At Jones Law Firm, PC, we help Colorado families change court orders that no longer match their lives. For 25 years we have stepped into exactly that moment and fought to get families a fair result.
Our credentials back that up, including Avvo 10.0, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent, and Super Lawyers honors for April Jones since 2024.
A modification is a formal request to change an existing family court order because your circumstances have shifted. That covers parenting time, custody, child support, and spousal maintenance. When a job loss, a move, a medical event, or a change in your child’s needs makes the old order unworkable, the court can rewrite it to fit your life now.
We know how to build the case, gather the right proof, and present it so the judge sees why the change matters.
What Qualifies for Modification
You have to prove a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. That threshold applies whether you want to modify child support, parenting time, or custody. What usually qualifies:
- a job loss
- a large income change
- a relocation
- a remarriage
- domestic violence
- denial of parenting time
What does not qualify: a temporary dip in income, a minor disagreement, or wanting a do-over on a deal you now regret.
Custody comes with a catch. You generally must wait two years after the last order before asking to change who the child lives with. The exceptions are child endangerment or when both parents agree.
If both parents agree, a stipulated modification moves faster. If they do not, it goes to a contested hearing, and most Colorado district court cases take several months to resolve.
Our Modification Services in Colorado
- Child custody and parental responsibilities modifications
- Parenting time and visitation schedule modifications
- Child support modifications, both increases and decreases
- Spousal maintenance and alimony modifications
- Emergency modification motions when a child’s safety is at risk
- Relocation modifications when a parent moves in or out of state
- Responding to a modification motion filed against you
- Enforcement actions tied to a modification order
- Military-related modification issues for active-duty and veteran families
- Protection and restraining order modifications where the law allows
Speak With a Trusted Family Law Attorney
For clear guidance through divorce, custody, and family law matters in Colorado, contact Jones Law Firm. Call 303-799-8155 to schedule your confidential consultation.
How Judges Decide Colorado Modification Cases
For custody changes, the standard is the child’s best interests under C.R.S. § 14-10-124. Judges look at:
- The child’s wishes, weighed by age and maturity.
- Each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent.
- How close the parents live to each other.
- Any history of domestic abuse.
- How well the child has adjusted to home, school, and community.
For child support, judges apply Colorado’s income shares model, factoring in imputed income and the self-support reserve. Maintenance changes follow the formula in C.R.S. § 14-10-114, plus cohabitation and shifts in earning capacity.
Why Choose Jones Law Firm for Your Colorado Modification Case
A whole team on your case, not just one lawyer
Our Round Table Brain Trust means several attorneys and staff strategize on your modification together. You get the full weight of the firm behind you, not a single overworked schedule.
You always know where your case stands
Our Communication Guarantee and secure Client Portal keep you informed at every step. No lost paperwork, no wondering, no chasing us for updates.
25+ years and 3,500+ cases
We have handled modification proceedings across the Denver metro for over two decades. We have seen your situation before and we know what works.
Proven results for fathers
We have a strong track record winning custody and parenting time modifications for fathers. When you were the one served, we defend hard and negotiate smart.
Credentials you can verify
Avvo 10.0, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent, BBB A+, and Super Lawyers recognition for April Jones since 2024. We also speak Spanish, so you can work with us in the language where you feel most confident.
About Jones Law Firm, PC
Jones Law Firm, PC has served Colorado families since 2000. That is 25 years of standing beside people when what matters most is on the line.
April D. Jones, our Managing Attorney and CEO, brings more than 30 years of experience to every case. Her depth of knowledge shapes how the entire firm approaches your matter.
With over 3,500 cases behind us and six office locations, including in Greenwood Village, Aurora, Westminster, and Denver, our team fights hard for the people we represent. We stay thoughtful, strategic, and thorough, because no two cases are the same and yours deserves real attention.
Our Modification Process for Colorado Families
1. Intake and Free Consultation Scheduling
We start by learning your situation and setting up your free 45-minute consultation. There is no upfront fee to talk to us.
2. Free Consultation With a Client Relationship Specialist
You meet with our Client Relationship Specialist by phone, video, or evening appointment if daytime hours are hard. We review where you stand, tell you the truth about your options, and explain what we can do.
3. Agreement Signed and Retainer Processed
If we move forward, we put our fee in writing before any work begins. You know the cost up front.
4. Your Team Is Assigned
An attorney and paralegal are assigned to your case, and we send you a clear list of what we need. Documents go through our secure Client Portal, so you upload at your own pace.
5. Strategy Session
Our full team reviews your case together and builds a plan tailored to your situation.
6. Ongoing Support and Case Close
Your legal and admin team stay on it, backed by our Communication Guarantee so you are never left in the dark. When your case closes, we follow up for anything you need next.
Frequently Asked Questions About Modifying Court Orders
Can I modify a custody order if my ex moved to another state after our divorce?
Yes. Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, the Colorado court that issued your original order usually keeps authority to modify it. You file your motion in that same court, and the judge decides whether the move counts as a real change in circumstances.
How long does a custody or child support modification actually take in Colorado?
Most modifications take a few months from filing to final order, depending on how backed up your county court is and whether your ex agrees. Uncontested changes move quickly. Contested cases that need hearings or a Child and Family Investigator take longer.
What if my ex won’t agree to the modification? Do we have to go to court?
If your ex agrees, you can file a stipulated change and skip a fight entirely. If they refuse, you take it to a judge and each side presents evidence.
Can child support be modified in Colorado if I lost my job?
Yes. A job loss or large income drop can qualify as a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Colorado generally requires the change to shift the support amount by at least 10 percent before a court will adjust it.
My ex filed a modification motion against me. How do I respond?
You have a limited window to file a written response after being served, so do not ignore it. Missing that deadline can let the court rule without hearing your side.
Can a judge modify a spousal maintenance order that says it is non-modifiable?
Usually no. If your divorce agreement clearly states maintenance is non-modifiable, Colorado courts generally hold both parties to that language.
What is a Child and Family Investigator, and when does a Colorado court appoint one?
A Child and Family Investigator is a neutral professional the court appoints to look into what parenting arrangement serves the child best. They interview parents, sometimes the children, and other people involved, then report back to the judge.
Does my child get to tell the judge which parent they want to live with?
Colorado judges may consider a child’s wishes, giving more weight as the child gets older and more mature. But there is no set age where a child simply decides.
How much does a modification case cost in Colorado?
Cost depends on whether your case is agreed or contested and how much court time it needs. An uncontested change costs far less than a contested custody case.
What happens if the other parent violates the new order after it is entered?
You can file a motion to enforce or a contempt motion, asking the court to hold them accountable. A judge can order make-up parenting time, impose penalties, or in serious cases adjust the arrangement.
What Clients Say About Jones Law Firm
“She is sharp, quick and strong and we won my case decisively.”- M.K.
When you need someone fighting hard on your behalf, this is the kind of advocate who delivers.
“It made a difficult time of life softer while maintaining my dignity.”- B.H.
Facing a custody or support dispute is hard enough. Clients feel supported here, not judged.
“April is well prepared and understands the law and court processes well beyond anything I have experienced.”- J.M.
That legal command turns a form denial into a real second look.
“Not a day went by when I did not receive a document, a question, or an answer from them.”- A.A.
No disappearing after you sign. You stay informed at every step.
“You get the power of a firm behind the attorney.”- A.A.
With 25+ years and 3,500+ cases handled, you get a full team behind you, not one overworked person.
Local Resources in Colorado for Families Handling Modification Cases
- Denver District Court
State trial court handling family law matters including post-decree order changes.
- Arapahoe County District Court
Handles family and domestic relations cases for residents of Arapahoe County.
- Jefferson County District Court
Processes family law filings and hearings for Jefferson County residents.
- Adams County District Court
State court overseeing domestic relations proceedings in Adams County.
- Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help Center
Provides free legal forms and procedural guidance for individuals navigating family court.
- Denver Human Services
County agency offering child welfare, support services, and family assistance programs.
- Colorado Child Support Services
State program that enforces and administers child support orders statewide.
- Colorado Office of Dispute Resolution
Offers mediation services to help parties reach agreements outside of court.
- Colorado Department of Human Services
State agency overseeing social services, child protection, and family support programs.
- Clerk of the Denver District Court
Office responsible for filing, maintaining, and providing access to court records.
- Colorado Legal Services
Nonprofit providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals across the state.
- Family Crisis Center
Organization offering advocacy and support resources for families in domestic disputes.
Ready to Change a Court Order That No Longer Works?
If your circumstances have changed and the old order no longer fits, you do not have to keep living under terms that stopped working. Whether you need to file for a change or defend against one, Jones Law Firm, PC steps in and takes charge.
Your free 45-minute consultation with a Client Relationship Specialist gives you a real answer. We review your situation, tell you where you stand, and explain your options with no obligation.
We serve families across the Denver metro, with six offices accessible from Greenwood Village, Denver, and Aurora. We speak Spanish, so our team can work with you in the language where you feel most confident.
Call us to schedule your free consultation and get a clear plan for changing an order that no longer works.
