Spousal Support Lawyer Serving the Denver, CO, Area

SPOUSAL SUPPORT

In Colorado, spousal support or what many people refer to as “Alimony”, is called spousal maintenance.  Spousal maintenance may be awarded  to a dependent spouse as part of a divorce or legal separation.  In some cases a party may be awarded temporary maintenance during the time a divorce is in process.

Spousal maintenance is very dependent upon your specific case.  The knowledge and experience of your attorney can greatly affect an award of maintenance.  Counsel with experience in maintenance negotiation and in court litigation is critical to advance or defend a claim for maintenance.

MAINTENANCE CALCULATIONS

While there is a statutory formula for calculating maintenance, it is only advisory.  Therefore, the courts are not obligated to follow the guideline calculation.  Additionally, the guideline does not apply in cases where the parties have high net income, high total net asset values or the marriage is of shorter duration.

The courts will consider many factors in deciding whether maintenance is to be awarded:

• Earning capacity of the parties
• Length of marriage
• Age of the parties
• Physical and mental health
• Standard of living during the marriage
• How the marital property was divided