Divorce can be emotionally difficult, and can sometimes end up being quite expensive, so it’s understandable that many people try to save money by handling the divorce without a lawyer. However, divorce is legally complex, with a lot of paperwork and many procedures that need to be followed in order for the divorce to be finalized. Even seemingly small mistakes can have long term consequences and cannot always be fixed later. It is important to have an experienced divorce attorney on your side who can guide you through the process and make sure that everything is done correctly. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Common Issues That Arise During a Divorce
While every divorce is unique, there are some common issues that tend to arise during the divorce process.
Property Division
One of the most difficult issues is property division. In many cases, couples have accumulated a significant amount of property over the course of their marriage, and figuring out how to divide it can be complicated.
When a couple divorces in Colorado, the court will try to equitably divide their property. This does not mean that the property will be split 50/50 between the two spouses; rather, it means that the court will attempt to make a fair division based on a number of different factors.
Some of the factors that the court may consider when making its decision include:
- The length of the marriage
- Each spouse’s contribution to the acquisition of marital property (including both financial and non-financial contributions)
- The value of each spouse’s separate property
- The economic circumstances of each spouse at the time of the division of property
- Whether one spouse will receive primary custody of any minor children
A judge may also consider any other factor that he or she deems relevant to making an equitable division of property.
Child Custody
Another common issue is child custody. If a couple has children, they will need to come to an agreement on the allocation of parental responsibilities.
In Colorado, the “best interests of the child” standard is used to determine custody arrangements. This means that the court will make its custody determination based on what is in the best interests of the child, not on what is best for the parents. There are many factors that the court will consider when making its determination, including:
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- Each parent’s ability to provide a stable home environment for the child
- The child’s preferences may be considered (if the child is old enough and mature enough to make an informed decision)
- Any history of abuse or neglect by either parent
- The mental and physical health of each parent
- The distance between each parent’s home and the child’s school and extracurricular activities
Child Support
Child support matters are another significant source of contention in divorce proceedings. The amount of child support you will pay (or receive) is based on a number of different factors, including but not limited to:
- Your income
- The income of the other parent
- The number of children you have
- The cost of the health insurance and chid care for the childAny extraordinary needs of the children
- The amount of time each child spends with each parent (i.e., their custody arrangement)
There are also statewide child support guidelines that courts will use to determine the amount of child support to be paid. These guidelines are intended to ensure that all children have access to the same standard of living, no matter whom they live with.
While all these issues can be difficult to resolve, it is important for couples to try to reach an amicable agreement. Working with an attorney can help to facilitate this process.
Why You Should Hire Hogan Omidi, PC
At Hogan Omidi, PC, we take a different approach than many other law firms. We believe that civility and practical solutions are always better than conflict and gamesmanship. That’s why our clients can always expect honest and straightforward advice from us. Here’s why you should work with us:
Experience and Knowledge
Each of our attorneys is well-versed in Colorado statutes and how to apply them accurately and in the most advantageous way for our clients. We understand that the law can be complex and confusing, but we’re here to help make sense of it all for you. With our deep knowledge of Colorado law, will provide you the best possible legal representation.
Creative Solutions To Complex Problems
We pride ourselves on being able to find creative solutions to complex problems. No matter what legal challenge you’re facing, we’ll work tirelessly to find a way to resolve it in the best possible way for you. We’ve been able to help our clients with a wide range of legal issues, and we’re confident that we can help you, too.
When you’re looking for a lawyer in Colorado, you want someone who is going to take a deliberate, thoughtful approach to your case, and when you work with us, that’s exactly what you’ll find. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you.