Colorado Alimony
Alimony is referred to as spousal support or
maintenance in Colorado divorce laws.
Temporary maintenance is awarded at the
discretion of the Colorado divorce courts and may be given to either spouse when couples are filing divorce.
Temporary maintenance is favored when the annual combined gross income of the spouses is
$75,000 or less.
It is presumed that the spouse with the higher income will pay
temporary maintenance to the spouse earning less. The award is determined by a
specific calculation; if the calculation generates a number that is more than
zero, that is the amount of temporary monthly alimony.
The calculation for temporary
maintenance is:
40% of the higher earning spouse's month adjusted gross
income - 50% of the lower income spouse's monthly adjusted gross income =
maintenance award
It's possible to rebut this
presumption; speak with a local Colorado divorce attorney to find out if you
will pay or receive spousal support in your circumstances. If the calculation
gives an answer that is zero or a negative number, it is presumed that temporary
maintenance will not be awarded.
If the spouses make more than
$75,000 combined, the Colorado divorce court may award alimony if one spouse is doesn't
have a sufficient amount of property to provide for his or her reasonable
needs.
This includes marital property awarded to him or her during Colorado property division. Alimony may also be
awarded if one spouse is unable to support himself or herself through
appropriate employment or is the custodial parent of a child whose
circumstances make it appropriate that the custodial parent isn't employed
outside the home.
Colorado alimony is a factor of
divorce that depends on several circumstances. The Colorado divorce courts will
consider issues when determining alimony such as:
- Financial resources of the party seeking maintenance
- Time the party seeking maintenance needs to get
sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment
- Future earning capacity of the party seeking employment
- Standard of living established during the marriage
- Length of the marriage
- Age and health of the spouse seeking maintenance
- Ability of the spouse from whom maintenance is sought
to meet both parties' needs
Speak with a local divorce lawyer to find out more about
Colorado alimony. A Colorado divorce attorney can talk to you about the
circumstances of your divorce and how Colorado divorce law may affect your
case. Connect today by calling 877-349-1310 or filling out a Colorado divorce case review form.
The above synopsis of Colorado
divorce laws is by no means all-inclusive and has been adapted from applicable
state laws. These laws may have changed since our last update and there may be
additional laws that apply in your situation. For the latest information on
these divorce laws, please contact a local Colorado divorce lawyer in your
area.
Colorado divorce laws were last
updated April 2009.
Note:
Keep in mind that all divorce laws are complex. If you need legal
divorce advice or want to fully understand how these laws affect you,
please speak with a local divorce attorney.
