Divorce Modification Attorney in Denver
17 Years of Colorado Family Law. AV Preeminent Rated Since 2010.
Divorce decrees are final judgments, not permanent ones. When income drops, parenting schedules shift, or a child’s needs change, the original order may no longer reflect reality. We help Denver-area clients return to court to modify child support, spousal maintenance, and parental responsibilities arrangements after a decree has been entered.
In Colorado, “parental responsibilities” is the legal term covering both parenting time and decision-making authority. What most people call custody, Colorado courts treat as a single allocation of responsibilities that can be revisited when circumstances warrant.
If your situation has changed significantly since your decree was entered, call our team at (303) 647-4245 to schedule a free consultation and find out whether you meet Colorado’s standard for a modification.
Colorado’s Legal Standard for Modification
Colorado courts don’t modify orders simply because one party would prefer different terms. The standard varies depending on what type of order you’re seeking to change.
Child Support & Spousal Maintenance
To change child support or spousal maintenance, you must show a substantial and continuing change of circumstances since the original order was entered. For child support specifically, a proposed change in the amount owed of less than 10% doesn’t meet that threshold.
Timing also matters: modifications generally apply only to payments due after the motion to modify is filed. One exception involves a court-ordered, voluntary, or mutually agreed change in who has physical care of a child. In that situation, Colorado law allows the modification to reach back to the date of that change, though generally not more than five years before the filing date.
Parenting Time
Parenting time modifications follow a different framework depending on what you’re asking for:
- Adjusting the schedule without changing the majority residential parent: The court applies the best interests of the child standard, which looks at the child’s relationships, adjustment, and overall well-being.
- Changing which parent the child primarily lives with: The endangerment standard applies. The court must find that the current arrangement endangers the child’s physical health or significantly impairs their emotional development. A motion of this type generally can’t be refiled within two years of a prior such motion unless the court finds the child’s current environment may endanger their physical health or significantly impair emotional development, or that the parent who has the child most of the time plans to relocate in a way that substantially changes the child’s geographic ties to the other parent.
Filing a Modification Motion in Denver
Post-decree modification requests are handled by the Denver District Court’s domestic relations division. Filing in the correct venue and framing the motion to meet the applicable standard are two places where procedural mistakes can delay or sink an otherwise valid request.
Not every change requires a court order. Small, informally agreed adjustments, such as shifting a parenting-time exchange location, generally don’t need a judge’s approval. But significant changes, including any reduction in child support or a shift in custody, always require a formal motion and court approval to be enforceable.
If you’ve fallen behind on court-ordered support, acting before contempt proceedings begin is critical. We work with clients in that situation to conduct a budget analysis and pursue an affordable, court-approved adjustment rather than waiting for enforcement to escalate. We also represent clients accused of failing to meet court-ordered obligations.
Modifications Built for the Long Term
A modification motion resolves an immediate conflict, but the agreement it produces has to hold up over time. Our approach accounts for the downstream implications of every change we help negotiate or litigate. We don’t treat a modification as a transaction to close; we treat it as a recalibration of an arrangement that can keep shaping your life and your children’s lives.
Every client’s situation is different. A job loss that triggers a support modification isn’t the same case as a relocation that triggers a parenting time dispute. We build strategy around your specific facts from the first consultation, so the approach fits the problem rather than the other way around.
Why Choose Us
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Versatile Representation StyleWe're here to convey your story while protecting and fighting for your best interests.
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Big Firm Experience, Boutique Firm AttentionWe're here to guide you through every step of the legal process with a plan personalized to your specific needs promptly.
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Cost-Effective SolutionsWe have 2 LLPs (Licensed Legal Professionals) on our team who offer services at a lower cost increasing access to legal services. LLPs provide a more economical option for handling various legal matters.
Alex White: Denver Family Law Attorney
Founding attorney Alex White has practiced Colorado family law for 17 years and has held the AV Preeminent peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell since 2010, the highest rating available in that system. That rating reflects recognition from fellow attorneys for both legal ability and professional standards. Alex guides every modification matter handled by Law Office of Alexandra White, PC, bringing that depth of experience to post-decree cases that range from straightforward support recalculations to contested parenting time disputes.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If your circumstances have changed since your decree was entered, a free initial consultation can help you understand whether Colorado law supports a modification and what the process would look like. Our team includes Licensed Legal Professionals who can provide services at a lower cost than traditional attorney representation, giving you more options from the start. Consultations are confidential, and there’s no obligation to proceed.
To speak with a divorce modification attorney serving Denver and the surrounding area, call Law Office of Alexandra White, PC at (303) 647-4245.
Hear From Our Clients
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"If you’re looking for a law office that treats you with respect and integrity, I highly recommend"
I had an outstanding experience with the Law Office of Alexandra White. From my very first phone call, I was met with genuine professionalism and kindness. Alex took the time to truly listen to my concerns, answered all my questions with patience, and never made me feel rushed. It was clear she genuinely cared about my situation, and her honesty and transparency gave me confidence in her guidance. The customer service was exceptional—friendly, knowledgeable, and responsive. If you’re looking for a law office that treats you with respect and integrity, I highly recommend her. Thank you Alex!
- Joshua -
"She truly goes above and beyond to serve her clients!"
I had the pleasure of speaking with Alex White about my upcoming child support case, and I couldn't be more impressed with her level of professionalism, expertise, and availability. From the very first consultation, Alex made me feel heard and truly valued as a prospective client. She took the time to explain every detail of my case and potential pitfalls I should be looking out for. What sets Alex apart is her deep knowledge of family law and her ability to apply it strategically for the best possible outcomes. She knows the players in the courts and has a keen insight as to who to use, and how to apply a good strategy based on who we are dealing with. I always felt like I was in capable hands, and the results certainly reflect their commitment to excellence. Whether you're a prospective client or already working with Alex, I highly recommend her for anyone in need of a dedicated, professional, and knowledgeable attorney. She truly goes above and beyond to serve her clients!
- Richard S. -
"Would always be my choice"
I found Alexandria White through a neighborhood referral page and this office did not disappoint. From the very first meet (consult) she was very realistic about cost (less than I anticipated), timeframe, and the process. Advice was helpful in every choice I had to make. She was professional yet personal. There were a couple times my ex and his attorney were slow on deadlines and they took care of getting us back on track in a tactful and firm way while maintaining a positive tone with opposing counsel. The entire staff was friendly, efficient and I would make the confident choice to hire them all over again if needed.
- Marie -
"Hands down, was the best expierence I have had"The Team at the Law Office of Alexandra White, hands down, was the best expierence I have had considering the circumstances. Having used other Attorneys in the past, the professionalism was FAR greater with Alex and her Team. The amount of communication, preperation and clairity provided every step of the way reassured me that they had my case handeled. On top of all that, we won walking out with confidence and pride!- Brooke C.
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"Hands down, was the best experience"The Team at the Law Office of Alexandra White, hands down, was the best experience I have had considering the circumstances. Having used other Attorneys in the past, the professionalism was FAR greater with Alex and her Team. The amount of communication, preparation and clarity provided every step of the way reassured me that they had my case handled. On top of all that, we won walking out with confidence and pride!- Brooke C.
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"They will go above and beyond"I couldn’t have made it throughout the divorce without the help of Kim Moreno, Tara Adkins, and Alexandra. They take the time to listen and understand what needs the client is facing. The communication between us was prompt and helpful. If you are going through this process I highly recommend the team here. They will go above and beyond to help you with your case. Thank you all for your help.- Desiree M.
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"I recommend Alex White to anyone who needs a divorce attorney in Centennial."Thank you to Alex and her whole team. Very much appreciate the professionalism and expertise of everyone I've had contact with at the firm. I recommend Alex White to anyone who needs a divorce attorney in Centennial. Also very much appreciate working with- Henry Caspersen
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"Best divorce and family lawyers in the Centennial area."Alexandra White and her team are the best divorce and family lawyers in the Centennial area. Lorie who answers the phone and does client intake is very kind and understanding and great to work with. Call them first, they do free consultations and I believe they can help you.- Dan Bryant
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"I highly recommend anyone seeking a Divorce Lawyer to reach out to Alex White and her team first"Divorce is an emotional and difficult time in anyone’s life to have to go through and it shouldn’t be done alone. The moment I walked into the office Colleen made me feel welcome and made me feel like I was part of their family. Alex and her st- Scott Howell
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"If you want someone you can trust she’s the one you need"Alexandra White was incredible in handling my child support custody order. I was so pleased from her work and the outcome that I came back to use her once again to resolve child support modification. If you want someone you can trust she’s the one yo- Courtney Weis