As a component of a Colorado divorce, legal separation or annulment, a family law judge will decide whether to award spousal maintenance or spousal support to a wife or husband. Spousal support, also known as alimony, is intended to assist a spouse who cannot maintain a standard of living equivalent to what she or he was accustomed to before marriage on her or his own.
When Is Spousal Support a Factor in a Colorado Divorce?
Often, one spouse has become dependent on the other over the course of a marriage. The longer a marriage has lasted, the more likely it is that a family law court will award spousal support. In the case of a marriage that lasted 20 years or longer, lifelong spousal maintenance is a possibility for the dependent spouse. After a shorter marriage, temporary maintenance may be considered appropriate.
What Are Appropriate Amounts of Spousal Support?
State laws dictate applicable percentages of spousal support for couples with annual gross incomes of less than $75,000: namely, 40 percent of the higher-earning spouse's income minus 50 percent of the lesser-earning spouse's income. For couples with incomes higher than $75,000, there is no such formula. Rather, a Colorado family law judge will consider factors such as the financial resources of each person, the standard of living established during the marriage and other pertinent facts.
Serving Colorado Springs, Castle Rock · Alimony Attorney Lynn Landis-Brown
Because Colorado is a "no-fault divorce" state, questions of marital misconduct are often irrelevant when determining spousal support. This concept can be very difficult for a "wronged" spouse to comprehend. Other, less emotional factors, however, are likely to come into play, such as questions of tax consequences of spousal support versus property division. Questions may arise related to employment issues that may temporarily keep one spouse or both from earning at their full capacity. Divorce lawyer Lynn Landis-Brown advocates zealously on behalf of clients. She works to ensure that their interests are fully represented and protected throughout the process of determining and formalizing spousal support orders.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Family Law Firm for Counsel Regarding Spousal Support
At the law offices of Lynn Landis-Brown, P.C., we are committed to helping our clients through mediation or in court with regard to spousal support, property division or other aspects of a Colorado divorce. Contact a Colorado Springs spousal support attorney.
