For Colorado couples thinking of or planning for divorce, there are numerous factors that should be considered when protecting property, assets and other personal interests: What will happen to my kids? Who will stay in the family home? What’s going to happen to our marital debts? Who do I turn to for help? These are just a few of the questions many people have as they prepare for divorce.
At The Offices of Keane Law, LLC, our attorneys provide clients with the clear, practical answers they need to intelligently protect their personal, professional and financial interests at each step of the divorce process.
Whether you are planning to divorce your spouse or you were recently served, the following are five things you can do to protect yourself, your children and your finances:
- Educate yourself: Do you understand Colorado’s divorce laws and how they apply to you? As an equitable distribution state, judges in Colorado will look to divide marital property equitably, which doesn’t necessarily mean equally. It’s important to educate yourself on the various factors the courts consider when dividing property, awarding alimony and determining other divorce-related matters.
- Take control: Don’t let your soon-to-be ex run wild with your credit. If you have joint credit cards, bank accounts or other shared finances, remove your name from the accounts to avoid being stuck with damaged credit and a pile of bills.
- Keep an open mind: You may not be inclined to make a deal with your ex. No matter how hurt or upset you feel, you can save yourself a great deal of time, money and stress by setting emotions aside and reaching amicable divorce and child custody agreements with your spouse. Mediation and other alternative dispute resolution methods are encouraged by the courts.
- Think about money, not just physical assets: Sure, your family home probably has a lot of emotional equity, but rather than fight tooth and nail with your spouse, it might be better to sell the home, split the profits and move on. Remember to protect your pension, retirement accounts, investments and other assets. These assets may be worth far more than that antique vase you bought on your honeymoon.
- Surround yourself with the right people: Your best friend may have some good advice, but he or she probably isn’t a trained lawyer or financial planner. By hiring an experienced attorney who can put you in contact with forensic accountants, tax advisers and other experts, you can feel confident knowing you have a team of professionals protecting your interests.
Divorce, just like any other big life decision requires careful, intelligent planning. The team at The Offices of Keane Law, LLC, can provide you with the support you need to help you get started and move through the process as efficiently as possible.
