Colorado’s Child Support Guidelines for Shared Custody

As experienced family law practitioners in Denver, we understand that navigating child support calculations in shared custody arrangements can be complex and overwhelming. This comprehensive guide will help you understand Colorado’s approach to child support when parents share custody of their children.

Colorado Laws On Shared Child Custody and Child Support

What Is “Shared Physical Care” in Colorado?

Under Colorado’s Child Support Guidelines, a parent is considered to have “shared physical care” when they host their child for more than 92 overnights per year. Each co-parent contributes to their child’s expenses, in addition to making child support payments if any is ordered by the court.

Note that shared physical care is not the same as joint decision-making responsibility for a child. These two concepts are separate and unrelated. It is the share of physical custody, particularly the number of overnights, that significantly affects the calculation of child support in Colorado.

Will Child Support Still Be Required in Cases of Shared Custody?

Even when parents share physical care of their children in Colorado, they may still be required to make monthly child support payments. These payments are designed to meet the children’s basic needs in both parents’ households and are determined by factors such as:

• The gross monthly income of each parent
• Extraordinary expenses related to the children
• Costs associated with work-related childcare
• The cost of the children’s health insurance.

Typically, if there is a significant difference in the parents’ incomes, the parent with the higher income may be required to make support payments to the other parent. Additionally, the number of nights the children spend with each parent can influence the amount of child support owed.

Colorado Child Support Worksheets for Computation

Worksheet A Versus Worksheet B

The computation of child support in Colorado uses two different worksheets that guide parents through every step of the calculation. Worksheet A is used to calculate support when the child is in sole physical care, meaning they spend 273 or more overnights with only one parent. For shared physical custody arrangements, Worksheet B is used. This worksheet accounts for the proportion of overnights each parent has with the child.

Colorado Child Support Worksheet B for Shared Child Custody

This mathematical formula considers:

• The parents’ combined gross income
• Number of children
• Overnight percentages
• Additional expenses.

Shared physical care assumes that some child-related expenses are duplicated because the child divides time between two households. Thus, in Worksheet B for shared custody, the basic child support obligation is multiplied by 1.5. This multiplier appears in the formula before additional adjustments are made (such as for health care or daycare).

Frequently Asked Questions

How is shared custody defined in Colorado?

Shared custody in Colorado occurs when each parent has the child for at least 93 overnights per year. This arrangement affects how child support is calculated and can result in adjustments to the base support amount.

Can child support be modified in shared custody arrangements?

Yes, child support orders can be modified when there is a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Examples include:

• Income changes
• Significant shifts in parenting time
• Changes in the children’s needs.

What impact does remarriage have on child support determinations?

A new spouse’s income is not directly considered in child support calculations. However, remarriage might indirectly affect support if it changes the paying parent’s household expenses or tax filing status.

How are extraordinary expenses handled?

Extraordinary expenses are typically shared proportionally based on parents’ incomes. These might include:

• Special educational needs
• Extracurricular activities
• Medical procedures not covered by insurance.

For Legal Help With Your Child Support Case in Colorado, Contact Goldman Law

Whether you’re establishing a new child support arrangement or seeking modifications to an existing order, we at Goldman Law are here to provide the skilled legal guidance you need. With over 25 years of combined experience in family law, we can competently help you understand your rights and obligations while protecting your children’s best interests.

Don’t navigate these complex waters alone. Contact our Denver office today at (303) 656-9529 to schedule a consultation and let us help you secure a fair child support arrangement that works for your family.