Stage 7 of 7
When Things Need to Change
Court orders are not permanent, but the rules for changing them depend heavily on what you want to modify. Parenting time, decision-making authority, and financial orders each follow different statutes and different legal standards. The first step in any modification is identifying which standard governs your request.
What happens in this stage
- 1Identify which legal standard and statute applies to the type of modification you're seeking
- 2File the correct motion and forms for that specific type of modification
- 3Serve the other party with your motion
- 4Attend a modification hearing and present your evidence
- 5Handle special situations like a planned move, a child aging out of support, or a change in the recipient's household
Where you are
⚡ Key insight
The modification standard is not the same for all orders. Parenting time modifications under C.R.S. 14-10-129 use a best-interests standard — not a substantial change requirement — though a higher endangerment threshold applies if you want to restrict parenting time or if the original order is less than two years old. Modifications to decision-making (parental responsibilities) are governed separately by C.R.S. 14-10-131, with its own threshold that also depends on how much time has passed since the original order. Child support and spousal maintenance modifications under C.R.S. 14-10-122 do require a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Knowing which statute applies to your request is the first question to answer.
Know which modification standard applies before you file
Colorado uses different legal standards for different types of modifications — parenting time, decision-making, and financial orders each follow a different statute. Filing under the wrong standard wastes time and fees. A consultation can confirm which standard governs your situation and whether your circumstances meet it.
No ongoing commitment. Targeted help for specific tasks.
Which modification standard applies to you?
Colorado uses different legal standards for different types of modifications. Parenting time is governed by C.R.S. 14-10-129, decision-making by C.R.S. 14-10-131, and financial orders by C.R.S. 14-10-122. Understanding which applies to your request is the essential first question.
How to modify: the process
The procedural steps to file and pursue a modification, including the special rules that apply when one parent wants to move.
How to Modify a Court Order
The procedural steps to file a motion to modify a parenting plan, support order, maintenance order, or decision-making allocation in Colorado, including which forms to use, what to include in the motion, service requirements, and what happens at a modification hearing. The process varies somewhat depending on the type of modification sought: parenting time modifications (C.R.S. 14-10-129), decision-making modifications (C.R.S. 14-10-131), and financial order modifications (C.R.S. 14-10-122) each involve different pleading requirements and legal standards that must be addressed in the motion.
Relocation
A parent's intent to move in a way that would materially affect the existing parenting time schedule or the child's primary residence, including notice requirements, objection procedures, and the factors Colorado courts apply under CRS 14-10-129.
When specific situations arise
Modification rules tailored to common life events that affect existing support or custody orders.
Emancipation and Termination of Support
When and how child support and other parental obligations end in Colorado: the age of emancipation, earlier emancipation by marriage or military service, college expense provisions, and how to terminate or modify support when a child is emancipated.
Cohabitation and Remarriage Effects
How the recipient spouse's remarriage or cohabitation affects spousal maintenance in Colorado: automatic termination upon remarriage under CRS 14-10-122, the cohabitation standard for modification, what evidence establishes cohabitation, and drafting considerations to address these scenarios in the original maintenance agreement.
Appealing a Family Court Decision
The process for appealing a Colorado family law court order to the Court of Appeals: strict filing deadlines, what can and cannot be appealed, the standard of review, staying enforcement of the order during appeal, costs and realistic expectations, and alternatives to appeal such as C.R.C.P. 59 motions.