Divorce
This may be one of the most difficult times of your
life. You must consider
and agree on how to divide your property, manage the children’s
issues, and support yourself and your family. You deserve an attorney who
will explain the process to you, guide you along the way, and help
you feel confident in the choices you make. At Rice Law
Office, P.C., Jennifer can assist you in
litigation, negotiation, mediation, and
enforcement.
Legal
Separation
In Colorado, Legal Separation has some important
differences from a Divorce.
You should understand how Parties living apart and a Legal
Separation are different.
Parental
Responsibilities (Parenting Time & Decision
Making)
In Colorado, these
issues used to be known as “custody” or “child custody” and
“visitation.” Colorado
law focuses on the best interests of the children in parenting time
(the time the children spend with each parent) and decision making
(how decisions regarding children are made). A Child and Family
Investigator or a Parental Evaluation may be needed in your
case. Jennifer can
provide valuable insight for how these choices might affect your
case. You deserve a
knowledgeable attorney to help you through this process and reduce
the emotional impact of the issues on the children.
Allocation of
Parental Responsibilities
For unmarried parents
or non-parents in certain circumstances, you must determine parental
responsibilities and child support for your children. Jennifer represents
unmarried individuals and individuals who have or had physical care
of the child(ren).
Child
Support
Colorado has specific guidelines for determining child
support. Child support
is calculated by a mathematical formula that takes into
consideration the incomes of both parents and other factors. This calculation can be
complex and technical.
You need an attorney who understands the intricacies of child
support and how it affects your family's future. If child support enforcement
is the only problem you need resolved, you may be able to get
help from your local Child Support Enforcement Unit. See Resources
for more information.
Maintenance
In Colorado, this issue used to be known as
“alimony.” Colorado
understands that the economic lives of spouses are connected and it
may be appropriate to have a period of adjustment when the spouses’
incomes are blended.
Your case may require a vocational evaluation to help
establish what income can be earned by a spouse. Maintenance
can be very difficult to resolve because the law provides
little guidance and leaves the issue largely to what the Court
considers is fair.
Court decisions can differ widely with similar facts. There are also tax
considerations for payment and receipt of maintenance.
Asset
and Debt Division
During your marriage, you and your spouse have accumulated property
and debts. In Colorado,
property of the
marriage is to be divided "equitably." This does not neccessarily
mean equally. However, in many cases, the Court does
divide the property and debt relatively equally. Your case may need
appraisals, valuations, or other expert opinions. Jennifer has experience and
knowledge with complex assets such as businesses, trusts, and real
estate.
Post Decree Issues and
Modification
Your situation may have changed since your Divorce or
Court Orders. You may
need child support, maintenance, parenting time, or decision making
updated or revised. In
general, property division Orders may not be revoked or
modified unless the Court finds that the original Decree should be
re-opened.
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