Denver Spousal Support Attorneys
Whether you are seeking spousal support after a divorce or facing obligations to provide it, the experienced family law team at Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. is here to assist.
For those seeking support: Our goal is to ensure you receive the support necessary to maintain the standard of living you had during marriage by protecting you against the financial hardships that can arise after divorce.
For those with obligations to provide support: We believe spousal support arrangements should be fair and manageable. Our team will work with you to evaluate your obligations, negotiate terms that align with your financial standing, and fight for modifications to existing arrangements to ensure they reflect changing circumstances.
Whether you anticipate paying or receiving alimony, our legal family law team at Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. can protect your rights and best interests throughout the divorce process to obtain the most favorable outcome possible.
Three Decades of Trusted Family Law Experience
It’s your life. We simply give you the tools and expertise to maintain control of it. To ensure you have peace of mind and confidence, our Denver family law attorneys offer:
- 30+ Years of Experience: Over the last three decades, we’ve built a reputation on competence and compassion. Our reputation speaks for itself and we encourage youto see what our satisfied clients say about us.
- A Client-Centric Approach: While our approach to family law is strategic, we refuse to sideline clients or leave them in the dark. We are a collaborative firm, which means people come first—always. Rest assured, you will always have a voice. What you won’t have are unanswered questions. .
- A Comprehensive Approach: Our Denver legal team has deep knowledge of all matters related to family law. From divorce and spousal support to adoption and property division, we will guide you through even the most complex family law matters.
- Compassionate Guidance: We believe in efficiency, but not at the expense of kindness and compassion. Our spousal support team is dedicated to helping clients overcome common legal obstacles with care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is alimony?
If you are interested in filing for divorce in Colorado, you may be wondering about spousal maintenance, also known as alimony. Spousal support is a legal obligation of a higher-earning spouse to provide financial support to a lower-earning spouse. The purpose of alimony is to help the lower-earning spouse continue the standard of living that they had during marriage and prevent an unfair economic effect due to divorce. Alimony can end when the recipient spouse becomes self-supporting or remarries.
How is spousal maintenance determined?
There are two types of spousal support in Colorado: “pendente lite” or short-term maintenance and long-term maintenance. The former may be ordered during divorce proceedings, while the latter starts after the divorce is final.
Long-term maintenance payments are either biweekly or monthly and set for a specific period of time. Permanent alimony is quite rare in Colorado, but essentially, the longer the marriage, the longer the alimony payments may continue.
When determining spousal maintenance, the state uses a standardized method for all couples that earn a combined monthly income of $240,000 or less. If this range applies to your case and you were married for at least three years, spousal support payments will equal 40 percent of the higher-earning spouse’s monthly adjusted gross income, subtracted by 50 percent of the other spouse’s monthly adjusted gross income.
If the marriage was less than three years or more than two decades, or the couple’s combined income is over $240,000, then the guidelines may not apply. If a couple is married for more than 20 years, then permanent alimony may be rewarded.
Can spousal support be modified or terminated?
Yes, in certain circumstances. These may include situations involving a substantial increase or decrease in either spouse's income, remarriage of the receiving spouse, or significant changes in health. Our attorneys can assist in filing a petition for modification or termination of spousal support, presenting evidence to support the change in circumstances.
How does cohabitation affect spousal support?
According to Colorado law, if the spouse receiving maintenance (alimony) cohabitates with a third party in a relationship that resembles marriage, the paying spouse may request a modification or termination of the spousal support order. The court will consider several factors to determine whether the cohabitation is marriage-like, including but not limited to the duration of the cohabitation, financial interdependence, and how the couple presents themselves to the community.
What are the tax implications of receiving or paying spousal support?
For divorce agreements finalized after December 31, 2018, spousal support payments are no longer deductible for the payer, and the recipient does not include these payments as taxable income. This shift reverses the previous tax treatment and can significantly impact both parties' financial planning. It's crucial to understand how these changes affect your specific situation. If you have questions about this, please contact us.
Compassionate Family Services: Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C.
At Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C., we understand the complexities and sensitivities surrounding family law matters. Our Denver family law attorneys are here to provide you with the legal support and guidance you need to navigate issues like spousal support, parenting time, custody, divorce, property division, and more. Your family's well-being is our priority, and we are committed to helping you find the best solutions with competence and compassion. Contact us today!
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