Parker, CO, Divorce Attorneys
Helping clients make sense of complex divorce processes in Parker, CO
Going through divorce may feel like an immensely stressful process. At Palmer Family Law, we help clients navigate their divorce cases with confidence and gain peace of mind.
We understand the challenges that often arise in divorce, ranging from property division disputes to child custody disagreements. Even if you and your spouse appear to be in full agreement on all matters in the divorce, unexpected complexities can arise at any time.
Our Parker, CO, divorce attorneys walk with clients through the ups and downs of their divorce cases. We provide individualized attention and legal guidance backed by over a decade of experience with Colorado family law cases.
Reach out today to request a consultation and speak with our attorneys about your divorce.
Challenges That Often Arise in the Divorce Process
Divorcing a partner with whom you have built a life is not an easy task. Couples often encounter the following challenges when navigating the divorce process:
- Division of property: How will you and your spouse divide assets such as your family home, shared vehicles, and other belongings? Will one spouse assume the mortgage, or will you sell the home and split the proceeds?
- Child custody: How will you determine custody and parenting time for shared children? What parenting schedule would best prioritize your child’s interests?
- Child support: If you do not plan to split custody of shared children equally, how will the spouse with less parenting time contribute financially to the child’s upbringing?
- Spousal support: If one of you makes significantly more income than the other, how will you approach spousal maintenance or support?
In Colorado, a contested divorce is one in which either party does not agree on key terms. An uncontested divorce signifies that both parties agree on all matters. Uncontested divorce is typically faster and less expensive.
Just because you and your spouse are not in agreement now does not mean you cannot resolve your differences later. Our divorce attorneys can use dispute resolution measures to help you work through disagreements with your spouse and aim for an uncontested divorce.
Understanding Divorce vs. Legal Separation in Colorado
Our attorneys provide legal assistance for clients going through divorce and legal separation in Colorado. While both processes are similar, the main distinction is that legal separation does not legally end the marriage. The couple can live separately, divide marital assets and debts, seek child custody orders, and pursue child support while still being legally married.
In a legal separation, the parties cannot become remarried to other people unless the separation is converted to a divorce. This conversion can happen any time after the couple has been legally separated for at least six months and may follow a simpler process than beginning a new divorce case.
A couple may choose legal separation over divorce if:
- Divorce goes against their religious beliefs.
- They want to retain the tax or health insurance benefits of being legally married.
- They want to trial divorce before making the process official.
Our attorneys can help you understand the differences between divorce and legal separation and provide legal guidance through either process.
The Marital Property Division Process in Colorado
Colorado recognizes two distinct types of property owned by parties in a marriage: marital property and separate property.
Marital property includes any property or assets acquired by either spouse during the marriage, aside from inheritances or gifts given to one party. Separate property includes everything either spouse acquired before the marriage. However, separate property can become co-mingled with marital assets if they are deposited in the same joint bank account.
Colorado courts attempt to divide marital property “equitably” between both spouses, which may not necessarily mean equally. The court considers several factors when determining an equitable distribution of assets:
- Each spouse’s contribution to the marriage
- The increases or decreases in value of any marital assets
- Each spouse’s financial circumstances
- The feasibility of dividing certain assets, such as real estate
Working with an experienced divorce attorney in Parker, CO, may protect your rights to a fair division of property. Your legal counsel can help you retain control over this process by working with your spouse to create a marital settlement agreement that both of you find acceptable. Tactics like mediation and arbitration can help you resolve disagreements on your own without needing to involve the court.
How Colorado Approaches Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
Colorado defines the legal custody process as “allocation of parental responsibilities” (APR). It includes two main components:
- Parenting time: When each parent will see and care for the child
- Decision-making responsibility: Which parent has the authority to make decisions for the child
You and your child’s other parent can work together to create a custody plan that prioritizes your child’s best interests. If you can agree on how to divide decision-making responsibility and parenting time, you can file your case as Petitioner and Co-Petitioner and sign the petition in front of a notary. If you cannot agree, the court may need to make the determination for you.
Our divorce attorneys can help you understand your rights to parenting time and decision making for your children. We often represent fathers, particularly, to help them uphold their parental rights in the divorce process.
Seeking Child Support or Spousal Maintenance
Both parents are legally required to financially support a child’s upbringing. If you and your spouse will not share 50/50 custody after the divorce, the parent who spends less time with the child may be required to pay child support. Even in a 50/50 joint custody arrangement, a parent with a higher income may be required to pay support to balance the financial responsibilities for both parents.
Your marital settlement agreement may include terms about spousal maintenance. This is an optional benefit the court may award to a lower-earning spouse in a divorce. It would require the higher-earning spouse to pay monthly support to the spouse for a specific period.
Our attorneys provide legal guidance for both types of support.
Why Hire a Parker, CO, Divorce Attorney?
Hiring a divorce attorney is generally a good idea, whether you are navigating a contested or uncontested divorce. An attorney can assist clients in a range of ways during the divorce process, including:
- Advocating for their interests in negotiations, mediation, and court disputes
- Helping them understand their rights to assets, custody, and certain benefits
- Providing objective guidance throughout an emotionally charged transition
- Potentially streamlining the divorce process and preventing delays
- Helping them understand complex legal jargon and paperwork and avoiding costly errors
- Significantly reducing the stress and burden on clients by handling many legal aspects for them
Even if you believe your divorce to be amicable and straightforward, complexities could arise at any point. You may expect your spouse to agree with you on all terms in the divorce, only to find that they have changed their mind on the day of signing or have hired legal counsel to represent them.
With an experienced divorce attorney on your side, you can prepare for the worst outcomes and gain confidence that your rights and interests will be advocated for, no matter how your spouse responds.
Request a Consultation With Our Divorce Attorneys
The divorce process can be emotionally taxing, even if you and your spouse fully agree on all terms. At Palmer Family Law, we understand the challenging emotions that often arise during this process. We act as compassionate legal advocates while providing unbiased, sound guidance to help clients uphold their rights and interests.
If you are considering divorce or have already started the process, we would like to hear about your case. Schedule a free consultation in Parker, CO, today by calling 720-399-7434.
Request a Consultation With Our Divorce Attorneys
The divorce process can be emotionally taxing, even if you and your spouse fully agree on all terms. At Palmer Family Law, we understand the challenging emotions that often arise during this process. We act as compassionate legal advocates while providing unbiased, sound guidance to help clients uphold their rights and interests.
If you are considering divorce or have already started the process, we would like to hear about your case. Schedule a free consultation in Parker, CO, today by calling 720-399-7434.