In Colorado, a parent’s legal obligation to provide financial support for their children does not end with divorce. Noncustodial parents will generally be ordered by the court to make a monthly child support payment to help cover the costs of raising a child.
In Colorado, judges apply a set of presumptive child support guidelines to determine the amount of the monthly payment obligation. The guidelines take into account each parent’s gross monthly income, as well as which parent has the responsibility of paying for certain expenses, including medical insurance and day care. The guidelines also take into consideration how many overnights the child spends with each parent.
For parents who are self-employed the calculation of the child support obligation is more complex. Calculating the gross monthly income of a self-employed parent can require some sophisticated accounting work.
Stay-at-home parents with children over two and a half years old may also be subject to the calculation of imputed income. This means that the court will assume the parent could earn a certain amount outside the home. Dealing with imputed income can require experienced legal counsel who understands your fact situation.
The information in this post is general and should not be taken as specific legal advice. If you have concerns about whether your child support obligation is too much, or that you are not receiving enough to meet everyday expenses, an experienced Colorado family law attorney can help. Shea L. Burchill, P.C. has been involved in the practice of family law, including child support issues, for over a decade. For more information, visit our Longmont Child Support Lawyer webpage.