Colorado Springs Child Support Lawyer

Child Support in Colorado Springs

At Baker Law Group, we recognize that navigating child support complexities can be both challenging and emotionally taxing. Our seasoned Colorado Springs family law attorneys are committed to helping parents secure fair and just child support arrangements that serve their children’s best interests. This page provides an overview of child support laws in Colorado Springs, outlines how support amounts are determined, explains modifications and enforcement, and offers practical advice for parents.

Understanding Child Support in Colorado Springs

Child support is a financial responsibility that parents must provide to ensure their child’s well-being and overall welfare. In Colorado Springs, child support is intended to cover the child’s basic needs, including food, housing, clothing, education, and medical care. Both parents are legally required to contribute to these expenses, regardless of their marital status.

Determining Child Support Amounts

Colorado Springs adheres to specific guidelines for calculating child support payments. The state uses the Income Shares Model, which estimates the amount of money parents would spend on their children if they were living together. This model considers both parents’ incomes and divides the financial responsibility proportionately.

Income Calculation:

The first step in determining child support is calculating the gross income of both parents. This includes wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and other sources of income such as unemployment benefits or retirement income.

Adjustments to Income:

Specific adjustments may be made to the parents’ gross incomes. These adjustments can include mandatory deductions such as taxes, mandatory retirement contributions, and other child support or alimony obligations.

Basic Support Obligation:

Once the adjusted gross incomes are determined, the court uses a standard table to find the basic support obligation. This table considers the combined income of the parents and the number of children requiring support.

Proportional Division:

The basic support obligation is divided between the parents based on their proportionate share of the combined income. For instance, if one parent earns 60% of the combined income, they would be responsible for 60% of the basic support obligation.

Additional Expenses:

Child support calculations also account for additional expenses such as health insurance premiums, extraordinary medical costs, and childcare expenses necessary for a parent to work or attend school. These costs are typically divided between the parents in proportion to their incomes.

Child support cases are deeply personal. At Baker Law Group, PLLC, we fight for your parental rights with clarity and compassion—always putting your child’s needs first.

Modifying Child Support Orders

Child support orders are not set in stone. Life circumstances can change, and Colorado Springs law allows for modifications to child support orders when there is a significant change in circumstances. Some common reasons for modification include:

Changes in Income:

If either parent’s income significantly increases or decreases, it may warrant a modification of the child support order.

Changes in Custody Arrangements:

A significant change in the amount of time the child spends with each parent can impact the child support calculation.

Changes in the Child’s Needs:

If the child’s needs change due to health issues, education requirements, or other factors, a modification may be necessary.

Cost of Living Adjustments:

Over time, the cost of living can increase, necessitating adjustments to the amount of support. To modify a child support order, the requesting parent must file a motion with the court and provide evidence of the changed circumstances. The court will review the evidence and decide whether the modification is justified.

Enforcing Child Support Orders

Ensuring that child support payments are made on time and in full is crucial for the child’s well-being. Unfortunately, some parents fail to meet their child support obligations. Colorado Springs law provides several mechanisms for enforcing child support orders:

Income Withholding:

The most common method of enforcement is income withholding, where the child support payments are automatically deducted from the paying parent’s wages.

Contempt of Court:

If a parent fails to pay child support, they can be held in contempt of court. This can result in fines, wage garnishment, or even jail time.

Intercepting Tax Refunds:

The state can intercept federal and state tax refunds to cover past-due child support.

Liens on Property:

The court can place a lien on the delinquent parent’s property, such as their home or car, to secure payment of child support arrears.

Suspension of Licenses:

The state can suspend various licenses, including driver’s licenses and professional licenses, until the delinquent parent complies with the support order.

Practical Advice for Parents

Navigating child support can be complex, but there are several steps parents can take to manage the process effectively:

Keep Detailed Records:

Maintain accurate records of all income, expenses, and child support payments to ensure transparency and accountability. This documentation can be crucial if you need to request a modification or enforce an order.

Communicate Openly:

Open and respectful communication between parents can help resolve issues more amicably. Work together to make decisions that are in your child’s best interests.

Understand Your Rights:

Educate yourself about your legal rights and responsibilities regarding child support. Knowledge is power, and understanding the law can help you navigate the process more confidently.

Seek Legal Assistance:

An experienced child support attorney can provide valuable guidance and representation. Legal counsel can help ensure that your child support order is fair and enforceable, and can assist with modifications and enforcement if necessary.

Why Choose Baker Law Group?

At Baker Law Group, we take pride in our client-centered approach and our commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients. Here are some reasons why you should choose us for your child support needs:

Experienced Attorneys:

Our team of attorneys has years of experience in family law and child support cases. We understand the intricacies of Colorado Springs’ child support laws and can navigate the legal system effectively on your behalf.

Personalized Service:

We take the time to understand your unique situation and tailor our legal strategies to meet your specific needs. Your case is our priority, and we are dedicated to providing personalized and attentive service.

Strong Advocacy:

We are strong advocates for our clients and their children. We will fight vigorously to ensure that your child receives the support they need and deserve.

Transparent Communication:

We believe in clear and open communication with our clients. We will keep you informed throughout the process and answer any questions you may have. Navigating child support issues can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Let the experienced attorneys at Baker Law Group guide you through the process and help you achieve a fair and just resolution.

Call Our Colorado Springs Child Support Attorney

If you need assistance with a child support matter, Baker Law Group is here to help. Our compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys have extensive experience handling child support cases in Colorado Springs. Whether you are seeking to establish a new child support order, modify an existing order, or enforce a delinquent order, we are committed to providing you with the highest level of legal representation.