Jefferson County Alimony Attorney
Jefferson County Alimony Lawyers Providing Workable Solutions
If you have or are thinking about filing for divorce, questions about alimony will likely arise arise. Will you have to pay your former spouse? Are you entitled to receive spousal support? Can you get financial help from the other party quickly as you move through your divorce case? How long will your alimony payments last and what will they be? An experienced Jefferson County alimony attorney can answer these and other divorce and alimony-related questions. The alimony lawyers at Plog & Stein, P.C. have years of experience representing clients with all issues related to alimony, regardless of which side of the argument they may be on. This includes helping many Jefferson County alimony clients reach fair outcomes in their spousal support cases. Whether you’re dealing with a divorce or alimony modification issue, we can help!
Petitioning for Alimony in Jefferson County
At Plog & Stein, P.C. our Jefferson County alimony lawyers are skilled at handling both simple and complex alimony issues, both during and after a divorce. This includes the following:
- Establishment of Alimony
- Defense Against an Alimony Claim
- Modifications of Alimony
- Enforcement of Alimony Orders
- Collection of Alimony Arrears
The first thing to understand about alimony in Colorado is that once you waive your right to it, that waiver is forever and you will never be able to seek it at a later date. So speaking with an alimony lawyer who handles Jefferson County cases before making any decisions is highly advisable. Alimony is called “maintenance” in Colorado and is meant to help one party meet their reasonable financial needs during and after a divorce. If you are worried about paying bills or other monetary issues while your divorce case is proceeding, temporary spousal support can also be arranged. A divorce can take anywhere from a 91 days, or longer, so a temporary award of maintenance can make a big difference.
You and your spouse’s combined adjusted gross income will be the primary factors the Jefferson County District Court will look at to determine the alimony aspects of your divorce. If that number is less than $360,000 per year, there is a strong possibility the court may employ a statutory formula which entails calculating 40% of the higher earner’s income minus 50% of the lower earner’s income to derive a monthly amount. Of course, underemployment, self-employment, unemployment, bonuses, and commissions can make this relatively straight-forward calculation seem more confusing when debates arise regarding one party’s income. There are also statutory adjustments and nuances that matter when formulating spousal maintenance orders.
Pursuant to C.R.S. 14-10-114, there are certain, main factors a court must take into consideration to ascertain the right amount of spousal support to award, if any. The judge will look at your financial resources, including what property you own and child support you owe, the time needed for the recipient of maintenance to become self-sufficient, the standard of living attained during the marriage, the length of your marriage, your age and health, and the ability for the party seeking alimony to meet their own financial needs. It should be noted that use of the statutory formula is not mandatory, just something the court must consider and that it does not apply to families making over $360,000 per year.
In some cases, getting alimony orders established is half the battle. After the divorce is done, circumstances may change making the current alimony orders unfair. That’s when a modification of spousal maintenance may be warranted. Likewise, not everyone meets their alimony obligations or follows court orders. In these instances, enforcement and collection efforts may be necessary. The legal team at Plog & Stein is ready to assist you with any of your concerns tied into spousal support and your court orders.
We will do a full analysis of all of your situation, learn your objectives (whether petitioning for alimony or protecting against an unreasonable request), and build a strategic plan that works best for you. Our attorneys are equally comfortable when it comes time to either settle or litigate your Jefferson County spousal maintenance case.
Vigorous Advocacy for your Alimony Needs
Divorce is ultimately a multi-faceted activity that requires finesse and a long term view of your objectives. Alimony is one part of a much bigger puzzle. That’s why we at Plog & Stein P.C. have dedicated our practice exclusively to family law matters. Over the years, our team has helped more Jefferson County clients navigate the waters of divorce then we can readily count. Call us at 303-781-0322 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with a member of our team.
