Greenwood Village Divorce Attorneys
No matter how amicable a divorce may seem, it is always a good idea to seek legal representation.
Those who represent themselves in a divorce are subject to the same standards as an experienced divorce attorney. With so much at stake, you should have a quality divorce attorney at your side to advise you at every step, to make sure you meet deadlines, and, most importantly, to fight for your rights both in and out of the courtroom.
The Greenwood Village divorce lawyers at Plog & Stein, P.C. offer quality representation and effective legal solutions to family law clients in Arapahoe County and throughout the Denver metropolitan area. We are conveniently located in the Denver Tech Center/Fiddler’s Green area, near Orchard and I-25.
At Plog & Stein, each member of our team understands how important both your financial future and that of your children are to you. Let us put our over 70 years of combined legal experience to work for you when the time comes to dissolve your marriage.
Why Choose Plog & Stein, P.C.?
- We are devoted to achieving the best possible outcome for each of our clients. We have assisted thousands of clients in Colorado, many of whom have continued to seek our help past their initial divorce cases.
- We are experienced and seasoned litigators who know how to obtain results. We recognize what each case needs to succeed and how to skillfully resolve complex legal, financial and custody-related issues.
- We provide reasonable, just and affordable legal services. Our Greenwood Village divorce lawyers offer their services at hourly rates, with no hidden fees. We also offer reasonably priced retainers.
Your Greenwood Village Divorce
The very first step to take in a divorce, whether you have been served papers or are planning to serve the other party, is to take a comprehensive look at your big picture state of your affairs as relates to both your finances and your children. In any divorce case, there are various issues which, if applicable, will need to be resolved, either through agreement or ultimately a court hearing. Those potential divorce issues include:
- Division of Marital Property (and Debt)
- Alimony (properly termed “Maintenance)
- Allocation of Custodial Rights and Parenting Time
- Child Support
Understanding your rights and options early in the process can be invaluable to the final outcome. When first coming to Plog & Stein, P.C., our initial task will be to thoroughly analyze your unique set of circumstances so that we can provide you with a comprehensive assessment of where you stand, what you can expect, and how best to work towards your goals.
From there, our Greenwood Village Divorce attorneys will provide you with the dedicated attention your case deserves. Our only goal is the best possible outcome for you, the client.
Colorado Divorce Laws
It is important to know the laws pertaining to divorce in your state. As a resident of Colorado, you are subject to no-fault divorce laws. In a no-fault divorce state, you do not need to give a specific reason for your divorce. You must simply hold that your marriage is irretrievably broken while filing for a dissolution of marriage.
When filing, you must also prove that you meet Colorado’s residency requirement: that you have established domicile in the state for at least 90 days.
The state divorce courts may look at fault when making decisions such as alimony or property division. Colorado is an equitable division state. The courts will divide property fairly, if not equally. Unlike community property states, Colorado will not automatically divide a couple’s property 50/50. It will take factors such as fault, each spouse’s contributions, the value of the property and financial circumstances into account. The Greenwood Village divorce attorneys at Plog & Stein, P.C. can help you navigate all of Colorado’s divorce laws.
Differences Between a Legal Separation and a Divorce
Legal separation is not the same as divorce. Getting a legal separation in Colorado will mean you are technically still married to your spouse. You will undergo many of the same processes as a divorce – including child custody, child support, property division and alimony – while retaining your status as married for health insurance, tax filing or other purposes.
Legal separation might be the right option for you if you believe reconciliation is possible or if you wish to retain your marital status while living apart from your spouse.
How Do Colorado Courts Determine Alimony?
Alimony, also referred to as spousal maintenance, is a payment one spouse must make to the other for as long as the courts command. The purpose of alimony is to allow the lower-earning spouse to maintain the same standards of living he or she enjoyed while married, after divorce. In Colorado, the courts do not entitle either party to alimony. A party must request alimony and the courts must assess many factors to determine the claimant’s eligibility.
- The couple’s lifestyle during the marriage
- Whether one spouse gave up a career to support the marriage
- If one spouse was the primary earner
- If one spouse paid for the other’s education or job training
- The age and health of either party
- Whether the lower-earning spouse has a disability, illness or advanced age that prevents him or her from self-supporting
- The length of the marriage
The Colorado courts may award temporary, rehabilitative, reimbursement and/or permanent alimony during a divorce case. Temporary alimony is more common than permanent.
Permanent alimony is typically only an option during the most extreme cases. Our Greenwood Village family law attorneys at Plog & Stein, P.C. may be able to help you demand alimony during your case.
Contested and Uncontested Divorce Cases
A very simple, uncontested divorce could take as little as 91 days to wrap up, but contested divorces may take months, or longer. Fighting for what you are entitled to and protecting your assets is a process that takes time. There can be a lot of push and pull in negotiating a mutually agreeable settlement.
With the full range of issues that can arise in these family law cases, it is anticipated that you and your spouse might not see eye to eye on every issue at the outset. Each of our attorneys is solely focused on the practice of family law. We are both skilled negotiators and litigators, with a keen understanding of what a fair resolution under the law entails.
In many cases, we are able to arrive at resolution without ever getting to that final hearing in front of a judge or magistrate.
However, not all cases settle. When this happens, your case will go to trial. Preparation for trial is equally important as actually going through the trial. In cases with complex marital property, there may be a need for expert valuations of assets, such as pensions, real estate, or business interests.
Likewise, issues over parenting time or residential custody can arise which may also necessitate the need for an expert, such as a child and family investigator. We are there for our clients each step of the way, to guide them regarding what’s needed from an evidentiary standpoint to support their positions. We believe that informed clients make better decisions along the way.
Don’t be caught off-guard in your Greenwood Village divorce case! Whether your case appears simple or contentious, having the right law firm behind you matters.
Common Issues That Arise With Divorce and How Can an Attorney Help
A typical divorce case does not exist. Each couple and situation is unique. An attorney can guide you through the issues that might arise with your specific divorce case, including child custody (legal and physical), child support, visitation, alimony, insurance issues, property division, business assets, retirement benefits, stocks and bonds, domestic violence, protective orders, and more.
A lawyer will have the knowledge, experience and resources to fight for the best possible outcome for your divorce case, regardless of its unique factors.
Enlist the Help of Reliable, Experienced Greenwood Village Divorce Lawyers
Given the level of affluence of the Greenwood Village community, it’s not unusual for divorce cases to come with nuances related to the financial profile of your family. In light of this, detail matters when assessing each asset, income source, and expense. Regardless of what complexities your case may hold, the key is proper application of the law. We will communicate with you honestly, provide logic in emotionally wrought situations, and be deliberate and dedicated in creating a strategy that will help ensure that you and your children’s needs are met now and going forward in the future.
Call us at 303-781-0322 or contact us online to speak with one of our seasoned Greenwood Village divorce attorney.
Client Testimonial
“I will recommend your firm to anyone that is unsure of who to represent them. Thank you really doesn’t say enough.” – Greg