Douglas County Spousal Support Lawyer
The finances of your household before a divorce are rarely straightforward, and they can become noticeably more complicated as you go through a divorce. In many families, one spouse will earn more than the other, with significantly different incomes in some cases. In a divorce case with disparate incomes, Colorado statute provides for the potential for one spouse to pay the other alimony, called “maintenance” under statute. This financial support is separate from any award of child support or property and is designed to help the lesser earning spouse meet his or her reasonable financial needs. While your case is pending, the court can authorize a temporary award of maintenance to cover on-going, immediate needs. Generally, an award of maintenance will extend for a period of time after the divorce is done, generally based on the length of the marriage. At Plog & Stein, P.C., we are well-versed in litigating family law cases and our Douglas County spousal support lawyers can provide you with the quality representation you deserve. This includes representing clients on either side of a case to establish, modify, or enforce alimony orders.
Spousal Support Statutes in Douglas County
The initial establishment of maintenance in Colorado is governed by C.R.S. 14-10-114, which sets for the standards and factors for awarding spousal support. Section 114 also contains a presumptive guideline and formula which suggests both a monthly amount to be paid, as well an appropriate duration. The statutory guideline formula is not mandatory and generally applies to families with a combined yearly income of $360,000 or less. Though the court does not have to follow the formula, it is more likely than not to do so. This does not mean that arguments cannot be made to the contrary. Keep in mind that maintenance is not ordered in every case and that each case is different.
When orders for monthly maintenance are entered the court generally retains jurisdiction to modify those orders regarding both the monthly amount and duration. Modifications are governed by C.R.S. 14-10-122 and the legal standard is that there has been a substantial and continuing changes in circumstances which makes the prior orders “unfair.” The definition of fairness will be based on the judge’s subjective beliefs and the grounds necessary to modify will generally need to be more than incomes going slightly up or down. Additionally, parties can contractually agree that that the alimony is non-modifiable and that the court only retains jurisdiction to enforce the orders. It makes sense to speak with an alimony attorney in Denver when it comes time to assess your options regarding both establishment and modification.
The Douglas County spousal support attorneys at Plog & Stein, P.C. are skilled at handling all aspects of alimony cases in Douglas County. This includes dealing with the wide array of financial documents and disclosures which will be exchanged as part of your case. We also understand both what the court is looking for in terms of arguments and evidence, as well as what a fair settlement might look like. With your ability to meet your monthly financial obligations at stake, having diligent counsel with an eye towards details matters.
Exploring Your Alimony Options with Dedicated Counsel
No matter the situation in your divorce, whether you are seeking alimony or defending against an unreasonable claim, the Denver family law lawyers at Plog & Stein, P.C. will be there for you and know what to do to assert your rights. We begin with a thorough evaluation of your entire financial situation and then build a strategy that takes into account all the statutory factors involved in your case. Your financial future can hinge on the outcomes in your divorce. Call us to discuss the best strategy to secure that future at 303-781-0322 or contact us online.
