Family Law Blog

How Does Paternity Affect Colorado Child Support Laws?

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on June 7, 2011

In Colorado, the phrase “establishing paternity” means figuring out, for legal purposes, who the child’s father is. Often, a child’s father is named on the child’s birth certificate, particularly if the parents are married. Many unmarried couples, however, may have a child without naming the father on the child’s birth certificate. A child with no father listed on his or her birth certificate has no legal father until the father’s identity and legal status are established through paternity.

In order to establish paternity in Colorado, a child’s parents can sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity at any time after the child is born. Paternity can also be established by the courts, where a judge can file a court order. The local Child Support Enforcement unit may also be able to establish paternity without going through a court case. If either parent wants to challenge paternity, they must do so without delay, as there may be a very limited window of opportunity to do so.

A father whose paternity has been established has certain legal rights, like the right to ask for parenting time or to be involved in the major decisions that affect the child’s life. The father also has responsibilities for the child, such as paying child support. The amount of child support a legal father is expected to pay depends on several factors, including how much he makes and how much he already contributes to the child’s daily care.

Establishing paternity benefits children in many ways. It gives them a sense of identity, and it provides funds for their proper care, including the right to receive benefits if the father unexpectedly passes away. To learn more about paternity and how it might apply to your family, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Colorado paternity attorneys at Kaplan Law. Call us at 1-877-527-5260 today for a confidential consultation.