Raising a child is a journey filled with joy, but it also brings significant financial responsibilities that don't disappear when a relationship ends. We know that talking about money and parenting can bring up a lot of deep-seated stress and worry.
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How Child Support Amounts Are Calculated and Modified
Raising a child is a journey filled with joy, but it also brings significant financial responsibilities that don't disappear when a relationship ends. We know that talking about money and parenting can bring up a lot of deep-seated stress and worry. It’s natural to feel protective of your child’s future while also worrying about your own financial stability.
At Durango Family Law, we help parents find clarity in what feels like a challenging situation. We're located in Durango, Colorado, and we serve residents in Pagosa Springs, Cortez, Dolores, Silverton, Hermosa, Hesperus, La Plata County, Montezuma County, and San Juan County, helping with child support matters. Reach out to our child support attorneys today.
Factors Involved in the Income Shares Model
Colorado uses a specific system called the Income Shares Model to determine how much child support is necessary. This model is built on the idea that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income that they'd have received if the parents lived together.
It doesn't look at one parent in a vacuum; instead, it combines both parents' gross incomes. We'll take a look at some of the primary factors that go into the initial calculation:
Gross monthly income: This includes wages, commissions, bonuses, and sometimes even dividends or trust income from both parents.
Existing support obligations: If a parent is already paying child support or alimony for a different family, those amounts are usually deducted.
Healthcare premiums: The cost of adding a child to a health insurance plan is a significant factor that's credited to the parent who pays.
Work-related childcare: Since parents need to work to provide, the cost of daycare or after-school care is factored into the total support necessary.
Every family’s financial picture looks a bit different, and it’s important to get these numbers right from the start. If you miss a deduction or fail to report a certain type of income correctly, the resulting order might not be fair. Our child support attorneys work closely with our clients to gather all the necessary documentation so the court has an accurate view.
Impact of Parenting Time on Payments
The amount of time a child spends with each parent directly affects the final child support amount. In Colorado, the law distinguishes between "Standard" and "Shared" physical care based on the number of overnights. When a child spends more than 92 overnights per year with each parent, the calculation changes significantly.
If the schedule changes significantly in practice, the support order might need to be revisited to stay fair. We see many cases where the written schedule doesn't match what's actually happening day to day.
The legal order must reflect the truth of your life to avoid financial hardship, and an experienced lawyer can verify that the math reflects the reality of the situation. Call our child support attorneys today for more information.
Extraordinary Expenses and Adjustments
Sometimes, the basic calculation isn't enough to cover the actual costs of raising a child with specific needs. The law allows for "extraordinary expenses" to be added to the basic support obligation. These are larger, less common expenditures that are necessary for the child’s well-being. Several specific costs can be factored into your case:
Educational costs: This can include tuition for private schools or specialized tutoring if the child has specific learning requirements.
Medical treatments: Costs for braces, physical therapy, or ongoing treatment for chronic conditions often fall outside standard insurance coverage.
Travel expenses: If the parents live far apart, the cost of transporting the child for visitation can be factored into the support order.
Extracurricular activities: While not always included, high costs for high-level sports or arts programs should be shared if both parents agree.
Adding these expenses requires clear communication and often a specific legal request. You can't always assume that the other parent will automatically pay half of a new expense. Our child support attorneys help our clients identify these potential costs early so they can be included in the initial agreement.
Reasons for Modifying an Existing Order
Life doesn't stay the same, and neither do your financial circumstances. A child support order that worked three years ago might not make sense today. In Colorado, you can request a modification if there's a "substantial and continuing change" in your life's circumstances. There are several common reasons why a parent might seek to change the amount:
Income changes: A significant promotion, a job loss, or a career change can drastically alter the math of the Income Shares Model.
Changes in parenting time: If the child starts spending significantly more or less time with one parent, the support needs to be recalculated.
Emancipation: When an older child turns 19 or otherwise becomes self-supporting, the total amount for the remaining children needs to be adjusted.
Shifts in healthcare or childcare costs: If insurance costs drop or a child no longer needs daycare, the support amount should reflect those savings.
Waiting too long to modify an order can lead to unintended consequences, like accruing debt or missing out on needed funds. Support modifications aren't usually retroactive to the date the change happened, but rather to the date the motion was filed. It's important to act quickly when you notice a permanent change.
Call Our Child Support Attorneys Today
Child support isn't about money; it's about making sure your child has what they need. Whether you're setting up an initial agreement or trying to change one, you deserve to have your voice heard and your finances handled with precision. Our goal is to take the weight off your shoulders so you can focus on being the best parent possible. At Durango Family Law, we're proud to stand by our neighbors in Pagosa Springs, Cortez, Dolores, Silverton, Hermosa, Hesperus, La Plata County, Montezuma County, and San Juan County. Reach out to our child support attorneys today to schedule a consultation.
