Laura E. Shapiro -
Stock options are a confusing concept for many people. Often those who hold this type of asset assume they are worthless,
but this could be a mistake.
When considering the full picture of your family’s assets, it is imperative that we gain an understanding as to the true value of stock options and other similar benefits. A judge could require that you appraise these options, or could divide them in kind.
Laura E. Shapiro -
You will need to continue paying your mortgage during divorce proceedings, at least until you know the final decision and who will gain possession of the home.
You may be able to get temporary orders for possession of the house, and even financial support to help you make the mortgage payment if you are living there with your children but cannot make the payment.
If neither you nor your spouse can make the payment on your own, you may need to consider agreeing to sell the house.
Laura E. Shapiro -
There are several ways to value a private medical practice for a divorce, but we recommend leaving this to professionals.
When we handle a divorce that includes a private medical practice, we rely on appraisers and experts who can weigh the numerous factors that are necessary to consider for determining a credible estimate of value.
Colorado is an equitable division state, meaning not all property obtained during the marriage is necessarily joint marital property or that the property has to be divided.
This complicates things further, since the circumstances of your case will determine what proportion, if any, of this value will be subject to division for settling the divorce.
Laura E. Shapiro -
When you established your veterinary practice, chances are you did not anticipate that your business would be on the property division list for your divorce.
Your veterinary practice is marital property (i.e., property and assets either spouse acquired during the marriage) under Colorado law, unless you started your practice before you were married or excluded it in a premarital agreement
Laura E. Shapiro -
Colorado courts calculate spousal support using statutory guidelines.
Based on how long the couple has been married, the income of each spouse, and other specific factors, the Court will decide how much the higher-earning spouse may have to pay.
Under state law, the Court calculates spousal support using a formula. Under this formula, the amount of spousal support equals:
Laura E. Shapiro -
There is one significant difference between legal separation and divorce in Colorado: A divorce legally dissolves a marriage, but a legal separation does not.
Couples who divorce are free to remarry.
Couples who are legally separated are still married to each other, even though they are living independently and have gone their separate ways. Legally separated couples cannot marry anyone else until they have divorced.
Laura E. Shapiro -
You can file for legal separation at the district court in the county where you and your spouse live, or where your spouse lives.
Under state law, you must have lived in Colorado for at least 91 days before you can file a petition for your separation.
Before you file the paperwork, you might want to...
Laura E. Shapiro -
According to the last Census figures, more than 35,000 Colorado grandparents are raising their grandchildren. About 40% of those grandparents have cared for their grandchildren for more than five years.
So yes, grandparents can get custody of grandchildren if certain requirements are met.
Laura E. Shapiro -
You can file for child custody during a divorce or a legal separation. If you are a parent but not married to the child's other parent, you can still file a petition for custody.
In fact, if a child has been in your care for six months or longer, in the last six months, you are able to file whether or not you are a parent.
Laura E. Shapiro -
In Colorado, child support covers expenses related to a child's food, clothing, housing, public school education, and health insurance.
While these are basic expenses, there are more specific costs associated with each category.
For example...
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