Alimony is often a central issue in Colorado divorce cases. Also known as spousal support or spousal maintenance, alimony is not necessarily a given. In other words, no party has the automatic right to alimony when a marriage ends in divorce. Instead, several factors can play into whether alimony is ultimately and, if so, how much and how long those payments will be.
The Colorado alimony lawyers at The Cossitt Law Firm, LLC have years of experience representing clients in spousal support cases both during and after divorce. We understand the issues involved and how quickly things can sour when finances and ongoing payments are considered. We also know how to help our clients successfully navigate alimony cases—and how to provide the experienced counsel that can be pivotal to achieving optimal outcomes.
Contact us or email our firm for a 100% confidential consultation.
Alimony consultations are available via phone and Skype to those who cannot visit our conveniently located offices in Fort Collins, CO.
Also referred to as separation spousal support, temporary alimony refers to financial payments made for a short, limited period of time, like the period during which a divorce case is being resolved. Temporary alimony in Colorado can include support for living expenses, and when it has been ordered, it is paid by the higher-earning spouse to the lower-earning spouse.
Temporary alimony in Colorado will typically come to an end when either of the following occurs:
This is the most common form of spousal support awarded by Colorado courts. Intended to offer a bridge to reentering the workforce, rehabilitative alimony in Colorado is often paid to homemakers or others who need additional school or training to be financially self-sufficient. The duration of rehabilitative alimony varies by case.
When one spouse has put financial support towards the other’s career advancement, reimbursement alimony may be available. The idea is that, when married, both spouses stand to gain from the investment in either’s career; however, the divorce leaves only the spouse who received the advancement with the benefit. Through this type of alimony, Colorado law attempts to compensate the potentially disadvantaged party in these divorce cases.
Not meant to last “forever,” permanent alimony in Colorado will continue indefinitely, until some specific event occurs. Generally, events that would end permanent alimony payments can include (and may not be limited to):
Often, permanent alimony is awarded as part of a Final Divorce Decree. To determine when this type of spousal support should be awarded in Colorado divorce, the courts will consider factors like (but not limited to) the following:
A one-time, lump-sum alimony payment may be ordered by the court in some cases. For instance, if one spouse chooses to forego certain assets in the division of the marital property, the court may order this type of alimony. Consequently, lump-sum alimony payments can be a way to facilitate resolutions in marital property disputes.
Whether you are seeking, receiving, challenging, or paying spousal maintenance in Colorado, a Colorado divorce attorney at The Cossitt Law Firm, LLC can help you. The truth is that alimony can be one of the most heated issues that comes up during and after divorce cases.
From determining whether or how much should be paid to dealing with requests for modifications in the future, a lot can be on the line when alimony disputes arise—and our experienced lawyers can be the effective, fierce team you can rely on when it’s time to protect your rights and interests.
Contact us or email our firm for a 100% confidential consultation.
If you are unable to make it to our offices, we provide consultations via phone and Skype.
Skilled, strategic, and dedicated to excellence, the Colorado divorce attorneys at The Cossitt Law Firm, LLC are known for personal attention and unique, practical solutions in the tireless pursuit of favorable resolutions.
No matter how complicated your case may be, we are here for you, and we’re ready to put our experience, know-how, and commitment to work providing you with top-quality representation every step of the way. From offices in Fort Collins, we represent clients throughout Larimer County and the state of Colorado.
This calculator is based on the new 2019 Colorado maintenance guideline. Many additional factors will be considered by the Court when determining if an award of maintenance is warranted.
Commonly called alimony, the court awards spousal maintenance when the judge in a case feels as if it’s necessary to help one spouse when the other spouse can afford it.
