When a marriage ends, financial concerns often take center stage. Two common issues that arise during divorce proceedings are alimony (also known as spousal maintenance) and child support.

These financial obligations serve different purposes and are governed by different legal rules. As experienced Denver family lawyers, Baker Law Group wants to clarify these terms and help you understand what to expect in your divorce case in Colorado.

Alimony in Colorado

Alimony, referred to as “spousal maintenance” in Colorado law, is a monetary amount that one spouse pays to the other during the divorce process and often for a period after the divorce is finalized.

Its primary purpose is to minimize any unfair economic effects of a divorce by providing a continuing income to a non-wage-earning or lower-wage-earning spouse.

In Colorado, the court determines the need for alimony on a case-by-case basis. While the state provides advisory guidelines for temporary support during the divorce process, the court has broad discretion in awarding final spousal maintenance.

To determine the amount and duration of the alimony, the court considers a range of factors, such as:

• The financial resources of the party seeking maintenance
• The time necessary for the party seeking maintenance to find appropriate employment or obtain the necessary education to find employment
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The duration of the marriage
• The age and health condition of both spouses
• The ability of the spouse from whom maintenance is sought to meet their needs while meeting those of the spouse seeking maintenance

Child Support in Colorado

Unlike alimony, child support is intended to provide for the financial needs of the couple’s children. In Colorado, child support payments are calculated using a formula that considers both parents’ incomes, the number of overnights the child spends with each parent, health insurance costs, and childcare costs.

Importantly, child support is considered a right of the child, not the custodial parent. This means that the purpose of these payments is to ensure the child’s needs are met, including housing, food, clothing, education, and healthcare.

The Colorado Child Support Guidelines ensure the child support amount is fair and appropriate. However, certain circumstances may lead the court to deviate from the guidelines, including extraordinary medical expenses or a child’s special needs.

Key Differences Between Alimony and Child Support

While both alimony and child support involve payments from one spouse to another, they serve different purposes and are calculated and taxed differently.

• Purpose: Alimony helps a lower-earning spouse maintain a lifestyle close to the marital standard, while child support provides for the child’s basic needs and maintains their standard of living.
• Calculation: Alimony is based on the receiving spouse’s need and the other spouse’s ability to pay, considering several factors. In contrast, child support is typically calculated using a state-mandated formula.
• Tax implications: As of 2023, alimony payments are not tax-deductible for the payer, nor are they considered taxable income for the recipient. However, child support has no tax implications—it is not tax-deductible for the payer or taxable income for the recipient.

Navigating the complexities of alimony and child support in Colorado can be challenging without expert legal guidance. A seasoned Colorado family attorney can provide you with the advice and advocacy you need to ensure a fair outcome.

Contact Baker Law Group today for comprehensive support and guidance on alimony, child support, and other crucial aspects of your Colorado divorce proceedings. We’re here to protect your interests and the interests of your children.