Marriage, Divorce, and Child Custody
The Best Interests of the Children
"While we are no longer married, we are the parents of two wonderful children and their happiness has been, and will always be, of paramount importance to both of us . . ."
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
The State of Colorado has declared that divorced parents should "be able to resolve disputes that arise subsequent to the dissolution in an amicable and fair manner" and that "it is in the best interests of the children . . . to have a relationship with both parents and that, in most cases, it is the parents' right to have a relationship with their children." CRS 14-10-104.5.
Circle Law believes strongly in the best interests of the children. In order to best represent you in a domestic case, your kids come first.
Dissolution of Marriage
The more you and your spouse agree on, the cheaper and quicker your divorce will be. If you cannot agree, the court will divide your property, determine whether and how much maintenance one of the parties shall receive, and determine how much parenting time the children will have with each party.
Property Division
In Colorado, property is divided equitably. CRS 14-10-113. The court will consider how each party contributed financially to the marriage (including housekeeping and raising the children), property that was owned by the parties before the marriage or given as a gift to one party, and the economic circumstances of each party at the time of the divorce.
Maintenance
Maintenance is not guaranteed, nor is it necessarily permanent. CRS 14-10-114. The purpose of maintenance is to equip each party with the ability to provide for himself/herself following the divorce. Factors taken into account include the length of the marriage, age and education level of the parties, and the standard of living of the parties during the marriage.
Parenting Time and child support
Parenting time is a right that belongs to the children. The children's parenting time will be divided between the parents in the best interests of the chuildren. Child support will be determined based on the parenting time awarded and incomes of the parties.
Temporary Orders
Temporary orders are orders made by the court to help the parties and the children through the process of the divorce. CRS 14-10-108. Temporary orders may provide for temporary maintenance and child support, temporary parenting time, orders dividing certain property and housing, and orders providing financial support as necessary. Temporary order may also appoint a Children and Family Investigator to assist the court in determining parenting time and decision making.
Dissolving your marriage is complex. You shouldn't do this on your own.
Circle Law will address your case on an individual basis. Attorney John Scanlan will give you every advantage available.
You need to act quickly; deadlines can pass without your realizing it.
Contact Circle Law to set up an appointment: John Scanlan
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