What Do I Do If My Ex Is Not Paying Child Support?

What do you do if your ex-spouse refuses to make court-ordered child support payments?

Being a single parent can be tough, and child support payments help the parent keep bills and childcare costs under control. So it can be devastating when one party refuses to make those payments.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to force your ex-spouse’s hand. The state takes child support very seriously, and those who do not pay it can suffer some pretty serious consequences. Not paying can lead to long-term financial ruin.

Consequences of Failure to Pay Child Support

Every month that child support is not paid, a judgment is issued against the non-paying party. These judgments, while destroying the party’s credit, build interest at a rate of 12% annually, compounding every month. This means that the longer the person waits to pay, the more they will owe ”“ it is not difficult for a monthly sum of a few hundred dollars to rapidly snowball into a ten thousand or even hundred-thousand-dollar problem.Additionally, child support cannot be discharged through bankruptcy, and the statute of limitations on child support judgments is 20 years. It can’t just be swept under the rug and ignored.

If the financial consequences are not able to convince the party to pay up, there are things we can do to help. The non-paying party can be held in contempt of court, which can put them in jail for up to 180 days and fine them for noncompliance. The courts can order wage garnishments on the nonpaying party, up to 65 percent of that person’s wages. The courts can also attach liens to property owned by the nonpaying party. In short ”“ it’s never worth it to withhold child support payments.

If your ex-spouse is withholding child support payments, our Denver divorce attorneys can help you bring legal action against your ex-spouse.

Check Out Divorce Matters® Colorado Alimony Calculator and Child Support App

Hello, readers!

We have an exciting new announcement that may help you and your spouse figure out some of the logistics of your divorce, and you can access it directly from your Android or iOS device. Our law firm has published a free app, which you can find the App Store under the name “Divorce Matters Colorado Spousal Maintenance and Child Support Calculator.”

What Does the Colorado Alimony Calculator Do?

It does exactly what it sounds like it does: it is a simple, portable method of quickly estimating how much you might be expected to pay for spousal maintenance (alimony) and child support if you are involved in a divorce. Knowing is half the battle – our app provides a thorough, inclusive analysis of your financial situation and applies Colorado laws and statutes to help provide you with an accurate estimate of how much you or your spouse will be expected to pay, based on factors like gross monthly income, length of your marriage and a breakdown of costs you might not realize can affect alimony and child support payments. If you’re looking for a reliable Colorado alimony calculator or child support calculator, this app is a great place to start. Knowing what to expect ahead of time can help relieve some of the stress and uncertainty of an upcoming divorce.

You Still Need an Attorney

While our Colorado alimony calculator is an excellent tool, it’s just the beginning. Divorce is not just an emotional process – it’s a financial one. Understanding what your future might look like in terms of income, support obligations, and expenses is critical for long-term stability. Our app gives you a head start by offering a general idea of your support obligations, which can help you begin planning responsibly and realistically.

Whether you’re the spouse who may be ordered to pay support or the one who may receive it, having a ballpark estimate helps you prepare. You can begin adjusting your budget, understanding your post-divorce lifestyle, and even negotiating more confidently if you’re pursuing a collaborative or mediated divorce. Many people are caught off guard by the financial implications of divorce. Using our Colorado alimony calculator early in the process can help avoid that.

Still, while technology can be empowering, it can’t replace personalized legal advice. Colorado’s child support and spousal maintenance guidelines are complex – and the final determination involves more than just numbers. A court may take into account factors like parenting time schedules, the specific needs of a child, each spouse’s financial contributions to the household, and potential for future income. That’s why even if you use the calculator, it’s essential to consult with an experienced attorney before making any assumptions or agreements.

Your Financial Future After Divorce

At Divorce Matters®, we often hear from clients who were surprised by the final outcome of their divorce settlement or support order – often because they relied solely on general tools or informal advice from friends or online forums. While our Colorado alimony calculator and child support calculator provides a helpful starting point, an attorney can help you understand what adjustments might apply in your unique situation, and whether the court might deviate from standard guidelines based on special circumstances.

Additionally, an attorney can ensure you’re not missing key financial elements – like shared debts, tax implications, or hidden income – that can affect the fairness of your final agreement. They can also advocate for temporary support during the divorce process, which can make a significant difference in your day-to-day life.

Another reason to focus on the financial aspects of your divorce early and often is because these decisions have long-term implications. For example, if you’re the recipient of spousal maintenance, understanding how long it will last and how it’s calculated can help you plan your return to the workforce. If you’re paying support, it’s important to know what’s expected of you – and what steps to take if your circumstances change in the future.

Planning ahead also helps reduce conflict. When both parties understand how support is calculated and why, it becomes easier to have productive conversations about fairness. This can lead to more amicable negotiations, fewer court appearances, and better outcomes for everyone involved – especially children.

Modifications to Payments

Our Colorado alimony calculator is also helpful if you’re already divorced but believe your support order may need to be modified. Life happens—jobs change, incomes shift, and parenting responsibilities evolve. We can help you with through a variety of scenarios and consider whether it’s time to file for a modification.

At Divorce Matters®, we believe in giving our clients the tools and education they need to feel confident in their decisions. The Colorado Spousal Maintenance and Child Support Calculator app is just one of the many ways we support individuals before, during, and after their divorce. We proudly serve clients throughout Colorado, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Fort Collins, Centennial, Boulder, and beyond.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or you’re facing a complex support dispute, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let us guide you through the legal and financial realities of your case with clarity and care.

App Requirements:

If you are on iOS, our app is supported by iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch running iOS 8.0 or later.

Our Denver divorce attorneys seek to provide the premier client experiences for divorcing couples in Colorado.