Child Support Basics

Each state has its own way of calculating child support. In Colorado, the support obligation is determined by using what is called the income shares model, whereas the monthly gross income of both parents is calculated and, it is the noncustodial parent's share of the support obligation that will determine the amount of the monthly child support order.

Keep in mind that the amount of child support the non-custodial parent pays is also affected by his or her visitation with the children. For example, more time with the children results in a lower support obligation. In Colorado, both parents share the cost of child care, medical insurance and uninsured medical expenses. In addition to considering the income of both parents, the courts also consider a number of other factors when determining how much support the child will receive including:

• The child's best interests
• The standard of living the child enjoyed before the divorce
• Both parents' income
• The needs of the custodial parent
• The child's educational and medical needs
• Child care expenses
• Travel expenses for visitation
• Health insurance for the children
• Future college expenses

In many cases, couples include a child support agreement within their divorce settlement. This can be obtained through a simple negotiation between the parents, or through legal mediation, where an unbiased third party helps with the negotiation process.

On other occasions, where couples cannot agree, they come to a negotiation or compromise with their individual lawyers, who represent each party. These situations are more serious and usually arise where there are greater conflicts over child support and other aspects of the divorce. When couples are still not happy with the terms of their divorce, their case can go as far as arbitration or even a trial, when the couple had too many disagreements with the court mandated support orders.

Mediation, a Better Answer

If you are getting a divorce, getting the legal advice of a skilled Denver divorce mediation attorney can help you avoid conflicts over child support with your spouse in the future. At Mediation Partners & Divorce Help Center, we strive to help you and your spouse come to an amicable agreement in all of your divorce matters.

Contact a Denver Divorce Mediation Lawyer from our firm today for a free consultation!