Pet owners know that their four-legged friends are so much more than just animals — they are members of the family. Unfortunately, Colorado law does not see it that way. Pets are treated as just another piece of property when it comes to legal matters. This can spell trouble for pet parents who are going through a divorce, as they may be faced with the possibility of losing contact with their beloved animal altogether. Since state law does regard pets…

A stay-at-home spouse often has complete dependence upon their partner for financial support. When the source of income is a family business, both spouses may play roles in the company, but only one might have a working knowledge of what’s going on with the finances. This can work well as long as the marriage is on a good foundation, but it can pose a problem if things shift and the marriage becomes rocky. In some cases, the downfall of the…

The decision to file for a divorce is likely to be an emotional one rather than a financial one. Therefore, even if you are not sure that you can afford to go through a divorce or if you are uncertain about how it will affect you financially, you may decide to file anyway. Alternatively, you may have decided to file for a divorce before losing your job and entering a tough financial situation. If you are currently in the midst…

Once Maintenance (also referred to as alimony or spousal support) is made an Order of the Court, it is only reviewable or modifiable in limited circumstances.  First, make sure the maintenance was not “contractual maintenance,” which cannot be modified by the Court.  Also look to terms of maintenance to see the duration and when it terminates, which may be upon a final payment date or an event like remarriage, civil union, or cohabitation of the receiving party.  And otherwise, you…

The home is often the center of family life. It is often where holidays are celebrated, the kids learn to ride their bikes and memories are made. It also represents a significant financial investment for a Colorado couple. As a result, when couples decide to divorce, what to do about the home often becomes a complicated issue. In some instances, one of the individuals may decide that he or she wants to keep the home. This is often prompted by…