Minimizing Conflict During a Separation Divorce is not a fun topic, nor is it something that a happy couple spends much time contemplating. However, those of us who are familiar with the divorce process know that many of the contentious issues that arise can be …
Grandparents Rights In Dependency and Neglect
Grandparents Rights in Today’s World In today’s world of modern families, it’s not unusual for grandparents to seek their own rights regarding their grandchildren. This is a well-established statutory ability that allows grandparents (or great-grandparents) to “seek a court order granting the grandparent or great-grandparent …
Completing an Uncontested Divorce in California
A Divorce Is a Lawsuit An uncontested divorce is a lawsuit. And this lawsuit must be filed, even if the divorcing couple is not in conflict regarding parenting plans, financial support, and asset and debt distribution. So even if a divorcing couple can set aside …
A General Overview of Child Support in Colorado
In divorce cases involving children, child support is often an issue which raises concerns for parties on both sides. Disputes over child support can significantly impact the co-parenting relationship and effect the financial circumstances of all involved. As attorneys, clients often share child support horror …
5 Things NOT to Post on Social Media During a Divorce
“Divorce is easy.” – said no one, ever. Going through a divorce is one of life’s most stressful experiences both emotionally and financially. In today’s world, we often turn to social media as an outlet to voice our opinions, seek solace with friends, or simply …
Do Transgender Parents Have Rights?
When a Colorado court is tasked with making a custody order for a minor child, the court is to base its orders on what is in the best interest of the child. While courts should not take transgender status into consideration regarding the best interests …
Ongoing Issues for Same Sex Divorces in Colorado
By Jane G. Michalakes, Esq. Prior to the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, each state in the United States could enact its own definition of marriage and effectively exclude marriages between same-sex individuals, such as the Ohio statute at issue in Obergefell. Prior to this decision, …
I’m Transgender, Does That Make Getting Married Harder?
By Chelsea M. Hillman, Esq. The simple answer is, being transgender does not affect your right to get married. The United States Supreme Court Case, Obergefell v. Hodges requires all states to license and recognize same-sex marriage. Your biological sex assigned at birth cannot affect …
Goodbye Dependency Exemptions!
Some provisions of Trump’s tax plan do not take effect until 2019 (i.e. switching the tax burden from the maintenance recipient to the payer). However, certain changes are applicable immediately. In 2018, exemptions for dependents no longer exist, but the Standard Deduction and the Child …
Maintenance: Who’s Income Is It?
In Colorado, maintenance (formerly known as alimony) is intended to help ease the financial burdens associated with divorce. A financially disadvantaged spouse married for 3-years (or more) can request maintenance. In the past, Judges had very little guidance in determining when to award maintenance and …
Why is Divorce Different? And What that means for Divorcees!
Most litigants are seeking compensation for injury; to right a wrong; and/or to expose the truth. Parties to a divorce with this mindset quickly are disappointed. Colorado is a “no-fault” divorce state, meaning a divorce proceeding will not vindicate, declare punishment or condemn a spouse …
The “Tinder” Years Presumption / The Nuclear Family Meltdown – How does the legal system deal with the fallout?
Long before Millennials were swiping left and right to find their future soulmates, the word “Tender” had a different meaning to family law professionals. Starting out in the late 1800s, the “Tender Years Presumption” gave a slant of favor towards mothers over fathers when determining …
Everything You Need to Know About Military Divorce in Colorado
Divorce is a complicated process. From dividing assets and agreeing on parenting time, to spousal maintenance and contested separations, there are many factors that make going through a divorce complex, and most often, stressful. Unfortunately, getting a divorce gets even more complicated and difficult for the …
Colorado Support Groups to Help You Through Divorce
Divorce is a challenging time in a person’s life. Anyone who has been through a divorce can offer many reasons as to why a divorce is painful and hard, especially if there are children involved. Your world is turned upside down, and it can be …
Military Divorce Boot Camp
Family law affects all types of people from all walks of life. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that people in the military occasionally have to deal with the family courts. While the military has some very particularized rules and procedures uniquely its own: …