One of the most contentious issues involved in Aspen divorces is spousal maintenance (sometimes called spousal support or alimony in other states). The spouse who has a higher income may be reluctant to hand over a significant portion of their income, especially when their relationship has officially ended. The spouse who is requesting maintenance may want to have their role as a supportive spouse and their individual sacrifices acknowledged. At Hogan Omidi, PC, we can discuss your long-term objectives and work to achieve them. For a confidential consultation with one of our Aspen spousal support attorneys, call us at (303) 691-9600 or contact us online.
Different Types of Alimony in Colorado
Colorado courts can order spousal maintenance at different stages of the case. Depending on the circumstances, this could mean:
Temporary Spousal Maintenance
Temporary maintenance is sometimes awarded to meet interim support needs while a divorce case is pending. In lower income cases, there is a presumptive amount of temporary maintenance that is determined based on a statutory formula. That formula is only used in cases where the combined gross incomes of the spouses is $250,000 per year or less. For higher earners, there is a list of factors to be considered in determining temporary maintenance.
Maintenance at Permanent Orders
Regardless of whether temporary maintenance was or was not involved, the issue of whether a long term award should be issued is considered at the time of the final divorce. As with temporary maintenance there are statutory guidelines the must be considered for income levels below the statutory limit. There are also guidelines to be considered for how long the maintenance payments should continue.
Factors the court must also weigh in determining a maintenance award include:
- The financial resources of the spouse seeking maintenance, including marital property given to them as part of the divorce and the other spouse’s ability to meet their needs individually
- The length of the marriage
- The age and health of the spouse seeking maintenance
- The standard of living established during the marriage
- The ability of the paying spouse to meet their own needs while meeting the needs of the spouse seeking maintenance
- The time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training for the spouse seeking maintenance to find appropriate employment
- The future earning capacity of the spouse seeking maintenance
How Our Aspen Spousal Support Attorneys Can Help
At Hogan Omidi, PC, we have worked with high-level executives, entrepreneurs with significant asset holdings, professional entertainers and athletes, other high-net-worth individuals, and the spouses who have worked to support them. Our founding partner wrote the book on Colorado family law, so our team has an unparalleled level of understanding of Colorado laws, including alimony.
We can use our extensive knowledge and experience to help with all aspects of spousal support cases, including:
- Identifying your long-term needs
- Arguing legal factors in favor of your position
- Negotiating a fair amount of spousal support
Contact an Aspen Spousal Support Attorney
At Hogan Omidi, PC, we focus on achieving your long-term objectives. We can create a tailored legal strategy that considers the role of spousal support. For a confidential consultation with one of our Aspen spousal support attorneys, call us at (303) 691-9600 or contact us online.