Child Support in Colorado

Child support is a system designed to ensure that children receive the financial support they need from both parents, even if the parents are no longer living together. In Colorado, like in many other states, child support is an important issue that affects many families. Let's take a closer look at how child support works in Colorado.

What is Child Support?

Child support is money that one parent pays to the other to help cover the costs of raising a child. This money is used for things like food, clothing, shelter, education, and medical care. The goal is to make sure that the child's needs are met, no matter what the family's situation is. Although it’s used the support the child, the parent receiving child support does not have to provide an accounting showing that the money was spent on food, clothing, etc.

Who Pays Child Support?

It depends on various factors, including each parent’s income and the number of overnights each parent has with the child. If a parent has less than 92 overnights per year, child support is calculated on Worksheet A. If both parents have more than 92 overnights per year, child support is calculated on Worksheet B.

How is Child Support Calculated?

Colorado uses a formula to calculate how much child support should be paid. This formula takes into account several factors, including:

1.     Income of both parents: The combined income of both parents is considered to determine the support amount.

2.     Number of children: More children means higher child support payments.

3.     Parenting time: The amount of time the child spends with each parent can affect the support amount.

4.     Other expenses: Costs like health insurance, daycare, and special needs of the child are also considered.

The state provides a child support calculator that parents can use to estimate the amount of support that might be ordered by the court.

Getting Help with Child Support

Navigating the child support system can be complicated, but there are resources available to help. The Colorado Division of Child Support Services can help you set up child support and get a court order, even if the other parent is not listed on your child’s birth certificate. They can also help with modifying existing orders.

Child support is a crucial part of ensuring that children in Colorado get the financial support they need from both parents. Understanding how child support works, how it is calculated, and what to do if changes are needed can help parents navigate the system more effectively. Remember, the goal of child support is to provide for the well-being of the child, making sure they have what they need to grow up healthy and happy.

Do you need help getting a child support order? I’m here to help!