Maintenance
Maintenance, often called "alimony" in other jurisdictions, is the financial support paid by one spouse to the other following separation or divorce. Maintenance is different from child support and in many cases both child support and maintenance can be awarded to one spouse. The primary purpose of maintenance is to help the supported spouse become self sufficient again. The purpose of temporary maintenance is to maintain the marital standard of living during dissolution proceedings.
Like child support, maintenance can sometimes be modified in the future if a substantial change in circumstances of either party has occurred. Unlike child support, maintenance is not often based upon a concise formula. Maintenance is subjective, as courts vary on the duration and amount; therefore it is an important issue to mediate. Colorado courts have broad discretion to determine both the amount and the duration of maintenance. The courts take into account a number of factors including the length of the marriage, the living standard of the parties, the marketable skills of each party, property awarded to or held by each and the ability of the supporting spouse to pay support.
As advocates for hundreds of divorce clients in our nearly two decades in this field, we have developed a deep understanding of how a court will likely rule should a case go to trial. This experience gives our clients confidence in our consel and an edge in negotiation.