Child Support A Fresh, Modern Approach to Law

Child Support Attorneys in Centennial

Comprehensive Child Support Solutions in Arapahoe County

Under Colorado law, every parent has a legal obligation to provide the financial support needed for the care and raising of his or her child. Every child deserves financial as well as emotional support whether his parents have been married or not and the state has established rules and procedures for calculating and enforcing such support.

At the Law Office of Alexandra White, PC, we understand that all children deserve such support but we also know that a fair agreement needs to be established. Only in this way will the overall financial and emotional health of the entire group be maintained. To that end, we can work with you by bringing in mutually beneficial solutions to the child support issue. Whether you are involved in a divorce, seeking or contesting child support as an unmarried parent, or seeking a modification of an existing support order that is no longer workable, our Centennial child support lawyers can provide trusted and capable legal help.

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Child Support Laws in Colorado

Child support payments are generally paid by the noncustodial parent to the parent who has the majority of custody. Under Colorado law, strict and quite complex guidelines have been set up to determine how much a parent is obligated to pay. As parents, you and your spouse (or the child’s other unmarried parent) can determine your own child support but if the amount varies too far from state guidelines, it may not get approval from the court.

Factors Influencing Child Support Payments:

Income of Both Parents: The court looks at the gross income of both parents, including wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, and other sources of income.
Child's Needs: The needs of the child, including health care, education, and any special needs, are taken into account.
Child's Standard of Living: The court considers the standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the parents were together.
Time Spent with Each Parent: The parenting time arrangement is important; more time spent with a parent may reduce their child support obligation.
Other Children: If either parent has other children to support, this may impact the amount of support calculated.
Health Insurance Costs: The cost of health insurance for the child is factored in, including whether either parent has coverage through their employer.
Extraordinary Expenses: Any extraordinary expenses related to the child, such as childcare or educational costs, are considered.
Work-Related Childcare Costs: The costs incurred by a parent to provide childcare while they are working are also taken into account.
Debt Obligations: The court may consider the parents' existing debt obligations when determining child support payments.
Income Potential: If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on their potential earning capacity.
Other Relevant Factors: Any additional factors that may impact the child's well-being or the parents' financial situations can also be considered.

In cases where a parent becomes delinquent, the courts can enforce child support through various methods, such as contempt of court, potential jail time, fines, and more.

Child support payments can also be modified through the courts when substantial changes in a parent’s or child’s circumstances arise. These can include parental job losses or changes in a child’s medical costs or other needs. Our firm can provide the legal assistance you need in seeking enforcement or modifications.

When Does Child Support End?

In Colorado, child support typically ends when the child reaches the age of 19, which is considered the age of emancipation in the state. However, there are several circumstances where child support may continue beyond this age or end earlier:

When Child Support May Continue Beyond Age 19

Full-time High School Attendance: If the child is still in high school when they turn 19, child support will continue until the end of the month following their graduation, but not beyond their 21st birthday.
Physical or Mental Disability: If the child is physically or mentally disabled and cannot support themselves, child support may continue indefinitely, depending on the circumstances and court order.
Agreement between Parents: If both parents agree, they may set an arrangement to extend child support beyond the typical end date (for example, to cover college expenses).

When Child Support May End Early

Emancipation: If the child becomes emancipated before turning 19 (e.g., through marriage, joining the military, or being declared emancipated by the court), child support may end earlier.
Death of the Child: Child support obligations would naturally end if the child passes away before the age of 19.

Is Child Support Automatically Termited?

In Colorado, child support is not automatically terminated when a child reaches the age of 19 or qualifies for emancipation. The paying parent must take action to formally end the support obligation. Typically, this involves filing a motion with the court to terminate child support, providing evidence that the child has reached the age of emancipation or that other qualifying conditions (such as graduation from high school or disability) no longer apply. Without this court action, the child support order remains in place, and payments will continue.

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Megan is an excellent attorney! I highly suggest you hire her for your case. She is assertive, yet very professional. I always felt very cared for knowing that I was in her hands. Throughout my year long legal battle, and all the difficulties from the “other” side, I still felt confident, and had peace knowing that Megan, and her paralegal Christian were working in the background getting me everything that I deserved and than some. You usually don’t plan on needing an attorney in life, I certainly didn’t think I ever would. I closed my eyes and picked one from all the hundreds advertised online. I am writing this to say that your search can be over. Megan, and Christian are all you will need. I am very pleased with how my case turned out, and I know that if I had chosen another attorney, the end result would have been much different then it was. I have zero regrets!!!

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The Team at the Law Office of Alexandra White, hands down, was the best experience I have had considering the circumstances. Having used other Attorneys in the past, the professionalism was FAR greater with Alex and her Team. The amount of communication, preparation and clarity provided every step of the way reassured me that they had my case handled. On top of all that, we won walking out with confidence and pride!

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Michael Cheroutes, Jr. negotiated a “Miracle ” settlement for me with exceptional skill and instinct. I am beyond thrilled with the outcome of my divorce and I highly recommend Michael to negotiate your divorce.
Michael was willing to really listen to me:
I had spoken to dozens of attorneys and had even hired a divorce firm, before I was referred to Michael, but they all failed to put in the initial time and energy into fully understanding and comprehending what I was saying about my case. Great lawyers know the value of listening and Michael put in the energy and passion up front, at our initial consultation, that allowed him to extract and analyze the relevant facts he needed to recommend a plan.
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Great lawyers don’t allow their clients to go down expensive rabbit holes. Michael explained clearly what will work and what I needed to focus on. His guidance allowed me to identify what documents and evidence I needed to collect to assist him with my case while saving me money. Michael’s communication with the opposing counsel was genius; he ignored the counsel’s reputation and my dire warnings about him and developed his own professional, strategic and healthy skeptical relationship with him that paid off handsomely for me in the end.
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Great Lawyers use their knowledge and creativity to craft solutions that I never even realized were possible. Michael approached my case and new information with an open mind and tailored creative solutions to any and all obstacles despite me telling him that my prior attorney said this or that couldn’t be done. We hit one big, tall, unbreakable brick wall and I was in despair what to do. Michael used perfect judgement in determining that the Wall was not worth climbing but instead used it as a negotiating tool where it mattered most and served me best.
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When it came time for mediation Michael helped me prepare and talked with me at length about what to expect which calmed me. Michael summed up my case to the mediator with stunning accuracy and compassion. He had developed a legal and moral argument of why my offer was truly the only fair and equitable outcome. It was remarkable to witness and moved me to tears to realize not only had Michael been listening to me all along but that he really believed in my case and that it mattered to him enough to be well prepared and organized when it was crunch time. The mediator agreed with his argument and I assume she helped opposing counsel agree as well because I received more then I dreamed was possible on the first offer. I was elated with the results and the papers were signed that day!
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As awesome as mediation went I had no idea how important the “boiler plate” legal document, memorializing our agreement was going to be. The first draft written by opposing counsel depressed me and I truly didn’t feel comfortable signing it - there were way too many “what if’s” left out. I expressed my concerns to Michael who told me not to worry and that he still had to review it. The next version, which Michael edited, was effective, clear and well reasoned and addressed every one of my concerns eliminating all my “what if’s”.
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Michael and his para-legal Laura, were proactive and in constant communications keeping me updated and informed. I was so grateful to have such a caring and knowledgeable team assisting me during one of the most difficult and dark times in my life. Their passion for serving others was contagious and refreshing. Michael and Laura’s commitment to making things a “little bit better for me” have and will make a dramatic and positive impact on the rest of my life.

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I have already referred Kevin to a few friends that are going to through the same things I went through for custody. During my first conversation with Kevin, he was very informative, knowledgeable, and felt very trustworthy and genuine. I had debating on hiring an attorney because of the cost and experiences in the past with other attorneys that I had, but after our initial conversation, I knew he was the right one for my case. Kevin always made me aware of all my options and helped me threw probably one the toughest times in my life. I will use him and his firm again if any issues should ever arise. The relief I felt knowing that he was on my side and fighting for what I wanted for my child was wonderful.

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