Both parents have a financial obligation of support to their unemancipated children, and either spouse may have a duty of support to the other spouse arising out of an agreement or Court Order.
By Colorado law, both parents must provide support for their children either through payment of a child support order or by direct payment of expenses such as housing, utilities, food, clothing, and educational expenses. The State of Colorado has set minimum payment standards (Child Support Guidelines) utilizing a formula based on the number of children, parental incomes, health insurance costs, extraordinary expenses, and the amount of time each child is in each parent’s household.
When child support is not paid as ordered, there are several means of collecting past-due amounts, including wage assignments, garnishments, liens, and contempt of court proceedings.