Every divorce and child custody case in the State of Colorado requires each party to file a sworn financial statement and to exchange mandatory financial disclosures. Parties in domestic relations cases owe one another a full and accurate disclosure of their financial situations such that an equitable determination of child support, maintenance (more commonly known as alimony) and property division in divorces.
This sworn financial statement document and its accompanying supplemental forms attempts to account for all financial elements likely material to a domestic relations case. This includes but is not limited to each party’s:
How these various financial pieces are calculated and documented to accurately and comprehensively reflect a person’s financial status at a particular point in time can be a complex process.
In conjunction with the sworn financial statement and supplemental forms discussed above, each party has a duty to exchange with the other financial documentation in support of the financial elements outlined in the sworn financial statement. Depending on the stage of the parties’ dissolution process, being pre or post-decree, and whether minor children or a determination of child support are at issue in your case, the requirements may vary for which disclosures are mandated by the rules of disclosure.
As attorneys who only practice in the area of Family Law, we are here to help you navigate this complex mandatory disclosure process. We will analyze your case and its issues, identifying the documentary disclosures and information you will be required to submit specific to your case matter. We can also protect you from inadvertent disclosures of financial materials you are not under a duty to submit. As the documentation and information gathered can be quite extensive, we can also help to organize and submit the materials in accordance with the Court’s established practices.
While the standard disclosures are designed to capture all financial elements that are likely material to a full resolution of all matters, there may be a need for additional financial documents. Additional financial documents can be procured via discovery which can take many different forms. You can learn more about the discovery here or by scheduling a consultation with one of our Fort Collins divorce attorneys.
If you have decided to get a divorce, the next steps can seem daunting. Here we provide a few answers to common questions about filing for divorce.
Depending on your family, financial, and personal circumstances there are many factors you will want to consider when filing for divorce. Find out what type of divorce is right for you.
If you have children and are going through a divorce, one of the hardest things to do is to tell your children. Learn more about the effects of divorce on children.
How long will it take for the Court to issue a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage? The earliest a Colorado court could issues the divorce decree is 91 days after the petition was filed. However it can take longer than 91 days, as expert valuations and reports may be needed.
How can a divorce attorney help with an uncontested divorce? Uncontested divorce generally means the parties have agreed upon all issues, or they believe they will be able to easily agree on all issues. A divorce attorney can help with an uncontested divorce by ensuring everything drafted properly.
What are mandatory financial disclosures? Financial disclosures are required of both parties in every divorce case, within the first 45 days after the petition has been filed. The exchange of mandatory financial disclosures is intended to put each party on a level playing field as it relates to the finances of the divorce.
