Golden, CO Child Support Lawyer

Golden, CO Child Support Attorney

If your divorce involves children, the final divorce decree may include an order for one parent to pay child support to the other. Child support may be ordered when it serves the interest of the children involved, but having a Golden child support lawyer can help protect your rights when child support is set. Your family law attorney in Golden, Colorado can take steps to make sure that any child support you pay or receive is fair, reasonable, and reflects the needs of your children.

Child support cases can be highly emotional. While decisions are made about a child, parents may feel frustrated or angry at having to provide money to the other parent. At The Law Center P.C., our lawyers can guide you through the process of determining and negotiating child support, ensuring that all relevant factors are considered and that the arrangement serves the best interests of your children.

Factors That Determine Who Pays Child Support

Colorado Child Support Guidelines ensure that a fair share of each parent’s income is given to their child. The state guidelines are based on a formula that takes several factors into consideration.

• The gross income of the parents
• The child’s income (if applicable)
• The child’s health insurance, daycare, and other expenses
• The parenting schedule and how many overnights the child spends with both parents
• Other forms of financial support

The formula begins by taking into account the amount of parenting time each parent will have. In many cases, the parent who is awarded more parenting time may receive child support. Child support aims to even the financial burden of parenting while providing more even resources for both homes that the child visits.

Although rare, both parents can mutually agree to waive child support. A judge would then have to decide whether that agreement serves the interest of children. Cases where the parents have very low incomes may also make setting child support difficult. Increasingly, more custody cases result in 50-50 shared parenting, which can reduce the need for child support in some but not all cases.

One way parents can improve the chances that child support is allotted in a fair and lawful manner is by hiring an attorney in Golden, CO who understands the state’s guidelines and how to defend the rights of clients.

Enforcing Child Support

A child support enforcement is handled by the Colorado Child Support Services (CSS) program, although the family courts also play an active role in enforcing child support. The penalties for failure to pay are serious and can include these and other punitive measures.

• Withholding income: This is the most common method of enforcement. Employers are required to withhold a portion of the non-custodial parent’s wages and send it directly to the state registry.
• Contempt of court: The custodial parent can hire an attorney to hold the non-paying parent in contempt. During this enforcement hearing, the non-paying parent is ordered to appear before a judge. This can lead to penalties such as fines or even jail time.
• Confiscated tax refunds: Tax refunds can be intercepted and applied to unpaid child support.
• Liens on property: Liens can be placed on the delinquent parent’s property. This can include real estate and personal property.
• Credit rating reports: Non-payment of child support can be reported to credit bureaus. This can negatively affect the non-custodial parent’s credit score.
• License suspension: Professional, recreational, and driver’s licenses can be suspended if the parent fails to pay child support.

In serious cases, the state can seize funds from the non-custodial parent’s bank accounts to cover overdue child support. If you are seeking child support arrears or fighting an enforcement action, you can benefit from legal representation.

FAQs About Golden, CO Child Support Law

What Is the Average Child Support Payment in Colorado?

The average child support payment in Colorado varies widely. The formula for determining child support considers factors like both spouse’s income, the parenting schedule, and child-related expenses. In rare cases where both parents have low incomes, child support may be minimal if it is included at all in the final divorce decree. To predict what child support payments may look like under your circumstances, speak with an attorney who can help you estimate these payments.

Do You Have to Pay Child Support If You Have 50/50 Custody in Colorado?

Having a 50-50 custody agreement reduces the justification for child support in some cases, but a judge will consider what is in the interest of the child. In cases where both parents have an equal income and agree to waive child support, the parents’ lawyers can argue before a judge that child support is not needed.

However, child support serves to provide for the child’s basic needs and is designed to ensure both parents can support those needs. If there is a determination that child support will help, a judge could still order it.

Is Child Support Negotiable in Colorado?

Your attorney can negotiate child support, but there are no guarantees that a judge will approve those requests. Child support generally follows state guidelines. Additionally, being agreeable and open to negotiation with the other parent could play a significant role. Following the finalization of a divorce, you may request a modification to the child support order if your or your spouse’s financial situation changes.

Can Both Parents Agree to No Child Support in Colorado?

Both parents can agree to no child support in Colorado. Ultimately, a judge will decide if waiving child support serves the interests of the child. The judge may consider factors like wages, the material needs of the child, and the physical custody agreement. The judge’s priority is the welfare of the child. In some cases, it may be appropriate to waive child support.

Contact Golden Child Support Lawyer

Whether you are seeking child support or a modification to an existing child support order, it’s essential to have legal representation who understands Colorado’s family law intricacies. The Law Center P.C. is a trusted choice in Golden, CO, for navigating the complexities of child support arrangements. Our attorneys are dedicated to ensuring that child support is calculated fairly and is in the interests of your children.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get the support you need to resolve your child support matters.