Frequently-Asked Questions on Establishing a Child Support/Medical Support Order
Q: How is a child support amount determined?
A: Colorado uses a formula that is based upon both parents’ gross income as well as the number of overnights the child spends
in each of the parent’s homes. The formula also considers certain expenses related to the child, such as health insurance
and daycare expenses. It does not consider the income of step-parents or partners. These guidelines and detailed instructions
are available at www.courts.co.us.
Q: How can Child Support Enforcement help to determine a child support obligation?
A: Child Support Enforcement can arrange a negotiation conference to review financial information for both parents. We will
send both parties a financial affidavit prior to the conference and require supporting documents such as pay stubs. During
the conference, we will work to calculate the recommended monthly child support obligation using the child support guidelines.
Q: How will Child Support Enforcement help to establish the child support order?
A: If both parents agree on the amount established during the negotiation conference, Child Support Enforcement will enter
an administrative order. If either party does not agree on the amount, we will establish a temporary order and schedule a
court hearing, where a magistrate will decide the final amount based on child support guidelines.
Q: What if one or both parents have a low income?
A: If the combined monthly income of both parents or of just the non-custodial parent is $850 or less, a child support order
of $50 per month is entered. If a parent has a monthly gross income of $1,850 or less, a low-income adjustment is applied
in the formula to determine the amount.
Q: What if the non-custodial parent lives in another state?
A: The Child Support Enforcement Division will review a case to determine if Colorado has legal authority over the non-custodial
parent to establish, modify or enforce a child support order. If Colorado does not have legal authority, a Case Specialist
will request assistance from the state in which the non-custodial parent resides. The timeframes for processing cases often
are longer than when both parents reside in the same state.
Q: What if the custodial parent doesn't know where the non-custodial parent lives?
A: The Child Support Enforcement Division will use all available resources to locate a non-custodial parent. The custodial
parent can help by giving as much information about the non-custodial parent as possible to the Case Specialist and by updating
the Case Specialist when he/she finds out any information regarding the non-custodial parent's whereabouts.
Q: How long will a non-custodial parent pay child support?
A: If the order was established in Colorado, it lasts until the child reaches age 19. If your child is still in high school
when he/she turns 19, it is your duty to provide support until the month after graduation. If you are paying support for more
than one child, please refer to your order. Most child support orders contain a fixed amount for all of the children, which
is due until the youngest child emancipates. If your order was issued in another state, please refer to that state’s law,
as age of emancipation may differ.
Q: What if either parent’s circumstances change?
A: If your income, daycare expenses, health insurance benefits for the child or the number of overnights change, you can request
that Child Support Enforcement review your current circumstances to determine if the support amount should be re-calculated.
An order may only be modified if the re-calculation using the child support guidelines shows a change of at least 10% up or
down in the amount of support. Please visit www.childsupport.state.co.us for more information as well as the forms required to request a review of your current support order.
Q. When is a parent ordered to provide health insurance?
A. Most child support orders state that medical insurance be provided if available at a reasonable cost to the parent, which
is defined as 20% of the parent’s gross monthly income. The parent who is paying for the health insurance premium for the
child is entitled to credit for the amount of the premium on the child support guidelines.
Q: Is child support withheld from Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)?
A: Yes, child support is withheld from SSDI benefits; however, if your child is receiving a portion of your SSDI benefit from
the Social Security Administration, please inform your case specialist immediately. The child support specialist may re-calculate the support and reduce the
amount of child support by the amount of the portion of the benefit your child is receiving.
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