Colorado Child Support

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A divorce affects the life of children in a number of ways - physically, psychologically, financially and socially. Many separating parents try to maintain a healthy relationship between themselves for the sake of the children. But there are parents who forget their responsibilities once they get divorced from their partners. In many cases they do not even wish to pay the child support amount for the betterment of their children. A custodial parent needs financial help from the non-custodial parent in order to meet all the requirements of their children. Thus child subsidy laws are formed in many nations and states. All the fifty states in USA have different child support laws. Colorado has laid down child maintenance rules and guidelines. State divorce laws mandate a certain amount to be paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent. The Colorado Child Support Commission has developed the Colorado divorce child support guidelines.

The guidelines can be found in §14-10-115, Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.). These are enacted by the Colorado General Assembly. One can find the guidelines in §14-10-115, Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.).

Enforcement of Colorado Divorce Child Support

The Colorado Child Support Enforcement Program aims at assuring that every children of the divorced parent get proper medical and financial support from each parent. This program is developed to provide an all-round development of the child by helping parents assume the shared responsibility. This is done in the following ways:

• Locating non-custodial parents and their property
• Establishing medical support and child subsidy orders
• Modifying and enforcing child subsidy orders
• Establishing paternity

Some examples

Let us consider that the county Child Support Enforcement (CSE) unit is engaged in the enforcement of the court support order. In this case, the parent has to disburse his/her payment to the Family Support Registry (FSR).

This parent should call the FSR Customer Service Department and ask for an FSR account number or if they have any queries regarding the same. The county CSE unit allocates this number. In future, when this parent contacts the FSR, they should mention this number.

The payments must be made by a money order or check. Keep the following points in mind while doing this:

• The parent must include the below mentioned data along with each payment:
  • The FSR account number
  • The name of the person who owes support
  • The court case number
  • Amount dispatched for each FSR account number
• The parent must never send cash.
• All the payments must be payable to the 'Family Support Registry'.
• Along with each payment, the parent must include the coupon.

Let us think of a case in which a payment has been received along with the FSR account number on a Tuesday. This payment is processed on Tuesday itself. Generally, it is paid to the custodial party on the next business day.

Calculation of Colorado Divorce Child Support

For those cases in which the parents are unmarried, separated or divorced, the Colorado Child Support Guidelines have been adopted by the state's legislature. These guidelines are developed with an objective that a fair share of every parent's income and resources are offered to the child so that the child can live in the same way as it used to live before the divorce happened.

In the determination of a basic support obligation, the following points are considered:

• The monthly gross incomes of both parents
• Income from salaries and wages
• Rents
• Bonuses, dividends, commissions, capital gains, annuities
• Social security benefits
• Unemployment insurance benefits
• Monetary gifts
• Pension and retirement benefits
• Insurance benefits related to disability
• Data that throws light on how intact families use money for their children

On the basis of the gross income of both parents, the basic support obligation is shared. The non-custodial parent's share determines the amount that should be included in the support order. The time spend in visitation (parenting time) can also impact the support amount. It is expected that the parents should share the following expenses:

• Uninsured medical expenditure
• Medical insurance
• Childcare

Let us assume that the calculation of the child subsidy amount as per the guidelines is complete. Any parent may state a reason for deviation from the guidelines. For example, in a specific case the non- custodial parent's gross monthly income may be between 850 to 1,850 USD. This parent can request a low income adjustment.

Colorado child support calculator

The child support calculator in this state is used for demonstrative purposes only. Before filing for a case in the court, you can get an approximate idea of the support amount that you have to pay or receive. Although the court will take the final decision regarding the support amount, you can use this calculator for your convenience. You can visit various divorce related websites and calculate the amount with the help of these calculators.

What is a default order in child maintenance?

A 'default order' is an order that is issued in cases when a parent does not respond within the essential time period mentioned in the legal notice sent to the parent prior to determination of paternity. Such an order is enforceable and legally valid.

If anyone of the parents wants a modification in child maintenance order, they can request the court for this modification. It is to be noted that the amount that each parent pays towards post-secondary education for a child must be subtracted from every parent's gross income.

Thus it is clear that you should provide all truthful and correct information regarding your finances so that the court can take the right decision regarding your Colorado divorce child support.

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