Understanding Your Financial Obligation to Your Children Denver Child Support
Lawyers

The state of Colorado adheres to a set of child support guidelines that estimates the general amount of child support payments. The guidelines create an estimated amount of financial support that is based on the assumption of what the child would have enjoyed if the parents were providing for the child under the same roof.

The idea behind the income shares model is to create a fair playing field for all Colorado families who are in similar financial situations. According to Colorado’s Child Support Guidelines, child support obligations can be based on the gross income of both parents.

• The time both parents spend with the child
• Healthcare provisions and / or expenses for the child
• Education-related or work-related childcare expenses
• Whether a parent is currently paying child support or spousal support to another spouse from a previous marriage

Child support can generally be paid until the child turns 19 years of age or until the child has graduated from high school (known as emancipation from their parents). Emancipation may also occur if the child joins the military or gets married. The courts do recognize exceptions to the amount of child support and the duration, including circumstances in which a child has special needs or is disabled.

In Colorado, a parent is not required by law to show how child support payments are used. This is because child support payments are carefully determined to reflect the needs of the child and the custodial parent’s ability to support them.

Child support is an important family law matter. Whether you are a mother or father who is required to pay support, we can help you understand the need for support and help you feel comfortable with your obligation to pay or receive support. We also can negotiate for a fair amount. In either case, child support will become a major financial responsibility for both parents. As a result, it will be crucial for both parents to understand their rights and obligations to support for their children.