Greenwood Village Divorce Lawyer

Marriage is a wonderful opportunity to join one’s life with another, but it’s also a commitment that takes a lot of work, attention, and effort to maintain. For some couples, keeping happiness and love alive within a marriage proves to be impossible; for these pairs, going separate ways is often the best, healthiest option for both parties to the marriage. However, filing for a divorce can be a complex legal process. At the office of the Jones Law Firm, PC, our experienced Greenwood Village divorce attorneys can offer legal support, guidance, and representation throughout the process. Call us today to learn more.

Colorado is a purely no-fault state for divorce, which means that proving that the other party did something to cause the divorce–such as have an affair–is not only not necessary, but it’s not even an option in a divorce proceeding. Instead, a divorce will be granted based on the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage simply means that the marriage is beyond repair and that the couple can longer get along together.

While there is no need to prove fault in a Greenwood Village divorce, there is a residency requirement in our state. Either (but not both) spouse must have lived in Colorado for at least 90 days before filing a petition for divorce.

While filing for a divorce may be easy, settling a divorce often is not. This is because before a divorce can be settled, all matters in the divorcing must be agreed upon by the divorcing parties. If parties cannot agree on the matters, then they must litigate their divorce–a costly, time-consuming, and stressful process that involves a judge making the ultimate determination about issues in the divorce. All matters that must be resolved before a divorce can be finalized include:

• How property will be divided. Not surprisingly, divorcing parties must make a determination about how shared property will be divided at the time of their separation. They must also choose how any marital debts will be split. All marital property, which is property acquired by either spouse during the course of the marriage, is subject to division. Under Colorado law, this division must be equitable. If a court needs to intervene, they will make a determination about what is “equitable” based on each spouse’s contribution to the acquisition of property, the value of separate property, the economic circumstances of each party, and any other relevant factors.

• Where children will live. If a couple has children, deciding with whom the children will live can be one of the most challenging parts of getting a divorce. Most of the time, it is in the child’s best interests to maintain a relationship with both parents–this is something parents should keep in mind as they negotiate a parenting plan. Parents are encouraged to resolve custody issues on their own, and only go to court when an agreement cannot be reached.
• Will support be part of the divorce settlement? There are two common types of support orders in a Greenwood Village divorce: spousal support (alimony) and child support. Spousal support may be appropriate when one party to the marriage is financially dependent on the other. Child support is required when parents do not share custody equally.

If you are filing for a divorce, you may assume that you can do it on your own, especially if you and your spouse are in agreement about most issues in the divorce. However, this is short-sighted; having an attorney on your side is always beneficial. Your attorney can, at the very least, review your divorce settlement before it is finalized to ensure that you are not sacrificing more than you should and that you are getting a fair shake.

If you have a more complex divorce–i.e. the divorce is contested and you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement about settlement matters–working with a lawyer is even more important. Your attorney can represent you in negotiations and, if necessary, bring your case to court and represent you throughout the litigation.

At the Jones Law Firm, PC, we know how much is on the line and how dramatically your life is about to change when you file for a divorce. Our Greenwood Village divorce lawyers provide personalized, attentive services for our clients throughout Greenwood Village and the surrounding areas of Colorado. For a consultation, please call our office or send us a confidential message online telling us more about your case.