Category: Family Law

Common law marriage in Colorado establishes the same legal rights for couples as those participating in ceremonial marriage traditions. Like all married couples, complex legal matters can arise for common law couples. Recognizing your rights in a common law marriage can help when a relationship ends, a partner dies, or other legal challenges arise. Understanding…

A parent has the right to file an emergency motion when they believe a child is in imminent danger due to the other parent’s actions. Evidence must demonstrate that a parent’s behaviors threaten a child’s physical and emotional well-being. Seeking experienced legal representation from an experienced Broomfield family law lawyer when filing an emergency motion to…

Legal directives and court orders in Colorado family law cases create a framework establishing an individual’s responsibilities to a child, spouse, or former marital partner. Failing to follow a family court order or intentionally interfering with a court directive can lead to contempt of court charges in Colorado. What is Contempt of Court in Colorado?…

Family planning and reproduction laws are often an immense source of stress for families in Colorado. Whether you choose to support a child in need or pursue growing your family through surrogacy, the legal process can be extensive and overwhelming, and the last thing you want to do is leave a legal loophole because you…

The choice to adopt is a large and deeply personal decision. While it is not a decision to make lightly, it is one that can have a positive effect that ripples through generations. The process is not simple and requires a significant amount of time and energy. However, working with a Brookfield adoption attorney from Danielsen Westhoff…

The division of marital property can lead to contentious disputes, often prolonging the divorce process. Couples in a Broomfield high-asset divorce can benefit from mediation to navigate conflict and provide a more efficient path to the dissolution of marriage. Reducing conflict in a high-asset divorce offers immediate and lasting benefits. Mediation Creates a Neutral Environment Litigating a…

Couples have options on how to handle divorce proceedings in Colorado. Understanding the differences between litigation and mediation in divorce allows you to take more control over the outcome of a Colorado divorce. While Colorado family courts may require mediation before pursuing litigation in the divorce process, having crucial information about both approaches to dissolving a…

How long a person must pay alimony (maintenance) is based in large part on how long the marriage lasted. Colorado legislators developed guidelines to help judges determine how much alimony should be paid and for how long. However, the guidelines are not mandatory and judges still retain discretion when it comes to the duration of…

When alimony (also called spousal maintenance or spousal support) is awarded to one spouse during or after a divorce it is intended to provide financial support until the receiving spouse can become financially independent. Maintenance payments may continue for a specific length of time or until a specific event takes place. In some cases, they…

Separation and divorce can be difficult on children, no matter how smoothly the process goes. Moving away from what you know can be equally difficult, but the impact on your children can be significant regarding relocation disputes. Still, several factors can affect your child’s experience and how that impacts them. At Danielsen Westhoff, our Broomfield move-away…