When and How to Modify a Family Court Order in Colorado
Family life rarely stays the same for long. When your court orders no longer reflect your child’s needs or your family’s circumstances, you can request a modification. In Colorado, courts allow changes to parenting time, decision-making, and support in different ways, depending on what you want to change.
Parenting Time Can Be Modified in the Child’s Best Interests
If your current parenting schedule is no longer working, you can ask the court to change it. Courts may modify parenting time at any time if the change serves the best interests of the child. This flexible rule allows you to adapt the schedule when your child starts a new school, when your work hours shift, or when a co-parent’s choices affect the child’s well-being.
If you want to change which parent the child lives with most of the time, the law applies a stricter standard. The court must find that a change in circumstances has occurred and that modifying the schedule is necessary to serve the child’s best interests. You usually must wait two years between these types of major modification requests unless the child is endangered or one parent plans to relocate.
Relocation Can Trigger Parenting Time Changes
If the parent with most of the parenting time plans to move far enough to disrupt the child’s ties with the other parent, the court must consider several factors, including the reason for the move, the quality of each parent’s relationship with the child, and the impact of the relocation. The court must prioritize the hearing and weigh the child’s best interests under C.R.S. § 14-10-129(2)(c) and § 14-10-124(1.5)(a).
Decision-Making Can Be Changed When Co-Parenting Breaks Down
Colorado courts assign decision-making responsibility for major issues like education and medical care. If joint decision-making leads to conflict or risks to the child, you can request that the court modify the order.
Child Support Can Be Updated When Finances Change
You can ask to modify child support if the new amount would differ by at least ten percent. Common reasons include job changes, new insurance costs, or changes in parenting time. Child support changes are typically not retroactive until a motion is filed, so waiting to file can leave you stuck with an outdated amount.
We Help Colorado Families Request Smart Changes
At Stordahl Law, PLLC, we help parents throughout Colorado update parenting time, decision-making, and support orders with precision and strategy. Whether you need to respond to a relocation or file for a change yourself, we guide you every step of the way.
If your orders no longer serve your child or your family, do not wait.
Schedule your consultation to take the next step.
