(720) 863-7755When seeking a divorce in Colorado, you may become liable for, or awarded “maintenance” (traditionally called alimony). At the law office of Peter Loyd Weber & Associates, we have experience representing clients in all family law matters. Having a Colorado family law attorney on your side is crucial when the court is determining how much, if any, money you owe to your spouse, or may be owed by your spouse. Call us at (720) 863-7755 for a free consultation to see how we can help you today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will the judge always award maintenance to one spouse or the other?
A: No, maintenance may or may not be given, and how much given is determined by a multitude of factors including: financial status of both parties, standard of living during the marriage, duration of marriage, age and health condition of the spouse seeking maintenance, the ability of a spouse to provide maintenance to the other.
Q: How much maintenance will I owe my spouse?
A: If the court determines you owe maintenance, or that you are owed maintenance, new guidelines for 2014 will be implemented for the court to use in determining the amount to be paid. (read more here)
Q: What if I believe my spouse is not working just so I have to pay for their “maintenance”?
A: This is an age-old tactic – quit or work only part time so you do not have to pay child support (insert link) or alimony. This tactic is well known in the courts and courts are not sympathetic to an adult is capable of working in a higher capacity than his/her current employment, but chooses not to do so. If the court believes the spouse is choosing to be underemployed for an invalid reason, then the court will “impute” a wage they believe the spouse could be making. However, courts are sympathetic when a person has been a homemaker, raising children and helping with family life, instead of working. That situation is most likely not one where a court would “impute” a wage on the spouse.
Q: If the court awards maintenance, will it have to be paid forever?
A: The simple answer is no. The more complicated answer is also, no. A judge may award temporary or permanent maintenance. However, even permanent maintenance may not have to be paid for the lifetime of the beneficiary spouse. A multitude of factors goes into whether and how long a spouse must pay maintenance to the beneficiary spouse.
