Broomfield High Asset Divorce
Protect Your Assets During Divorce
While all divorces must be handled with care, those involving substantial wealth require more strategy and discretion. At Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C., we’ve seen how even minor oversights can lead to devastating financial consequences.
If you have concerns about dividing stocks, investments, property, trusts, or retirement and savings accounts, contact us immediately. With over 30 years of family law experience, we will work diligently to protect your interests and help you overcome high-stakes financial matters with confidence.
How Are Assets Divided in Broomfield, Colorado?
While Colorado law requires an “equitable” division of property in divorces, equitable does not always mean equal. The goal is a fair distribution of assets based on the unique circumstances of each case. The first step in this process is distinguishing between separate and marital property:
- Separate property includes assets owned before the marriage or received as gifts/inheritances during the marriage
- Marital property refers to assets acquired during the marriage, regardless of which spouse purchased them
While this distinction between these two types of property may seem obvious, situations can quickly become complicated.
For example, if separate property increases in value during the marriage, that increase might change the status from separate to marital property. Similarly, mixing separate and marital funds can blur the lines between the two forms of property.
In high-asset divorces, these complexities are often magnified. If spouses cannot agree on asset division, a judge may consider:
- Each spouse's financial situation
- The value of property each spouse is receiving
- Custody arrangements and use of the family home
- Changes in separate property value during the marriage
- Any use of separate property for marital expenses
At Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C., we understand the intricacies of asset division in Broomfield, Colorado. And we will work diligently to ensure you fully understand your rights and options.
Find the Right Firm to Represent You
Dividing assets equitably can bring additional stress to divorce cases—one reason to partner with an experienced family law team. At Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C., we have helped countless families overcome complex divorce cases involving high-value assets. Our skilled attorneys understand the intricacies of Broomfield divorce law and will work tirelessly to protect your interests. Contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a divorce cost in Colorado?
Filing Costs
The bare minimum cost for a divorce includes the filing fees. To get divorced, the two spouses may file the petition together and share the filing fee, or one spouse can file the petition, and the other can file a response.
The petition is a request for a divorce and gives the court the information it needs to move forward with the divorce.
The response allows the other spouse to correct any misstated information and object to the information in the petition.
The cost to file a petition is $230, and the cost of filing a response is $116. The court has resources for parties who cannot afford the filing fee.
Mediation Costs
Divorces are complicated, and spouses often need the assistance of a professional to help them sort out all of the issues. The court will order parties to attend mediation with a professional if they are unable to resolve all issues on their own before the court will hold a hearing to decide on these issues for the parties.
Issues include the division of assets and debts, spousal support, parenting time, decision-making responsibility for the children, child support, who will take the family pets, etc.
The cost of mediation ranges from the Colorado Office of Dispute Resolution, which bills at $75 per hour per party ($150/hour per hour total) to private mediators who set their own rates and generally range from $200 to $350 per hour, to retired judges who charge around $300 per hour and up.
The Colorado Office of Dispute Resolution allows parties who cannot afford mediation to apply for reduced rates, as do some private mediators.
Attorney Fees
An experienced family law attorney can handle all aspects of a divorce and guide you through the process. Attorneys generally ask for a retainer and then bill by the hour for their work. You will receive a bill monthly for this work, and most attorneys expect that you will pay your bills in full each month and issue a refund for the retainer at the end of the case.
The hourly rate for attorneys in Northern Colorado ranges from $275-$450 an hour, and typical retainers range from $3,000 to $10,000 but may vary due to the case's complexity.
Do you need a reason to file for divorce in Colorado?
You do not need to prove any grounds for divorce in Colorado. The court will not ask you to describe why you are getting a divorce. The spouse filing for divorce simply needs to tell the court that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” There is no need to prove that there was infidelity, abuse, or gross financial mismanagement to get a divorce, though those issues may impact some of the issues to be settled or determined in the divorce case.
How is parenting time split by Colorado family law courts?
The court, by default, assumes that a child benefits the most from spending time with each parent and that both parents should be able to participate in decision-making on behalf of the child equally. The court orders specific parenting plans based on the best interests of the child, and the circumstances of the parties determines the best schedule.
Do mothers get priority in child custody orders?
Neither mothers nor fathers have priority in child custody cases. The court uses the child's best interests as a guide to make orders concerning the child. The court prioritizes the child’s needs over the parents’ needs.
Have Questions? Contact Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C.
At Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C., we understand just how difficult it can be to navigate the divorce process. For over 30 years, our Broomfield high-asset divorce lawyers have helped countless families and individuals secure the best possible legal outcomes. Contact us today!
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