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How Colorado’s New Child Support Law Impacts High-Asset Divorce: What You Must Know Before 2026

A Strategic Guide for Executives, Doctors, Business Owners, Pilots, Military Officers, and High-Income Families

Colorado House Bill 25-1159 (HB 25-1159) becomes effective on March 1, 2026, and will significantly change how child support is calculated under C.R.S. § 14-10-115. While the law affects all families, the impact is particularly significant for high-asset and high-income parents. This includes executives, physicians, business owners, senior military officers, professional pilots, investors, and any parent with complex compensation or substantial financial holdings.

This article explains what affluent clients need to know now, how the law changes high-asset child support litigation, and what strategic steps should be taken before the law goes into effect.

1. Overview: What House Bill 25-1159 Changes

HB 25-1159 modernizes Colorado's child support framework by amending key sections of C.R.S. § 14-10-115. The bill:

  • Expands the income schedule from $30,000 to $40,000 combined monthly income

  • Replaces the 93-overnight threshold with a proportional credit for every overnight

  • Updates low-income and minimum support obligations

  • Improves statewide calculation consistency

  • Adjusts guidelines to reflect modern family and financial structures

High-income families will feel the largest impact because the expanded income schedule now captures a broader range of earnings.

2. Increased Income Cap: Why High-Income Parents Are Affected

Under the prior statute, the child support schedule ended at $30,000 combined monthly income. Courts often extrapolated above the table, producing inconsistent and unpredictable outcomes in high-income cases.

Beginning March 1, 2026, the schedule extends to $40,000 combined monthly income. This is particularly important for:

  • Physicians and medical specialists

  • Commercial pilots and airline professionals

  • Executives and directors with significant bonus structures

  • Senior military officers

  • Entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and business owners

  • High earners with multiple income streams

Key implications include:

  1. More predictable child support outcomes

  2. Reduced dependence on judicial extrapolation

  3. Greater consistency across counties

  4. Improved leverage during mediation

  5. Potentially higher presumptive support for high-income obligors

Affluent clients should expect more structured and standardized calculations.

3. Parenting-Time Credit Overhaul: Every Overnight Counts

Under the former law, C.R.S. § 14-10-115(8)(e) granted a substantial support reduction only when a parent reached 93 overnights per year.

HB 25-1159 eliminates that threshold. Every overnight now affects the support amount through a graduated formula.

Why this matters for high-asset clients:

  • Executives, pilots, physicians, and military personnel often have irregular schedules

  • Even a few additional or reduced overnights can materially change support

  • Shared parenting schedules require precision and careful modeling

  • Parenting-time negotiations have a more direct financial impact

For affluent families with demanding careers, this is one of the most significant changes in the law.

4. Impact on Complex Compensation and High Net Worth Income

High-asset clients often have income that does not follow a simple paycheck pattern. Income may include:

  • Base salary

  • Annual and quarterly bonuses

  • Restricted stock units (RSUs)

  • Stock options

  • Profit distributions through K-1 income

  • Passive real estate income

  • Deferred compensation

  • Military, federal, or PERA retirement

  • Business owner draws or add-backs

HB 25-1159 does not change the definition of income under C.R.S. § 14-10-115(3). However, the expanded income table and new overnight formula significantly increase the financial effect of these income categories.

As a result:

  • RSUs and equity compensation must be documented carefully

  • Business income will face increased scrutiny

  • Bonus-heavy compensation years may significantly affect support

  • Forensic accountants may be needed in high-asset cases

High-net-worth clients should expect more detailed financial analysis during litigation or negotiation.

5. Applicability of HB 25-1159 to Pre-2026 Cases

HB 25-1159 applies if the child support order is entered or modified after March 1, 2026. The law is not retroactive. The controlling factor is the date of the support order, not the filing date of the divorce or allocation case.

Application guide:

  • Orders entered before March 1, 2026 → old law applies

  • Orders entered on or after March 1, 2026 → new law applies

  • Modifications filed after March 1, 2026 → new law applies under C.R.S. § 14-10-122

Timing of mediation, settlement, and hearings will matter greatly for high-income parents.

6. Strategic Planning for High-Asset Parents Before the Law Takes Effect

Affluent clients should begin planning now to minimize risk and optimize financial outcomes.

A. Request Dual Support Calculations

Attorneys should prepare:

  • A calculation under the current law

  • A calculation under HB 25-1159

This provides insight into how the new law affects financial exposure or potential entitlement.

B. Structure Parenting Time with Precision

Since every overnight counts, parenting schedules must be designed with both legal and financial strategies in mind.

C. Prepare Enhanced Financial Documentation

High-asset cases often require:

  • RSU grant summaries

  • Stock vesting schedules

  • Deferred compensation documents

  • Business financial statements

  • K-1 income histories

  • Military or federal pay breakdowns

The new law will require accurate and comprehensive disclosures.

D. Evaluate Modification Timing

  • If a parent expects a financial advantage under the new law, filing a modification after March 1, 2026, may be advisable.

  • If the new law increases exposure, finalizing orders under the current system may be more prudent.

7. Example: High-Impact Scenario

A business owner in Colorado Springs with:

  • $600,000 annual income

  • Annual bonuses

  • RSUs vesting quarterly

  • A 60/40 parenting schedule

  • K-1 distributions from a related entity

Under HB 25-1159:

  • More income is captured within the statutory table

  • The 60/40 parenting schedule may produce a different support amount

  • Stock compensation and business income must be carefully categorized

  • Presumptive support may increase due to the expanded upper limit

This client requires detailed modeling and expert financial input.

8. Frequently Asked Questions About HB 25-1159

  1. When does HB 25-1159 take effect?
    March 1, 2026.

  2. Does it apply to cases filed before the effective date?
    Yes, if the child support order is entered or modified after March 1, 2026.

  3. Will old orders be recalculated automatically?
    No. Modification must follow C.R.S. § 14-10-122.

  4. Does the change in law alone justify modification?
    No. A substantial and continuing change is required.

  5. How does the new overnight formula work?
    Every overnight affects child support.

  6. Does it impact 50/50 parenting schedules?
    Yes, substantially.

  7. Does the expanded income table affect high-income clients?
    Yes. It increases predictability and may increase support.

  8. Do temporary orders use the new law?
    Yes, if entered on or after March 1, 2026.

  9. What if a case finalizes early 2026 but is modified later?
    A modification filed after March 1, 2026, uses the new law.

  10. Does the law change medical or child care support?
    No. These remain governed by C.R.S. § 14-10-115(11).

  11. How are low-income parents affected?
    Revised schedules and minimum support obligations apply.

  12. Will support amounts increase or decrease?
    This depends on income level and parenting time distribution.

  13. How should parents negotiate schedules under the new law?
    With careful modeling of overnight impacts.

  14. Can courts still deviate from the guidelines?
    Yes, under C.R.S. § 14-10-115(3)(a).

  15. What should high-asset parents do now?
    Request projections, gather documentation, and plan modification timing.

Conclusion

HB 25-1159 is the most significant update to Colorado child support calculations in more than a decade. High-asset parents—including executives, physicians, business owners, and military officers—must approach child support planning strategically. With increased income thresholds, a new overnight formula, and greater emphasis on accurate financial disclosure, early preparation is essential.

Clawson & Clawson LLP represents high-net-worth clients across Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Douglas County, Pueblo, and surrounding regions. If the new law may impact your case, our office provides detailed guidance tailored to your financial and parenting circumstances.

Schedule a Confidential Free Initial Consultation

Matthew C. Clawson, Colorado Family Law Attorney
Serving clients throughout Colorado, including Colorado Springs, Falcon, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Teller County, Parker, and surrounding Front Range communities.

For more information about a divorce or child support review anywhere in Colorado, contact Matthew C. Clawson. His team will answer questions, evaluate cases, and provide clear guidance based on your individual needs.

Matthew has been recognized by Forbes as one of the best attorneys in Colorado. U.S. News & World Report has named Matthew and Clawson & Clawson LLP as one of the Best Law Firms in America. He has also been honored by Colorado Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America.

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Legal Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content or contacting the author does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case, and Colorado laws may change over time. Consult an attorney for advice tailored to your circumstances. No guarantee is made regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information.

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