Denver Child Support Lawyer

Experienced Denver Child Support Attorney

Disagreements over child support can quickly become stressful, particularly when parents don’t agree on income, parenting time, or who should be responsible for certain expenses. Colorado uses specific guidelines to calculate support, but every family’s situation is different. A Denver child support lawyer can review the financial details of your case, explain your rights and responsibilities, and help you address issues involving new orders, modifications, enforcement, or unpaid support.

Hire a Child Support Lawyer

Turn to a Denver family law attorney from Kinnett & Cordes for the dedicated support you need. Our team can be by your side through every step of the child support process. Our dedication to family law has resulted in decades of combined experience handling complex family matters in Colorado. Our Denver child support attorneys assist parents with establishing, modifying, and enforcing support orders, including cases involving changes to income, parenting time, or a parent’s failure to pay.

The attorneys offer several approaches to resolving family law disputes, including traditional representation, collaborative law, mediation, arbitration, and limited-scope representation. Whether you’re seeking support or challenging an existing order, Kinnett & Cordes can help you understand the law and work toward a practical resolution that protects your interests and your child’s needs.

Other Types of Adams County Family Law Cases We Handle

• Family Law
• Collaborative Divorce
• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Family Law Mediation
• Legal Separation
• Grandparent Visitation

How Is Child Support Calculated?

Colorado uses statutory child support guidelines to calculate how much each parent should contribute. The calculation begins with both parents’ income and the number of children covered by the order. The guidelines then determine a basic support obligation based on the parents’ combined adjusted gross income.

The final amount can change based on factors such as parenting time, health insurance costs, work-related childcare expenses, and certain other expenses for the child. Shared physical care can also affect how the obligation is divided between the parents.

Several figures and adjustments may be involved, so the amount one parent ultimately pays can differ substantially from a simple percentage of their income. Colorado courts provide child support worksheets and calculation tools based on the state guidelines.

What Happens If a Parent Doesn’t Pay Child Support?

When a parent fails to make court-ordered child support payments, the unpaid amount becomes arrears and can be enforced through several legal and administrative measures. Colorado Child Support Services may use income withholding, tax refund interceptions, credit reporting, and suspension of a driver’s or recreational license to collect overdue support.

In 2024, 65% of support was collected, meaning over a third of parents were behind on payments. Receiving parents can ask the Court to take action to enforce the order. State child support laws allow the unpaid amount to become a money judgment, which may be collected through garnishment. In serious cases, a parent who willfully disobeys a support order may face contempt proceedings, which can result in additional penalties.

Can a Support Order Be Modified?

A support order can be modified when a significant and ongoing change in circumstances exists. Under state guidelines, a change is generally considered substantial when recalculating support would increase or decrease the monthly obligation by at least 10%.

Changes that may justify a modification include a significant increase or decrease in either parent’s income, a change in parenting time, new expenses, or other circumstances that affect the support calculation. A parent seeking modification typically must file a request with the Court rather than simply changing payments on their own. Modifications usually affect payments only after the proper request is filed. Parents should act promptly when their financial or parenting circumstances materially change.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Lawyer Charge for a Child Support Case?

A: The cost to hire a child support lawyer varies depending on the unique circumstances of the case, the experience of the attorney, and how much time the case may require. Many family law attorneys charge an hourly rate and may require an upfront retainer. A straightforward modification may cost less than a contested case involving disputed income, enforcement issues, or extensive court proceedings.

Q: Are Child Support Lawyers Worth It?

A: A child support lawyer can be worth it when the case involves a hostile partner, unpaid support, major changes in parenting time, or a requested modification. An attorney can help calculate support, gather financial records, file the correct documents, and present arguments to the Court. Legal representation may be particularly helpful when the other parent has an attorney or when mistakes in the support calculation can have significant long-term financial consequences.

Q: How Long Does Child Support Last in Colorado?

A: In Colorado, child support continues until a child turns 19. If the child is still attending high school or an equivalent program at 19, support usually continues through the end of the month following graduation. Support may also continue longer if the child has a mental or physical disability or if the parents agreed in writing to extend payments. Child support may end earlier if the child becomes legally emancipated, marries, or enters active military duty.

Q: Can I Challenge a Child Support Modification?

A: You can challenge a child support modification request by showing that the claimed change in circumstances is inaccurate, temporary, or does not justify a substantial adjustment. You may present evidence about income, parenting time, childcare expenses, health insurance costs, or other relevant financial factors. A child support lawyer can help review the proposed change and represent you in the Denver Juvenile Court.

Denver Child Support Lawyer

Child support can have a major impact on both a child’s well-being and a parent’s finances. Whether you are establishing support for the first time, requesting a modification, or dealing with missed payments, Colorado’s child support rules can be difficult to navigate without the help of an experienced attorney. A Denver child support lawyer can help you understand how support is calculated, protect your financial interests, and pursue a result that reflects your child’s needs and your family’s circumstances.

Contact Kinnett & Cordes today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. When you sit down with our team, we can explain your legal options and work with you to create a strategy that protects your rights and serves your child’s best interests.

Adams County Family Law Resources

• Divorce, Privacy, And Collaborative Law
• How Long Do You Have to Be Separated in Colorado Before Getting a Divorce?
• What Is the Best Way to Negotiate a Divorce Settlement?
• What Is the Collaborative Process in a Denver Divorce?
• Do You Need a Divorce for Common Law Marriage in Denver, Colorado?