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Colorado Divorce Questions & Answers
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.

Christopher N. Little
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Christopher N. Little
answered on Apr 8, 2023

Hi There!

I am sorry to hear that you are going through this. I know that co-parenting with an ex can be difficult, and the financial relationship that you two now share is oftentimes wrought with strife, frustration, and consternation. Assuming that your Orders (the parenting plan and the...
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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?
Will Ellison
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answered on Apr 3, 2023

No, a QDRO does not need to be drafted and filed before the Decree is signed by the Judge.

It is possible you could file it with the other settlement documents, but it is not typical in most cases. The language included in QDROs often includes reference to the date the decree issued, so it...
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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?
Christopher N. Little
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Christopher N. Little
answered on Apr 3, 2023

Good Afternoon,

You ask a great question! In most cases, there is no statutory prerequisite concerning QDRO's that have to be met in order for the Court to enter a Dissolution of Decree of Marriage. Many times, a Separation Agreement (the agreement that details the manner and methods...
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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
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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

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: Is it legal in State of Co. within divorce proceedings ( a 50/50 state) to have one spouse desire to buy out the other

using the bank re-fi value verses the fair market value?

John Hyland Barrett III
John Hyland Barrett III
answered on Feb 13, 2023

Colorado is not a 50-50 state. Marital property is divided "equitably', meaning "fairly', not necessarily "equally'. However, parties have great leeway in determining how to do a property division if they agree on it. The court will approve it so long as it is... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Colorado on
Q: I got divorced, was to have my equity by12/30/22. She is finally selling the house. Do I have any recourse for delay?
Rebecca Pescador
Rebecca Pescador
answered on Jan 27, 2023

From a legal perspective, this isn't a very long delay. So the answer would depend on a couple of factors.

First, how does your Decree read other than when she was to pay the equity? Is there any language about indemnifying you from harm? If so, that would be useful. If there...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: What happens if my ex doesn't follow the separation agreement that is part of the final orders in our divorce decree?

In Colorado, my ex agreed in the separation agreement to pay me half of the mortgage since his name is on the house too. The separation agreement is part of the final orders of our divorce decree. Now he's saying he's not going to pay it. Isn't that a violation of a court order, and... View More

Rebecca Pescador
Rebecca Pescador
answered on Jan 25, 2023

If your final orders say that he is to pay 1/2 of the mortgage and he is not doing so, then yes, that is a violation of the orders. Yes, you can file a motion for contempt.

Remember that when you file contempt you need to be able to prove 4 main elements: 1) there was an order requiring...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Colorado on
Q: How does custody work when your child is only 15 months old and can't voice any kind of personal parental preference?

I am still currently married to my wife and we have a 15 month old daughter that we both love dearly and want the best for, but I am at my breaking point in regards to my relationship with my wife. She is not the woman I married and I fear that staying married to her will not only keep me... View More

Brock Richard Wood
Brock Richard Wood
answered on Jan 1, 2023

Hi, James. I am sorry to hear about your unhappiness. Hang in there.

The question you ask is "How does custody work when your child is only 15 months old". The age of the child is a factor that the courts in Colorado consider when allocating "parental...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Colorado on
Q: My x's attorney filed pattern and non pattern interrogatories at 11:30 the night before they were due. can I not comply
Christopher N. Little
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Christopher N. Little
answered on Dec 27, 2022

Hi There,

That is a great question and in many circumstances your thoughts about non-compliance are insightful. However, as long as they were filed on the final day they were due, even at 11:59pm, then they are timely. I wish you only the absolute best.

Please note (rules of ethics...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: I have a friend whose wife is an alcoholic and has been having an affair. Is there anything that can legally be done?

She has been having the affair for the last few months. Staying out all night, not coming home until the morning smelling of alcohol. They also have an 8-year-old child together who has witnessed her behaviors. She has also been neglecting the child. The child keeps asking for his Mom who has... View More

Sabra M. Janko
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answered on Dec 21, 2022

It depends on what he wants. He can get divorced or he can see if his Wife will agree to treatment. It is unclear the nature of the neglect. Just being gone while someone else is caring for the child is not neglect. It is not likely that she will be prosecuted for adultery.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Foreclosure, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Colorado on
Q: My husband has an inherited property in Texas that I recently paid the taxes on to save from foreclosure, is it shared?

My husband has inherited property in Texas however I manage the property and I pay the lawyer as well as recently paid the taxes we’re looking at divorcing and he states that he won’t give a portion of the profit when it sells to my son or I. In addition it should be noted that he’s giving up... View More

John Hyland Barrett III
John Hyland Barrett III
answered on Nov 7, 2022

In a Colorado, divorce, inherited property is considered separate property. However, any increase in the value of that property is marital. You may have some claim for the property taxes. You should get a lawyer to help you with this.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Real Estate Law for Colorado on
Q: My husband and I both include our residency at his inherited property in texas is it considered shared?

We are military and both technically reside at my husbands property in texas however he inherited the property, in addition we paid the taxes this past year out of my saving and will be paying the taxes out of his account this next year, but we both use the account? It sounds to me like it’s to... View More

John Hyland Barrett III
John Hyland Barrett III
answered on Nov 7, 2022

This sounds like it is his separate property. However, any increase in the value of that property that occurred during the marriage is marital property, subject to an equitable division (meaning "fair'", not necessarily "equal"). You should get a lawyer to help you with this.

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: My husband says the money in the bank account isn’t mine

I’m a military spouse and I’ve never had my name on the account my husband and I both use. This is because we wanted credit scores esperares and also we’d have to practically jump through hoops to add me. If we separate are all the bank accounts considered shared since we both spend money out... View More

Michael Joseph Larranaga
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answered on Nov 9, 2022

It is more complicated than that. If the money has co-mingled during the marriage it may be considered marital property. It is possible to have separate non-marital property but safeguards need to be put in place. You should talk to an attorney to help you make that determination.

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Support for Colorado on
Q: Can I stop child support payments if I'm overpaid?

I have a child support order that was put in place in 2011 and included 3 children. We have never had a modification done even though the children moved from me as the custodial parent to their mother. 2 of the 3 children are now 21, so 2 years removed from the order and I'm still paying the... View More

Sabra M. Janko
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answered on Oct 27, 2022

It is always risky to self-adjust a court order. If the other party never makes an issue of it, you might not have a problem but if there is a disagreement, you could be in contempt of court. When a child ages out of the order, you can have the order adjusted. if you are going through Child Support... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: I just need to know which papers to fill out for a divorce or legal separation

We own a home and have a minor child together

Sabra M. Janko
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answered on Oct 25, 2022

You fill out a petition, summons and case information sheet to start and the clerk can assist you with the summons. You then file and have those documents personally served on the other party.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Colorado on
Q: I want a divorce My husband is verbally abusive and I am scared. He is an alcoholic and a narisissits and controls us.

I don't have control over the vehicle He watches where I go and wants to come with me He listens to my phone calls and he controls all the money

I want him gone I want the kids and the house How do I file with a restraining order with him leaving. How do I pay a lawyer when I... View More

Sabra M. Janko
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answered on Oct 5, 2022

If your income is low enough, Colorado Legal Services may be able to assist. Also most people who file for a protection order in county court are unrepresented. You can look at the Colorado Judicial Branch website for fill in the blank forms.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Colorado on
Q: is borrowing from a HElOC on marital property to pay bills for a non-marital asset considered commingling of funds?

Should I repay the HELOC borrowing back to avoid commingling? With non-marital funds or thru regular wages?

Sabra M. Janko
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answered on Sep 25, 2022

It would be important to know what the non marital asset was, when it was acquired and whether it appreciated in value during the marriage, creating a marital interest in the increase in value.

However, generally to borrow from a marital asset during the marriage, it is necessary to have...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Colorado on
Q: My divorce is final we are selling house he has offered to pay the costs associated with sale how can I binding

So it’s already instructed how money is to be disbursed at closing but he offered to pay these out of his share what can I have signed so it’s legal and he can’t change his mind

John Hyland Barrett III
John Hyland Barrett III
answered on Aug 29, 2022

You and he can prepare a written agreement to modify the prior orders. You can then file that with the court and request the court approve the agreement and make it an order of the court. You should get a lawyer to help you with this.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Colorado on
Q: If there is a rental agreement would property have to be split in a divorce?

I purchased a piece of property before we were married. I know Colorado is a community property state. If I have a rental agreement with my husband would I have to split the appreciation of the property for the 3 years we have been married if we divorce? I pay all of the mortgage and property... View More

John Hyland Barrett III
John Hyland Barrett III
answered on Jun 24, 2022

Colorado is NOT a Community property state. Marital property is to be divided "equitably", which means "fairly', not necessarily "equally". The appreciation that occurs during the marriage is marital property. I do not think a rental agreement would make any... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Colorado on
Q: If i get a divorce and my wife wants half the profit of the house would i have to give her that if i dont want to sell

She has abandoned the property for several months now moved in to her own place

John Hyland Barrett III
John Hyland Barrett III
answered on Jun 7, 2022

Assuming the house was acquired during the time you were married, it is marital property. Marital property is subject to an equitable division-meaning "fair" ,not necessarily "equal". She will get her fair share of the house-probably 1/2. The court may order the house sold... View More

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