Ask a Question

Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Questions Answered by Steven Visser
2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: Is it beneficial to separate assets prior to dissolution of marriage? We have agreed to who gets what - house & car

Ex spouse and I are looking to file for a dissolution of marriage in Colorado. We separated in September and already separated our bank accounts and all property other than the house we lived in and the car we shared (both currently in both our names). Are the proceedings quicker if we transfer the... View More

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Apr 1, 2024

The divorce proceedings will not necessarily be any quicker simply because the two of you have already transferred and / or divided assets. You can certainly take some actions to help move things along such as filing the case together, i.e. Petitioner and Co-Petitioner. Both of you will still... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Colorado on
Q: My ex took me to court and claimed I had a drug problem, proved her wrong through UA's. She was made sole decision maker

And has our daughters 80 percent of the time. Their mother got a boyfriend who has a known drug problem and sold drugs. He has been to rehab three times and is around my children 80 percent of the time. How do I go about taking her back to court to prove that the girls aren't in a safe... View More

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Feb 5, 2024

It sounds like you are looking to restrict Mother's parenting time due to the situation with her boyfriend. If so, then you would need to file a motion describing what is occurring. In other words, your motion would have to contain facts and information that the children are in imminent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: I have a daughter who was born in and lives in Lima Ohio and I live in Colorado Springs. How can Colorado child support

How can Colorado hold me in contempt of court if I've never been to court in Colorado?

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Aug 28, 2023

It sounds like a Court in Ohio may have established a child support order for your daughter, and then those Orders may have been "registered" in Colorado because you live here. In order to hold you in contempt, there has to be Orders that you are alleged to have violated. I do not know... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Colorado on
Q: Is husband required to keep utilities on during a divorce if wife cant afford the bills? In Colorado, children in home

Wife works part time, she cannot afford mortgage/bills herself. Husband is moving out, got own apartment and is not sure about requirements to pay for bills in home while divorce is in process.

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Aug 22, 2023

Under the temporary injunction that is contained in the petition for divorce, parties are not permitted to dispose of property, allow insurance policies to lapse (homeowner's), and things of that nature. There is nothing in this injunction about paying bills. I have seen language in civil... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Colorado on
Q: The mom refuses to reimburse school fees she is required to pay 50% for per the court order she signed

She signed the court order which states all required school fees will be reimbursed 50% to the party who paid. I bought the required supplied for my step daughter and now she is saying she didn't agree to buy the supplies so she refuses to reimburse even though she agreed when she signed the... View More

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Jun 20, 2023

The DM does not have the authority to enforce court orders. You may want to consider either filing a motion to enforce the court orders, or you could possibly pursue contempt of court. As you are probably aware, going back to court can be costly and time consuming. You did not indicate the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Arbitration / Mediation Law for Colorado on
Q: What to do after no response from respondent and not attending mediation

I am the petitioner and the mother. I filed 56 days ago and the respondent was ordered to respond within 21 days. He has not responded and has not made and mandatory disclosures but did attend the initial status conference where they ordered us to mediation. It was ordered to schedule mediation... View More

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on May 16, 2023

I would suggest asking the mediator to file a certificate with the Court indicating that you attempted to schedule the mediation and paid your portion of the fees. If that does not occur, then I would file a status report with the Court stating everything you have done up to this point. Regarding... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Colorado on
Q: We have a parenting plan but can he make me go to Arvada to get my daughter???

We've been having issues we have 50/50 custody and due to all the drama last week I made him meet me at the police station not even 5 minutes away from where we're supposed to meet for the parenting plan but now he's telling me he's going to make me go all the way to Arvada... View More

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Mar 30, 2023

If I am understanding your situation, you have a parenting plan with a designated location for exchanging the child(ren). Neither parent should "make" the other meet at a different location unless it is agreed upon, preferably in writing. Parenting time exchanges should also be free... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Colorado on
Q: In Colorado .. a civil protection order dismissed "without prejudice " can it be motioned to change to "with prejudice"
Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Mar 15, 2023

In general no, once a civil protection order is dismissed "without prejudice", then the case is closed in the court system. Without prejudice means that the party who filed the civil protection order can refile it at a later time; however, it is worth noting that most courts would want... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: Is it true that in co they lifted all retrictions on driver license when revoked for child support or delinquent fines a
Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Mar 3, 2023

While Colorado may lift restrictions on someone's driver's license for failing to register their vehicle, failing to pay traffic related fines, and certain criminal offenses, your driver's license can still be suspended for failing to pay child support. This is pursuant to C.R.S. §... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: In the state of Colorado can you hold someone in contempt by a legal separation or only divorce?

My supposed to be ex-husband filed legal separation instead of divorce. He is now in contempt per separation papers from July of 2021 to remove me off the loan w/ refinance.

The whole process has been a year and a half. Now that I've done some looking into it because he has stopped... View More

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Feb 14, 2023

Having someone held in contempt of court would be for violating court orders. Whether it is a legal separation or a divorce does not matter. The key question in this situation is how long did he have to remove you from the title of the truck per the court order. If he has failed to do so by the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: Does the same CFI that investigates me and my son in Colorado go to Arizona and investigate his mother?

She left her son 6 months ago and now lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Don't know how she is living, where she is living and if she is back to her old ways. Thank you.

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Aug 14, 2023

Generally speaking, yes, one CFI would be appointed, and that person would conduct an investigation into both households.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Colorado on
Q: Child support is 560. Will go to 100 when custody is 50/50. Child's mother is asking I pay daycare. That's in the CS?

560 is based of of 81 overnights, which I've kept track and am bearing 100 overnights which would have more impact on CS

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Jun 20, 2023

Child Care can be factored into the child support worksheet. For example, if mother is paying the child care, then the amount she pays per month should be credited in her column on the worksheet, which would change the amount of child support.

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Colorado on
Q: What is a reasonable time for one parent to submit receipts/statements to request reimbursement for extraordinary expens

There is an order for reimbursement within 30 days, yet other parent waits up to 1 1/2 years to submit receipts for repayment for child's medical care. What, if any, is an actual and acceptable time frame? Not to mention multiple duplicate statements with no proof of payment or prior conferral.

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Apr 6, 2023

30 days is a reasonable amount of time, and usually, the other party then has 30 days to either reimburse you or the provider.

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: Does a qdro need to be done before a judge signs a divorce decree in Colorado?
Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Apr 3, 2023

No, a QDRO does not need to be completed prior to the divorce decree. However, it should be completed as a separate order as soon as possible.

View More Answers

5 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Immigration Law and Personal Injury for Colorado on
Q: Colorado can you petition for a jury trial in divorce
Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Mar 8, 2023

In Colorado, all divorce and custody cases are heard by judges. Colorado courts do not grant individuals the right to a jury for these types of cases.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Family Law and Child Custody for Colorado on
Q: is it fair whenAjudge lets the opposing party2agree onAcontinuance,when the askingParty was not givenAsufficient notice?

How is it fair When a Judge lets the opposing party 2 agree on A continuance,when the Asking Party was not Given A Sufficient notice? Of course the opposing party is going to disagree with the request because it would give the requesting party time to obtain counsel or dispute the facts. So how... View More

Steven  Visser
PREMIUM
Steven Visser
answered on Mar 8, 2023

A continuance can be granted by a Court for any number of reasons but usually it needs to be for good cause. The granting or denial of a request to continue a hearing is within the discretion of the Court.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.