Child Support Lawyer
Men's Rights Under Colorado Law
When men are going through a divorce or separation in which kids are involved, they often feel as though the law is stacked against them. However, this is not the case.
Under Colorado law, both parents have the legal obligation to provide for their children.
Further, under state law, it is illegal to consider the gender of the parent when making parental responsibility (custody) and parenting time (visitation) decisions.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey, a nationwide survey that took place from April 1994 to 2016 .
Men Still Face Challenges
Despite the protections that have been put in place for both parents, it can still be difficult to obtain a child custody and child support agreement that is fair for fathers. Antiquated gender stereotypes and false allegations can affect a dad's ability to obtain an agreement within his means that serves the best interests of the children.
A Lawyer Can Help
To prevent bias in the court system from affecting your case, it is important to hire a child support lawyer. Although the state has set guidelines for child support payments, there are many other factors that affect the monthly amount. Hiring an attorney with a clear understanding of the complexities of these cases is critical to obtaining a good outcome.
Contact Our Attorneys We Offer Comprehensive Child Support Services
Should you contact a lawyer about your child support case? Absolutely. Why choose the Dadvocates? Because we help fathers that need help with:
- Establishing Child Support after Separation or Divorce
- Child Support Modifications
- Reducing Child Support Payments
- Disputes About Child-Related Expenses
- Child Support Order Enforcement
- Collecting Back Child Support
- Wage Garnishments
- Interstate Child Support Cases
- Disputes about Child Support Extensions after the Age of 19
We encourage fathers to contact our law firm with any questions they have about their case. Contact us online to ask a question or request a consultation. You can also reach us by phone at:
What Men Have to Say About Our Team 5-Star Reviews
Tyson Schaetzle
2020
I had started my divorce process with a different firm. It wasn't going well, and there was a criminal case added into the mix. I decided to switch to Dadvocates... From my experience, divorce is a pretty unpleasant process. There were definitely some bumps along the way, but that is to be expected when you are in battle dealing with a vindictive ex. Tensions can run high when you have so much on the line. If you can keep your emotions in check, maintain some patience and be reasonable, Dadvocates will do the same. They did a lot for me through my divorce, and maximized the strength of my position as much as possible. They are a great team with great people.
View On Google
Ron Morales
2020
Their team are truly amazing. They will fight hard for what is right, and the firm truly is experts in high conflict cases. My case lasted over a year and their team was always very attentive to my questions and concerns. If you want what is best for your child, or have an ex who is trying to take advantage of you, trust that you will be in great hands with the Dadvocates. During trial they were very well organized and they did all they could to fight for what was fair. They are very professional and courteous. Divorce/custody was the most stressful event in my life, the firm did all they could to take the weight off my shoulders and put my mind at ease. Truly thank you all for all your efforts in this case!
View On GoogleColorado Child Support Guidelines
* Applies to cases on or after July 1, 2020
The Colorado Child Support Commission created these guidelines to apply to cases on or after July 1, 2020, and they were enacted by the Colorado General Assembly. According to the statutory guidelines set forth by C.R.S. 14-10-115, they are intended to make sure that children get adequate financial support from their parents. It includes a detailed schedule of basic monthly child support payments based on the number of children and the amount of income one or both parents earn. Note that these monthly payments only cover basic child support. Additional support may be required based on a number of other factors.
Table of Child Support Payment Amounts
| Adjusted Monthly Gross Income | Number of Children |
|---|
| Paying Parent's Adjusted Monthly Gross Income | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0-$650 | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| $651-$1,500 | $50 | $70 | $90 | $110 | $130 | $150 |
| Both Parents' Adjusted Monthly Gross Income | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $368 | $420 | $440 | $460 | $480 | $500 |
| $3,000 | $533 | $821 | $1,002 | $1,119 | $1,180 | $1,200 |
| $5,000 | $820 | $1,256 | $1,523 | $1,701 | $1,871 | $2,033 |
| $10,000 | $1,215 | $1,844 | $2,219 | $2,479 | $2,727 | $2,964 |
| $15,000 | $1,584 | $2,395 | $2,869 | $3,204 | $3,525 | $3,832 |
| $20,000 | $1,824 | $2,751 | $3,287 | $3,671 | $4,038 | $4,390 |
| $25,000 | $2,134 | $3,215 | $3,836 | $4,285 | $4,714 | $5,124 |
| $30,000 | $2,535 | $3,819 | $4,557 | $5,091 | $5,600 | $6,087 |
View the full table here to see the basic amount of child support you or your former partner may be required to pay each month. These statutory guidelines apply to those with combined adjusted gross incomes less than $360,000 per year. In cases with higher income levels, decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
What Affects Child Support Amounts?
Five Other Factors That Can Adjust Payment Amounts
1. Overnight Parenting Time
Sole Physical Care
273 or More Overnights Per Year
Sole physical care means that the child or children live with one parent for 273 or more overnights per year. This parent receives credit and is considered to have fulfilled their child support obligations by providing the majority of care during the year.
92 or Fewer Overnights
In sole physical custody cases, the other parent has 92 or fewer overnights per year, and is the only parent obligated to pay child support. Further, this parent does not receive any credit for the 92 days (or less) of overnight stays.
Shared Custody
93 Overnights or More
If one parent has the child or children for more than 93 nights per year, they will receive credit for the additional overnight stays. The more overnight stays the parent has, the lower the child support payment will be.
50/50 Custody
If both parents agree to 50/50 custody (182 overnights each) and they have the same income level, neither parent will be required to pay child support. If one parent makes more money, he or she may be required to pay child support to address any income disparities.
2. Health Insurance
Courts typically order parents to provide medical and dental coverage for their children. Any out-of-pocket costs for the joint dependents on the plan will be covered by both parents. However, the amount will be adjusted based on the parents' income ratios.
3. Day Care
If either parent requires day care, the net cost is added to the child support payment amount, and that amount is divided between the parents based on income ratios. Net costs refer to child care costs after receiving a federal tax credit. However, there are specific guidelines regarding which parent can apply for the tax credit. In addition, the parent paying for child care costs may receive a credit reducing their total child support amount. For example, if the father is paying the child care costs for the year, he will receive a credit on his monthly child support amount.
4. Income Disparities
Income disparities are reflected in child support payment amounts. For example, if one parent makes $5,000 per month, but the other parent makes $2,500 per month, child support amounts are typically adjusted to reflect that difference. In cases with significant income disparity, it is possible that the custodial parent could pay child support to the other parent when 50/50 parenting time has been awarded, or when the other parent has a lower but still significant amount of parenting time.
5. Children of Other Relationships
Health care and child care costs can be deducted if your former partner has other children with a different father. This ensures that you are only paying the costs for your own children.
The Average Amount of Child Support Awarded versus the Amount of Child Support Collected
Can I Be Informed On the Use of My Child Support Payments?
Colorado law doesn't require parents to disclose how child support payments are spent. The payments are intended to cover the child's basic needs, such as shelter, food, clothing, and toiletries. When the child custody and support agreement is established, the court also considers the parent's ability to use the payments to adequately support the child.
If you are concerned that your child is not receiving the basic necessities with your payments, contact our lawyers to discuss the details of the situation. In serious cases, we may be able to seek modifications to the custody and support agreement.
"Thank You Again." More 5-Star Google Reviews
Peter Shaw
Denver, CO
2023
The lawyers are passionate about ensuring fathers maintain meaningful relationships with their children. I'm grateful for their legal expertise and commitment to fairness in child support negotiations. I couldn't have asked for better representation.
View on Google
Johanna Obermeyer
2020
Very professional law firm that advocates for father's rights. I would recommend anyone here. Attorneys are very professional with valuable experience and amazing educational histories.
View On GoogleContact Our Law Firm
Considering how many factors go into calculating child support payment amounts, it is important to hire an attorney who can submit the proper worksheets, apply all credits possible, and achieve a fair and reasonable monthly payment amount. If your former spouse has a higher income level, you may be eligible to receive monthly payments. To learn more about the legal options available to you, contact us online with a question or request a consultation. You can also reach us in Colorado by phone:
How Our Attorneys Can Help
Establish Fair Child Support
If you are in the process of getting a divorce or separating from the parent of your child, it is in your best interest to consult a lawyer. We will do all we can to arrange a fair agreement between you and your former partner. Our experience in family law and criminal law gives us unique insight and the ability to successfully represent fathers who may be facing false accusations during the course of contentious child custody and support cases. We are also here to help dads who wish to come to a mutually beneficial and amicable resolution with their former partner.
Child Support Modifications
According to Colorado's guidelines, modifications can only be made if there is a substantial and continuing change of circumstances. To be considered substantial enough to warrant a change in the child support order, our child support attorneys will need to show that the new court order would result in a more than 10 percent difference in the payment amount.
Child support modification may include requests for a reduction or increase in the monthly payment amount, disputes about child-related expenses, changes in the child's circumstances, and adjustments to the number of overnight stays.
Missed Child Support Payments
Our lawyers can help fathers enforce child support orders when their former partner repeatedly makes partial or late payments, or if they fail to make child support payments at all. In these cases, we can assist our clients by filing a motion for contempt of court, asset seizure, wage garnishment, and more.
Further, the state's child support guidelines authorize the accrual of interest on unpaid child support payments at a rate of 12 percent per year, compounded monthly.
If you are late on child support payments, we can work with you on modifying your order so we can reach an affordable amount.
How Long Do I Pay Child Support?
In Colorado, parents are legally required to pay child support until children reach the age of 19. However, as with so many other child support guidelines, there are nuances that can extend the payment timeline.
High School
If the child is in high school, parents are obligated to pay child support until the child graduates, drops out, or reaches the age of 21, whichever comes first.
Disability
If children face long-term disability and are unable to care for themselves, child support obligations may remain in place for the child's lifetime.
Contact Us Today Our Law Firm Serves Clients Across Colorado
Our law firm has several offices across the state of Colorado so clients have the option of meeting with us locally. We have offices in:
- Aspen
- Boulder
- Breckenridge
- Broomfield
- Colorado Springs
- El Paso County
- Crested Butte
- Durango
- Glenwood Springs
- Grand Junction
- Gunnison
- Pueblo
- Steamboat Springs
- Vail
Our child support lawyers are available after hours and on weekends - just call our main line. If you can't come into one of our offices, we offer remote consultations for your convenience. In fact, we can handle your case from beginning to end on a remote basis.
"My attorney was great to work with. She always took the time to answer all my questions thoroughly and always made me feel like she was fully invested in helping me with my case. She walked me through the procedures of my hearing and gave me the confidence I needed to address my child support/allocation of parental rights case. I would highly recommend them to anyone that needs help advocating for their parental rights as a father." cajeme pena
Our Results
On behalf of many fathers, our attorneys have successfully:
- Obtained equal or primary custody of children, even younger children.
- Secured spousal and child support from higher-earning spouses.
- Reduced the child support obligation by; proving that the other spouse is self-sufficient; terminating vexatious protection orders; invalidating unfounded claims of domestic violence; and much more.
Why Choose Us? Dads in Colorado Can Rely on Our Legal Services
We Focus on Dads
At the Dadvocates, we have kept our focus exclusively on advocating for fathers and men in Colorado's child custody and support courts. Our child support lawyers understand how to protect the rights of men in family law cases.
We're Not Afraid to Go to Court
Our lawyers are always willing to litigate your case in court to achieve the best possible outcome. We will go through the mediation process in an attempt to obtain a favorable agreement, but we will also never hesitate to present a strong court case to get the custody and support agreement you and your children deserve.
We Have Experience in Many Areas of Law
Our attorneys have experience in civil, family, and criminal law. Since so many family law cases involve these other areas of law, our combined knowledge and experience can be invaluable for men seeking the best custody and child support arrangement.
"My attorney was very professional from day one. She went above and beyond as my lawyer, always following up with any/all updates, and news on my case. Her knowledge, and skills as a attorney are top notch, and would highly recommend her and the firm for all your legal needs!" Matthew Boden
Learn About Your Legal Options Contact Our Child Support Attorneys
So many fathers avoid seeking legal advice because they feel they are always going to be on the losing end of a court battle. The truth is that men have more rights than ever when it comes to seeking a fair and reasonable agreement regarding the emotional and financial wellbeing of your children. Take that first step toward protecting your rights as a father by contacting our firm. We have a long history of helping men throughout Colorado.
Contact us online to ask a question or request a consultation. Or, reach us by phone:
The Legal Process
When filing your initial child support agreement or seeking modifications, you can expect the following:
Were You Accused of a Crime?
There is no doubt that a criminal charge or conviction can have an impact on your child custody and support case. When men are charged with a crime, their former partners may wish to re-open the child custody and support case in order to obtain an agreement that is more favorable to them.
Having to go through legal issues involving your kids in addition to fighting the criminal charge can be overwhelming. At the Dadvocates, our lawyers can handle all aspects of your legal challenges. Whether you have been charged with DUI, domestic violence, assault, or another crime, our attorneys will do everything in their power to ensure that you don't face ramifications you don't deserve. We will also focus on minimizing any impact criminal charges may have on your family situation.
"Phenomenal."
This law firm is phenomenal. They made it possible my father in law to spend more time with his daughter. The look on my father in law face and the warmth in his heart was priceless after finding out that he was granted more rights than he had before. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Jai Griffin
