Littleton Alimony Lawyers
There are very few things that can shake up your life as much as divorce. Suddenly, you have a million things to sort out and worry over as your life is turned upside down. It doesn’t matter if you are the one filing or if you’ve just been served papers, the road ahead will be bumpy. Chances are one of the first worries to come up, simply due to the realities of daily life, will be how to disentangle your finances from your spouse’s. In many cases, the issue of spousal support arises, leaving one party in need of financial assistance and the other concerned for how they will meet their own needs if forced to pay alimony. Regardless of your situation, we can help. If you are looking for a Littleton alimony attorney who is keenly attuned to what is needed to build a comprehensive strategy for your case, Plog & Stein, P.C. is here for you. With over 70 years of combined legal experience, we’ve represented more Arapahoe and Jefferson County family law clients than we could easily count. Let us put our decades of experience to work for you in your divorce case.
Spousal Support in Littleton Divorce Cases
Though most people are familiar with the term alimony, under Colorado statute, spousal support is called “maintenance.” In divorce cases in which the parties have similar incomes, alimony is not going to be an issue. However, when a significant income disparity exists and is coupled with the inability for one spouse to reasonably meet his or her needs without help from the other, an award of maintenance may be warranted.
Alimony cases are governed by C.R.S. 14-10-114, which sets forth the factors a court must apply in determining whether one spouse should pay support to the other. Income is the primary factor looked at for determining whether maintenance should be awarded and what the monthly amount should be. Statute sets forth a suggested formula for courts to use as a discretionary guidepost. It also sets forth how long alimony should be paid, largely based on the length of the marriage. For example, with a 20-year marriage, the duration of alimony payments will likely be at least half the length of the marriage. Alimony orders can have long term, lasting ramifications for both parties. At Plog & Stein, P.C., our Littleton alimony attorneys strive to ensure that each client is treated fairly, both in and out of the courtroom, when it comes time to either settle or litigate their alimony case.
Beyond the basics of a monthly alimony payment, there are other nuances a seasoned alimony lawyer can help you understand. Unlike child support, alimony orders have tax implications, with the payer being able to deduct alimony payments from their income and the recipient being required to claim the payments as income. Furthermore, obtaining detailed orders as to how payments are structured, when they are made, and more, can help prevent future conflict and litigation which may arise due to ambiguity.
Generally, parties are able to modify spousal maintenance awards, both as to amount and duration, pursuant to C.R.S. 14-10-122 and courts generally retain modification jurisdiction over the term of the maintenance award. Modifications are based on a substantial and continuing change in circumstances making the current alimony orders unfair. Likewise, once alimony orders are entered enforcement issues may arise. Our experienced family law attorneys in Littleton can help with all aspects of enforcing those orders, including wage garnishments, collections, and contempt of court proceedings.
With so much at stake in any divorce or alimony case, having the right family law firm on your side matters. At Plog & Stein, P.C., our only goal is the best possible outcome for you, the client.
Protecting Your Rights in Your Alimony Case – Call Us Today!
If you are going through a divorce and the issue of alimony arises, don’t hesitate to seek quality representation. The Littleton alimony attorneys at Plog & Stein, P.C. have been supporting Colorado clients in all aspects of divorce and family law since we opened our doors. We pride ourselves on knowing both the law and court system, as well as using that knowledge to work towards your objectives. We understand that having the ability to meet your financial needs after divorce is paramount. Call us at 303-781-0322 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with a member of our family law legal team.
Plog & Stein, P.C. also represents clients with divorce cases in Denver, Douglas, Adams, and Boulder Counties.
