Spousal maintenance in Colorado
Colorado calls alimony spousal maintenance. Whether it is awarded, and how much and for how long, depends on incomes, the length of the marriage and each spouse's ability to meet their needs.
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How courts approach maintenance
Colorado law gives courts an advisory guideline calculation for many cases and a list of factors to weigh, including each spouse's income and resources, the standard of living during the marriage, and the length of the marriage. The guideline is a starting point, not an automatic answer.
Negotiating maintenance
Maintenance is often traded against property division. A larger share of a retirement account in place of monthly payments, for example, may suit both spouses better. Attorney Liken models those trade-offs with you before you negotiate.
Common questions
Is maintenance automatic in a long marriage?
No. Maintenance depends on the facts of each case, including incomes, resources and needs.
Can maintenance be changed later?
Sometimes. It depends on the terms of the decree and whether the agreement made maintenance modifiable.
Talk it through with Attorney Liken first.
Twenty minutes, no charge, no obligation. Pick a time and he calls you.