Separation

Five Mistakes to Avoid During Your Separation

Posted in Separation on April 11, 2023

Colorado does not require a period of separation before spouses can file for divorce, but many spouses separate before making the leap to a divorce. When a couple makes the decision that a divorce may be the solution for them, they almost always separate first—either to experience life apart before making the final decision or because living under the same roof has become unbearable.

For couples living apart while they wait for divorce proceedings to begin, there are some potential pitfalls to avoid.

Don’t be the Spouse Who Moves Out

If you plan on retaining the family home, you should not be the spouse who moves out of the house or apartment. This mistake immediately puts you at a disadvantage over the spouse who stayed in the home, especially if you have children. Some of the disadvantages you’ll face by moving out include:

A judge is far less likely to award you the right to retain the family residence
If you leave your children in the home with your spouse they can use that against you by claiming you’ve abandoned them. Even if you visit daily, a judge is likely to believe that you don’t prioritize your children
By being a parent who moves to a separate residence, you are less likely to become the primary custodian of the children or may end up with less parenting time
By moving out first, it’s easier for your spouse to claim your personal possessions left behind as part of the family domicile or as marital property subject to division

If you don’t intend to be the primary caregiver of your children or remain in the family home, moving out first won’t affect that outcome, but if your plans include raising your children in their home, moving out is a mistake to avoid.

Don’t Start a New Relationship

Not only is it too soon to move into a new relationship during a separation, but this can also negatively impact custody decisions. If it looks like you’re in a relationship that would expose your children to a third party, that person’s history may become part of the custody decision.

Don’t Lie to Your Lawyer

Your divorce attorney is there to defend your rights and your best interests throughout the divorce process. As soon as you hire an attorney, you should be entirely truthful about all aspects of the divorce including your financial assets and any “misdeeds” your spouse can hold against you in court. If your lawyer is blindsided, they can’t prepare a strong legal defense on your behalf.

Colorado Separation Lawyer

Don’t Have Unrealistic Expectations

Some divorcing spouses go into the divorce expecting outcomes that aren’t reasonable or even possible under Colorado’s divorce laws. For instance, some parents believe they’ll get full custody of their children while the other parent will have every other weekend visitation. In reality, Colorado family courts place the best interests of children as their highest priority and seek to ensure that both parents maintain “frequent and continuing contact with their children.” While this doesn’t necessarily mean a judge will order exactly 50/50 custody, it does mean that unless there are mitigating circumstances, you and your spouse are likely to have close to 50/50 shared custody with a number of parenting schedules to choose from.

Some divorcing spouses also have unrealistic expectations about the assets and property they can keep. Under the state’s equitable division laws, only property you owned before the marriage or that you alone inherited isn’t subject to division.

Don’t Put Down Your Ex in Front of the Children or Over-Confide in Them

It can be tempting to tell your children exactly what you think and feel about their other parent during the contention of a divorce, but remember that you are insulting someone they love and they will feel exactly the way you’d feel about someone insulting your children.

With older children, it can be tempting to over-confide in them about what you’re going through and how you feel every day that you’re separated, but it’s important to keep some boundaries and resist burdening children with problems when instead you can choose to spare them.

Can You Get an Annulment If Your Marriage Was Based on Fraud?

Posted in Divorce,Separation on September 23, 2020

A marriage should be entered into by two people who have all of the information they need to make an informed decision about the union. Unfortunately, some people enter into marriages under misconceptions borne from deceit, misrepresentation and fraud from the other party. These marriages are invalid in the State of Colorado. If you believe fraud or false representation induced your marriage, you may be eligible for an annulment.

What Is an Annulment?

An annulment can effectively end your marriage, but it is not a divorce. It is a legal decree stating that you were never married to begin with since the marriage was not valid. With a successful annulment, your status will return to what it was before your marriage. You will not be a divorced person; rather, you will be single, as if your marriage never happened. Annulments are much less common than divorces and legal separations. Some people prefer annulment to divorce, however, for religious or personal reasons. To have your marriage annulled in Colorado, you must show you have grounds proving the invalidity of your marriage. One of these grounds is fraud.

Reasons for Annulment in Colorado

Fraud is the intentional misrepresentation of facts with the purpose of deceiving someone for personal or financial gain. Fraud in marriage could refer to many misrepresentations, such as someone lying about already being married, having terminal cancer or being able to have children. False representations of age or citizenship status could also qualify as fraud. To have grounds for an annulment, the fraud must apply to an essential aspect of the marriage. Couples in Colorado can also file for annulments based on other grounds.

Lack of consummation of marriage
Lack of age of consent (or parent/guardian permission)
Mental incompetence
One or both parties agreed to the marriage as a jest or dare
One or both parties were under duress
The marriage is void due to polygamy, incest or other reasons

Fraud may affect the essential foundation of your marriage if your spouse tricked you into the union through a false claim. Fraud could involve false representations of potency, pregnancy, an illness, financial status, identity, citizenship, feelings or intentions. Lawfully, a person does not have to disclose certain things, such as a criminal background, to a spouse. Failure to disclose this type of information may not constitute fraud. If a spouse directly lies about something such as a criminal background, however, it may be fraud. A lawyer can help you identify fraud in your specific case.

How to Get an Annulment in Colorado

If you believe you have grounds to file for an annulment in Colorado based on fraud, speak to an attorney right away for advice. A divorce lawyer can give you the facts on annulments and review your case to see if you have the necessary elements. If so, your lawyer can represent you during an annulment case to help you prove to the courts that you entered into the marriage due to fraud. You or your lawyer will need to show that the other party was fraudulent and that this is what induced the marriage.

You will need to file annulment paperwork with the family court in your county to start the legal process. Do so as soon as possible after learning of the fraud, as a deadline will apply to your case. You will have six months from the date of learning of the grounds for annulment if you wish to base your claim on fraud, duress, mental incompetence or jest/dare. A lawyer can help you file the legal paperwork and work through related processes. If the courts accept your claim, a judge will grant the annulment and your marriage will disappear from the record. If you cannot get an annulment, you may have to file for divorce instead. Speak to an attorney for more information on annulments for fraud in Colorado.

What’s the Difference Between Divorce, Dissolution and Legal Separation?

Posted in Divorce,Separation on September 11, 2020

You have multiple options for ending your marriage in Colorado. Divorce is not your only avenue. The family courts in Colorado also offer other solutions, such as legal separation. Understanding the difference between divorce, dissolution and legal separation can help you choose the right option for you.

Divorce vs. Dissolution

Divorce and dissolution of marriage are often used interchangeably. They are similar, but not exactly the same, in meaning. Both terms describe the legal termination of a marriage. Both paths will lead to a judge signing a divorce decree and lawfully ending the marriage. Technically, however, these terms differ in meaning on a legal level.

Divorce refers to enlisting the court’s help to end your marriage. A dissolution of marriage, on the other hand, is an agreement between you and your spouse on how to resolve questions such as child custody and property division, without a judge intervening. Both a successful divorce and a dissolution of marriage will end in the same outcome: an order that ends the marriage and sets rules for the split. The difference lies in how a couple comes to this conclusion.

You may be able to dissolve your marriage instead of going to court by keeping an open mind during negotiations with your ex-spouse. You will both have to agree on every detail of the marriage dissolution, including parenting time, property and debt division, child support, and alimony. A mediation lawyer may be able to help you and your ex-spouse work together to agree on everything and dissolve the marriage.

A dissolution can provide better peace of mind for you and your family while ending your marriage. It could also save your family time and money on legal proceedings. You may need to file for divorce and bring your case to the courts, however, if you and your ex-spouse cannot agree on its terms. Filing for divorce means enlisting a judge’s assistance in setting orders for both parties to follow. Most couples start by attempting a dissolution of marriage. Then, if this does not work, the couple will file for divorce to terminate the marriage instead.

Legal Separation in Colorado

Divorce and dissolution both share the same outcome: termination of the marriage contract. Legal separation, however, does not end or terminate a marriage. Instead, it puts things on pause for an amount of time the couple decides. Legal separation in Colorado means that on paper, a couple is still married; however, the couple has divided their assets and are living separately.

Legal separation is a common in-between for couples who need to take action to resolve their issues but are not sure something as final as divorce is the right choice. At any point during a legal separation, the couple can decide to either reconcile and end the separation or move forward with a divorce/dissolution.

Legal separation might be the right choice if you want to separate from your spouse but remain legally married for some type of benefit. If you must remain married on paper to keep health benefits given to you by your spouse’s employer, for example, legal separation could be an effective solution. Other couples choose legal separation instead of divorce for religious reasons. If you think reconciliation is a possibility, legal separation could also be more suitable than divorce. If you get back together with your spouse, it is much easier to end a legal separation than to reverse a divorce decision or remarry.

It is important to assess all of your options for ending a marriage in Colorado. What is right for someone else might not be ideal for you. Discuss all of your options with a divorce attorney for tailored legal advice.

When Does Spousal Support End in Colorado?

Posted in Separation on August 15, 2019

Spousal support is a court-ordered arrangement in which one spouse of a divorce pays another – either in a lump sum or monthly payments. A judge in Colorado may award spousal support during a divorce case that involves an income disparity between the spouses. If one spouse stayed at home to care for the kids while the other got an education and a career, for example, the first spouse may be eligible for spousal support if he or she is in financial need. The duration of the award will depend on the situation.

Who Qualifies for Spousal Support?

Colorado’s spousal support law, Colorado Revised Statutes Section 14-10-114, states that a divorce court may grant this type of award when one spouse needs financial support and the other has the ability to provide this support. In Colorado, the courts do not look at fault for the divorce when determining spousal support. It will not matter, for example, if one spouse cheated on the other. Instead, the courts look at each spouse’s financial standing to determine the eligibility of spousal maintenance.

Length of the marriage
Both incomes
Each spouse’s financial resources
Education levels
Employment history
Marital property distribution
Child custody arrangement
Financial needs

The courts will consider many factors in determining a spousal support award. However, they will mainly analyze whether one spouse will be at a financial deficit post-divorce, while another will have enough to offer financial relief. If this is the case, the spouse with more financial stability may have to pay the other spouse temporarily or permanently. Not all divorce cases result in spousal support. Even cases involving financial need may not receive spousal support depending on the circumstances.

Calculating Spousal Support

The courts in Colorado will calculate the amount of a spousal support award using a complex percentage system. For example, they will take 40% of the higher-earning party’s monthly gross income and subtract half of the lower earner’s monthly income. If the higher earner has a gross monthly income of $10,000, for example, and the lower earner makes $5,000, the spousal support award would be $1,500 ($10,000 x 40% = $4,000; $5,000 x 50% = $2,500; $4,000 – $2,500 = $1,500). The percentages can depend on the length of the marriage. An attorney can help you calculate your potential spousal support arrangement.

The Length of a Spousal Support Arrangement

If a judge deems spousal support appropriate in a divorce case, he or she may order a temporary or permanent award to one party. Temporary awards are more common. They do not last for the rest of the recipient’s life. A temporary support order may last until the divorce is final if one spouse requested spousal maintenance during the divorce process. In other cases, a judge may make a temporary order part of the divorce decree. Colorado has a lengthy and detailed list of how long spousal support will last if the couple was married at least 3 years but less than 20.

3 years: 31% for 11 months
5 years: 35% for 21 months
10 years: 45% for 54 months
15 years: 50% for 90 months
20 years: 50% for 120 months

These guidelines only apply if the couple makes $240,000 or less in combined income. Otherwise, the courts will calculate the length of the order in months based on marriage length. If a marriage lasted longer than 20 years, the courts will have the power to award spousal support for a specific number of years or indefinitely. A judge’s decision will depend on the factors of the case. The list of spousal support lengths for different marriage terms under Colorado law is not a guarantee that the courts will issue this type of award.

Spousal Support Modifications

If the spousal support becomes part of the divorce agreement, it will remain in place until the deadline passes. Either spouse will have the right to request a spousal support modification if one party’s financial status changes. If the spouse giving the maintenance loses his or her job, for example, the courts may suspend or terminate the support order early. The party making the request must have a valid reason for the judge to grant a modification order.

Different Types of Separation: Trial, Permanent and Legal Separation

Posted in Separation on July 2, 2019

If the tension in your relationship becomes more than just a rough patch, separation might be a positive choice for your family. Separation is not divorce. You and your spouse will remain legally married, with all the benefits that come with a marriage on paper. However, separation may impact matters such as finances and legal rights according to the type you select. Separation could be the key to continuing your relationship, reconciling your differences or deciding it is time for a divorce. It could also be the ideal permanent choice depending on your situation.

Trial Separation

Trial separation could be the right move if you are still unsure about the future of your relationship. If reconciliation may be possible, a trial separation period could help you and your spouse see things more clearly. During trial separation, you and your spouse will live in separate places, but everything else remains legally the same. Legal rights such as parenting time and property ownership will not change.

If you and your spouse decide to continue sharing a bank account or child custody, put the terms of your trial separation agreement in writing. You do not need to file your agreement anywhere or make it official, but having both signatures can help you prevent legal trouble in the future. That way, your spouse cannot accuse you of stealing money or claiming property you do not own. The terms of your agreement will be clear. However, in the court’s eyes, you and your spouse will still jointly own bank accounts, debts and assets.

Permanent Separation

Permanent separation, as the name implies, is a more permanent split. This might be the best option if you and your spouse decide it is time to permanently break up – often after unsuccessful reconciliation during trial separation. Permanent separation has more legal ramifications than a temporary split. In most states, permanent separation will officially distinguish between you and your spouse’s properties. The debts you accrue and money you make while permanently separated will become your separate property rather than community property with your spouse.

If you incur debts for things such as paying the mortgage on your marital home or buying groceries for the kids, however, the courts in Colorado will most likely view these as community property debts rather than yours alone, even while permanently separated. Keeping track of the date of your legal separation is important, as this date can have significance during a legal separation or divorce case. Until you take your spouse to court or vice versa, a permanent separation will not be a legal one. The courts will not intervene with your arrangement.

Legal Separation

Making your separation official can have certain legal benefits. Achieving a legal separation means the family court in your county will change your legal status from married to separated in the system. A legal separation is similar to a divorce in that the court will grant orders about property division, child custody, child support and other important matters; however, you and your spouse will still be technically married. This distinction can be important for issues such as health insurance benefits if you or your spouse wish to retain them through your current agreement. Many couples prefer separation to divorce.

Which Is Right for You?

Choosing the right type of separation depends on your unique relationship. Do your best to communicate honestly and openly with your spouse. Explain your needs, whether that is just to have some time apart to think or to make your separation legal in a Colorado courtroom. Whichever course of action you decide, consider consulting with a lawyer about your rights. A Fort Collins family law attorney can help you choose the ideal living situation for you, your spouse and your kids. A lawyer can also help you through the legal process should you decide to opt for legal separation or divorce down the road.

Who Gets Pet Custody in a Colorado Divorce?

Posted in Divorce,Separation on March 15, 2019

Studies show that pet ownership has increased in the last few decades. Since the first National Pet Owners Survey in 1988, pet ownership has gone up by 12%, from 56% of U.S. households to 68% in 2018. Studies also show the increase in pet ownership correlates to a decrease in younger generations having children. The outcome? Many couples getting divorced today treat their pets like their children – creating intense pet custody battles during Colorado divorce cases.

Deciding Your Own Pet Custody Arrangement

Pet custody is like many other aspects of a divorce case in that it does not have to fall to the decision of the courts. Couples will have the option to arrange their own pet custody agreement before a judge intervenes. This is almost always preferable than taking a pet custody case to trial. Trials can be unpredictable, and you may end up losing custody of your pet altogether, rather than settling on a compromise with your ex-spouse.

First, try to work out an agreeable arrangement between you and the other pet parent. Create a plan for the pet as part of how you and your spouse will separate property. The courts will always try to approve divorce arrangements a family creates before intervening. If you and your ex-spouse cannot work it out alone, consider hiring a mediator to help with negotiations. Mediation is not a trial. It is a meeting between you, your spouse, and an unbiased third-party mediator to act as a judge. You may also have attorneys present, if desired.

Mediation can help you resolve a pet custody battle without needing to take your case to court. You and your spouse can both present your cases, and the mediator will make a final suggestion as to how the issue should be resolved. You and your ex-spouse may either accept the suggestion and make it your official divorce contract, or reject the solution and proceed to the next step – a court trial. If your pet custody case does go before a judge, know that the courts will see your cat or dog like personal property, not like a child.

Pets as Property in Colorado

You may not see your pet as just another piece of owned property, but that is how the Colorado legal system views it. Your pet may be like a beloved family member, but in the eyes of the law, he or she is just another asset of the marriage. Thus, Colorado’s property division laws will preside over your pet custody case, not child custody laws. Here is a breakdown of how property division works in Colorado.

Separate vs. community property. Separate property is any and all assets either spouse possessed prior to the date of marriage. Community property, on the other hand, is assets the couple obtained during the course of the marriage – or assets the couple legally decided to share, such as joining two separate bank accounts.
Equitable distribution rules. Colorado is an equitable distribution, or common law, state. The courts will not split community property down the middle, in a 50/50 division. Instead, the courts will typically allot a greater portion of shared assets to the higher-earning spouse in the relationship.
How the court makes marital property decisions. In general, the courts cannot touch separate property. Each spouse will maintain ownership of his or her own separate properties. The state’s equitable division rule will only apply to community, or marital, properties and assets.
Fault vs. no-fault divorce. Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. Your spouse cannot use your fault for the split against you during property division or child custody disputes. In other words, even if you are at fault for causing your divorce, this will not automatically bar you from pet custody. Instead, the courts will split property in an equitable manner.

If you owned your pet prior to the marriage, odds are the courts will view the pet as your own separate property. Custody of the pet will likely go to you and not your spouse. If, however, you and your spouse purchased or adopted the pet after marriage (or obtained the pet jointly prior to marriage), the courts will determine custody as it would any other piece of property, in most cases.

The Answer Depends on the Court

Colorado does not have any specific pet custody laws. This makes the matter somewhat unclear and unpredictable. The courts will determine pet custody on a case-by-case basis. Some judges may look at a pet purely as property, and divide it along with other pieces of property, such as a residence or income. Other judges, however, may consider some of the child custody rules when determining a pet custody dispute.

Your judge, for example, may examine what is in the best interests of the pet to determine whether you or your spouse should have custody. The judge may listen to both sides of the argument, assess what would be best for the pet in question, and determine a sole or joint custody arrangement based on the facts of your case. How the courts treat your particular situation depends entirely on the judge, since no legal governance exists for such situations.

Can You Improve Your Chances of Securing Pet Custody?

It may be difficult to predict how a pet custody battle will go, but you can improve your chances of a satisfactory outcome by hiring a lawyer. Hiring an attorney because of your pet may seem unnecessary, until you realize the chance of your pet going to neither you nor your spouse exists. It is in the court’s power to order that the pet goes to a third party if you and your spouse cannot work out an agreement between yourselves. A judge may choose not to intervene in these situations, and decide to send the pet to a separate home instead of assigning custody.

If custody of your pet post-divorce is important to you, hire a divorce attorney to represent you during mediation or a divorce trial. A lawyer during your mediation can improve the odds of you and your spouse coming to a satisfactory compromise on pet custody and visitation rights, without needing to go to court. If your case does proceed to trial, a lawyer can state your claim to the pet through property division and/or custody laws. Your lawyer may be able to prove to a judge that you are the owner that will do what is best for the animal.

Proof of your position as the right choice may include demonstrating that you were the one who took primary care of the animal during the marriage. If you were the one who spent more money on the pet’s healthcare, more time walking or feeding the pet, and more attention on the pet, you could win primary custody – even if your spouse was the one who initially purchased the animal. Your attorney can set up witnesses to testify to your care of the pet, as well as collect evidence such as vet bills.

If you are currently facing a potential pet custody battle with your spouse during a divorce case, focus on what is best for your pet. Try to come to an agreement together, with help from lawyers and mediators. Neither spouse should use a pet to hurt or manipulate the other spouse.

If you need help getting custody of a pet you believe should be yours, trust an experienced attorney to make your case for you during mediation or a trial in Colorado.

How Long Does Annulment Take in Colorado?

Posted in Separation on October 3, 2018

When it comes to ending a marriage, most people consider divorce as the first option. However, another option is annulment, a process through which the marriage never legally existed. This can seem like an appealing option when other factors make divorce unattractive for a couple.

However, an annulment is a distinct legal procedure that has different requirements than a divorce. Fully understanding annulment in Colorado can help you make the correct decision when deciding the best way to end your marriage.

Divorce and Annulment in Colorado

Like many other states, Colorado allows for “no-fault” divorce. So long as married couples follow the correct period of separation procedures, they may move forward with a no-fault divorce, with no need for other circumstances to come into play.

When it comes to annulment, Colorado does not have any procedures that use that name. However, the state does allow for a court action known as a “declaration of invalidity.” This order operates roughly in the same manner as an annulment, stating that your marriage was not valid – ending your legal obligations without a divorce.

Legal Grounds to Obtain a Declaration of Invalidity

Unlike the ability to file for a no-fault divorce, you must meet specific requirements to file and successfully obtain a declaration of invalidity. Under Colorado law, those circumstances are:

Either spouse lacked the intellectual ability to consent to marriage due to drugs, alcohol, or another incapacity
Either spouse could not physically consummate the marriage, but the other spouse didn’t know that when the marriage took place.
Either spouse was under the legal age of marriage
Either of the spouses was compelled to marry
Either of the spouses entered the marriage because of a joke or because someone dared them
One spouse married due to fraudulent acts or misrepresentation of the other
The marriage was void because of bigamy, polygamy, incest, or another violation of marriage law

In addition to meeting the requirements for a declaration of invalidity, a spouse must file a petition within a specific time frame. You have 6 months to file for annulment on the grounds of lack of mental capacity or the claim of duress, dare, or fraud; 12 months for unconsummated marriages; and 25 months for violations of the age of consent. Claims of incest, bigamy, and polygamy have no time limit for filing a court petition.

How Long Does an Annulment Take?

Not only do declarations of invalidity have strict legal grounds for filing, the involved parties will likely also need to provide proof of the grounds for annulment. This can involve lengthy proceedings to justify the annulment request and additional legal preparations, even when both parties agree that they want to have their marriage declared invalid.

In contested annulments, the procedure can take even longer, quickly stretching out the timeline beyond that of a standard divorce. There will also be the consideration of applicable child custody, support, and visitation as would occur in a divorce. Unlike some other states, Colorado allows for distribution of any marital property through annulment, even though there is no legal marriage in the first place.

In contrast, because of Colorado’s allowance of no-fault divorces, a court can process a divorce proceeding much more quickly than an annulment – even though popular perception seems to be the opposite. For those who are hoping to find a quicker alternative to divorce, an annulment may not be the way to go.

However, certain circumstances may mean that annulment is the better option for ending your marriage. Consulting with an attorney can help you understand if you have the legal grounds for an annulment, as well as determine which procedure will better suit your specific needs.

Restraining Orders vs. No Contact Orders: What’s The Difference?

Posted in Separation on January 26, 2018

Both forms of legal action prohibit contact by one party to the other. One of the main differences is that restraining orders often last up to one year and are temporary. No-contact agreements are binding contracts that can be removed only by the district attorney or the judge who is working the case. Another contrasting factor is the intensity of the punishment.

Divorces in Fort Collins vary greatly in nature, reason, and repercussions. Some divorces may even result in one of the spouses wanting official, legal reinforcement to keep the ex-partner away. Such reinforcement could be in the form restraining orders or no contact orders. These orders keep one spouse away from the other, as well as away from places that the requesting spouse frequents often. They may also ban texting, calling, messages, or any social media contact. If the two people accidentally run into each other, the person who was there last or who saw the other first is required to immediately leave.

For a restraining order, if the restrained individual attempts to contact the other or violates the order in any way, he or she can be arrested or fined. However, when someone violates a no-contact order, the one who is violated is not permitted to immediately enforce action by the police. Such a case would require filing a citation with the court. Though the initial punishment seems less severe with no-contact orders, they incur more intense final punishment than restraining orders. If a no-contact order is violated, the violator may spend up to six months in jail. This individual would also have to pay the attorney fees for the other party.

Yet another difference between a restraining order and a no-contact agreement is the circumstance that requires such action. A restraining order is usually filed for civil reasons such as divorces, relationships that ended poorly, or any other situation where a person feels threatened. A no-contact order is usually upheld because of criminal reasons. For example, if the victim of a crime were testifying against the criminal in court, they would most likely file a no-contact agreement that would last through the trial and even afterward. Often, criminal charges must be filed already or be in process for a judge to order a no-contact agreement.

The laws on restraining orders and no-contact agreements vary by state, but the main idea is that no-contact agreements exist to punish someone who has already caused harm and to prevent further harm, whereas restraining orders exist to prevent someone from causing harm in the first place. Restraining orders can also be adjusted depending on the situation at hand and how threatened the person who filed the order currently feels.

Both forms of action can be applied to help protect the mental and physical safety of an individual. Laws exists to protect the interests of both parties, prevent overreach and misapplication, and clarify terms. Anyone seeking to file either action, or currently subject to a restraining order or no-contact order should seek the advice of legal counsel.

Colorado Permanent Orders Hearing

Posted in Divorce,Separation on October 12, 2017

There are many steps to a divorce case in Colorado. The final stage is the Permanent Orders Hearing. During this conclusive hearing, the judge reviewing the divorce will make the final determinations concerned marital asset and debt division. The judge will also determine maintenance awards, such as spousal support or alimony. If the divorcing couple has children, the judge will also make a decision concerning parenting times, custody, child support, and each parent’s ability to make major decisions for the children. Depending on the situation and each divorcing spouse’s behavior, the judge may also rule on one party’s obligation to pay the other party’s legal fees.

The determinations made in a Permanent Orders Hearing are final and binding, and these hearings can sometimes last several days before reaching a conclusion. Once the Permanent Orders Hearing is complete and the judge puts his or her final orders in writing, the court will issue a decree of dissolution and formally end the marriage.

Preparing for the Permanent Orders Hearing

The Permanent Orders Hearing happens after all other proceedings in the divorce case. Divorces in Colorado can be complex, especially if there is bad blood between the divorcing spouses. Unfortunately, some divorcing couples act harshly out of spite and anger, escalating divorce proceedings to contentious levels. The first step in starting the divorce process is one or both spouses filing a petition for dissolution. If the couple mutually agrees to the divorce, has little shared property, no children, and both spouses agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the divorce may proceed much more quickly than more-complex contentious divorces or divorces involving vast assets or children.

Each spouse should secure a family law attorney to navigate the process. Each spouse will need to compile a great deal of documentation to establish ownership of shared property and assets as well as evidence of their individual financial security. The divorcing spouses may also need to supply evidence supporting their claims to full or majority custody of the couple’s children. Eventually, the divorce case will resolve all these issues, and the Permanent Orders Hearing is simply a formal end to the case in which the judge makes an official ruling on all the elements of the couple’s divorce.

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

In some divorce cases, all the questions concerning Colorado child support, custody, division of assets and debts, and spousal support are already resolved before the Permanent Orders Hearing. If the divorcing couple files a full agreement, they can avoid needing to appear for a Permanent Orders Hearing. However, in any divorce case involving children or one spouse without legal counsel, the divorcing couple will need to appear for an uncontested Permanent Orders Hearing. During this hearing, the court will review the agreement to determine if it is in the best interest of the children and fair to the unrepresented spouse.

Even if a divorce case appears straightforward at first, it can quickly escalate into a complicated legal battle. Both sides in a divorce deserve and should secure reliable legal representation, so anyone considering divorce in Colorado should reach out to a family law attorney as soon as possible. Filing for divorce and gathering all the required evidence and documentation can seem daunting, and reliable, experienced family law attorneys will make the process much more bearable for everyone involves.

Serving Your Divorce Papers In Colorado

Posted in Divorce,Separation on August 31, 2017

Maybe you’re in the beginning stages of contemplating a divorce, or maybe you’re getting ready to file an official motion. No matter what stage you’re at in considering a divorce, the idea of taking the next step can be scary. Knowing about the process can help put your mind at ease and prepare you for the road ahead. Here is what you can expect from the beginning stages of your divorce.

Serving the Papers

After meeting with a skilled divorce attorney, you will designate a third party who will serve the divorce papers. When serving your Colorado divorce papers, you have a few possible avenues. It’s important to note that you can’t personally serve papers. However, the state does allow these options:

Serving by mail. One of the most obvious options is to serve your spouse by mail. If you choose this route, you have two options. The first is First-Class Mail, which would require your partner to sign for the package when he or she receives it from the mail carrier. The second is to send your package through Certified Mail with a return receipt requested. The return receipt is a green slip that your spouse signs acknowledging he or she received it, which is returned to you. If you cannot get your slip back within the specified time frame, you will have to elect another form of delivery.
Process server. One of the more common methods is delivering the paperwork via proxy, or a process server. These individuals are professionals who will hand deliver the divorce paperwork to your spouse. The main advantage of using this method is that their training allows them to get the paperwork to your spouse as soon as possible. You can find them through your attorney or online.
Acceptance of Service method. Technically, anyone over the age of 18 who isn’t directly involved in your divorce can deliver the paperwork. However, they must obtain a signed acceptance of service document that acknowledges receipt of the paperwork.
Serving by publication. When all other attempts fail, your last avenue of delivery is publishing your petition in a local newspaper. You must, however, have permission from the courts to do so. In order to grant this permission, you must be able to show that you made a reasonable effort to serve your spouse the paperwork, using all other methods available. The courts will also require a copy of the newspaper notice and the run dates for their records.

If you’re dealing with a particularly contentious divorce scenario, you can talk to an experienced family law attorney about the best way to serve your Colorado divorce papers. It’s essential to deliver this paperwork adhering to the letter of the law using one of the options listed. When delivering the paperwork, you’re giving your spouse a notice to appear in court, as well as the opportunity to obtain representation and guidance through the legal process that’s to come.

A formal divorce proceeding can be daunting, but less so with a proactive and informed approach. Be sure to use one of these tactics when serving your spouse divorce paperwork.