for two living spaces, which means two sets of bills – and running a household can be costly.  Child support bridges the gap resulting from the custodial parent’s loss of shared income. These ongoing payments cover both basic and extraordinary expenses.

Basic expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Housing (rent or mortgage assistance)
• Food (grocery bills)
• School lunch (if students buy)
• Clothing
• Medical care
• Dental care
• Specialty care (for children with special needs).

Extraordinary expenses are those extras that tend to arise periodically. These include, but are not limited to:

• School costs (field trips, supplies, tutoring)
• Private lessons (music, dance, sports training, art)
• Activity equipment (uniforms, instruments, supplies).

Costs for these activities will likely be proportionally split between divorced parents, based on their incomes. Additionally, when raising children, unplanned and unaccounted for expenses are the norm, not the exception. The courts recognize this, and child support agreements usually include a plan for covering these expenses.

Determining Child Support in Colorado

Colorado has Child Support Guidelines, which were updated in 2023,  that provide a baseline from which child support agreements can be built,  as well as worksheets that can be used as a starting point in the process.

These guidelines consider parents’ gross incomes, expenses, living arrangements (nights spent with each parent), any child income, and other child support/alimony agreements from previous relationships. We can share our in-depth insight into this process.

Recognizing How Gross Income Affects Child Support Calculations

Child support calculations account for both parents’ gross (before tax) incomes, the components of which may include salary (including commission, tips, and bonuses), certain investment income (trust, capital gains, annuities, dividends), retirement benefits and pensions, unemployment, workers’ comp and disability, monetary gifts and prizes, business income, and Social Security.

Items not included when determining gross income are public assistance benefits, income from jobs performed in addition to a full-time position, minors’ Social Security benefits, child support, and recognized gains on IRAs unless distributed.

These lists are not inclusive and can be confusing. Our child support attorneys can review your situation and explain how your gross income is calculated.

Colorado Child Support FAQ

Price Family Law Child Support Attorneys Provide Answers

Each child support agreement is unique. That said, there are a number of general questions which many of our clients have in common. Below, we have shared those we hear most often and our responses.

Is there a relationship between child support and child custody? 

In general, yes. For example, when children reside primarily with the parent who earns more money, that parent may not need to pay child support (depending upon the earnings of the other parent). Conversely, if children reside for more time with the lower-earning parent, the higher-earning parent may be responsible for more significant child support payments.

The amount of these payments will, of course, depend upon the living arrangements, the income of both parents, and associated expenses. Talk to our child custody lawyers to learn what you can expect.

If I am paying child support, can I dictate how those funds are spent? 

Not really. The recipient of child support determines how to spend that money. If you are concerned that your payments are being spent irresponsibly or your child is not receiving the full benefit, you can go to court and request accounting records.

What age do my children have to be to receive child support? 

Child support is generally required in Colorado until a minor child turns 19 (or becomes emancipated).

How are college costs handled in child support agreements? 

Because most college expenses occur after a child turns 19, they are not a standard part of child support agreements. If both parents agree to pay for college, it may be included in their agreement. However, if one parent refuses to help pay tuition or other college expenses during the child support agreement process, the courts cannot require payment.

What if my ex does not pay their child support? 

Child support agreements created in court are legally enforceable. If you are not receiving support as ordered, our child support attorney can help. Penalties are considerable and may include an assessment of 12% annual interest compounded monthly, repayment of attorney’s fees, and even being held in contempt of court.

Can my wages be garnished to pay child support? 

Yes, the courts (through Child Support Services) can garnish wages to pay child support.

My divorce was amicable, and my ex and I have agreed on child support. Do we need a formal agreement? 

Absolutely. While your relationship is good right now, there is no guarantee this will continue. Protecting yourself, your children, and your future is important.

Once finalized, can child support payments be changed? 

Yes. If the circumstances under which the original order was developed have changed and the resulting financial responsibility would either increase or decrease by 10% or more, you can request a modification. This may involve a new job, an increased salary, increased or decreased needs (like a young child no longer needing daycare), or even a change to your custody agreement, affecting the amount of time the child spends with each parent. Colorado Revised Statutes Section 14-10-122 details the law regarding changes in child support payments.

We recognize you likely have many more concerns. Contact our child support lawyers and schedule a free consultation.

Get Help From A Child Support Attorney in Colorado Today

If you are considering divorce and have minor children, the road to a more secure future starts now. Working with a skilled Denver divorce lawyer who understands child support laws is one of the best ways to ensure your children are financially protected.

The laws governing child support and custody are complex; navigating them successfully requires significant knowledge and experience. This is where we can help. Led by attorney Trista Price, our team is well-versed in Colorado Law, experienced in working in the local legal community, and committed to providing our clients the hands-on service they deserve.

We know that child support is personal and the process in determining it stressful. Our reputation for bringing a sense of calm to this time is outstanding. Get started today by contacting our office at 720-615-1750.

Client Testimonial

”When you realize you need an attorney, well, things are already not that great in your life. The right attorney does not just make a difference, they ARE the difference. The right attorney will not only fight for your rights, but also make sure that you are treated fairly. Treated fairly by the court, treated fairly by opposing counsel and even treated fairly by their own firm.” – Todd Brown (Google Review)