In Colorado, spouses who choose to go their separate ways have two paths. They can file for divorce or choose a legal separation as a temporary solution while deciding the future of their marriage. A legal separation in Colorado provides the same rights and protections as a divorce, with legal terms for child custody, child support under the state’s guidelines, the division of assets, and spousal maintenance (alimony) when appropriate. During a legal separation in Denver, the spouses live apart…

Facing divorce is an emotionally distressing and legally complex prospect. It can also quickly become contentious when one or both spouses become defensive over assets to which they feel they are entitled or wish to prevent a spouse from keeping during the separation of assets required by Colorado divorce law. While this is a common reaction to divorce, if the urge to protect assets leads to hiding assets in a Colorado divorce, there can be adverse consequences, including the other…

Like all states in the U.S., Colorado has laws upholding a parent’s legal right to physical and legal decision-making custody. They also have an obligation to support their child financially. Despite these inherent parental rights, the court can terminate a parent’s rights under specific circumstances, including when the parent themselves voluntarily requests a termination of their rights, such as to allow the adoption of an infant. In other cases, the termination of parental rights occurs in response to a petition…

The term parental rights refers to a parent’s legal rights and responsibilities to their child. Parents have a legal responsibility to financially support their children and the right to physical and decision-making custody. Parental rights are upheld by the Colorado court, which makes all family court decisions with the child’s best interests as its highest priority; however, there are some circumstances under which the Colorado court will terminate a parent’s rights. The termination of parental rights can occur either voluntarily…

The legal system in the United States is complex, involving multiple areas of law and distinctly separate court systems, including the criminal justice system, civil court, and family court. Each type of court has different goals, objectives, and procedures. While criminal law and family law are separate entities, it’s important to note that they sometimes intersect.  Understanding the differences between family law and criminal law in Colorado and elsewhere is important when navigating the legal system, but it’s also helpful…