How much back child support is a felony in Colorado?
In Colorado, the laws regarding back child support and the consequences of not paying it are strict. The state has a system in place to ensure that parents who are obligated to provide financial support to their children do so. However, when a parent fails to pay the required amount of child support, it can lead to serious consequences, including felony charges.
What is the definition of back child support in Colorado?
Back child support refers to the amount of child support that a parent is obligated to pay but has failed to pay. This can include past due payments, arrearages, and accrued interest. In Colorado, back child support is considered a civil obligation, meaning that the parent who owes the support is required to pay it under the terms of a court order.
How much back child support is considered a felony in Colorado?
In Colorado, the amount of back child support that is considered a felony is $2,500 or more. This threshold is set by state law and applies to cases where a parent has failed to pay child support for 12 months or more. If a parent owes $2,500 or more in back child support and has failed to pay it, they can be charged with a felony.
What are the consequences of not paying back child support in Colorado?
If a parent fails to pay back child support, they can face serious consequences, including:
- Felony charges: As mentioned earlier, if a parent owes $2,500 or more in back child support, they can be charged with a felony. Felony charges can result in up to 2 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
- Wage garnishment: The court can order the parent’s employer to garnish their wages to collect the back child support.
- Asset seizure: The court can seize the parent’s assets, including their bank accounts, property, and other assets, to collect the back child support.
- License suspension: The parent’s driver’s license, professional license, or other licenses can be suspended until the back child support is paid.
- Jail time: In some cases, the court can order the parent to serve jail time until the back child support is paid.
How is back child support calculated in Colorado?
Back child support is calculated based on the terms of a court order. The court will consider the following factors when determining the amount of child support:
- Income: The parent’s income, including their gross income, bonuses, and commissions.
- Expenses: The parent’s expenses, including their rent or mortgage, utilities, food, transportation, and other necessary expenses.
- Childcare costs: The cost of childcare, including daycare, babysitting, and other childcare expenses.
- Health insurance: The cost of health insurance for the child.
- Other expenses: Other expenses, including education expenses, extracurricular activities, and other necessary expenses.
How can a parent avoid felony charges for back child support in Colorado?
To avoid felony charges for back child support in Colorado, a parent can:
- Pay their child support on time: Paying child support on time is the best way to avoid back child support and felony charges.
- Negotiate a payment plan: If a parent is having trouble paying their child support, they can negotiate a payment plan with the other parent or the court.
- Seek assistance: If a parent is struggling to pay their child support, they can seek assistance from a non-profit organization or a government agency.
- Modify the child support order: If a parent’s circumstances have changed, they can seek to modify the child support order to reduce the amount they owe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, back child support is a serious issue in Colorado, and parents who fail to pay their child support can face serious consequences, including felony charges. To avoid these consequences, parents should pay their child support on time, negotiate a payment plan, seek assistance, and modify the child support order if necessary.
