Divorce and Separate Maintenance Proceedings in Colorado Springs Colorado
Colorado Springs CO Divorce Lawyers – Family Law Attorneys
When you are having marital difficulties over an extended period of time it is understandable that the possibility of divorce might enter your mind. You can feel like you have reached the end of your rope as you grow tired of the arguments and ill will. A little bit of space and the peace and quiet that comes with it may sound quite appealing, but there are reasons to stay in the marriage as well. Couples who feel like this often choose to go through a period of separation to regroup, get away from the acrimonious dynamic, and hopefully gain a renewed perspective on the relationship that may lead to a reconciliation at some point in time.
There are other couples who separate knowing full well that they do not want to get back together. They choose to file for a legal separation in lieu of a dissolution of marriage for practical reasons, such as the ability to remain on their estranged spouse’s health insurance plan or to qualify for or continue to collect pension benefits. Some couples become legally separated rather than divorced for religious reasons as some faiths do not allow for the dissolution of a marriage.
When couples get divorced spousal maintenance is sometimes agreed to or ordered by the court. This is a payment made by one former partner, called the supporting spouse in this context, to the other, who would be referred to as the dependent spouse. A similar arrangement exists for couples who are getting legally separated rather than divorced, and this payment is called separate maintenance. In Colorado separate maintenance can also be agreed upon privately or ordered by the court. Factors that the court would take into consideration would include the age of the parties involved, the length of the marriage, the standard of living that had been established during the marriage, and the earning potential of the dependent spouse.
If you have any questions or concerns about divorce and separate maintenance proceedings, don’t hesitate to contact a Colorado Springs CO divorce lawyer for a free consultation.
