Denver, Colorado, Family Law Firm

If you are seeking legal representation for matters concerning family law in Denver and the surrounding areas, look to an experienced law firm with proven abilities. Look to McGuane and Hogan.

For more information about a practice area, click on the heading.

Divorce

Our goal as divorce lawyers is to listen to your needs and concerns and suggest an array of options based on our many years of experience. We promise to be strong advocates when necessary, but we will not start a fight where a battle is neither wanted nor warranted. For example, some families may come to a divorce attorney with matters such as child custody already decided, but they may still have questions about asset division. In cases like these, our civil, principled approach is calculated to produce the maximum benefit with a minimum amount of stress.

Post-Divorce Modifications

If your financial circumstances change significantly, it may be necessary to request a post-divorce modification. If job loss, illness, or a parental relocation has made it impossible to abide by the terms of your divorce /support orders, a post-divorce modification can help you avoid legal complications that could result in wage garnishment, loss of your driver's license, or even jail.

Asset Division

Asset division in divorce is complex and requires an attorney with knowledge of accounting, asset valuation, tax issues, and other financial matters. It also requires an attorney who knows what family law judges tend to decide in certain situations — although judges are never entirely predictable. Our attorneys also advise and represent clients in regard to the division of marital debt.

Child Custody

The umbrella term for child custody and visitation in Colorado is "parental responsibility." Parental responsibility includes two components: Decision-making and parenting time. Decision-making/parenting time relates to the time the child spends with each parent. This terminology includes educational, medical and religious decisions. Parenting Time avoids the win-lose mentality of child custody and visitation.

Third Party Visitation

Our attorneys also represent grandparents, step-parents, and adoptive parents interested in establishing visitation rights with a child. If you played a significant role in a child's life and are now estranged from a child's custodial parent and want the opportunity to visit with him or her, our attorneys can help.

Child Support

Colorado child support guidelines are based on the combined monthly gross income of both parents before taxes or any other deductions. The guidelines will show an amount for child support based on the number of children in the family, combined monthly income and the amount of time (meaning overnights) the child or children spend with each parent and other financial matters.

Maintenance (Spousal Support)

Spousal support, or alimony, is called maintenance in Colorado law. Maintenance may be awarded in a Colorado divorce or legal separation. However, no Colorado formula or guidelines specify how courts should deal with the final resolution of questions, such as whether a spouse should receive support, how much that support should be, or how long it should last. As a result, spousal support is often varied in Colorado divorce settlements and requires careful preparation.

Enforcements

Our attorneys can help enforce the terms of your divorce or support judgment if your ex-spouse has refused to pay child support, spousal support, or adhere to terms of a custody or visitation schedule.

Mediation and Arbitration

A mediator or arbitrator is a neutral third person who helps the two parties in a family law matter resolve issues, such as asset division, parental rights and responsibilities, child and spousal support out of court. A growing number of courts require mediation before trial of disputed issues. In mediation, the neutral mediator does not get to make any decisions if disputes are not resolved by agreement. By contrast, an arbitrator does make decisions on disputed issues. Mediation or arbitration can be particularly useful when the parties prefer to resolve their family law issues in a non-public way.

Collaborative Law

Collaborative law is a relatively new way to resolve divorce issues, such as asset division, parental responsibilities, and spousal or child support out of court. The hallmark of the process is a commitment by all involved to resolve the issues without litigation.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

Our attorneys have the background necessary to prepare and review prenuptial agreements. These agreements can be important when one or both partners have significant assets, wish to protect assets for prior children, or anticipate a sizable inheritance in the future.

Family Law Appeals

If a family law matter seems to have been decided incorrectly in the trial court, an appeal to the Colorado Court of Appeals or the Colorado Supreme Court may be an option. Our lawyers at McGuane and Hogan, LLP, are experienced in all aspects of family law appeals.

Cohabitation Agreements

A cohabitation agreement can help protect your property and assets if you are currently living or planning to live with someone. While a cohabitation agreement does not automatically transform into a prenuptial agreement, it can be used to establish expectations for the relationship and set financial boundaries that play a role in a prenuptial agreement.

Contact the Denver, Colorado, family law firm at McGuane and Hogan, LLP.