Child Support Lawyer in Colorado
Keeping Support Fair
- Protecting Fathers and Their Children
- Can Handle Entire Cases Remotely
- Support After Hours and on Weekends
Colorado’s Choice for Representation
A Focus on Fathers
Fathers face unique challenges when it comes to child custody, child support, and other related family law matters. The court system is not immune to bias, even in instances where a father is a fit parent. Our Colorado attorneys focus on men and will work to uphold your image, dispel stereotypes, and protect your relationship with your children.
Track Record of Success
Our attorneys have successfully helped men secure child support from higher-earning spouses, reduce the child support obligation by proving that the other spouse is self-sufficient, protect their assets, invalidate unfounded claims of domestic violence, and more.
Prepared for Court
We can go through the mediation process in an attempt to obtain a favorable agreement, but we can also go to court to secure the best possible outcome for you. If you and your ex can’t come to an agreement, we’ll prepare your case for trial whether you need to establish, change, or enforce payments.
Comprehensive Child Support Services
Should you contact a lawyer about your child support case? Absolutely. Why choose The Dadvocates? Because we help fathers 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.
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.
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.
Colorado Child Support Guidelines
Applies to calculations on or after March 1, 2026
The Colorado General Assembly updated the state's child support guidelines through House Bill 25-1159, and the new calculation rules took effect on March 1, 2026. Under C.R.S. 14-10-115, the guidelines are intended to make sure that children get adequate financial support from their parents. They include a detailed schedule of basic monthly child support obligations based on the number of children and the parents' combined income. Note that these monthly amounts 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 to Self-Support Reserve* | $50 | $70 | $90 | $110 | $130 | $150 |
| Both Parents' Combined Adjusted Monthly Gross Income | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $401 | $611 | $739 | $825 | $908 | $987 |
| $3,000 | $582 | $886 | $1,071 | $1,196 | $1,316 | $1,431 |
| $5,000 | $934 | $1,404 | $1,685 | $1,882 | $2,071 | $2,251 |
| $10,000 | $1,350 | $2,001 | $2,352 | $2,628 | $2,890 | $3,142 |
| $15,000 | $1,767 | $2,597 | $3,026 | $3,380 | $3,718 | $4,042 |
| $20,000 | $2,152 | $3,136 | $3,622 | $4,046 | $4,451 | $4,838 |
| $25,000 | $2,469 | $3,628 | $4,228 | $4,723 | $5,195 | $5,647 |
| $30,000 | $2,776 | $4,102 | $4,810 | $5,373 | $5,911 | $6,425 |
| $35,000 | $3,087 | $4,547 | $5,314 | $5,936 | $6,529 | $7,097 |
| $40,000 | $3,398 | $4,992 | $5,817 | $6,498 | $7,148 | $7,769 |
*The self-support reserve is tied to Colorado's minimum wage and is about $1,832 per month in 2026. The schedule covers combined adjusted gross incomes up to $40,000 per month ($480,000 per year). Above that level, the judge has discretion, but basic support can't be less than the amount at the top of the schedule.
Five Other Factors That
Can Adjust Payment Amounts
1. Overnight Parenting Time
Every Overnight Counts
Colorado no longer requires a parent to reach 93 overnights per year before parenting time affects child support. Since March 1, 2026, parents receive a parenting time credit starting from the first overnight, and the credit grows gradually as overnights increase. The more overnights you have, the lower your child support payment will generally be.
How the Credit Works
The court uses a statutory parenting time table to assign a credit percentage based on each parent's number of overnights. That percentage is applied to the total basic child support obligation and deducted from each parent's share. By law, a parent with shared parenting time can never owe more than he would owe with no overnights at all.
50/50 Parenting Time
If parents split overnights roughly equally and earn similar incomes, the credits largely offset each other, and little or no child support may be owed. If one parent earns more, he or she may still be required to pay child support to address the income difference.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
If you are legally responsible for supporting other children who are not part of this case, such as children from a prior or later relationship, the court adjusts your gross income before calculating child support. Court-ordered support you actually pay for those children is deducted from your income, and an adjustment is also made for other children living in your home. This ensures your other children are accounted for.
Do I get to know how My Child Support Payments are used?
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.
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
If your former partner repeatedly pays late, pays only part, or stops paying altogether, we can help enforce your child support order through contempt of court, asset seizure, wage garnishment, and more. Colorado law also allows interest on unpaid support. For support due on or after July 1, 2021, the rate is 10 percent per year, compounded annually. Older debts may carry a higher rate, and courts can waive interest in some cases. If you're the one behind on payments, we can work with you to modify your order to an affordable amount.
"Great to work with"
"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, 5-Star Review
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.
Serving 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.
The Legal Process
When filing your initial child support agreement or seeking modifications, you can expect the following:
“My lawyer helped me with each step of the process, my case was not an easy one. They work diligently and would always respond in a very timely manner. I highly recommend the Dadvocates for any father out there that needs help with parental time disputes and child support re-evaluation.” — Jerrod, 5-Star Review
Were You Accused of a Crime?
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 reopen 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 in Colorado, 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 for my father-in-law to spend more time with his daughter. The look on my father-in-law's face and the warmth in his heart were priceless after finding out that he was granted more rights than he had before. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!" — Jai, 5-Star Review
