Holiday Travel With Kids: What Divorced Parents Need to Know

The holiday season is one of the most exciting—and most stressful—times of the year for divorced or separated parents. Between school breaks, family gatherings, and out-of-state travel, navigating travel plans with children can quickly become complicated. Whether you’re planning a ski trip to the mountains or visiting relatives across the country, understanding your rights and responsibilities is essential.

As a family law firm dedicated to supporting Colorado parents, Divorce Matters helps families prepare for a smooth and conflict-free holiday season.

Check Your Parenting Plan First

Before booking flights or mapping out a road trip, review your court-approved parenting plan. Many Colorado parenting plans include specific language about:

  • Holiday rotations
  • Travel restrictions
  • Required notice for out-of-state trips
  • Passport arrangements (for international travel)

If your agreement specifies who gets the children for Christmas or New Year’s, these terms override normal weekly parenting schedules. Ignoring these provisions can cause disputes—or even lead to legal consequences.

If your plan is vague about holiday travel, Divorce Matters can help you update or clarify terms to avoid conflict.

Give Plenty of Notice to the Other Parent

Most parenting plans require “reasonable notice” before taking children out of state or overnight for holidays. Even if yours doesn’t, providing notice builds trust and reduces tension.

Be sure to share:

  • Travel dates
  • Flight numbers
  • Lodging information
  • Emergency contact details
  • Names of adults traveling with the child

Open communication protects your parental rights and helps keep kids safe.

Know When You Need Permission

In Colorado, parents traveling with children—especially out of state—must often obtain the other parent’s consent. This is especially important if:

  • The parenting plan includes a travel consent requirement
  • You share joint decision-making
  • You’re taking an international trip
  • The child does not have a passport or previously required both signatures

If the other parent refuses unreasonably, you may need court intervention. A family law attorney can help file for a motion to travel to ensure your plans stay on track.

Plan for Communication and Virtual Visits

Holiday travel doesn’t mean a child should lose contact with the other parent. Courts expect both parents to support ongoing communication—even during trips.

Consider arranging:

  • Scheduled FaceTime or Zoom calls
  • Daily text check-ins
  • Photo updates
  • Shared itineraries

This reassures the other parent while showing the court you prioritize co-parenting cooperation.

Prepare Travel Documents Early

Nothing ruins holiday joy faster than a passport issue or missing consent form. Before leaving, ensure you have:

  • Child’s passport (valid for entire travel period)
  • Notarized travel consent letter, if required
  • Medical consent forms
  • Health insurance cards
  • Parenting plan copies

These documents help avoid delays at airports and border checkpoints.

Put Your Child’s Needs First

Holiday travel can be exciting, but it can also be exhausting for kids—especially those adjusting to a new family dynamic. Keep the focus on what’s best for them by:

  • Minimizing rushed transitions
  • Avoiding hostile exchanges with the other parent
  • Maintaining routines as much as possible
  • Allowing downtime between events or flights

Supporting your child’s emotional wellbeing plays a major role in successful co-parenting during the holidays.

When Travel Disputes Arise

If the other parent is blocking travel, not following the holiday schedule, or violating your parenting plan, don’t wait. Holiday conflicts often require quick legal action—and courts get busy this time of year.

Common issues include:

  • One parent denying consent for out-of-state travel
  • Attempts to change holiday schedules last-minute
  • Failure to return a child on time
  • Disagreements about international travel safety

Working with family law attorneys who handle holiday parenting disputes can help protect your rights and avoid escalation.

Need Help With Holiday Travel Parenting Issues? Divorce Matters Is Here for You

Holiday travel should create meaningful memories—not legal headaches. If you’re facing travel disputes, need to modify your parenting plan, or want guidance on Colorado’s holiday custody laws, Divorce Matters can help you protect your rights and your child’s best interests. Contact Divorce Matters today to speak with a Colorado family law attorney.

Who Pays for School Christmas Party Expenses? Understanding Child Support During the Holidays

The holiday season is one of the most magical times of the year for children. Schools host Christmas parties, gift exchanges, concerts, winter festivals, and other special events that make December feel extra special.
But for divorced or separated parents, these school-related holiday expenses often raise a common question:

Do Christmas party costs count as child support expenses—and who should pay for them?

At Divorce Matters, we understand that even small seasonal costs can spark conflict when parenting plans and expectations aren’t aligned. Here’s what parents should know as holiday events begin filling the calendar.

Are School Christmas Party Expenses Included in Child Support?

Generally, child support covers a child’s basic, recurring needs—housing, food, clothing, school essentials, and healthcare. But holiday or seasonal expenses don’t always fit neatly into these categories.

School Christmas events often involve:

  • Classroom party contributions
  • Gifts for teachers
  • School-organized holiday field trips
  • Holiday performance attire
  • Fundraisers and seasonal activities

These non-routine expenses typically fall under a separate category known as extracurricular or special school-related expenses, depending on your parenting plan or court order.

What Most Parenting Plans Say

Many parenting plans specify how parents split extra school expenses, often 50/50, unless otherwise agreed.
However, if your order doesn’t specifically mention holiday costs, parents may need to:

  • Review their current court order
  • Check communication agreements
  • Discuss and mutually agree on a fair split

When plans are outdated or unclear, misunderstandings are common—and unnecessary stress follows.

Why Holiday School Expenses Become a Conflict Point

December tends to amplify financial and emotional strain. Parents may disagree on:

  • Whether a fee or item is “necessary”
  • Who should make the purchase
  • Whether these costs are already covered by monthly child support
  • Last-minute school announcements and deadlines

If one parent feels they are paying more than their share, resentment can build. Clear expectations—and updated legal guidance—can prevent conflict during a month that should be joyful for your children.

How Parents Can Stay Aligned During the Holidays

Here are a few best practices for smooth, conflict-free co-parenting during the Christmas season:

1. Communicate Early

Share school calendars, teacher emails, and cost breakdowns as soon as they come in.

2. Set a Budget Together

Agree on reasonable spending for holiday-related school items.

3. Put Agreements in Writing

Even a quick message or co-parenting app confirmation can prevent misunderstandings.

4. Follow Your Existing Court Order

If it specifies cost-sharing rules, stick to them—consistency helps avoid conflict.

5. Update Your Parenting Plan if Needed

If holiday expenses or school activities happen often and the order doesn’t address them, a modification may be helpful.

When to Involve a Lawyer

If disagreements keep happening—especially every holiday season—it may be time to seek legal clarity.

A family law attorney can help you:

  • Review whether child support covers certain expenses
  • Interpret vague or outdated parenting plan language
  • Modify orders to reflect your child’s actual needs
  • Reduce recurring disputes through clearer terms

At Divorce Matters, we help parents each year navigate holiday-related child support questions and establish long-term solutions that protect both children and co-parents from unnecessary stress.

Get Clear Guidance Before Holiday Conflicts Grow

Holiday school activities should bring joy—not disputes. If questions about child support and Christmas party expenses keep resurfacing, clear legal guidance can make all the difference.

Divorce Matters is here to help you understand your rights, update your parenting plan, and ensure fair sharing of holiday school expenses. 

Need support this holiday season?
Contact us at Divorce Matters today to protect your parenting rights and secure peaceful co-parenting.

Establishing Guardianship in Colorado: Protecting Your Child with Legal Support

When life takes unexpected turns, parents often face tough questions about who will care for their children if they can’t. Guardianship offers a legal solution that ensures a trusted adult can step in to make crucial decisions and provide daily care when parents are unable to do so.

Whether due to illness, deployment, or other personal challenges, establishing guardianship gives parents and families peace of mind knowing their children’s well-being and future are secure. At Divorce Matters, we understand how emotional and complex these decisions can be, and we’re here to help families protect what matters most.

What Is Guardianship?

Guardianship is a court-approved legal arrangement that allows someone other than a child’s parent — known as the guardian — to make decisions about the child’s care, education, and welfare.

In Colorado, guardianship is established through the courts and governed by the Colorado Probate Code. The primary goal is always to serve the best interests of the child.

Parents often seek guardianship when:

  • They’re temporarily unable to care for the child due to health issues, incarceration, or deployment.
  • They’re planning for the future in case of incapacity or death.
  • A child needs stability and protection in a difficult home environment.

Types of Guardianship in Colorado

Every family’s situation is unique, and Colorado law provides several types of guardianship to meet those needs.

1. Temporary Guardianship

Temporary guardianship allows a trusted individual to care for a child for a limited time — often when a parent faces a short-term challenge such as hospitalization, travel, or deployment. This arrangement usually lasts up to six months unless extended by the court.

2. Permanent (or Long-Term) Guardianship

Permanent guardianship is granted when a parent cannot resume caring for the child. This gives the guardian long-term decision-making authority, though it doesn’t terminate the parent’s rights completely. Parents may still remain involved when appropriate.

3. Testamentary Guardianship

Parents can name a testamentary guardian in their will — ensuring their wishes are clear if they pass away. This proactive step can prevent family disputes and ensures a trusted person is ready to step in when needed.

How to Establish Guardianship in Colorado

The process of establishing guardianship requires court involvement to ensure that the arrangement truly benefits the child. Working with a skilled family law attorney can help you avoid delays and confusion.

Here’s an overview of the process:

  1. Filing a Petition – The process begins when an interested party (usually a relative or family friend) files a petition for guardianship in court.
  2. Notifying Interested Parties – The court requires notification of all parties with a legal interest, such as the parents, grandparents, or others close to the child.
  3. Background Checks and Evaluations – The court may order background checks or home studies to confirm that the guardian can provide a safe, stable environment.
  4. Court Hearing – The judge reviews the petition, hears testimony, and decides whether guardianship serves the child’s best interests.
  5. Issuance of Letters of Guardianship – If approved, the guardian receives official documentation authorizing them to make decisions for the child.

Guardianship vs. Custody: Understanding the Difference

While guardianship and custody both involve caring for a child, they are not the same under Colorado law.

  • Custody (often called parental responsibilities) applies when parents separate or divorce and must decide how to share parenting time and decision-making.
  • Guardianship applies when someone other than a parent assumes responsibility for a child, often due to a parent’s absence or incapacity.

Both arrangements focus on the child’s best interests, but guardianship typically involves extended family members or trusted friends, rather than parents.

Why Guardianship Matters

Without formal guardianship, even a close relative may face challenges in caring for a child. Schools, doctors, and other institutions may require legal documentation before allowing someone to make important decisions for a minor.

Legal guardianship ensures that:

  • The guardian can act on behalf of the child without legal barriers.
  • The child’s living arrangement is stable and court-recognized.
  • The guardian has authority to make decisions about education, healthcare, and daily life.

Most importantly, guardianship prevents uncertainty and potential family conflict — ensuring that a child’s safety and stability come first.

How Divorce Matters Can Help

At Divorce Matters, we know that guardianship decisions often arise during emotional and uncertain times. Our experienced attorneys provide compassionate guidance and reliable legal support to help you make informed choices.

We can assist with:

  • Filing guardianship petitions and handling court procedures.
  • Preparing testamentary guardianship documents as part of your estate plan.
  • Advising on the differences between guardianship, custody, and adoption.
  • Representing you in court to protect your rights and your child’s best interests.

We’re committed to helping Colorado families find peace of mind by ensuring their children are protected — today and in the future.

Final Thoughts

Establishing guardianship is one of the most caring and responsible steps a parent or family member can take. It’s about more than legal paperwork — it’s about providing stability, safety, and love for a child when they need it most.

If you’re considering guardianship or want to plan for your child’s future, contact Divorce Matters today. Our experienced Colorado family law attorneys will walk you through every step of the process and help you make the best decision for your family.

What Types of Law Does Divorce Matters Practice?

Just from our name, it’s easy to tell that we excel in divorce law, but what other kinds of cases can Divorce Matters handle? We are a law firm specializing in family law. Family law covers a wide variety of different cases including:

Adoption

Estate Planning

Divisions of Marital Property

An important part of the divorce process in Colorado is figuring out how to divide marital property. The procedure generally involves two steps. First, it must be determined what marital property is. Second, the marital property must be divided equitably

Spousal Maintenance

In Colorado, neither spouse has an automatic right to maintenance. The court may award maintenance only if it finds that the spouse seeking maintenance lacks sufficient property to meet their reasonable needs and, in addition, is either unable to support themselves through appropriate employment or should not be required to seek employment because of child care responsibilities. Divorce Matters has lots of experience in Spousal Maintenance negotiations and our attorneys are the perfect choice to help you!

Child Custody

When children are involved, the divorce process doesn’t end once the final paperwork is filed. With children come often contentious and painful negotiations about and modification of parental rights, parenting time, and custody. Our team has deep experience dealing with child custody and parental rights issues and we believe it is our duty and an imperative to help couples address custody and rights issues in ways that reduce the impact of divorce and protect children in the process.

Child Support

In Colorado, child support is based on strict guidelines dictated by state laws and statutes. The issue of child support is separate and distinct from the issue of parenting time, and child support payments may not be conditioned upon parenting time. Due to these strict laws, it is important to have guidance from an expert attorney throughout the process.

Post Decree Modifications

Have your circumstances changed since your divorce? Have you lost your job? Has your ex-spouse received a salary increase? Did your ex-spouse fail to disclose financial matters during the dissolution of marriage? Once your divorce is finalized, fortunately, not everything in your original separation agreement or parenting plan is set in stone. Courts recognize that circumstances change, and, sometimes, spouses hide income or assets during the divorce process. Depending on the exact circumstances of your case, you may have a variety of options post-decree. In the following sections, we explore your options in modifying maintenance, child support, parenting time, custody, and decision-making, as well as how you can reopen your property division.

Mediation and Arbitration

Mediation and arbitration are perfect options for anyone going through a divorce. Both options allow the partners to take more control in the divorce, as well as keep the process out of court. Not only does Divorce Matters represent clients through mediation and arbitration, but we also have a mediator on staff!

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence happens to people in all classes, statuses, and ranks in life, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, education, profession, or socioeconomic status. The unfortunate reality is that one in four women in the U.S. will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, resulting in an estimated 1.3 million women becoming victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.

Contempt of Court

After having gone through a divorce or once you have some orders from the court, you may at some point find yourself on either end of a contempt of court action if one of the parties is not complying with the orders. If you find yourself on either end of a contempt action, Divorce Matters is here to help!

Unbundled Legal Services

Unbundled legal services are the perfect solution for anyone not ready to jump into full-scale representation. With unbundled services, you can hire an attorney at their hourly rate to help you with specific aspects of your legal troubles, like filing paperwork or gathering documents!

Common-Law Marriage

The state of Colorado allows couples to enter into common law marriage. However, the parameters of common law marriage can be hazy and difficult to understand, just like common law divorce

Appeals

If your case falls under family law, we can help with your appeal!

Prenuptial Agreements

While there are a million things to plan when a couple decides to marry, often the most difficult to discuss with your future partner is the possible need for a prenuptial agreement. While this subject is not the most romantic or exciting part of wedding planning, a couple contemplating marriage in Colorado may need to consider entering into a prenuptial agreement, or a contract before marriage.

Military Divorce

To thank our Military service members, we even offer 10% off of legal fees! This discount is offered to all active and retired service members, veterans, and military spouses.

Thomas Legal Firm

While Divorce Matters only deals in family law, we do have a sister law firm that offers other services. Thomas Law Firm deals with Criminal matters as well as Civil Law matters, including general litigation, civil rights, workers’ compensation, and business defense litigation.

Are Same-Sex Divorces Handled the Same As Heterosexual Divorces?

With tides having turned in the struggle for LGBTQ+ marriage rights over the last decade, often questions about whether there are any differences when it comes to marriage for same-sex couples arise. Are these marriages the same as heterosexual marriages? And what about the divorces?

How is same-sex divorce different from a divorce between a heterosexual couple?

Because same-sex marriage is legal in Colorado there is virtually no difference between same-sex divorce and heterosexual divorce. This means that you can either be a petitioner and respondent or petitioner and co-petitioner. After that, the divorce will proceed as a heterosexual divorce would.

How will child support and custody factor into a same-sex divorce?

Because many same-sex couples have children, this is a question that is often at the forefront of the couples’ minds. However, the court will proceed as they would for any divorce. Regardless of whether or not the child is biologically yours, or adopted by one or both parents, the court will determine parenting time based on the best interests of the child. If both parents are adoptive parents, they are both treated as if they are legal parents to the children. This is the same if one party is the biological parent and one party is an adoptive parent.

Additionally, child support will be calculated using the same calculation as in any other child support situation. If you’re curious what child support might look like in your particular set of circumstances, check out our calculator.

If you are interested in common law marriage divorce or divorce for LGBTQIA+ couples, you can learn more here. You can also find more materials discussing same-sex marriage on our website.

What if I Believe My Spouse is Unfit to Take Care of Our Children?

If you believe that your spouse (or former spouse) is unfit to care for your children, there are a few possible routes to take. The route that you take will depend on the urgency and severity of the situation. If the situation does not require immediate attention, you can file a “Motion for Modification of Parenting Time”. If the situation is more urgent and needs to be remedied immediately, you can file a “Motion to Restrict Parenting Time” or you can call Child Protective Services (CPS). You can learn more about each of these options below.

Motion for Modification of Parenting Time

There are a few different routes to take depending on the severity of the situation. If your concerns do not require immediate attention, you can file a “Motion for Modification of Parenting Time” as discussed above. This motion may be filed every two years or as often as necessary, as long as you can prove that circumstances have changed. The change in circumstances could be a variety of things, including, but not limited to, moving, use of drugs or illegal substances, or the creation of an unsafe situation for children. In proving this change of circumstances, it may be helpful to hire a third-party investigator, called a Child and Family Investigator or Parental Responsibilities Evaluator. To be clear, this is not an immediate solution and will take a minimum of 3 months to complete. Following a minimum of 3 months, the court may deny the modification and elect to keep the parenting plan consistent or modify the plan in line with the requested modification or in any way the court sees fit to modify the parenting time agreement.

Motion to Restrict Parenting Time

If your situation is more urgent, there are two roads that will lead to a quicker resolution from the court. One of these options is to file a “Motion to Restrict Parenting Time”. This motion must include the reasons that you believe the children will be endangered, either physically or emotionally, by remaining in the care of the opposing parent. The court is required to set a hearing date within 14 days of filing this motion, making it significantly quicker than filing a “Motion for Modification of Parenting Time”. When the date of the hearing comes around, you should make sure to bring any evidence you have that your children are not safe with the opposing parent. It is important that this evidence is not just what your children have told you, as this can be considered “hearsay” and may not be admissible evidence. If the court finds that you are correct and the other parent is physically or emotionally endangering the child, there may be steps or restrictions put into place that the opposing parent must go through if they want to regain any parenting time. For example, if the opposing parent has been using drugs, the court may order a rehabilitation program before they are allowed to regain any parenting time. The court can also restrict or reduce the opposing parent’s parenting time. It is important to remember that this is a very serious claim and should not be filed without base. If this motion is found to be baseless or vengeful, the court may require you to pay the opposing parent’s attorney fees.

Child Protective Services

The second option for a more urgent case is contacting Child Protective Services (CPS). CPS is a government agency that investigates claims of child abuse or neglect. This is the most serious action and will result in the most immediate response. Before getting more into this process, it is important to note that calling CPS on the opposing parent will also invite CPS to investigate you. The organization is meant to make decisions in the best interest of the child and they cannot do this without investigating every aspect of your children’s lives.  This investigation will include interviewing both parents, various witnesses, and the children themselves. CPS will generally make findings of the best situation for the children without initiating action through the court. In more severe cases, however, CPS will initiate action through the courts called a “Dependency and Neglect Action”. This may result in the child being removed from the unsafe environment, supervised visitation, reintegration therapy, substance abuse monitoring, or any action that the court feels is appropriate to the situation.

Will I be Affected by Changes to the 2021 Child Tax Credit?

Recently it was announced that under the American Rescue Plan Act the expanded Child Tax Credit would be distributed differently in 2021. This year, half of the tax credit will be distributed on a monthly basis beginning in July and the other half will arrive with your 2021 tax refund. While this tax credit is a welcomed relief for many families who are struggling to make ends meet, it also spells confusion for most folks who are going through or already divorced.

How will this tax credit be distributed if I am divorced?

The Child Tax Credit can only be claimed on one tax return, so if you are divorced or filing separately this means that only one parent will be able to claim the tax credit. A court order or separation agreement will name the person eligible to claim the tax credit, this is typical whichever parent has primary custody. There are several ways a 50/50 custody arrangement might address this, for example, some may choose to file with the tax credit every other year.

Can the courts rule that this year’s tax credit be split?

In most cases, the courts will follow whatever was agreed upon in your separation agreement or court order. However, this is not the end of the line if you wish to treat this year’s tax credit differently. For example, if your ex claims the tax credit every year but you are able to come to an agreement with them that you will file for the tax credit this year, you can file an IRS Form 8332. This form is a right of tax benefit transfer, which would allow you to claim for this year. Please be aware that it is important you check with your attorney first before moving forward with anything that deviates from your separation agreement. We also suggest seeking out a tax professional for help with filing your taxes.

Can the tax credit payments be garnished for child support if I am behind on my payments?

Per the American Rescue Plan Act, this tax credit is not subject to garnishment meaning you will receive the full amount from the government. However, this does not protect that payment from garnishment or levy once the money is in your bank account. Another consideration is that while it won’t be garnished when distributed when you file your taxes at the end of the year it may be subject to offset.

What do I do if the tax credit was claimed by my ex, but I was supposed to claim it this year?

The best way to handle this is to get in touch with your attorney. They will be able to help you chart the best course of action, whether that be reaching out to negotiate with your ex and coming to an amicable resolution, or filing a motion of contempt with the courts.

If you have questions, please reach out to one of our experienced attorneys today.

If I’ve Lost My Job Due To The CoronaVirus, Can I Get My Maintenance or Child Support Payments Reduced or Changed?

Have you experienced an interruption to your job due to the coronavirus such as a reduction in hours or loss of job? Can you get your maintenance or child support payments reduced or changed if this is the case and how quickly?

The coronavirus is pushing the country into uncharted waters, jeopardizing nearly half of American jobs. If your work has been impacted by the coronavirus, you may wish to modify the amount of maintenance you are paying your ex-spouse. The first step in tackling this question is to determine whether you can modify maintenance in the first place.

If you and your ex-spouse were able to agree to maintenance as a part of a larger separation agreement, you may have agreed that maintenance is modifiable, or non-modifiable. If the separation agreement states that maintenance is modifiable, then keep reading.

Adversely, if the separation agreement expressly states that maintenance is non-modifiable, then you are unable to request a modification, period. You must pay your maintenance pursuant to the terms of the separation agreement, regardless of changing circumstances.

If maintenance was awarded by the judge at your permanent orders hearing, then it is always subject to modification. This is mandated by Colorado Statutes, which states: “Except upon written agreement of the parties, an award of maintenance entered pursuant to this section may be modified or terminated pursuant to the provisions of section 14-10-122.” §14-10-114(5)(a), C.R.S.

In order to modify maintenance, you must meet the legal requirement, which is “a showing of changed circumstances so substantial and continuing as to make the terms unfair.” §14-10-122(1)(a), C.R.S.

When dealing with child support, there is a higher bar to meet, as the change must result in at least a 10% difference in owed support. Maintenance, on the other hand, depends on whether you can prove to the court a “substantial and continuing” change in circumstances.

This is not an either-or test; you must prove that the change in circumstances (your lost job, for example) is both substantial and continuing.

What courts look for is a change in circumstances so substantial that it renders the original maintenance award unfair. A modest change to your income is not likely to be seen as substantial, no matter how permanent it may be.

Loss of employment, while immediate and substantial, is usually temporary. If you will likely be re-hired when the pandemic subsides, it is likely premature to file for a modification of maintenance or child support because you will be unable to meet the legal requirement that the change in employment circumstances is continuous, not just substantial.

If you have any questions or concerns about your maintenance or child support call us at 720-542-6142 to speak with one of our attorneys, or fill out our form here.

Because family law is an extremely personal matter we are not eliminating face-to-face meetings at this time. However, we do have virtual and telephonic meetings available and strongly encourage them for anyone who wishes to conduct their consultation via telephone or computer in accordance with social distancing protocols.

So Your Ex Is Not Paying Child Support”¦

Getting a divorce can feel a little like running a marathon. Once you reach the end, you might collapse in a heap and tell yourself, “Never again.”

Unfortunately, in many situations, the real trouble has only just begun. Now, you need to spend one or two decades co-parenting with your ex, which often involves one parent paying child support to the other based on a monthly schedule.

But what happens when the other parent refuses to pay? You can ask them to pay, but they might avoid your phone calls. In this situation, you might need to seek enforcement from the judge, called contempt of court.

What is Contempt of Court?

When you received your divorce decree, the judge entered certain orders. These are not optional recommendations to each party but judicial commands to do something. If you or your ex decides not to follow the order, then a judge can find you in contempt.

Your ex might flout the judge’s ruling in all kinds of situation, such as paying child support or alimony or refusing to transfer title of an asset that is now yours thanks to the division of property.

What are the Punishments for Contempt of Court?

Judges have the discretion to bring the party in contempt back into compliance. Sometimes, a stern warning is enough. In other situations, a judge might order the person in contempt to pay money until they start following the orders or even send the person to jail. Usually, it never gets that far””but it could.

A judge might also revisit orders. For example, the judge could award more custody to a parent if his ex decides to disobey the judge’s orders. To determine what is the best remedy, you should consult with your Denver family law attorney.

How Do I Request a Contempt Citation?

You must complete forms and submit them to the court for consideration. It is probably best to have your attorney pursue contempt for you. Making a frivolous request could hurt you more than it would help, so let a lawyer analyze whether requesting a contempt citation is in your best interests.

Divorce Matters Can Help

Obtaining a divorce is only half the battle. If you are struggling to get your ex to follow the terms of your divorce, then you might need to file for a contempt citation. Contact Divorce Matters today. Our Denver contempt of court divorce lawyers have helped countless people over the past years.

Contact us today by calling 720-580-6745 or sending us a message.

If I Get a Raise, Will My Child Support Increase?

Life happens, and because of this, a child support order is not permanent. Sometimes a parent may find themselves in a new job where they are earning more or they may receive a significant raise at work. On the other hand, sometimes circumstances go the other way, and a parent may find they’ve lost their job. Whatever your circumstances are, if you have a child support order in place there is definitely a chance that at some point it will need to be modified.

To modify a child support order, there has to be at least a 10% difference in the existing child support order and there is no mechanism in place that automatically changes a child support order when a change in circumstance occurs. If a change needs to be reviewed, you need to file a motion to modify child support with the court.

The short answer? You may have to pay more if you receive a raise at work. However, this is not necessarily a given. The difference between the existing child support order and the potential new one has to be greater than 10%. The court also needs to receive a motion to modify child support before the order will change.

Some other situations where child support may be modified:

  • A change in child custody and visitation
  • Reduced child care costs as a child gets older
  • Emancipation of a child

If you believe you need help with a modification of child support, contact the attorneys at Divorce Matters. We also offer a free child support and maintenance calculator app if you need help determining potential changes, our app can be found in both the Google Play and iOS stores, click here to learn more.