Fort Collins Family Law Blog

Quality over quantity: Parenting after divorce

On behalf of Lunt & Associates, LLC on Wednesday, February 27, 2019.

You love your children and want to know that you can be there for them when they need you. Part of what scares you about your divorce is that you know that they could be removed from your care more often than you'd like. You want to be able to provide for them and keep them safe, but it's daunting to think about doing that when you're not seeing them every day.

You're not alone feeling like this. Many parents struggle with feeling like they aren't prepared to let go of time with their children, even though they have to if the other parent is going to get time with their children, too. How can you cope with this kind of stress?

Is it time to modify custody or support orders after divorce?

On behalf of Lunt & Associates, LLC on Friday, February 1, 2019.

When the Colorado courts finalize your divorce, you may assume that the final terms in the divorce decree are permanent. However, while asset division is usually final after the end of the divorce, issues related to child support, spousal support and parenting time or custody can still change as family circumstances change.

People often make major changes to their lives after a divorce. From moving to a new place to live to seeking a better job to provide more financial comfort for the family, there are many factors that can change in your family after a divorce that can also impact parenting and support obligations.

How to decide whether to file for a divorce

On behalf of Lunt & Associates, LLC on Saturday, January 26, 2019.

Deciding on whether to divorce your spouse can take years to do. No one wants to accept that their marriage has failed, because this was never their intention when they became married.

However, if you are feeling deeply unhappy in your marital relationship, it is important that you address the existing problems so that you can start to enjoy your life again. There can be many reasons why a marriage can fail. However, by working on some of these root problems, many couples manage to rekindle their relationship and to live a happy life together. Ultimately, though, it is important that you reflect on the situation and that you take whatever action will facilitate your own peace of mind and joy again.

Child custody and substance abuse — like oil and water?

On behalf of Lunt & Associates, LLC on Saturday, December 29, 2018.

In the United States today, there are countless minor children in the custody of parents who are dangerously addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. The Washington Times reported there were 47,600 Americans who succumbed to opioid overdoses in a single year. Addiction to opioid drugs is now being referred to by the current Administration as a "national health emergency."

Those statistics are stark, but for the families who live every day with the uncertainty spawned by a loved one's addiction, the realities are even harsher. Still, many — if not most — alcoholics and addicts remain resistant to rehab and recovery programs.

International divorces: Complicated, but not impossible

On behalf of Lunt & Associates, LLC on Saturday, December 8, 2018.

One of the most complicated types of divorce is an international divorce. It's hard, because unless both people are in the same county, the time it takes to return documents and get in touch with the court can be much longer than it would be if both people were local.

It's also hard because of time differences. Depending on the time difference between countries, it could require a person to stay up until the middle of the night or require them to call the court at unusual hours. Attorneys would also potentially have to be willing to call the international court when it is open.

How to calmly explain a divorce to your children

On behalf of Lunt & Associates, LLC on Sunday, December 2, 2018.

All divorces, no matter how mutually amicable, are emotionally loaded. You may find that for months before, during and after the divorce, you are more sensitive to your emotions. You may also have a hard time explaining the situation to other people, and this is why it can be challenging to explain the situation to your children.

However, the unfortunate situation is that many parents decide to say nothing to their children instead of having a tough conversation. This can be more harmful to the child, no matter their age. They will still be aware of the changes that are happening, but they may be more fearful of what these changes mean. They may also be reluctant to ask questions about these changes.

The downsides of creating a prenuptial agreement

On behalf of Lunt & Associates, LLC on Sunday, October 28, 2018.

Almost every attorney will agree that in this modern age, it's an excellent idea for couples to sign a prenuptial agreement. However, if your attorney advises you to sign a prenup, he or she should also advise you of the potential downsides of this document.

In the interest of full disclosure, let's take a look at a few things you should be aware of before entering into a prenuptial agreement:

You might have to sign away your ability to receive part of your spouse's estate in the event that he or she dies. According to Colorado estate laws, even if a prenuptial agreement exists, you may still be able to inherit some of your spouse's estate, but a prenup will likely preclude you from receiving the lion's share of the estate.
You could lose the ability to receive part ownership of your spouse's business. Spouses play a strong role in the growth of a family business. For example, even if you're not involved in the daily running of your spouse's business, by entertaining guests and providing a shoulder to lean for your spouse, you're providing more support than you might realize. A prenuptial agreement could prohibit you from claiming the value of that contribution during a divorce.
A prenuptial agreement could make your marriage feel more businesslike as opposed to "romantic."
It's hard to predict what things will be like when you divorce. Perhaps you will be the "moneyed" spouse due to a successful business venture and your spouse will be the "lesser-moneyed" spouse -- or the other way around. Signing a prenuptial agreement, just like signing a marriage certificate, is a gamble -- you never know what things will be like in the future.

A prenup can make your divorce go smoothly

On behalf of Lunt & Associates, LLC on Friday, October 12, 2018.

You and your significant other plan to get married in the near future, and you do not think you will need a prenuptial agreement. After all, you do not have that many assets yet, and you both have about the same amount of money. You think prenups are just for rich people trying to protect their wealth and keep it from a spouse. Right?

While prenups are very helpful when protecting wealth, that is by no means the only reason to use them. One of the biggest benefits is that it can help a potential divorce go smoothly, no matter how much you own. You get to make those critical decisions in advance.

3 questions to help you decide if divorce is right for you

On behalf of Lunt & Associates, LLC on Friday, September 28, 2018.

Divorce If you are trying to decide if a divorce is right for you, then you are in a precarious position. You may want to speak with your attorney, but doing so could tip off your spouse that something is wrong. If you aren't sure about what you want to do yet, speaking with your attorney is one of the best things you can do. Your attorney can help you decide what you would need to get together to file for divorce and would be able to give you an idea about how your assets would be divided upon divorce.

Before you go to your attorney, you will want to ask yourself a few questions to decide if a divorce is really what you want. To begin with, you need to sit down and decide if your marriage is not worth saving. If there is abuse, adultery or other issues, then you may be correct in moving forward with the divorce. Here are a few other things to consider.

Moving to a new home is an adjustment for children

On behalf of Lunt & Associates, LLC on Friday, August 31, 2018.

The changes that come with a divorce are hard for everyone involved. One challenge for children might be having to move to a new home. Some children have lived in the same home for as long as they can remember and the thought of having to leave it is difficult.

Parents who are facing the possibility of moving need to prepare the children for what's to come. It might not be easy but moving is a good signal that your new life is starting. Consider these points as you work with your children regarding the move: