Colorado Divorce Info

New Book by Forensic Accountant Discusses the Discovery of Assets Prior to a Colorado Divorce

A new book by forensic accounting expert, Mark Kohn is called How They Stash the Cash. This new volume shows how people who are filing for divorce attempt to hide marital assets.  If you are concerned that your spouse is not disclosing all of his or her assets, consult with your family law attorney to discuss the possibility of hiring a forensic accountant.  "Forensic" means "suitable for use in a court of law", and it is to that standard and potential outcome that forensic accountants generally have to work. Forensic accountants …

More Work to be Accomplished on the Colorado Civil Unions Bill

The Colorado bill that would have granted civil unions to same-sex couples failed to advance to a full vote before the last day of the legislative session this week. Hickenlooper, who supported the bill,  told reporters, "This is a circumstance where we are depriving people of their civil rights." The Colorado bill would have allowed domestic partners to make medical decisions for each other and become eligible for certain insurance and retirement benefits.   Nine states already allow civil unions or domestic partnerships, while another eight plus the Distr …

Colorado Divorce: Dividing Marital Property

Colorado Divorce and PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION Colorado is an equitable distribution state. This means if the parties cannot agree, the property will be distributed in an equitable fashion, but not necessarily equally. When dividing the marital estate, the court will base it's decisions on the following factors: 1) The contribution of each spouse to the marital estate, including the contributions as a homemaker; 2) The value of property set apart to each spouse; 3) The desirability of awarding the family home to the custodial parent, as well as the economic circumstances of each spouse; …

Free QUESTIONS ABOUT COLORADO DIVORCE Seminar!

Sign up now for our free Seminar on Wednesday, May 15 from 12 to 1 pm.   Questions About a Colorado Divorce? Attend Our Free Seminar! Please join attorney Margaret Walker, Esq. for a Free Seminar on Wednesday, June 27th from 12 pm to 1 pm at The Harris Law Firm: 1125 17th St. - Suite 1820 Denver, CO 80202 (17th and Lawrence) RSVP: 303.299.9484 Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosoph …

The Harris Law Firm Welcomes Lawyer #20!

The Harris Law Firm is pleased to welcome another new associate! Thomas P. Cossit, Esq. has joined the firm and will be working in our Fort Collins office. A skilled litigator, Mr. Cossit will be handling family law matters throughout the State of Colorado. The Harris Law Firm is pleased to have Tom Cossit as a part of Colordo's Family Law Team.

Colorado Divorce and Sole Proprietorships

  Sole proprietorships are usually challenging for the owner in a dissolution.  Since a sole proprietorship is a pass-through entity for tax purposes, the owner is responsible for paying the taxes on the income earned.  Income is generally determined by subtracting the costs of doing business, the business expenses, and paying the taxes on the remaining net income.  However, as a matter of practice in a dissolution case, those expenses are always examined to see whether there are non-business-related expenditures, such as personal items, that have been treated as expenses. …

Frequently Asked Questions regarding LGBT Colorado Family Law

  Frequently Asked Questions in LGBT Family Law Q: If I am legally married to my partner in another state, can I obtain a Colorado divorce in Colorado? A: Colorado courts can address the division of your property and the allocation of parental responsibilities related to your children, but Colorado cannot grant you a legal divorce. You will have to obtain a legal divorce from the state in which you were married or another state which recognizes same-sex marriage. Q: My partner and I have a child. My partner is the biological parent of our child. How can I become a legally recognized p …

Colorado Divorce: Separate Vs. Marital Property

Once an interest is deemed to be “property,” a court must then determine whether such property is marital or separate for purposes of dividing the marital property. Hunt, 909 P.2d 525, 529 (Colo. 1995). Under the Act, “marital property” is defined as “property acquired by either spouse subsequent to the marriage except: property acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or descent; property acquired in exchange for property acquired prior to the marriage or in exchange for property acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or descent; property acquired by a spouse after a …

More Divorces Filed in the First Quarter of the Year

According to a recent analysis by Findlaw.com, a consumer legal advice website, the month of March is the most popular time for couples to file for divorce. With Westlaw, the leading legal research database, FindLaw.com analyzed divorce filings across the U.S. for over 3 years and have found some interesting conclusions.  The 2008 - 2011 analysis revealed that divorces spike in January, continue to rise and peak in late March. The reasons for  divorce being more prevalent in the first quarter were not defined by the reseach, but  there are several prom …

Free "Questions About Divorce?" Seminar at The Harris Law Firm on 4/12/12

Please join us on Thursday, April 12th from 12 to 1 at The Harris Law Firm for our free monthly divorce seminar. Senior Attorney, Margaret Walker will be presenting. The seminar is held at our offices: 1125 17th St, Suite 1820 To RSVP - call us at 303 299 9484

Your Day in Divorce Court: Dress for Success

  When you are about to appear in a Colorado Family Law Court regarding your divorce or custody case, begin by showing your respect to the court by dressing appropriately. When you appear in court, it is important to dress simply and conservatively: For men: Always appear clean and pressed. Consider wearing a collared shirt, and tailored slacks. Adding a sports coat and a tie is optional. If this is not possible, wear a new pair of jeans and a polo shirt. For women: Always dress appropriately by appearing in outfits that are traditional and conservative.  …

Could Colorado Soon See Changes to Laws Regarding Spousal Support?

  Here are two views on Massachusetts’ new maintenance laws: http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/09/opinion/murphy-alimony-overhaul-con/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/09/opinion/hitner-alimony-overhaul-pro/index.html     The State of Massachusetts has embraced a recent change to their laws regarding spousal support (known as “maintenance” in Colorado).  Massachusetts law regarding alimony paid from one spouse to the other after divorce has changed.  The previous law awarded alimony for a lifetime, and if the payor remarried, the new spou …

Free "Questions About Divorce?" Seminar on Thursday, April 12, from 12 to 1

  Questions about divorce, legal separation, or child custody? Join Margaret Walker, Esq. and come to our free seminar on Thursday, April 12th from 12 pm to 1 pm at: The Harris Law Firm: 1125 17th Street (17th and Lawrence in the Chase Bank Building) Suite 1820 Denver, CO 80202 To RSVP - call 303 299 9484      

Family Law Matter in Northern Colorado?

Call The Harris Law Firm to schedule an appointment with a family law attorney in our Fort Collins office. Stephen Vertucci is a partner with the firm and the manager of the Fort Collins office. And Claire Kauffman, Esq. is an Associate Attorney with the firm. Steve and/or Claire will meet with you to discuss your case and your rights and options according to Colorado law. If you have a family law matter in Weld or Larimer counties, or in Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder, or Windsor, call us at 303 299 9484 to schedule an appointment to discuss your legal matter today. …

Get Your Marriage Back on Track Now!

When you and your spouse are experiencing problems in your marriage, consider relationship counseling to discuss your issues. Calling your family therapist should be your first call and calling your family law attorney should be your last one!  Dont ignore the problems in your marriage, but work through them by addressing the issues with a professional trained to help. For a list of qualified therapists in your area, go to the Saving Your Marriage section of our website and keep your marriage happy and healthy. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (9 …

Can You Have a Happy Colorado Divorce?

Yes, it is quite possible to have a civil divorce, and many couples have had this experience. Especially in recent years, ending your marriage does not have to be litigious or angry. "Now that we have had several decades of high divorce rates, we may know how to do divorce a little better and in a way that minimizes the pain,” says Andrew Cherlin, author of The Marriage-Go-Round and a professor at Johns Hopkins.  Not that happily divorced couples simply go back to being friends. “It takes as much energy to be happily divorced as it does to be happily married,&r …

How do Colorado divorce lawyers handle their own divorces?

  When involved in family law matters, most Colorado divorce lawyers know that they should try to stay out of court and settle their cases without ever going to trial. Divorce attorneys know that coming to an agreement regarding the division of assets and parenting time will save them energy, time, and money. The also realize that litigation will eliminate the possibility for an amicable agreement, and the litigation process is expensive and will leave both parties feeling frustrated and disillusioned.   Family law attorneys understand that most divorce …

Do You Have Grounds for an Annulment or Should You File for a Colorado Divorce?

  Annulment: What Does it Take? Colorado courts may grant a “declaration of invalidity” (commonly known as an “annulment”) where: (1)   A party lacked the ability to consent to the marriage due to mental incapacity or the influence of drugs or alcohol; (2)   A party cannot consummate the marriage through sexual intercourse and the other party did not know beforehand; (3)   There was a fraudulent misrepresentation that goes to the essence of the marriage; (4)   One or both parties entered the marriage under duress; (5)& …

Recent Research Indicates Divorce is More Stressful for Younger People

According to Hui Liu, a professor of sociology at Michigan State University, recent research suggests that younger people have fewer coping skills than older people when dealing with the emotional stress associated with the dissolution of marriage. The study indicated that younger people need more support from their families, friends and society as a whole to deal with the emotional aftermath of divorce. There were 1,282 participants of various ages in Liu's research that measured the health status between those who rema …

A More Kind and Gentle Divorce

It Takes Two.  Rather than blaming your spouse for all the problems in your marriage, seek to discover how you participated in the demise of your relationship. We all need to recognize our own participation in the difficult events of our lives so that we can learn from our mistakes. Don't perceive yourself as a victim during this difficult time, but own your participation in the unraveling of your marriage, and seek to move on as a stronger and healthier individual.   Prepare for a New Life:  Yes, you will need to grieve the end of your marriage, but don't allow you …

Points to Consider Before You File for a Colorado Divorce:

Preparing fora Colorado Divorce: 1. Find Out What You Own. Assets and debt are generally divided in an equitable manner. Begin by identifying what you own and what you owe.  Obtain records and statements for the following: Bank Accounts (savings and checking accounts, loans, etc.) Investment Accounts (brokerage and retirement accounts) Insurance Policies Real Estate Records Trust Agreements and Wills Credit Card Records Prenupital or Postnuptial Marital Agreements Records of Law Suits and /or upcoming settlements 2. Establish accounts under your own name.  &n …

Common Law Marriage Age of Consent

  Common Law Marriage Age of Consent Today you hear numerous couples claiming that they are married under the common law (or possibly disagreeing with one another whether or not they are). Everyone always appears to disagree over the differing requirements, but no one ever seems to discuss at what age you can legally bind into a common law marriage. Most assume that eighteen years of age is the minimum age, but surprisingly the age requirement is much, much younger. In Colorado, the statutory age of consent for ceremonial marriage is eighteen. Nevertheless, persons betwee …

Consult with an Attorney Before Filing for an Order of Protection

An order of protection will prohibit the restrained party from contacting the protected party, and from coming within a specified distance of the protected person.  13-14-101(2.4) (a), C.R.S.  Contact can be direct or indirect, and behavior such as sending a letter, or leaving a note, or communicating with the protected party through a third person who is not your attorney, or even sending flowers, is a violation that can result in criminal charges.  When a motion for a protection order is filed, the court will conduct an ex parte hearing (a hearing ju …

Colorado legislator's new bill proposes a cooling-off period prior to filing for divorce

Posted: 01/03/2012 01:00:00 AM MST Updated: 01/03/2012 08:13:15 AM MST By Lynn Bartels The Denver Post     A state lawmaker who wants to make it more difficult for parents to divorce said he initially had no idea that legislators a decade ago killed a similar proposal dubbed the "Dr. Laura" bill. Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, said he believes his proposal stands a better chance because it makes exceptions, such as in cases of domestic violence or sexual abuse. The bill would require parents who have minor children and are considering divorce to …

Arnold and Maria Back on Track?

  Report: Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s marriage may not be terminated after all.  According to TMZ, Shriver is having doubts about pursuing a divorce, which she filed for on July 1 of this year. According to TMZ’s source, Shriver is torn because her strong religious beliefs do not recognize divorce. To make things more complicated, Schwarzenegger desperately wants her back, and has reportedly been ”extremely sweet” to her since their split, showering her with gifts. The couple spent Christmas together wi …

Consider Your Financial Situation Before You File for Divorce!

Consider Your Financial Situation Before You File for Divorce! •If you have been living on two incomes, consider that you will be living on your own resources following the divorce. •If the bulk of your marital assets are in real property or a business, it will take time to obtain your portion of those assets after the divorce is final •Divorce proceedings can be complex, and you will need to have enough cash to live on until you and your ex-spouse reach an agreement. Before you file for divorce, make sure that you have enough assets to live on your …

Colorado Divorce Amongst the Elderly

                  While I don’t have hard data to prove this, The Harris Law Firm is certainly seeing more and more “gray” Colorado divorces.   And, these cases bring with them some unique challenges.                 In my opinion, we lack verifiable evidence to support the current rates of divorce, much less divorce amongst the elderly. In fact, the U.S. Census has only recently begun trackin …

Wife of Kobe Bryant has Filed for Divorce in California

  Tired of his infidelities, Vanessa Bryant, wife of Basketball Star Kobe Bryant, has filed for the dissolution of marriage in California after 10 years of marriage. In a comunity property state, Vanessa is very likely to be entitled to 50% of Kobe's annual earnings for the last decade. The LA Lakers star is expected to earn in excess of $25 million in 2011. THe couple never filed a pre-nuptial agreement. Vanessa is being represented by Laura Wasser, who recently represented Kim Kardashian in her divorce from athlete Kris Humphries. According to the petition …

Colorado Family Law for Those in the Medical Profession

The Harris Law Firm has 18 attorneys who focus on Colorado family Law. John Tatlock, Special Counsel to the firm, and Associate Attorney, Elizabeth Howard have had many clients with domestic relations issues who work in medicine. With their clients varying work schedules, both John and Elizabeth have had success in crafting parenting plans that take into account the sometimes irregular employment schedule of those who are health professionals. If you are in the medical field, and have a family law matter, call Colorado's Family Law Team at 303 299 9484. We are here to help.

The Etiquette of Social Media During and After a Colorado Divorce

During or After a Colorado Divorce: 1. Do Not Attack Your Ex Via Social Media:  You will never regret maintaining your online poise and dignity during times of high stress and emotionalism. 2. Remove Former Comments: Remove any comments that you made on your ex's profile or photos. Even the most of positive posts can sometimes cause confusion for you and for your ex when beginning new relationships. 3. Using the Block Feature: If you are not on good terms with your ex, and they are using Facebook …

The Recession and Your Colorado Divorce

Recession and Divorce Thirty-eight percent of couples considering divorce or separation have postponed those plans due to the recession, according to a study released earlier this year by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia. The reason? Divorce is expensive, and with the economic downturn, families don't have the money necessary to start over. Those couples who choose to go through with divorces are facing new financial challenges, such as determining what to do with upside-down mortgages or establishing individual credit in a tougher regulatory environment. Here a …

Candace Bushnell, Author of "Sex and the City", has Filed for Divorce in New York City

NEW YORK, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- "Sex and the City" scribe Candace Bushnell has filed for divorce from ballet dancer Charles Askegard after nine years of marriage, the New York Post said. Bushnell, 53, allegedly discovered after starting divorce proceedings that Askegard, 43, was having an affair with ballerina Georgina Pazcoguin, his frequent collaborator.   It is unclear at this time if Ms Bushnell and Mr. Askegard have a prenuptial agreement, or if Mr . Askegard will be dancing again in the Nutcracker. Read more: http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2011/12/06/Bushnell- …

Colorado Divorce and The Holidays

You would not think that the holidays would spur an upward trend in the filing of family law matters in Colorado, but it is one of the busiest times of the year for domestic relations attorneys. If you are experiencing a family law issue and would like to speak to one of 18 attorneys at The Harris Law Firm, please give us a call. We will be happy to arrange a consultation for you right away. Please call Heidi Culbertson at 303 299 9484

If you have a family law matter in Boulder, CO, give us a call!

The Harris Law Firm handles family law cases in counties throughout Metro Denver, as well as Boulder, El Paso, Fort Collins, and counties throughout the State of CO. If you would like to speak with an attorney at the firm about your CO family law matter, give us a call at 303 299 9484

Divorce or Legal Separation in Northern Colorado?

Call The Harris Law Firm to schedule an appointment with Stephen Vertucci, a partner with the firm and the manager of the Fort Collins office. He and/ or Claire Kauffman, Esq. will meet with you to discuss your case and your rights and options according to Colorado law. If you have a family law matter in Weld or Larimer counties, or in Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder, or Windsor, call us at 303 299 9484

The Harris Law Firm and the CBA Working to Help Military Service Members

The Harris Law Firm has, for the past several years, participated in the American Bar Association’s Military Pro Bono Project.  We are often called on to offer legal advice to JAG officers assisting military members stationed around the world who have family law issues.   As an adjunct to this project, the CBA is starting an initiative to promote pro bono service for military members on a statewide basis.  This effort is being spearheaded by Supreme Court Justice Bender, and The Harris Law Firm will be an active participant on the panel for this proje …

The Harris Law Firm Handles Family Law Cases in Northern Colorado

If you have a Colorado Family Law matter in Weld or Larimer Counties, or Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, Windsor or Greeley, call The Harris Law Firm! You can reach us at 303 299 9484 to schedule a consultation with Partner Stephen Vertucci or Associate Attorney Claire Kauffman today. The Harris Law Firm handles cases involving divorce, custody, modifications, post decree matters, step parent adoption, maintenance, spousal support, orders of protection (restraining orders), pre-nupital agreements, marital agreements, high conflict and high profile cases, mediation, and family law f …

Fort Collins Family Law Attorney Helps Kids in Northern Colorado

Stephen Vertucci, Partner with The Harris Law Firm, recently presented 3rd grade students at St. Joseph Catholic School in Fort Collins with hard cover, color dictionaries as a part of the Rotary Read Committee of which he is a member.  “Rotary Read” is committed to promoting literacy among children in Northern Colorado.  Over the summer, the Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary Club sold over 60,000 Palisade western slope peaches to raise funds to purchase enough dictionaries so that every 3rd grade student in the Poudre Valley School District would receive the very own diction …

Divorce or Custody Matter in Northern Colorado?

If you have a Colorado family law matter in Weld or Larimer counties, or in Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, Windsor, or Fort Collins, please call The Harris Law Firm. We will arrange a consultation with partner Stephen Vertucci, or associate Clair Kauffman for you to discuss your case so that you can understand your rights and options according to Colorado law. You can reach The Harris Law Firm at 303 299 9484

Carla Scarpone, Esq., Discusses Domestic Violence at Denver University

Carla Scarpone, an associate attorney with The Harris Law Firm, will join a panel discussion with The University of Denver’s Public Interest Law Group The topic of discussion is "The Current State of Domestic Violence Law in Colorado"   Please join us on Thursday, October 13th starting at Denver University at 5:30pm in Room 165   Speakers Also include: Judge Angela Arkin Professor G. Kristian Miccio Assistant County Attorney Julie Thomerson,  

Business Valuation in Colorado Divorce Cases

On Oct 11th, John Tatlock presented a CLE to Arapahoe County Bar Assocation on business valuation in divorce cases. In many Colorado divorces, a critical issue in the division of property between the spouses will be the value of any business that is a marital asset, whether shares in a corporation, membership interests in a limited liability company, general or limited partnership interests, or the value of a sole proprietorship, such as a consulting business, etc. Call us  to arrange a consultation with John Tatlock, Special Counsel for The Harris Law Firm to discuss valuation …

Free GLBT Family Planning Seminar from 12 to 1 on Wednesday, Oct 19th

Please join Ryann Peyton, Esq for a Free GLBT Family Planning Seminar from 12 to 1 on Wednesday, Oct 19th at The Harris Law Firm 1125 17th Street Suite 1820 Denver, CO 80202 303 299 9484 Please call to RSVP

When You File for Divorce in Colorado, You Can Mediate, Litigate, or Collaborate

When you file for divorce, your options are litigation, mediation and the Collaborative Divorce Practice.    The divorce process for each option is the same, but the methods are quite different.    The Collaborative Divorce: This method will combine collaborative divorce attorneys, and, if necessary, a team of professionals to assist you through the divorce process. These can include financial experts, mental health professionals, divorce coaches, etc. To begin the Collaborative Process, divorcing parties must agree in writing that yo …

Wise Advice to Those with Family Law Issues: Stay Cool!

By Kevin Massaro, Of Counsel to The Harris Law Firm: One of the best attributes a client can have in a family law situation, be it divorce or assignment of parental responsibilities (APR), or a post decree matter, is simply keeping cool. These matters are emotionally charged, even in the best of cases.  Your ex will do something you don’t like, guaranteed.  It may be that you think the new boyfriend is a derelict, or you think that having a six year old kid ride a four-wheeler with grandpa is dangerous, or you may just be sick of hearing his/her voice.  And often, your e …

Planning for the Changes and Challenges of a Colorado Divorce

Filing for a Colorado divorce will alter every aspect of a person's life, and it's aftermath will affect your finances,  your family dynamics, and even those within your social circle. You must prepare for the fact that ending your relationship will create on ongoing series of difficult challenges.  Before you file for divorce, consider the following issues. 1. Consider the number of people in your life who will be  affected by your divorce: you and your spouse, your children, your families, your friends, your ne …

Two Ways to Avoid a Colorado Divorce Court

There are two effective methods to avoid the ongoing bitterness associated with Colorado divorces that go to trial. 1. A Collaborative Divorce allows each spouse to have an attorney, but both spouses and their lawyers agree in writing not to go to court. 2. In Divorce Mediation, a trained neutral party works with the spouses to create their own agreement. The resulting document is called a Memorandum of Understanding. Collaborative law and divorce mediation are two ways that allow divorcing parties to work together. These processes reduce conflict and often create t …

Please Become a Fan of The Harris Law Firm on Our NEW FACEBOOK Page!

   Be a fan of The Harris Law Firm on our new Facbook page!     http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Harris-Law-Firm-PC/172565999450362?ref=ts Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matter in the best way possible. When you consult with one of our attorneys, the expert legal advice you receive will help you understand your rights and optio …

Divorce or Child Custody Issues in Loveland, Weld or Larimer Counties?

If you have a Colorado Family Law issue and you would like to obtain quality legal representation, call The Harris Law Firm, Colorado's Family Law Team. Please contact partner Steve Vertucci or associate Claire Kaufman to schedule a consultation in our Fort Collins office at 123 North Collins in the Excecutive Suite.   If you have a  legal matter in Fort Collins, Longmont, Windsor, Loveland, Greeley, or in Larimer or Weld counties  that includes divorce, legal separation, custody, child support, maintenance, step-parent adoption, …

Colorado Divorce After Long-Term Marriages is Becoming More Common

Most couples file for divorce after they have been together from 3 to 15 years. But divorce among those who have been married for 20 years or more is becoming more and more common. The reasons for divorce among those who have had long term marriages vary, but some of the things most often heard by divorce attorneys include the following: Affairs, emotional distance, lack of companionship, and finances play major roles in divorce. Sometimes one of the parties is just emotionally and psychologically ready to be on their own. When the kids "leave the nest&q …

Do Not Obtain Divorce Advice from Friends, Family or Non-Divorce Professionals

  Typically, all an unhappy spouse has to do is breathe the word “divorce,” and everyone they know begins to share their personal experiences, offer opinions and give well-meaning advice. While their intentions are good, and it is natural that those around you will want to provide comfort and support,  it is important to remember that everyone's situation is different and everyone's divorce will be unique. It is also important to realize that your state's divorce laws are subject to change, and family law differs widely from state to state. …

Filing for Divorce in Loveland, or Larimer or Weld Counties?

The Harris Law Firm has a Fort Collins office at 123 North College. Call 303 299 9484 to schedule a consultation today!

Partner Stephen Vertucci Handles Family Law Cases in Fort Collins

If you have a domestic relations matter and are seeking legal counsel in Weld, Larimer or Boulder counties, please give us a call to arrange for a consultation with Stephen Vertucci. Mr. Vertucci is a partner with The Harris Law Firm and handles divorce and custody issues from our Fort Collins office. Call us at 303 299 9484 to arrange a consultation

Is there a bright side to divorce?

For those going through it, divorce has a bright side. Regardless of cause or outcome, divorce provides an opportunity and incentive to re-invent one’s self as a person and a parent, to re-examine and adjust priorities and value systems, to construct a healthy living environment in which true fulfillment can occur. Not surprisingly, those individuals who are able recognize and take advantage of this opportunity are the most likely to thrive following the dissolution of a marriage; and are the “best” clients to work with from a practitioner’s point of view.  &n …

2011 Divorce Statistics:

There are over 2 million marriages annually in the US: close to 50% of them end in divorce. Second marriages don’t fare much better with over 60% ending in divorce. Third marriages; 73% end up divorcing. Following a divorce; a women’s standard of living and that of the children’s drop by an average of 27% according to the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University. New studies are showing that children do suffer much more trauma than originally thought after a divorce. Massachusetts appears to have one of the lowest divorce rates in the nat …

Will the New Child and Family Investigation Guidelines Hinder the Process?

  When Colorado’s Supreme Court amended the Child and Family Investigation (CFI) guidelines earlier this year, the court drastically limited the amount that could be charged for the CFI investigation and the ensuing report, among other significant amendments. While no one doubts that the drafters' intentions were valid, those conducting the investigations have concerns that they will not be able to devote the time necessary to evaluate serious issues. Cutting costs will mean reducing the amount of hours that can be dedicated to the case, and a less than thorough investigation ultim …

Garage Sale Litigation

  In the July 2011 DMagazine there was an article entitled, "Highland Park's Finest Garage Sale". The article reads, "Our next door neighbor recently held a garage sale. At the edge of the driveway, she'd placed a cushion-less leather couch. "Where are the cushions?" I asked when I walked over. The answer came not from the owner herself but from a second neighbor after an awkward silence, "Her ex-husband took them.", the second neighbor whispered. The owner moved behind a ladder, which wasn't for sale. "So what's a buyer supposed to do?" I a …

Will Colorado Revise Maintenance Guidelines?

BOSTON (AP) - Legislation to revise Massachusetts spousal support guidelines was unanimously approved on July 20th by the state's House of Representatives. The new bill would establish guidelines for spousal support payments including placing limitations on the duration of the payments, and terminating the possibility of the "lifetime" maintenance awards. According to Rep. John Fernandes, a Milford Democrat and the House chairman of the Alimony Reform Task Force, "The legislation establishes a …

New York Approves Legislation to Allow Gay Couples to Marry

As New York's gay couples celebrate their right to marry, and they can also take comfort in the fact that, if their marital bliss is temporary, they also have the right to file for divorce. New York State senators voted 33-29 on June 24th  to approve legislation that gave gay couples the right to marry. New York is the sixth and most populous U.S. state to allow same-sex marriage. With the right to marry, and formal laws in place,  same-sex couples also obtained the right to divorce, and the domestic relations law …

Can I Obtain a "Quickie Divorce" in Colorado?

Yes, but not in Colorado. You can obtain a "quickie divorce" in the Dominican Republic, but it may  or may not be valid in your State. Some States in the US will not recognize Dissolution of Marriage decrees from the DR, so to save time and money, consider using a lawyer or mediator and filing for divorce in the US.  If you two can come to an agreement regarding the division of assets and parenting time, have an attorney draw up the necessary documents and file the paperwork for you. If you cannot agree, then utilize the services of a trained mediator, who wi …

The Tax Consequences of Divorce

The Equitable Division of Assets Colorado is an equitable distribution state where you and your spouse must divide your assets according to "whatever is fair" according to the family courts. Equitable division of assets is often a 50/50 split, but you and your soon to be former spouse can also agree out of court and decide how to split assets. The court will generally go along with the proposed agreement if it is fair.  The Federal Tax-Free Transfer Rule Usually Applies According to IRS Code Section 1041, you can divide most asset …

Schwarzenegger-Shriver to Divide $500 Million

Like his soon-to-be ex-wife Maria Shriver, Arnold Schwarzenegger has hired a celebrity divorce attorney. Attorney Robert Kaufman will represent the former governor in his divorce from his estranged wife.  Kaufman, who has also represented Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Simpson in their dissolutions, is known for keeping his celebrity clients business off the newstands. Apparently Kaufman has already spoken with Shriver’s attorney Laura Wasser about how to proceed with the divorce negotiations. Wasser has also represented …

US Divorce Rate Declines, But the 7-Year Itch Continues

After decades of increases, U.S. divorces are leveling off with couples now slightly more likely to reach their 10-year wedding anniversary. But the "seven-year itch" among couples persists, with nearly one out of two first marriages estimated to end in divorce. Roughly 75% of those who have married since 1990 reported they reached their 10-year anniversary. That's up about three percentage points for both men and women who married a decade earlier in the 1980s, when divorce rates in the U.S. had peaked, according to Census figures released Wednesday. The Census report partly attri …

Hiring the Experts for Your Pending Divorce

  The attorneys at The Harris Law Firm say that you should consider working with other divorce experts to make certain that your assets and mental health are protected during the divorce process. Let us help you build your team!   A forensic accountant:  If you are concerned about hidden income/assets/liabilities and/or the possible dissipation of marital assets (vacations taken by your husband with his girlfriend and gifts he might have bought her)?  A forensic accountant helps explore these concerns and may also be very useful when one or both spouses own a …

Colorado divorce rate plummets during recession

The divorce rate in Colorado has dropped to 4.2 percent per 1,000 people, a rate hit only once — in 2003 — in the past 21 years. In 2007, the year the recession began, the rate was 4.4 percent, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The latest data available are from 2009. Those familiar with divorce, from lawyers to investment advisers to marital therapists, say the drop is mostly because of economic issues: People can't afford to maintain two households or pay an attorney. Often, the house is worth less than when it was bought, so there is no equity for eith …

U.S. Census Report Shows Divorce Rates Declining

Recent findings by the U.S. Census Bureau indicate divorce rates for most age groups have been decreasing since 1996 by an average of about 5 percentage points. The reasons include: Couples are waiting longer to get married One third of men and women ages 25 to 29 have never married. Census statistics show: In 1996, 19% of 25- to 29-year-old women who had been married were divorced, but only 14% were in 2009 -- a decease of about 30%. For 30- to 34-year-old women, there was a smaller decrease of about 20%. The rate of divorce among older …

Living Unhappily Together is More Tragic than Divorce

  A successful marriage is a supportive partnership, but sometimes our unions are simply not destined to last forever.  What if the two of you stop growing together and begin to grow apart? What if you spend all of your time together in a state of disagreement? Forever is a long time and if you have exhausted all other reasonable options in an effort to save your marriage,  it is important to be able to talk to your spouse about a civil conclusion to your marriage when you know it has ended. Staying in a relationship that is no longer work …

Obtaining Affordable Health Care After Your Divorce

Another important point to consider prior to filing for divorce is obtaining affordable health care. Prior to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that was signed into law March of 2010; many spouses depended on their partner for healthcare coverage. While COBRA (Consolidate Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) has long been an available option, it is usually expensive and is only available for 3 years after the date of the final decree. Spouses with pre-existing conditions often had difficulty locating a plan to insure them, but the new health care bill has provided acces …

US Divorce Rate Declines, But the 7-Year Itch Continues

After decades of increases, U.S. divorces are leveling off with couples now slightly more likely to reach their 10-year wedding anniversary. But the "seven-year itch" among couples persists, with nearly one out of two first marriages estimated to end in divorce. Roughly 75% of those who have married since 1990 reported they reached their 10-year anniversary. That's up about three percentage points for both men and women who married a decade earlier in the 1980s, when divorce rates in the U.S. had peaked, according to Census figures released Wednesday. The Census report partly attri …

Free "Questions About Divorce?" Seminar

Join Senior Associate Margaret Walker on April 28th from 12 to 1 pm for a Free Seminar at The Harris Law Firm 1125 17th Street Suite 1820 Denver CO 80202 To RSVP, call 303 299 9484

Fort Collins Divorce and Child Custody

If you have a family law matter in Weld or Larimer Counties, The Harris Law Firm is here to help.  Stephen Vertucci, a partner with the firm, and associate attorney Jonathan White, work together as a team to handle issues that include divorce, child custody, modifications, and post decree matters. To schedule a consultation at our Fort Collins office, please call the main number at 303-299-9484.

No Fault Divorce Means Keeping "Dirty Laundry" out of the Courtroom

The "No-Fault" Divorce Law is now applicable in all 50 states. This means that either spouse, with or without the consent of the other,  can file for and obtain a dissolution of marriage for any reason. The fact that your spouse may have had countless affairs throughout your marriage will have no bearing on your divorce case. The courts will not award the injured spouse more assets or more parenting time based on infidelity alone. In fact, clients must be careful about airing "dirty laundry" in a court of law because they risk alienat …

Hiring a Family Law Attorney vs. Representing Yourself in a Court of Law

For a variety of reasons, many people choose to represent themselves when dealing with divorce, custody, child support or other family law matters. Making the decision to choose an attorney to represent you,  verses representing yourself,  may be one of the most important decisions you will ever make regarding your children's future and your financial security. We often meet clients who have attempted to represent themselves, but found they became overwhelmed and/or made significant errors, and are now trying to "undo" what happened in the …

The Harris Law Firm Seeing More Divorces in Rural Areas

By SABRINA TAVERNISE and ROBERT GEBELOFF So it is a bitter mark of modernity that even in rural America, divorce is up nearly sevenfold since 1970, giving the county the unwelcome distinction of being a standout in this category of census data. Divorce is still less common here than the national average, but its sharp jump illustrates a fundamental change in the patterns of family life. Forty years ago, divorced people were more concentrated in cities and suburbs. But geographic distinctions have all but vanished, and now, for the first time, rural Americans are just as likely to be divorced …

Factor in Taxes on Retirement Accounts Before Dividing Marital Assets

For couples over 50, retirement assets held in 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other retirement accounts may represent a significant portion of their net worth. At age 59 1/2,retirement assets can be distributed without penalty, but the distribution is still subject to taxes upon withdrawal. If an individual is subject to a 30% tax bracket , then the net value of the account is really only about 70% of the statement balance.  According to the lawyers at The Harris Law Firm, before marital assets are distributed during a divorce, it …

Social Media Posts are Being Used as Evidence in Divorce Cases

Information posted on Facebook, Twitter, other social media sites, and email records can all be obtained as evidence in Colorado divorce proceedings. So if you are currently involved in a divorce action where there is potential conflict regarding parenting time, child custody, or the division of assets, be aware that damaging information collected from these channels can be used against you. Twenty percent of divorces now involve obtaining information about the opposing party via an online social media site, and an increasing number of Denver divorce attorneys say they are seei …

Strategize Before You File for Divorce

STRATEGIZE WITH A FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY Before you file for divorce, consider meeting with a Colorado family law attorney to discuss strategy. A domestic relations attorney will help you to understand your options according to Colorado law. Parties to divorce often create agreements that are not in their best interests because they were not fully informed or aware of  their rights. One of our lawyers can help you to strategize by working with you to create budget for your future living expenses,  to divide assets in an equitable manner, and craft a parenting plan that considers the b …

TOP TEN LAWYERS OF THE DECADE!

Congratulations to Rich Harris for being selected as one of the finalists for the Top Ten Lawyers of the Decade by Law Week Colorado!

The Go To Family Law Firm in Fort Collins

For family law matters in Loveland, or Weld and Larimer counties, The Harris Law Firm also has an office in Fort Collins, Colorado. Located at 123 North College, in Suite 200 of the Executive Center,  you can arrange a consultation with Stephen Vertucci, a partner at the firm, or Jonathan White, an associate, to discuss divorce, legal separation, parenting matters, or post decree issues. Call 970 472 1838 to schedule a meeting today.

Until Debt Do Us Part

  Morris Armstrong, On Wednesday February 9, 2011, 4:40 pm EST "I am not responsible for paying the mortgage. My ex is, and it states that in the divorce decree." This is a cry that I have heard more times than I care to remember. When people go through a divorce they make the mistake of believing that the separation papers are binding on the rest of the world, and that is far from the truth. Without attempting to be a legal eagle, I think that the best term to describe a divorce decree might be a divorce contract. That term that might make the parties realize that the docume …

Lottery Winner May Have to Share Millions of Marital Assets

When 29-year-old single Idaho mom Holly Lahti became the $190 million winner in the $380 Mega Millions lottery, she did not accept her winnings in person. Instead, she simply resigned from her bank teller position, and moved to a warmer climate with her two children. Still married to her estranged husband, Joshua Lahti, from whom she had been separated for eight years,  it appears that Holly Lahti will be required to divide her newly acquired wealth. Married in 2001, they were both charged after an instance of domestic violence in 2003.  Since then …

Rocker John Mellencamp and his Almay-Model Wife Elaine File for Divorce

Rocker John Mellencamp and his Almay-model wife Elaine Irwin announced that they have filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage. Court documents indicate that Mellencamp and Irwin separated in September 2010, and have confirmed that the pair signed a prenuptial agreement. A child custody agreement in currently in place. The couple has two children, ages 15 and 16.

Questions About Divorce? Attend Our FREE Seminar!

Come to our free seminar on Thursday, February 10th from 12 pm to 1 pm at The Harris Law Firm: 1125 17th St, Suite 1820, Denver, CO 80202. Margaret Walker, Esq. will lead the seminar. To RSVP - call 303 299 9484

Appellate Court Rules that Divorce Settlement Will be Reopened Due to Worthless Assets

Attorney Steven Simkin recently appealed the courts decision regarding his divorce settlement. His portion of the assets that were divided per the divorce decree included a now worthless $2.7 million investment portfolio managed by Bernard Madoff. Simkin and his wife divorced in 2006 after a 33-year marriage, and the divorce settlement included over $6.5 million in payments from Simkin to his ex. Simkin asked that the divorce settlement be adjusted to reflect the fact that a large portion of his share of the deal was an investment account that was a worthless asset. A majority of the five …

Creating a Colorado Divorce Settlement Agreement

If the parties to a Colorado divorce action are able to come to an agreement regarding the division of marital assets and debt, and a parenting schedule, they will prepare a Separation Agreement that defines the terms of their settlement. The Separation Agreement is submitted to the family law court for review. If the Court determines that the terms are fair to the parties involved, the Court will approve the agreement. Once approved, the terms become Orders of the Court, and the parties are subject to contempt if the terms of the ag …

Trust Accounts and Colorado Divorce

If a spouse who is a party to a Colorado divorce is a beneficiary of a trust, their interest in the trust may constitute marital property under Colorado law. When trust issues are involved in a divorce matter there is generally a collaboration between the Colorado divorce attorney and the trust lawyer to determine if marital property exists within the trust. A Trust is a legal entity that can hold title to property for the benefit of one or more other persons or entities. The person who sets up the trust is called the Creator, Grantor, Trustor, Donor, or Settlor. Th …

Divorce Funding: Investing in Your Divorce

Balance Point Divorce Funding is a new Beverly Hills lender that offers to cover the cost of divorce. Their services include paying your lawyer, searching for assets that your spouse may be hiding, as well as maintaining your current lifestyle. All this in exchange for a share of the divorce proceeds. The concept is part of a larger trend of companies that invests in the lawsuits of others, supplying the plaintiffs with the funds they require to assist them in obtaining even more assets from defendants. According to recent estimates, …

The Harris Law Firm's Fort Collins Office

The Fort Collins office of The Harris Law Firm is managed by firm partner, Stephen Vertucci, and Claire Kauffman is an associate. The firm is located at 123 North College Avenue, in Suite 200 of the Executive Center, Fort Collins, CO 80524. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matter in the best way possible. When you consult with one of our attorn …

Divorce Becoming More Common in Long Term Marriages

Recent research shows that the divorce rate among couples who have been married for 2, 3 or even 4 decades is becoming more common. Although it is significantly lower when compared to a divorce rate of almost 50% among romantic  newlyweds, divorce among the long-married is still higher than it was a generation ago. Experts say that the reasons for the dissolution of marriage include the fact that we are simply living longer, and our current culture has a more open-minded acceptance than it did in the past. The public's perception remains that married cou …

Divorce Rate in Michigan Declines

The Divorce rates in Michigan are declining statewide for two reasons: 1. Couples are marrying later in life, and thus have more realistic expectations about the insitution of marriage 2. The economy in Michigan is suffering and fiances are a factor in the state's lower divorce rate. When a couple divorces, they are dividing their income in half, doubling expenses, and dividing debt, including the debt they incur filing for divorce. To read more about marital debt in the State of Colorado please click here: http://www.harrisfamilylaw.com/articles …

Author Nora Ephron Brings Wisdom and Humor to her Divorce Memoirs

In her new book I REMEMBER NOTHING: And Other Reflections, the always humorous author and screenwriter Nora Ephron reflects on the effects of her two divorces on her life and the lives of her two children. The author of Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail says: "The most important thing about me, for quite a long chunk of my life, was that I was divorced. Even after I was no longer divorced but remarried, this was true. I have now been married to my third husband for more than twenty years. But when you've had children with someone you're divorced from, divorce defines ever …

Charlie Sheen to Divorce Again

US actor Charlie Sheen filed for divorce from Brooke Mueller, his wife of two years, just days after being taken to hospital following a reported drunken incident at the Plaza Hotel in New York. The star of sitcom "Two and a Half Men" filed for the dissolution of marriage at the Los Angeles Superior Court to divorce Brooke Mueller, whom he wed in May 2008 but split from on Christmas Day 2009 when arrested in Aspen, Colorado for allegedly assaulting her. Sheen, 45, and Mueller, 33, have twin sons Bob and Max, born in March 2009. The couple have a pre-nuptial agreement, according to …

Colorado's Spousal Support (Maintenance or Alimony)

Colorado Maintenance is what we now call alimony, support, or spousal support. The "threshold requirements" to qualify for maintenance are: 1. After division of property, there is insufficient property to care for his/her reasonable needs; and 2. Inability of one spouse to support him/herself through appropriate employment and the ability of other spouse to pay support. Colorado Maintenance is based on the specifics of each case and the discretion of the Judge. The facts that the Judge will consider are: 1. The financial and non-financial contribution of each part …

What is "Equitable Division of Property"?

Often people hear the term "equitable division", and they think  that phrase means an equal (50/50) division of property in a dissolution of marriage proceeding. However, the courts are vested with discretion in dividing up martial property and distributing it among the parties. Equitable division, therefore, is not a guarantee of an even 50/50 split among the parties. A court may divide and distribute property as it deems just based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to one spouse's foregone income or educational opportunties, one spouse …

U.S. Cities with the Highest Divorce Rate

The top 10 cities reign for marital discord. 1, Panama City, FL 2, Sierra Vista, AZ 3, Charleston, WV 4, Medford, OR 5, Reno, NV 6, Deltona, FL 7. Pueblo, CO 8, Palm Bay, FL 9, Jacksonville, FL 10, Grand Junction, CO  

During Recession, Divorcing Couples Divide Debt

Rich Harris, President of The Harris Law Firm, was interviewed recently for article published by the Denver Business Journal regarding how the current recession has effected the number of divorce cases in Colorado. Rich Harris said: Assets are worth significantly less than they were a few years ago, which means divorce cases are more contentious. We now spend a lot of time fighting over the divison of debt rather than assets. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divor …

Spouse Held Accountable for "Extravagant Spending"

      In a divorce trial today, Stephen Vertucci, Partner with The Harris Law Firm, was successful in protecting 100% of client’s assets from the spouse due to the extravagant manner in which the other spouse was spending money during the divorce proceedings. The Court found that the opposing party had spent marital assets during the proceedings that exceeded day to day reasonable needs and as a consequence, the Court awarded client of The Harris Law FIrm 100% of the client's retirement assets, bank accounts, investments and equity in the marital residenc …

More on Common Law Marriage

http://www.harrisfamilylaw.com/common-law-marriage Please access the article on common law marriage by Partner Stephen Vertucci

Could Your Career Choice Make Or Break Your Marriage?

Based on Census data from 2000, and current research by Radford University, the chance of a marriage ending in divorce could be predicted by your career choice. Research indicated that Forty-three percent of marriages end in divorce when one or both of the spouses work as a dancer or choreographer. Bartenders and massage therapists have the second- and third-highest rates of divorce. Agricultural and nuclear engineers had the lowest divorce rates. By Cindi Remy

Points to Consider Before you File for Divorce

You and your attorney will be spending a great deal of time together during the divorce process, so it is important that you hire a lawyer that you trust. The dissolution of marriage can be emotionally exhausting, so choose someone with whom you are comfortable discussing the details of your situation. Consider interviewing several lawyers before you hire counsel and remember that many reputable and seasoned attorneys often charge a consultation fee. It is worth paying a nominal fee to obtain an experienced lawyer. To review this article in it's entirety, please click here- http://w …

Signs that Your Spouse May be having an Affair

        What do you look for when you think your spouse may be cheating?   These words may be an indication that your spouse is having an affair. They want you to know that they still love you, but are currently in love with someone new.   Most serious relationships begin as friendships.   Cell phone and credit card bills may start going to the office, and new passwords will protect computer access. For the entire article, please click here: http://www.harrisfamilylaw.com/signs-that-your-spouse-may-be-cheating Located in Denver (303) 299-94 …

Family Law Judges Prefer that Litigants Have Legal Representation

The better the litigant is prepared for their hearing, the more efficiently the court operates. Thus, Colorado family law judges prefer fully represented and fully prepared litigants, and say that the inexperience of pro-se litigants often has a negative effect on the operation of the court. Clients benefit from having the direction of an experienced family law attorney who can guide them through a myriad of  legal and court related issues. And using an experienced domestic relations lawyer means that your documents will be prepared and executed with for …

9 Questions to Ask a Family Law Attorney Before You Hire Them

  1. Have you ever been found in violation of an ethics rule?   Attorneys are held to high ethical standards regarding how they practice law and the customer service they provide for clients. If an attorney violates these rules, their license to practice to law can be suspended, revoked or placed on probation. Practicing law with the highest degree of ethics is at the core of what we do at The Harris Law Firm. In our firm, none of our attorneys have ever been found in violation of any ethics rules.   2. Is family law the only area of law you practice?   Th …

The Harris Law Firm Voted Best Family Law Firm

Law Week Colorado voted The Harris Law Firm as The Best Family Law Firm! The firm received this honor by the People's Choice in Law Week Colorado's Barrister's Best issue on August 30th 2010.

Tiger Free to Focus on Golf

With his divorce finally behind him, Tiger Woods will compete in his first tournament in six years as a single man at this week's Barclays Classic in Paramus, N.J., amid much speculation over his form. The scandal-hit American world No. 1 has been a shadow of his former dominant self since his double life was exposed at the end of last year following multiple revelations of his marital infidelities. Woods has yet to win in nine starts this season, produced the worst four-round performance of his PGA Tour career at the WGCBridgestone Invitational and has struggled with his mental focus -an ar …

Drug Testing in the Colorado Parenting Plan

If one parent has been accused, or has admitted using and abusing drugs and/or alcohol, then you may wish to add contingent agreements in your parenting plan that include drug and alcohol testing. The agreement may designate a certain duration, the frequency, the location of a drug and alcohol testing facility, and who is responsible to pay for the testing. Also, the agreement may reflect the conditions that occur when a drug and alcohol test is not passed. Sometimes the Court will order such conditions as part of the parenting plan. However, the parties may agree to such testing as we …

Questions About Divorce?

Come to The Harris Law Firm's  Free Questions About Divorce Seminar. The seminars are held once a month from 12 to 1 at The Harris Law Firm.  The firm is located on the 18th floor of The Chase Bank Building at 1125 17th Street, Suite 1820.  Call to make reservations for our next FREE seminar! 303 299 9484

Parents of Autistic Kids at Risk of Divorce?

Study Shows Three-Quarters of Parents of Autistic Children Stay Married By Denise Mann WebMD Health News Reviewed By Laura J. Martin, MD Aug. 6, 2010 -- Parents of children with autism may be more likely to divorce when their children reach adolescence or young adulthood than parents of children without this or other developmental disabilities, finds a new study in the August issue of the Journal of Family Psychology. Despite this increase in divorce seen as children with autism grew up, fully three-quarters of these parents did remain married, the new study showed. "You are not …

The Good Karma Divorce

The Summer/Fall edition of Divorce Magazine features life-changing insights from the book “The Good Karma Divorce” by Judge Michele Lowrance, in which she helps spouses have a destruction-free divorce by creating a “moral compass.” Readers will also learn from other experts how to forgive their former spouse and move on with their life, and how to foster their child’s long-term adjustment to divorce. The issue also offers an array of helpful answers to frequently asked questions answered by local divorce lawyers and other divorce professionals, a financial health …

Grounds for a Colorado Divorce?

A woman sees a lawyer about a divorce. "Any grounds?" he asks. Woman: Yeah, about 2 acres. Lawyer: Do you have a grudge? Woman: No, we have a car port. Lawyer: Does your husband beat you up in the morning? Woman: No, I get up before him. Agitated lawyer: Well, do you or don't you want a divorce? Woman: No, my husband wants it ... he says he can't communicate with me! Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support …

Father's Rights

 If you are a father experiencing a divorce or legal separation in the State of Colorado, it is imperative that you consult a divorce and family law attorney who can assist you in protecting your parental rights. At The Harris Law Firm, we believe that fathers’ rights should be protected and the special relationship between father’s and their children should be equal to that of the mother.  It was not that long ago that the mother in any divorce would obtain the parental rights, and the father was awarded with visitation and child support. But in Colorado and throughout …

The Current Divorce Rate is 3.5 per 1000

Although it is higher now than it was a 100 years ago, the current divorce rate has been declining for the past 20 years. In 2000, there were 4 divorces per 1,000 people, but in 2008, according to provisional data for most states from the Centers for Disease Control, that rate had decreased to 3.5 divorces per 1,000. The rate at which couples are marrying has also decreased, but the divorce rate has also declined if expressed as the number of divorces per 1,000 married couples. Among first marriages that end in dissolution, husbands divorce at a median age of 31.8 and wiv …

Divorce after 50 signals change for women

Jane Glenn Haas • McClatchy-Tribune • July 11, 2010   I can still hear my mother's voice on the other end of the phone the morning after I told my husband I wanted a divorce. "Why are you getting divorced?" mom asked. "Because I'm not happy," I said. "Whoever told you that you were entitled to be happy?" she replied. That was in the 1970s when boomer women with economic independence sent divorce rates soaring. Unlike our mothers, we felt we were indeed entitled to be happy. After studies in the 1980s chronicled the impact of d …

Facebook: Too much info?

NEW YORK -- Facebook has a new friend -- divorce lawyers. When it comes time to find damaging evidence, the lawyers say social networking sites are often among the best places to look.     The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers says 81 percent of its members have been involved with cases using social networking evidence. Facebook is by far the biggest source -- with users often posting pictures of themselves and the other man or woman. There also sexually suggestive pictures, or snapshots involving the use drugs or booze. Attorney Linda Lea Viken has this advice for h …

Independence Day for Elin Woods

Swedish model Elin Nordegren will walk away from her disastrous marriage to Tiger Woods with a cool $100 million, according to TMZ. A source "with direct knowledge of the terms of the divorce" told the celebrity news network, "She'll be getting close to $100,000,000." Earlier this week, British tabloid The Sun reported Nordegren was set to receive $750,000, but TMZ disputes this, claiming Tiger's entire net worth is somewhere between $500 and $600 million. TMZ's sources say Elin will also receive child support but the amount is unknown. By comparison, one of Woods' fa …

The History of the No-Fault Divorce

Why No Fault Divorce? Legislators viewed burden of proof to be too heavy for divorcing people; particularly on women, who simply didn't have the resources or means to prove that their husband was at-fault for the broken marriage. No-fault divorce was therefore created to alleviate this burden, and create a more civil, humane, practical and accessible divorce process. While financial, custodial and other issues would still remain in the hands of the court (unless a negotiated settlement between spouses was reached), a unilateral claim of "irreconcilable differences" was sufficient t …

Talking to Your Kids About Divorce

Although the discussion about divorce should be tailored to a child's age, maturity, and temperament, be sure to convey one basic message: What happened is between mom and dad and does not have anything to do with the kids. Most kids will feel they are to blame even after parents have said that they are not. So it's vital for parents to keep providing this reassurance. Whatever your child's immediate reaction, it's important to provide answers and reassurance about how life will change and what will stay the same. Be ready with answers to these questions, even before they're asked: …

Sandra Bullock's Divorce Finalized

After months of tabloid fodder and a very public split, the divorce between Sandra Bullock and Jesse James is now final. The couple have been in the headlines since tabloid reports of James' infidelity broke in March. James, 41, admitted to cheating on Bullock, 45, and later said he took "a pretty amazing life and marriage" and "threw it away." The two separated shortly after Bullock won the best actress Academy Award in March for her portrayal of Lee Anne Touhy, the tough-minded Memphis socialite who takes in a homeless Michael Oher in "The Blind Side." Then i …

Maintenance and the Underemployed Spouse

  In cases where a spouse is not working, or is only working part time, the court may impute a higher income to an underemployed spouse for the purposes of establishing a maintenance award. Imputing income assumes that a party is capable of earning a specific amount. The courts’ decision to impute income depends upon a variety of factors that include the expectations regarding employment that were established during the marriage, whether a spouse has made an effort to obtain a more lucrative position, and the current availability of suitable employment. The issue of imputed inc …

Colorado's Family Law Team

The Harris Law Firm, "Colorado's Family Law Team",  now has 16 family law attorneys and two locations to serve our clients, Denver and Fort Collins

Reasons for "Late in Life Divorces"

After 40 years of marriage, those close to Al and Tipper Gore say that the couple simply grew apart. And experts say that late-marriage splits are more common than we think. "We tend to mistakenly believe that once people reach a certain point in marriage, they just stop splitting up," says Betsey Stevenson, an economist at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School who studies family trends. "But that's simply not true. In fact, Stevenson says, while marriages are more likely to fail in the first 10 years, once you get past that, "the percentage of those divorci …

Congratulations to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office

      Stephen Vertucci, an associate attorney with The Harris Law Firm, is a member of the vocational services committee of the Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary Club. As the chairperson for the Rotary Emergency Services Award, this committee awards members of local fire departments, sheriff’s deputies and police officers who demonstrate outstanding public service in an emergency situation. Today, the bi-annual Rotary Emergency Services Award was presented to Larimer County Sheriff Alderden on behalf of four Larimer County Sheriff’s deputies and sergeant’s who …

Facebook as Evidence in a Colorado Divorce

Colorado attorneys are saying that they are seeing more and more instances of Facebook being a new source of evidence in divorce cases. A recent study by the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers, found Facebook is the leading source of information on marital infidelity, and indicated that 81% of the nation’s family law attorneys have stated seeing an increase in the number of cases using social networking as evidence.Since Colorado is a no-fault state, meaning evidence found on the internet regarding questionable behavior isn’t always admissible …

The Sworn Financial Statement (SFS) made easy (sort of)

    The Sworn Financial Statement (SFS) is an extremely important document in a dissolution of marriage proceeding. We cannot divide the marital estate until we know what the marital estate is, including your income, your assets and your debt. The rules require you to make full, honest and accurate disclosures, with severe penalties for failing to do so.   It looks harder than it is. In general, you have to take a financial snapshot of your life at that time. And nobody trusts you in divorce, which means that you have to provide supporting documentation for bills, e …

The Harris Law Firm Provides Advice on The Tom Martino Show

      During a recent appearance on the Tom Martino Troubleshooter program on 630 KHOW, Harris Law Firm principal, Rich Harris assisted a woman in desperate need of child support. In that case, it appeared that problems with a county social services worker were delaying her much-needed payments.? Rich offered tips on how best to deal with the caseworker to protect her rights.    

New York May Become a "No Fault" State

New York may be a front runner in many things, but family law is not one of them. Such was the general consensus of speakers at a New York State Senate hearing which focused mainly on divorce. The Senate expects to bring the bill out of committee on Monday.Speakers including lawyers, divorcees, judges and professors urged the Senate to pass legislation that would allow for no-fault divorce. Current law requires spouses to give the court a reason for the dissolution of their marriage, while a no-fault divorce law would not. New York is the only state that lacks no-fault divorce. Thi …

Tiger Would, but Elin Will Not

Tiger Woods' hopes for a reconciliation vanished when his estranged wife, Elin,returned to her home in Sweden. The move is seen as the beginning of the end of the Tiger Woods' divorce saga. Recently, Elin has been engaged in discussions with her lawyers to obtain a $500 to $600 million divorce settlement with world's most extraordinary golfer. If Elin is successful in obtaining a multi-million dollar settlement of this magnitude, it will become one of the largest divorce settlements in the history.  

Questions About Divorce?

The Harris Law Firm offers a free monthly seminar to answer your questions about the divorce process in the State of Colorado. Our upcoming "Questions About Divorce" seminar will be held on Wednesday, May 19th from 12 pm to 1 pm at the firm: 1125 17th Street, Suite 1820, Denver, CO 80202. To RSVP for this monthly event, please call 303 299 9484. Attorney and Mediator, Margaret Walker will preside.

Sports Legends Chris Evert and Greg Norman Divorce

Chris Evert and Greg Norman divorced in Key West last month just 15 months after they married. It was reported that Evert and Norman were granted a final judgment dissolving marriage and they agreed to abide by the pre-nuptial agreement they signed in June of 2008. Their divorce decree states that: “The bonds of marriage are dissolved because the marriage is irretrievably broken, and the parties are restored to the status of being single."

School Teacher Vanishes After Request for Settlement

A retired English school teacher vanished after asking for a divorce and an £800,000 settlement from her husband, a wealthy landowner in Gloucestershire.  The prosecution claims that 55-year-old Kate Prout was murdered by her estranged husband Adrian after several incidents of domestic violence. Mrs Prout, 55, has not been seen since November 5th 2007 when she vanished from her home leaving behind all of her clothing, her passport, and her credit cards. Among the items left behind after her disappearance was a diary saying that she was afraid of her husband and feared for her lif …

Family Law Judge Publishes "The Good Karma Divorce"

The dissolution of a marriage is one of the most painful changes a family can endure, but domestic relations judge Michele Lowrance says that it is possible for all concerned to have a positive divorce experience. In her recent publication, "The Good Karma Divorce," the judge offers helpful suggestions and strategies ensure that the process remains civil and professional. Ms. Lowrance recently shared some of her strategies, particularly those for helping your child through a divorce, on Good Morning America today. You can read an excerpt from "The G …

French Statutes Bans Psychological Violence' in Marriages

 Later this year, France will become the first country in the world to ban 'psychological violence' within marriage. Insulting loved ones during domestic arguments could become a crime and partners who abuse their spouses in this way could end up with a criminal record under a new French law. French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said electronic tagging would be used on repeat offenders Mr Fillon said: 'It's an important step forward as the creation of this offence will allow us to deal with the most insidious situations - situations that leave no visible scars, but which leave v …

Should Divorce be Outlawed?

With an increasing number of unhappy married couples now experiencing financial difficulties due to the ongoing economic recession, many are unable to afford a family law attorney to assist them when filing for divorce. The result of being unrepresented by legal counsel means that many couples, who are handling their divorce cases pro se, are often terminating their marriage without being fully aware of their legal rights and options regarding the division of assets and parenting time. When someone in the U.S. is accused of a crime and they cannot afford an attorney, a lawyer is appoin …

Top 10 Legal Stories of the Decade

The last decade saw a number of landmark events that helped define the American justice system, and will impact us in the decades to come.  Below are just a few from the 2000’s that were particularly noteworthy:     1. Bush versus Gore:  On December 12, 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court issued it’s ruling which effectively decided the presidential election.  Never before had the American public seen such a close presidential election (the final disparity of votes in the decisive Florida count was a few hundred votes), and never before had the Supreme Cour …

Karl Rove, Former Advisor to Bush, Granted a Divorce

Republican political operative Karl Rove, a former key adviser in the administration of President George W. Bush, has been granted a divorce in Texas. Karl and Darby Rove were married for 24 years, and a family friend has reported that they came to the decision to part mutually and amicably. The Roves have stated that they intend to  remain friends, but hope that the press will respect their privacy during this sensitive transition. The Roves spent the Christmas holiday together with their son.

Will Charlie Sheen Divorce Again?

After spending most of Christmas day in an Aspen jail, could Charlie Sheen be headed for yet another divorce? Charlie was removed from their holiday rental when his wife, Brooke Sheen, called 911 saying that her husband was threatening her with a weapon. Police removed Mr. Sheen from the $7 million dollar house and he spent the next 8 hours in jail before posting bail in the amount of $8,500. Mr. Sheen has since left Colorado and returned to Los Angeles, while Mrs. Sheen remains in Aspen with their twins, Bob and Max. When the dust settles, it has been reported that Mr. and …

Nevada Governor and First Lady Prepare for Trial

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons would have liked to spend the rest of 2009 planning his re-election campaign, and dealing with the state's enormous budget deficit. Instead, he and Nevada's first lady, Dawn Gibbons, will be dealing with their pending divorce and preparing for trial in a Reno courtroom.  Jim recently evicted his wife of 23 years from the governor's mansion. The media will likely have a field day with the upcoming hearing when Mrs. Gibbons and her attorney resurrect some of the scandals that have followed Gibbons, including his alle …

Free Family Law Seminars by the Denver Bar Association

Every third Tuesday of each month, the Denver Bar Association provides a Free Legal Seminar to address Family Law concerns. Jennie R. Wray and Carla Scarpone from The Harris Law Firm contribute to these Family Law Seminars every other month and address issues surrounding divorce, child custody, child support and legal separation.

Tiger Needs to Act Now in Order to Save His Marriage

Mrs. Tiger Woods, Elin,  is preparing for a bitter custody battle with her philandering husband over the couple's two young children, Sam and Charlie.  The former model has threatened to limit the golf star's parenting time to occasional visits only. Elin had been prepared to discuss a joint parenting plan with Woods, but she has had a change of heart because of her husband's refusal to see a sex addiction therapist. His denial of the problem and subsequent refusal to seek treatment has driven Elin, 29, to try to limit his involvement in t …

The Harris Law Firm Also Offers Mediation

The Harris Law Fim also offers alternative dispute resolution via mediation. Our mediators are: Margaret Walker, Kevin Massaro and Carrie Eckstein For mediation services at The Harris Law Firm: Please call us at 303 299 9484 Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matter in the best way possible. When you consult with one of our attorneys, the expert lega …

Tiger and Elin Headed for Divorce

Mrs. Tiger Woods, Elin Nordegren is reportedly retaining one of the best divorce attorneys in the country to end her troubled marriage to Tiger Woods. She has consulted with Mr. Sorrell Trope, the dean of Hollywood’s most illustrious divorce lawyers. Nobody has more experience at tearing celebrity marriages asunder than Mr. Trope who began practicing family law in 1949. His  star clients span the generations from Cary Grant and Rod Steiger to Nicole Kidman, Nicolas Cage, Hugh Grant and Britney Spears. While Trope is no expert on the law in Florida …

Resolving Disputes Via Mediation

Mediation is a less stressful alternative to resolving your family issues in a Colorado courtroom. Although it is not unusal for family law issues to settle just before the hearing after significant delays, high drama, adversity, and enormous legal costs, the costs of litigation include monetary expenses, extensive time and energy, hard feelings, and the deterioration of communication and relationships. Also, these altercations may set the stage for future battles, and a vicious cycle of future conflicts begins. Keep in mind that while many conflict …

Is it too late for Tiger?

It has been reported that Tiger Woods' wife Elin Nordegren has moved out of their marital home, and has consulted with several divorce lawyers regarding a possible separation following the Christmas holidays.  Apparently Elin has been recently photographed without her wedding band that she has worn throughout the five-year marriage.  Tiger, however, now appears ready to fight for his family, and announced on Friday he was taking an indefinite break from golf in a bid to save his marriage and become a "better husband, father and person."

THe Harris Law Firm and the Bob Telmosse' Christmas Giveaway!

Imagine how you might react if a large crowd began to form in front of your house asking for help with food for the holiday!  This is exactly how the Bob Telmossé Christmas Giveaway began as a hoax.   In the spring of 1982, someone placed a holiday ad in the Gazette stating that Bob’s business was giving away free food.  When the crowd showed up, asking for food, Bob was unaware of the ad.  He asked the people to come back the next day and he personally purchased food for them.  As more and more people came, Bob enlisted the help of the media who …

New Years Resolution:Healing the Pain of Divorce

For people facing the pain of divorce or separation, the New Year is a good time to commit to the healing process. A marital breakup can be devastating because it will affect your emotions, self-esteem, children, finances and energy levels. With so much personal upheaval, most people going through divorce are unsure of how to find healing from the hurt, and hope for the future. Many experience a breakthrough in this process by attending recovery support groups. The groups are made up of people who understand the depth of emotions and the "Why?" inherent in the divorce process …

Are New York Divorce Laws Bonds of Marriage or Shackles?

The New York appellate court has recently ruled that "Social Abandonment" is not grounds for divorce, and thus New York remains the nation’s only state that does not adhere to the "No-Fault" statute. According to New York domestic law, the fact that a woman's husband has moved her out of the marital bedroom, ignores her, refuses to eat meals with her, attend family gatherings, or otherwise interact with her in any social manner may be an indication that they have "irreconcilable differences," but the New York court has ruled that these fa …

Divorce Rate Declines During the "Great Recession"

A positive side effect of the current economic downturn is that the US divorce rate declined during the first full year of what is being called The Great Recession.  According to Census Bureau data, the divorce rate fell 4 percent in 2008 to 16.9 divorces per 1,000 married women, . It had previously been on an upward swing, rising from 16.4 divorces per 1,000 married women in 2005 to 17.5 in 2007. But research shows that some couples may remain married only until economic conditions improve. If past trends are an indicator, some of the decline in the current divorce rate …

Veteran Singer/Songwriter Paul Anka Files for Divorce

Only hours after Anna Yaeger called the police to report an incident of domestic violence, her singer and songwriter husband, Paul Anka, filed for divorce. The pair, married only 18 months, became embroiled in a bitter argument outside their California home last week after Anka discovered that his wife had fired the family housekeeper. Yaeger, a personal trainer in L.A., called 911, telling officers she feared for her safety and claimed that her husband had pointed a loaded pistol at her on a previous occasion. No arrests were made, but Anka admitte …

Orders of Protection

Orders of protection can be obtained by individuals to prevent stalking, abuse, or the threat of abuse.  At the initial court appearance, the protected party may receive a temporary protective order. Approximately 14 days later, the protected party must attend a second hearing to make the temporation order of protection permanent.  The restrained party must attend in order to contest the order. Both parties must meet the court's procedural requirements and provide the burden of proof to either enforce, or contest a protection order. Locat …

Forensic Accountants May be Required to Uncover Assets

After filing for divorce in the State of Colorado, both spouses are required by law to disclose financial information to other party. The required data includes pay stubs, bank statements, retirement statement accounts, tax returns, credit card statements, etc.  The parties are also required to file sworn statements with the Court regarding monthly income and expenses.  In complex cases, especially those where businesses are involved, it may be necessary to hire a forensic account to trace and uncover assets if one of the parties suspects that the other is less th …

Research Shows that Monogamy is not for the Birds

AUSTRALASIAN gannets, seabirds that were previously believed to mate for life, apparently have a "divorce rate" that is similar to humans. Researcher Steffi Ismar from Auckland University said that orthinologists once considered the birds to be strictly monogamous, but observations of a colony on New Zealand's Cape Kidnappers over a 3 year period revealed their rate of separation from one breeding season to the next is about 40 per cent.  Australasian gannets are large birds that breed on islands off Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand, each pair producing …

Attorney with The Harris Law Firm Discusses Careers in Law

On November 17, 2009, Stephen Vertucci, a family law attorney with The Harris Law Firm, was a moderator for an ethics discussion with Northern Colorado high school students interested in careers involving law or law enforcement.  Stephen is a committee member of the Vocational Services Committee of the Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary Club.  His committee helped organize and coordinate a three day program where business leaders and Rotarians from Northern Colorado served as moderators of an ethics discussion where students were challenged with a series of difficult ethical dilemmas that …

Denver Therapist Jeannie Lee Discusses Conflict

Creatively Approaching Conflict - Tip   Turn Down the Impact (Notice that this is about the PROBLEM, not the other person.  If the two (or more) who are in conflict can do this together it will be all that much more effective.  Realizing that the two of you are on the same team, put the problem out in front of you and then proceed.) Imagine that the problem you are having has a sound. Maybe it's a siren.  Maybe it's clanging cymbals.  Maybe it's scratchy static. Maybe it's like a child screaming.  How loud is it?  If it's a particularly pesky proble …

Couples Take Vacations with the Marriage Counselor in Tow

In this year's disappointing and far from amusing Hollywood comedy Couples Retreat: Return to Eden, 4 married couples attempt to jump start their marriages by undergoing couples counseling on an island resort. At about the same time the movie was floundering at the boxoffice, a group of Indian travel agents began to market a new twist for a tourism, a divorce package designed to help clients salvage their relationships while vacationing on an island paradise. KV Tours & Travels in Mumbai, sent couples on the verge of div …

It's Thanksgiving Again at The Denver Rescue Mission!

Each year the attorneys and staff at The Harris Law Firm donate funds to provide a hearty Thanksgiving banquet for the men, women and children at the Denver Rescue Mission. This holiday season, thanks to the generosity of the entire Denver community, over 500 men, women, and children will be served a hot thanksgiving meal. All guests will also receive hats, gloves, and scarves as well as the opportunity to call their families free of charge, a service provided by Quest.

A $Billion Divorce - for the U.S. Government

The U.S. government may be the recipient of billions of dollars in court-ordered restitution under a new divorce decree between imprisoned former Cendant Corp. chairman Walter Forbes and Caren Forbes, his wife of 27 years. Bridgeport Superior Court Judge Howard Owens issued a ruling on Thursday that orders Forbes' ex-wife, to transfer ownership of the couple's homes in Connecticut and Wisconsin back to Mr. Forbes, plus half of the couple's jewelry and art collections.  The ruling allows the federal government and Cendant to attach liens to recover almost $3.3 billion to which the court says th …

English Divorces Can be Uncivilized, Actually

A new study out of London has indicated that a bitter divorce in England means that one in three children will permanently lose touch with a parent, usually the father. The research also showed that one in five parents said that their primary objective during separation was to make the experience “as unpleasant as possible” for their former spouse. As a result, 20% of the children involved said that they “felt used” by their parents, with 33% feeling isolated and lonely. Half of parents involved said that they had sought a day in court to&nbs …

Divorce in the Big Apple: Art Imitates Life

Four New York City actors/playrights have turned their own parents divorces into the subjects of their new theater production. According to press notes, "The play explores each couple's first meeting, the ups and downs of their marriage, their split, and the surprising perspectives on life after divorce. In these alternately funny, devastating, revelatory and moving performances, the four actors are the conduits of their parents' stories and, inevitably though sometimes inadvertently, also of their own experiences of family division. This provocative show reveals the s …

The Determination of Paternity - Who's Your Daddy?

Michael Cheroutes, Jr., a partner at The Harris Law Firm say, "The father's name that appears on the birth certificate is not the final determination of paternity.   Generally, the father who is named on the birth certificate can institute a paternity proceeding and request genetic testing to dispute paternity up until the time the child is five years old."

Divorce: Like a Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone guitarist, Ronnie Wood is expected to pay his ex-wife Jo £6.5 million after the two were granted a divorce on November 11th, 2009. A judge at London's High Court issued a decree nisi separation for the couple after the rocker admitted having an affair with 21-year-old Ekaterina Ivanova. Woods began dating the young woman shortly before he separated from his wife, to whom he had been married for 24 years. The £6.5 million payout is likely to add further economic strife to Mr. Wood, who recently reported that his fortune has been reduced by …

All Star's Wife Files for Divorce in L.A.

Shaquille O'Neal's wife, Va'Shaundya O' Neal has filed for a legal separation from the All Stars center.  On November 9th, Mrs. O' Neal filed for a legal separation with intent to divorce in Los Angeles. She cited irreconcilable differences and is seeking spousal, child support and full legal custody of the couple's four children. "This is a difficult time for our family, and we request that the media respect our privacy," Shaquille O'Neal said. "I will continue to focus on being there for our children and I am confident that Shaunie will do the same." The O' …

Attorney Jennie Wray to Ski at the Pink Chase Fundraiser!

"Pink Chase" is an upcoming fundraiser that will allow women of all ages and disciplines to get involved in an all women's snow event! Attorney Jennie Wray with The Harris Law Firm will help make a difference by participating in this fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF)! Eveyone will have the oppportunity to win great prizes and have a ton of fun skiing and riding with the K2 Alliance, their friends and other women teams for a day! On December 12th, 2009 at Keystone Resort, CO, teams of 3 women will compete against each other by trying to ski …

Married in America

On the national level, the recent U.S.Census Bureau survey showed that a shrinking share of Americans are married: 52% of males ages 15 and older and 48% of females ages 15 and older. The proportion of Americans who are currently married has been diminishing for decades and is lower than it has been in 50 years. Furthermore, the median age at first marriage has been climbing for decades: It now stands at 28 years of age for men and 26 for women

Paralegal with The Harris Law Firm Receives Award!

The Harris Law firm is proud to announce that Beth Wilkins, a Certified Paralegal with the firm, has been awarded the Pro Bono Paralegal of the Year award from the National Federation of Paralegals Association. Ms. Wilkins is a member of the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association and chairs the Wills on Wheels committee, which offers free estate planning and educational programs to qualifying low income elderly and disabled adults in the Denver metro area. Beth is a generous and committed professional who has contributed many hours of her time to this valuable service since 1992. The Harris Law …

Claiming Your Child as a Tax Deduction

Unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties, the Colorado court shall allocate the right to claim dependent children for income tax purposes between the parties. These rights shall be allocated between the parties in proportion to their contributions to the costs of raising the children. A parent shall not, however, be entitled to claim a child as a dependent if he or she has not paid all court-ordered child support for that tax year or if claiming the child as a dependent would not result in any tax benefit. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris La …

The State of Marriage

Findings from the recently released 2008 American Community Survey have offered a detailed portrait from the U.S. Census Bureau regarding marriage and divorce statistics at the state level.  In Arkansas and Oklahoma, men and women marry early, and 50% of first-time brides in these states were age 24 or younger on their wedding day.  Residents of Massachusetts and New York marry later in life. Half of ever-married New York men were older than age 30 when they first wed.  Texas is the home state of more thrice-married adults than any other state, about 428 …

Join Us for the Home for the Holidays Run on Nov. 14th!

Join us for the Home for the Holidays 5k walk/run on Saturday, November 14th at 9 am! Carrie Chaille Eckstein, Esq., and The Harris Law Firm, will be participating in the event in Central Park at Stapleton, located at Martin Luther King Blvd  & Central Park Blvd. This walk-run will benefit the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless!

Jim Nantz's Wife to Receive Substantial Divorce Settlement

According to court records, CBS Sportscaster Jim Nantz, whose annual income is $7 million, will have to pay his ex-wife, Lorrie, $72,000 a month in maintenance for the rest of her life. In addition, he will be paying $1,000 a week in child support until their 16-year-old daughter turns 23 years of age. The couple had been married for 26 years.

Fewer Divorces in 2009 Due to Difficult Economic Climate

Financial difficulties often drive couples apart, but the current recession seems to be having the opposite effect, with fewer couples being able to afford the cost of a divorce. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) said more than 50% of the respondents to its latest survey among its 1,600 members had cited a drop in divorce filings during the current recession which has cut jobs, salaries and house prices. In total, 57 percent of the family law attorneys surveyed noted fewer divorce filings since the last quarter of 2008. Only 14 percent noted an increase in …

Corey Feldman's Wife Files for Divorce

Corey Feldman's wife has filed for divorce after seven years of marriage. Court records show Susannah Feldman - who married the Goonies star in 2002 - filed for divorce last week and cited irreconcilable differences as the cause of the split.  Feldman, who found fame in the 80s with movies such as The Goonies, The Lost Boys and Stand By Me, has a five-year-old son with his wife.  Susannah Feldman is seeking sole custody of the child, with visitation rights for the actor. She is also seeking an unspecified amount of spousal support.

Will California Ban Divorce?

Last November, California voters approved an initiative that halted same-sex marriage within the state, but a new initiative, filed by John Marcotte, a married father of 2, would ban divorce as well.  The "2010 California Marriage Protection Act" would halt married couples from breaking up within the state of California, and Marcotte says his cause is gaining momentum. Now that the initiative has been filed with state officials, 700,000 signatures are needed to put it on the 2010 ballot. Marcotte says support has been pouring in already. Marcotte's website, RescueMarriage …

Divorce May Benefit Her Career

Actress Robin Wright Penn thinks her film career will benefit from her impending divorce from Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn. Ms. Wright filed for divorce from Penn in August of this year citing irreconcilable differences. This was the third time the couple filed for the dissolution of marriage, and she says that she is now ready for a new beginning. Wright wants to focus on her career now because she is single and her two children with Penn are older. Hopper is 16 now and Dylan is 18. In a recent interview, Ms. Wright said: "I turned down so many films b …

Jamie McCourt, CEO of the LA Dodgers, Separated and Out of a Job

Jamie McCourt, CEO of the LA Dodgers and wife of the team's owner, Frank McCourt, was fired from her position yesterday when the team was eliminated from the National League Championship Series a night earlier. Saddened by her termination, Mrs. McCourt indicated that she will address this and other issues in court. Frank McCourt, the Dodgers owner, confirmed their marital separation last week.

Wife of ESPN Sportscaster Files for Divorce

Mrs. Marni Phillips, wife of ESPN baseball analyst Stephen Phillips, a former manager of the New York Mets, has filed for divorce in Connecticut. Apparently Mrs. Phillips was recently made aware of her husband's long-term sexual affair when his former lover sent her a letter. In the suit filed in Superior Court, Mrs. Phillips has claimed that their marriage of 19 years has "broken down irretrievably." In addition to seeking an unspecified amount for spousal maintenance and child support, Mrs. Philips is seeking primary custody …

Man Receives a Goat in Divorce Settlement

An Australian man was awarded his ex-wife's pet goat as part of a divorce settlement. Steve Killeen said the couple purchased the goat on the Internet a year ago when his then wife was searching online for a hairless cat. "When she saw pictures of the baby goats, she and Killeen decided to go with a  pet goat instead of a cat." Killeen's wife took the family dog with her following their divorce, but Killeen received custody of the goat.

Pop Punk Singer Files for Divorce

After only three years of marriage, 25 year old pop punk singer, Avril Lavigne has filed for divorce in Los Angeles from her musician husband. Married in 2006, Lavigne has asked the court to rule against the payment of spousal maintenance to  Sum 41 singer Deryck Jason Whibley. Ms. Lavigne has  cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the divorce. The couple has no children.      

International Child Abduction in Japan

On Friday, October 16th, U.S. Ambassador John Roos and ambassadors from Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand and Spain urged Japan to resolve a growing number of international child custody disputes.  On October 15th, Japanese police freed an American man accused of abducting his own children. Japanese law currently allows only one divorced parent to act as custodian, and in these cases, the custodial parent is usually the mother. Unfortunately this leaves many dads without parenting time until their children have reached the age of majority.&nbs …

The Harris Law Firm Welcomes Yet ANOTHER New Associate!

The Harris Law Firm is pleased to announce that Christina Apostoli has joined the firm as a new Associate Attorney. Ms. Apostoli spent 6 years as a Deputy District Attorney in the 18th Judicial District assigned to the Special Victims Unit (SVU) and brings to the firm her experience as a skilled litigator. Welcome to the team, Chris!

The Harris Law Firm Welcomes Another New Associate!

The Harris Law Firm is pleased to announce that J. Ryann Peyton has joined the firm as an Associate Attorney. In addition to her family law practice, Ms. Peyton also holds an LLM in taxation. Welcome to the team, Ryann!

Spain and Brazil Agree that Divorce is Socially Acceptable

Spain is the second only to Brazil in their social perception that obtaining a divorce is better than living in a loveless marriage. Seventy nine per cent of the Spanish people are in agreement that when a couple is not able to solve their marital problems, divorce is the best solution. Their acceptance of the dissolution of marriage  places Spain and Brazil far ahead of the northern European countries, and the United States, cultures traditionally considered to be more liberal in the social acceptation of divorce.

Malaysia Offers Free Honeymoons to Rekindle Marriages!

Malaysia, a predominently Muslim state, is offering free honeymoon packages worth up to $440 each to rekindle the romance between married couples on the brink of divorce. The package also offers free counseling for the troubled couples and is the state's attempt to slow soaring divorce rates. So far, 25 couples facing marital woes have been selected for the  3 day honeymoon package.  Divorce is permitted under Islam law, but frowned upon. The Prophet Mohammed saying divorce was, in the eyes of God, the most distasteful lawful act.

Christy Brinkley's Ex-Husband Wants Her in Jail

    A year after their divorce,  supermodel Christy Brinkley and her philandering ex husband Peter Cook fought a new battle in a New York courtroom yesterday. Both parties charged the other with violating terms of their settlement. Unable to come to an agreement, a subsequent hearing will be held on Tuesday. Peter Cook, whose affair with a local teenager ended their marriage, claims Brinkley is trying to alienate their 2 kids from him. Cook claimed that Brinkley's refusal to provide him with their son's passport resulted in the child being unable to go on a school trip to …

Can I Be Denied a Passport if I Owe Back Child Support?

You may be denied a passport by the Department of State if you owes more than $5,000 in child support arrearages pursuant to federal law.  It depends, in part, on whether a human services agency has contacted the Department of State and placed a hold for non-payment.

Usher Not Ready to Sign the Papers

Although Usher's latest track, "Papers", feature lyrics about how he is ready to "sign the papers", apparently the singer's life is not referencing his art. His soon to be former wife Tameka says that she is ready to move on with her life and finds his hesitation to sign their agreement curious since he filed for divorce in June of this year.

Super Model Jordan Plans to Celebrate Her Freedom

With just weeks to go until her marriage to Peter Andre has officially ended, 31 year old Supermodel Jordan is preparing for a gala to celebrate her new found freedom! Jordan is preparing to invite her friends to celebrate the start of her new life. “Divorce parties are a great idea and   // if (typeof dartOrd == 'undefined') dartOrd=Math.random()*10000000000000000000;(function (x) { if (tm.defer) {tm.defer.defer(x); } else { document.write(x);}})(' 'ipt type="text/javascript" ' + 'src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/adj/dailymirror.4240/' + 'celebs_mputwo__300x250;'+mirrDar …

The Harris Law Firm Welcomes a New Associate

The Harris Law Firm is pleased to announce that Carrie Chaille Eckstein, our newest Associate Attorney, has joined the firm. In addition to handling legal matters associated with divorce and child custody, Ms. Eckstein also brings her experience as a CFI and a mediator to Colorado's Family Law Team! Welcome to the firm, Carrie!

Texas Judge Will Hear Gay Divorce Case

Texas is getting national attention after a judge cleared the way for two Dallas men to obtain a divorce.   The judge said the court has the right to hear the divorce suit because the couple was legally married in another state. The judge further stated the state's ban on same sex marriage violates the constitutional guarantee to equal protection under the law. State Attorney General Greg Abbott said he is appealing the ruling because Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in 2005. Texas governor Rick Perry said the ruling is flawed and is confid …

Court to hear gay divorce in Texas, despite gay marriage ban

// DALLAS (Reuters) – A judge in Dallas ruled on Thursday that the state court on which she sits has the jurisdiction to hear a divorce suit by a gay couple who were married outside Texas where same-sex marriages are banned. Dallas District Judge Tena Callahan said in the ruling that her court "has jurisdiction to hear a suit for divorce filed by persons legally married in another jurisdiction and who meet the residency and other prerequisites required to file for divorce in Dallas County, Texas." Texas Attorney General …

Something Fishy About Division of Assets

Pasadena police find goldfish fried, others eaten PASADENA, Texas — A Houston-area woman apparently burned up at her former common-law husband fried their pet goldfish and ate some of them.Pasadena police say it's a civil matter and no charges will be filed. The seven goldfish were purchased together by the couple during happier times.Police spokesman Vance Mitchell says the man on Saturday reported the woman took the goldfish from his apartment.Mitchell says the two earlier argued about some jewelry he gave her, then allegedly took back and she wanted the bling returned.Officers …

Kate Plus Eight, Plus Alimony?

Jon Gosselin Puts Divorce On Hold   Jon Gosselin could be angling for maintenance as the reality TV star since he has delayed his divorce from Kate Gosselin. The news comes on the same day that Jon Gosselin's starring role was eliminated from the reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8." Gosselin's lawyer filed to delay the divorce by as much as 90 days. Jon Gosselin is telling the press he wants to postpone the hearing in order to have the time necessary to improve his relationship with his wife for the benefit his children. "I regret my conduct since Kate …

Divorcing when one party is living out of state

If you can work out an agreement with your soon to be former spouse, you do not necessarily have to be present for any part of the proceeds.   Most of the work can be accomplished via mail, phone, fax, or email, but in the event that there is a trial you would likely want to be present for that.  Please note that some judges are very flexible about telephone testimony, but others require attendance in person. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and …

No Divorces Allowed During Chinese Holiday

"We will be working voluntarily during the holiday to issue marriage certificates but we will not be making any divorce appointments," said officer Wang, who is in charge of the Marriage and Adoption Registration Centre in Yuzhong district in central Chongqing city.

Nevada Has Highest Divorce Rate in Country

Experts weigh in on state's No. 1 divorce rate Nevada had the highest divorce rate of any state in the nation last year with 14.2 percent of the population having been through one, according to new figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau.// triggerAd(1,PaginationPage,10);// ]]> Experts point to alcohol, gambling and the overall 24-hour environment filled with dancers, showgirls and brothels as likely contributors to the high rate across the state, including Reno -- once known as the "Divorce Capital of the World." "There's a lot of temptation, so to speak, because it …

Falling Assets May Push Wealthy Clients Toward Divorce

Private Wealth, September/October 2009 It's a familiar story: A husband and wife in their 50s have been married for 25 years with grown children. They've always bickered and then one day, after an argument erupts, the wife blurts out, "I want a divorce." What's not so familiar is the way the economy influences the outcome. In this real-life scenario, the husband worked on Wall Street earning $1 million a year, but he lost that job and his new position pays only $300,000 a year. The wife never had more than a part-time job paying very little, something that's always been a …

Judge Rules in the Best Interest of the Dog

How Much is that Doggie in the Courtroom?For now, the legal fight about Dexter the dog is over, but at least one"parent" isn't happy with a judge's custody decision. New Jersey Family PartJudge John Tomasello said Dexter must spend equal time with Doreen Housemanand Eric Dare. Judge Tomasello ordered  the former couple to share custodyof Dexter, after the pair paid lawyers more than $40,000 in fees. The judgeruled that the dog must spend equal time with Doreen Houseman and Eric Dare.The case may set a precedent for courts to look past how much a pet cost,and instead consider the subje …

Can I have my brief marriage annulled?

The length of time depends on the reason for the invalidity.  The statute is below.  Paragraphs (1)(a) to (g) are the reasons for invalidity.  Paragraph 2 lists the time limits for each reason. C.R.S. 14-10-111 (1) The district court shall enter its decree declaring the invalidity of a marriage entered into under the following circumstances: (a) A party lacked capacity to consent to the marriage at the time the marriage was solemnized, either because of mental incapacity or infirmity or because of the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other incapacitating substances. (b) …

Jon and Kate Plus 8 Divorce to be Delayed

Jon Gosselin’s divorce lawyer has dropped him as a client, according to Pennsylvania court records. Charles J. Meyer — an attorney with the Pennsylvania-based Elliot Greenleaf firm — filed a petition with the Montgomery County, Pa., court system to withdraw as Jon's counsel. His divorce from wife of ten years, Kate, was set to be finalized in October, but now the process likely will be delayed.

London Divorce Capital of Europe

LONDON (AFP) – London has become the "divorce capital of Europe," where the wives of wealthy men feel they can walk away with a fortune after only a few years of marriage, a top lawyer said on Tuesday.But the trend is paternalistic and sends the wrong message to women, said Baroness Ruth Deech, head of the Bar Standards Board, which promotes best practice in the legal profession.High-profile divorce settlements reached in London recently include that of Beatles legend Paul McCartney and Heather Mills -- she walked away with 24.3 million pounds of his 400 million pound fortune."The message we …

London is the Divorce Capital of Europe

London has become the "divorce capital of Europe," where celebrities' and footballers' wives feel they can make a mint after only a few years of marriage, a top lawyer said on Tuesday. But the trend is paternalistic and sends the wrong message to women, said Baroness Ruth Deech, head of the Bar Standards Board, which promotes best practice in the legal profession. High-profile divorce settlements reached in London recently include that of Beatles legend Paul McCartney and Heather Mills -- she walked away with 24.3 million pounds of his 400 million pound fortune. "The me …

Can I Take $ From My 401K After I File for Divorce?

The automatic injunction does not allow this.  Either party is free to use marital property to satisfy expenses in usual course of business or for necessities of life, but major expenditures must be agreed to by your spouse, or you’ll have to request a Court order to take a distribution from your retirement account.  Even then, you will be expected to account for how the money is spent.

Hugh Hefner to Divorce Wife of 20 Years

After an 11-year separation, Playboy magnet, Hugh Hefner filed for divorce from Kimberly Conrad in Los Angeles County, citing irreconcilable differences.  Hefner and former playmate, Conrad, were married in July 1989 but separated nine years later. Conrad continued living next to the Playboy mansion with the support of Hefner who paid Conrad $250,000 a year, pursuant to their prenuptial agreement.

Princess Caroline of Monaco to Divorce Husband #3

Princess Caroline of Monaco appears to be heading for divorce. The 52-year-old princess has been living a separate life from Prince Ernst of Hanover, 55, her husband of 10 years. Caroline  has apparently moved out of her family chateau in Fountainbleau, south of Paris, and gone back to the Mediterranean Principality of Monaco. She has also removed their daughter, 10-year-old Princess Alexandra of Hanover, from her Fountainbleau school and enrolled her at the Ecole de la Condamine in Monaco.The couple has five children from previous marriages.

Free Seminar at The Harris Law Firm

The Harris Law Firm's free "Questions About Divorce Seminar" will be held on Tuesday, September 15th from 12 pm to 1pm at the firm. The Harris Law Firm is located at 1125 17th Street, Suite 1820, Denver, CO 80202. To RSVP, please call 303 299 9484. Space is limited!

Are Social Security Benefits Considered Gross Income?

If your ex is receiving social security disability benefits, a portion of what he is receiving might be for the benefit of the children.  Social Security for disability should be included in gross income for purposes of calculating child support.

Cook's Business Thrived During Divorce from Christie Brinkley

Christie Brinkley's cheating ex-husband Peter Cook is benefiting from the publicity surrounding the pair's messy divorce last year - the bitter court battle has revived his career. The architect and his supermodel ex endured a lengthy break-up, during which Brinkley accused him of harboring a porn addiction. The pair - who share two children - split after the model learned of her husband's 2004 affair with a teenage assistant, hearing the details from her love rival's concerned parents. But Cook insists he has not suffered too badly from the high-profile divorce - because it's made hi …

Internet Divorces?

The Brazilian Senate has approved a bill that would allow consensual divorces to be filed and resolved on the Internet. The Senate's official news agency says the bill would speed divorce proceedings, allowing couples to split without lawyers or having to wait in line in court. Couples could file for legal separations, divide property and decide alimony via the Internet as well, according to the bill approved Wednesday by the Senate constitutional commission. The bill would have to be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva prior to b …

Leann Rimes Confirms Divorce Rumors

Leann Rimes has confirmed her marriage to dancer Dean Sheremet is over -- the couple is to divorce after seven years of marriage. The pair's relationship was put in the spotlight earlier this year when the singer was caught on camera kissing her "Northern Lights" co-star Eddie Cibrian during a secret dinner date. Both stars denied reports of an affair, but the rumors never went away. Gossip was fueled when Cibrian split from his wife, Brandi Glanville, last month, and she subsequently announced their plans to divorce. Rimes was rumored to have split from Sheremet, but never …

Alex White on KHOW -Tom Martino Show - 630 AM Radio

Alexandra White, a partner at The Harris Law Firm, was on the Tom Martino Show today at 12:30 pm discussing Colorado family law. Alex discussed Colorado as a no fault state, and how in cases where adultery is involved, the courts seek to have divorcing parties focus on the division of assets and the creation of a viable parenting plan rather than attempting to assign blame.

Annulment: Declaration of Invalidity

In 1971 Colorado revised its approach to family law by adopting the Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act.  Not only did this law change divorces to dissolutions and gave us the concept of “No-Fault”, it also replaced the term annulment with “Declaration of Invalidity”.  The approach that Colorado adopted narrowed the definition of an invalid marriage to the point that few people can end their marriages with a Declaration of Invalidity. A marriage may be annulled (declared invalid) if: 1) A party lacked capacity to consent to the marriage at the time the p …

A Brief History of Legal Time

John H. Tatlock, an attorney for The Harris Law Firm, has written an article for the September issue of The Colorado Lawyer summarizing the sweeping proposed modifications to the federal rules that govern how court deadlines and time periods are computed. The Judicial Conference of the United States has adopted and recommended to the U.S. Supreme Court more than 170 changes to the federal, civil, criminal, bankruptcy and apppellate time-computation rules and deadlines. The proposed rules not only would alter current time-period calculations, but also would eliminate the "dual-track" …

Will Colorado Follow New Missouri State Law?

In a move that took public records advocates by surprise, a Missouri state law that goes into effect today closes most documents in divorces currently on file in Missouri courts. Court clerks will now be required to shield information in those files on the parties' Social Security numbers, credit card numbers and bank accounts. Legislators said the changes were needed to reduce identity theft. Under federal law, child-support orders must include the full Social Security numbers of parents and any minor children, and this information can provide an inviting target for identity thieves. Those wh …

Attorney Jennie Wray Climbs Mount Blanc!

On August 17th, 2009, attorney Jennie Wray climbed Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. Located in the Alps on the French-Italian border, the summit is 15,781 feet above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence. Mont Blanc is also known as "La Dame Blanche", or “The White Lady.” Mont Blanc has numerous glaciers, the largest of which (the Mer de Glace) flows into the valley of Chamonix, a famous French resort region and the starting point for most climbers, including Jennie and her husband, Caleb Wray. The Harris Law Firm congratulates attorney Jennie …

Attorney Encourages Judges to Take a Stand

Stephen Vertucci, a family law attorney at The Harris Law Firm, is noticing a disturbing trend in cases involving relatively few assets and a marital residence that has decreased in value in today’s real estate market.  Attorneys are desperately trying to become “creative” in efforts to create a larger division of assets for their clients. “Too often, I’m seeing lawyers demanding accountings of how money was spent by a party years and years prior to the divorce.  These demands include that if the party cannot produce a clear explanation and documentation …

Colorado Spousal Maintenance

Prior to negotiating for “Maintenance” in the State of Colorado, a term also referred to as “Alimony” or “Spousal Support” in other states, the parties to divorce proceedings must consider whether the maintenance award will be modifiable or non-modifiable. Modifiable Maintenance Most maintenance awards are subject to modification, meaning that either party can file a motion to modify the original court order. For some parties, modifiable maintenance is desired so they have the option of increasing, decreasing, or terminating the amount of the award i …

Sean Penn and Robin Wright Moving Forward with Divorce

When Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn attended the 2009 Academy Awards together in February, the couple – whose 13-year marriage had its share of ups and downs over the past two years – seemed to be on-again.But six months later, the reconciliation ended with Wright filing for divorce Aug. 12. According to the legal papers in Marin County, Calif., the estranged couple "agreed to division of all property" and shared custody" of son Hopper Jack, 16. They also have a daughter together, Dylan, 18.The legal action culminates their roller-coaster relationship, which started when both Wright, 43, and …

Text Messages as Evidence in French Divorce Cases

PARIS – Unfaithful spouses in France beware: Passionate text messages sent to mistresses and lovers can now be used as evidence against you in a divorce. Experts say the recent ruling by France's Supreme Court to accept phone exchanges as legitimate proof of adultery will make it easier for the French to get divorced. Previously, French husbands and wives often had to wait for years to escape a marriage if they could not prove that their spouse was misbehaving or mistreating them. The June ruling by the country's highest court went largely unnoticed until it was reported by the Fre …

Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn File for Divorce...AGAIN

Actress Robin Wright Penn has filed for divorce from her husband of 13 years. Mrs. Penn filed for divorce from actor Sean Penn in Marin County on August 12, 2009. The couple married in 1996 and has previously filed for divorce on two separate occassions, only to dismiss their petition a short time later. The couple has agreed to share parenting time with their 16 year old son, Hopper Jack Penn.

John Cleese Divorce Settlement No Laughing Matter

Funny man John Cleese of Monty Python fame has settled his divorce from his third wife for $19.7 million, a sum that is worth more than he is. "What I find so unfair", said the Oscar nominated comedian to London's Daily Telegraph, "Is that if we both died today, her children would receive a greater inheritance than my children." The settlement stipulated that Alyce Faye Eichelberger, an American psychotherapist, will receive $13 million in cash, and additional assets worth another $6.7 million. John Cleese is dealing with his angst by making his ex one of the subjects of hi …

"The Marriage-Go-Round"

The U.S. has the highest divorce rate in the world, but what is even more interesting is that "We divorce, repartner, and remarry faster than people in any other country," says Andrew Cherlin, a Johns Hopkins sociologist and author of the new book The Marriage-Go-Round. Because many of the people who create multiple marriages are also parents, American kids are more likely than those in other developed countries to live in a household with a revolving cast of parents, step-parents, and live-in partners moving in and out of their lives—a pattern that is not healthy for children. …

Modifying Maintenance

You can request that the Court modify the maintenance provision based on a significant change in circumstances unless your separation agreement specifically states that the maintenance award cannot be modified.

Out of State Parenting Time

If your child is spending time with their other parent in a state other than the one that issued the original order, it is wise to file the order in the new state.  If the parent in the new state does not follow the original order and , for instance, refuses to return the child on time, you will already have a case in the new state.  This will make it easier for you to ask for help from the new state to enforce your valid order.  You will need a certified copy of the order along with a Petition to have the new state recognize the order.  The new state does not have the powe …

New Guidebook for Those Considering Divorce

For individuals contemplating divorce, a free guidebook offers answers to many questions they may be asking themselves, and some they may not have even thought about. Brigham Young University professor of family life Alan Hawkins and divorce attorney Tamara Fackrell have teamed up to write "Should I Keep Trying to Work It Out? A Guidebook for Individuals and Couples at the Crossroads of Divorce." The 168-page guidebook is a cross between an encyclopedia of divorce issues and a workbook for couples who are trying to decide if they should end their marriage or try to work thr …

Good Friends are Key to Recovery for Recently Divorced Women

"A woman who's been married for just a few years is still very connected to her feelings of independence," said Florida psychotherapist and divorce counselor Lisheyna Hurvitz. "And her sense of herself as a separate human being is still whole and complete, whereas a woman who has been married for many years is more blended into a partnership. It takes longer for her to re-create a new identity. She can't just retrieve that old independent identity from all those years ago; she has to create a new one." That process takes time and courage, and depends heavily on a woman's …

No Regrets for Jon and Kate Plus 8

According to Jon and Kate Gosselin, the reality TV stars who recently filed for divorce, their decision to separate is not the result of a TV show filming their daily lives coping with their eight children. In her first interview since the couple announced on their three-year-old TV show in June that they were separating, Kate Gosselin told the Today show that she has no regrets about doing the series "Jon & Kate Plus 8," which airs on cable channel TLC. "I feel like it would have happened anyway, cameras on (or) cameras off," said Gosselin, who has twin eight-yea …

Actor Tracy Morgan of "30 Rock" to Divorce Wife of 23 Years

Comedian Tracy Morgan has filed to divorce his wife of 23 years. The "30 Rock" star has reportedly been separated from his wife Sabrina for 8 years and has recently filed for the dissolution of marriage in the Bronx Supreme Court. Tracy and Sabrina have 3 sons, Gitrid, 23, Malcolm, 21, and Tracy, Jr., 17.

How is Overtime Factored into Child Support?

Overtime (OT) is only included in a party's gross income for child support if the OT is mandatory and required by the employer. If it is voluntary OT, it is not part of that person's gross income for child support purposes.

Divorce and the Division of Marital Property

Pursuant to C.R.S. Sec.14-10-107(4)(b)(I)(A)&(D), a party is restrained from transferring, encumbering, concealing, or in any way disposing of, without the concent of the other party or an order of the court, any marital property.

Agreeing to Disagree Can Save You Thousands

Because parenting is not an exact science, Colorado family law attorneys often rely on the expertise of Child and Family Investigators (CFI’s) when the parties disagree about children’s issues. Divorcing and divorced parents need to understand the father's parenting methods will very often differ from the practices utilized by the mother. Sometimes Dad's methods will be more effective, and on other occasions Mom's approach will create a far better outcome.  When former spouses are interacting peaceably, mistakes made by the other parent are often tolerated, but when there is s …

Divorce and Insurance

After a divorce action is filed, both parties are restrained,  without at least 14 days advance notification and the written consent of the other party or an Order of the Court,  from canceling, modifying, terminating, or allowing to lapse for nonpayment of insurance premiums, any policy of health insurance, homeowner's or renter's insurance, or automobile insurance that provides coverage to either of the parties or the minor children as a beneficiary.

Summer Vacations with Your Children

Some parenting plans require that a parent get approval from the other parent prior to travel, so it is important review the provisions prior to making your summer travel plans for your children. It the agreement is silent on the issue of traveling then no formal requirements must be followed, but as a matter of courtesy, the parent should provide the other party with ample notice, phone numbers where you can be reached and an intinary of all travel plans.

The Validity of Foreign Divorces

Generally, you can obtain a dissolution of marriage in a foreign country and the decree will be valid in the U.S. There are exceptions however. To obtain more information on this subject, please access the following article:http://www.divorcesource.com/research/dl/foreign/96apr61.shtml

Attorney Steve Vertucci Joined the Fort Collins Rotary

Stephen Vertucci,  family law attorney with The Harris Law Firm, has joined the vocational services committee of the Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary Club, of which he is a member.  His Rotary club brings together men and women from all walks of life to serve their communities.  The vocational committee reaches out to local schools, educators, and administrators to recognize students and teachers who demonstrate a “service above self” commitment to their community.  Mr. Vertucci will be working with students at Centennial High School in Fort Collins; volunteering w …

Hulk Hogan a "Free Man"

Former wrestler Hulk Hogan is celebrating the end of his troubled marriage after finally reaching a divorce settlement with his estranged wife,  Linda Bollea,  on Tuesday.  Married for more than 20 years, the couple split in 2007 and reached an agreement in a Florida courtroom this week. The details have not been released, but Hulk Hogan, aka Terry Bolea, insists that he is happy with the deal. Speaking outside the courtroom, the retired athlete told reporters, " I am a free man!" The divorce is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

"Nosh and Network" at The Harris Law Firm

Attorneys Alex White, Peggy Walker, Elissa Bercovitz, Camille Mulholland and Jennie Wray (in the photo) invite you come to the monthly Nosh and Network breakfast event on Tuesday, August 4th from 7:30 am to 9:00 am. This month we will be sponsoring the Denver Bar Association's annual school supply drive, so bring backpacks, notebooks, pencils, etc. and come nosh and network with the attorneys from The Harris Law Firm!  The event will be held at the firm: 1125 17th Street, Ste 1820, Denver, CO 80202.

Congratulations to Attorney Margaret Walker!

Margaret Walker, Esq. has recently been elected to serve on the Family Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association. The attorneys and staff of The Harris Law Firm congratulate Margaret Walker!

Your Marital Status and Your Health

Historically, studies have indicated that married people tend to be in better health than singles, but recent studies have found that divorced or widowed adults fared worse than their never married counterparts. The individuals studied who never married also reported fewer instances of depression and fewer chronic health conditions. Based on the same study, remarriage seemed to diminish the stress-related health effects of divorce or widowhood, but the health of those who remarried was still less than those who remained in long marriages. Researchers from the Journal of Health and Behavior als …

Kids Better Off With Both Biological Parents

Sara McLanahan, single mom, Princeton Sociologist and author of  "Growing Up with a Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps" has studied children of divorce. Her research indicates that "Children who grow up in a household with only one biological parent are worse off, on average, than children who grow up in a household with both of their biological parents, regardless of the parents' race or educational background.

The Harris Law Firm to Volunteer for Colorado Cares Day!

To help celebrate the 11th annual Colorado Cares Day on Saturday, July 25, 2009, the lawyers and staff of The Harris Law Firm will be volunteering at The Horse Protection League in Golden, Colorado. Colorado Cares encourages community partners and volunteers to donate their time for projects such as painting, cleanup, and simple carpentry work in local non-profit community centers serving families, seniors, children, animals, and other community members. Governor Ritter has furthered this volunteer tradition in 2009 by stating that this is the day that people of all ages and abilities give …

Runaway Mom's Husband Files for Divorce

The husband of Runaway Mom, Bonnie Sweeten, who once claimed that the couple "could get through anything", has filed for divorce. In May, Mrs. Sweeten claimed to have been abducted with her 9 year old daughter, but police discovered that she had staged the event. Although husband "Larry" has stood by his wife since she and the child were located in Orlando, it seems he has reached a breaking point. Mr. Sweeten has also filed for custody of the couples 11 month old daughter Faith. Mr. and Mrs. Sweeten have 3 daughters.

Can I Ask My Spouse to Move Out?

You can ask your spouse to move out of the marital home, but you cannot force the issue if he or she is on the title to the house.  If you have grounds to file for a temporary civil protection order, you can request that he or she be denied access to the premises for fear of imminent danger to your physical or emotional well-being. If you file for the dissolution of marriage, you may also seek a temporary order permitting you to remain alone in the marital home. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.&nb …

Battered Afghan Women Opt for Divorce Rather Than Suicide

With the help of a woman's charity, a number of women in Afghanistan have taken on patriarchal laws to obtain a divorce, still a taboo in the predominately Muslim state. One woman told of years of abuse that included severe beatings and consistent torture by her husband. She revealed scars on her feet and legs where her husband had applied electric shocks. Under Afghanistan's Islamic law, a woman who seeks to obtain a divorce from her husband must have his approval and she is required to have witnesses to testify in court that the divorce is justified. Conversely,  man can divorce a woman …

Divorce Vs. Annulment

In 1971,  Colorado revised its approach to family law by adopting the Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act.  Not only did this law change the term "divorce" to "dissolution" , it also provided the "No Fault Divorce", and replaced the term "annulment"  with "Declaration of Invalidity."  The approach that Colorado adopted narrowed the definition of an invalid marriage to the point that few people can now terminate their marriages with a Declaration of Invalidity. It can, however, be used in cases where a person was unable to co …

Workshop for Kids of Divorce

United Action for Youth (UAY) in Iowa City will be providing kids with educational workshops to deal with their parents divorce. People who have filed for divorce since May 26 will be ordered by the courts to enroll their children in the 2.5 hour program. UAY directors say that children are too often left to fend for themselves emotionaly while their parents are dealing with the repercussions of divorce proceedings, and the workshop can provide a place for kids to express their feelings. UAY says the workshops are designed to incorporate an interactive and educational environment that includes …

Countess Gets an Extra $6.5 Million

The bitter divorce between United Technologies Chairman, George David, and his younger Swedish Countess wife, Marie Douglas-David is over. Mr. David, 67, and his bride, Ms. Douglas David, 37, signed an agreement in Hartford, Connecticut on Friday. that says Mrs. David will receive a $42.5 million portfolio, plus an extra $6.5 million, and some property. Douglas-David received more than the $43 million that she was entitled to per the couple's pre-nuptial agreement, but less than the $99 million that she was asking. George David is said to be worth approximately $300 million. Both parties expre …

Amy Winehouse's Divorce Final

Amy Winehouse's turbulend two year marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil ended on Thursday, July 16th when the couple were officially granted a divorce at the High Court in London

Selling Assets After Filing for Divorce

The automatic injunction established at the time a divorce is filed prevents either party from transferring or selling assets without a court order or permission from the other spouse.

Modifying Child Support

Generally,  a parent can only modify child support when the end result will be a 10% higher or lower than the current amount. Changes in the amount of income, daycare expenses, health care expenses and changes in the amount of parenting tiem are all factors that can alter the amount of child support. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matter in the be …

Marriage and The Economy

According to the cover story of July 13, 2009 edition of Time Magazine, there is no other single force causing as much measurable hardship in this country as the collapse of marriage. The article, by Caitlin Flanagan, explains that infidelity is eroding our most sacred institution and discusses how to make marriage matter again.

Medium Star Sees Future with Current Husband

In spite of having recently filed for divorce in Los Angeles County, Medium star, Patricia Arquette and her husband will remain married. Ms. Arquette and her husband, actor Thomas Jane, have been granted a dismissal of their divorce case that was filed in January. The couple married in May of 2006 and have one daughter.

Will a Modification of the Parenting Plan Supplant the Original Court

Generally, when there is a modification of a previous court order, it does supplant the original order. However, if there are aspects that were not dealt with in the modification order, it is possible that those portions will remain in effect.

Calculating Child Support When a Spouse has Remarried

Child support is only calculated using the custodial and non-custodial parents income. The Court maintains the right to deviate from the guidelines if it believes it is justified to do so, but in most cases the Court will follow the amount prescribed by these guidelines. If one parent is voluntarily unemployed because they have remarried and no longer need to work, it is possible for the Court to impute income to the non-working parent for child support purposes.

Make Estate and Financial Planning 1st Step After Divorce

After a divorce, the last thing most people want to do is consult with another attorney. However, regardless of your age, or whether or not you have children, it is important to consult both financial and legal experts to be sure that your estate and financial plans are updated to reflect your new circumstances.  Working with a financial planning professional can help you review your new spending and savings needs and create long term goals. If you are planning to remarry, a financial planner can help you to ensure that specific assets are allocated to your children. In some cases, when a …

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When Paternity is Uncertain

If a man marries a woman who is pregnant at the time of their marriage, and paternity has not yet been established, if they decide to divorce, he can file a petition for paternity to determine parentage within 5 years of the child's birth date. If the test determines that he is not the father of the child, the mother will have to obtain child support from the biological father and her husbands name will be removed from the birth certificate. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively o …

UK Court Rules to Uphold German Prenuptial Agreement

Britain's Court of Appeal has ruled that a pre-nuptial agreement made outside Britain still has validity in the country, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for those going through divorce. In a high profile case like this one involving a German heiress who was married to a French investment banker, a panel of judges ruled that the agreement, which was signed in Germany before the couple married in London, was valid under English law. Before the couple married in 1998, the couple signed a pre nup in which they agreed that the husband would receive nothing in the event of a div …

Michael Jackson - the Husband and the Divorces.

Following allegations of sexual molestation charges involving a 13 year boy in 1993, Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley in De La Vega, Santa Domingo in May of 1994. Although many have theorized that the marriage was publicity stunt created to cast Jackson in a better light, Presley has consistently denied this over the years. Citing irreconcilable differences, Jackson and Presley separated on December 10, 1995 and divorced in January of 1996. Presley now has 2 children from her 6 year marriage to musician Danny Keough. In November of 1996, Jackson married Debbie Rowe, a nurse he had …

Therapists Suggest Divorce Counseling for the Gosselins

When a salvaging a difficult marriage is beyond hope, therapists today will often suggest divorce counseling to help the couple get past their anger and create a civil relationship for the sake of the children. In the case of Jon and Kate and their 8 children, this is exactly what the mental health professionals are recommending. Divorce counseling is a relatively new concept in the mental health field whereby psychologists work with the couple to strengthen their communication and negotiation skills. When there are children involved,  the process also helps the couple to accept the end o …

Earl Spencer Plans Out of Court Settlement to Avoid Publicity

Lawyers for Earl Spencer, the 45 year old younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, plan to settle his divorce case with former wife, Countess Caroline Spencer, in order to keep the proceedings out of public gaze. The move followed the lawyers failure to insure that the bitterly contested proceedings would be held behind closed doors and away from the press. The court recently ruled that the media should be allowed to report the case, in line with new laws on coverage of family court hearings. The decision appears to have forced the pair to rethink how they felt about airing deeply personal …

The Piano Man is not Playing Any Love Songs Today!

Rumor has it that musician and songwriter Billy Joel is poised to divorce his third wife.  Apparently Joel, 60 is divorcing his 27 year old wife of 5 years, and some are speculating that the age difference between the two might be a factor in their split. The prevailing theory, however, is that every time Joel creates a song for his wife, it signals the end of the marriage. Shortly after he penned "Just the Way You Are", Joel divorced wife #1, and after he wrote "Uptown Girl" he divorced supermodel Christy Brinkley. Hit song, "All My Life" seems to have trigg …

Replica of Letter on Henry V111 Divorce Unveiled

Officials have unveiled a replica of the 1530 parchment sent by members of England's House of Lords to Pope Clement V11 to support the divorce of King Henry V111. The 3 foot by 6.5 foot document has more than 80 original red wax seals of the signatories is considered a crucial document of the king's battle to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. At the time the king was obsessed with producing a male heir and feared that Catherine could not bear him a son. The Vatican's refusal to annul the marriage led the king to reject the authority of the Pope and install himself as the head of The …

The Long Distance Parenting Plan

When drafting a long distance parenting plan, it is important to consider the following: How far in advance must travel arrangements be made? How will you communicate with your former spouse about travel plans for your child? If your child is too young to travel alone, who will escort the child to their destination? How will you address travel expenses? Will both parents share in the expense? How will the other parent communicate with the child after they have arrived at their destination? Will they be able to communicate via email? Will they have consistent access to a …

Jon and Kate- Will their "Nesting" Arrangement Work?

Last night, after months of speculation, reality stars Jon and Kate Gosselin announced on their hit program that they were separating. Later in the show, text rolled across the screen indicating that a divorce action had been filed in Pennsylvania. Experts now wonder: What will happen to their 8 children? Will they be protected from the public spectacle of a messy divorce played out over the airwaves? Will they be spared the prying cameras as their parents navigate the family courts? One positive sign is the couple has, for now, decided to implement a parenting plan known as "nesting" …

Live by the TV, Die by the TV

According to the Bucks County Courthouse, Jon and Kate Gosselin, of Jon and Kate Plus 8 fame, have filed for a legal separation. In the season premiere of the show, it appeared that their relationship was in trouble, thus the media has been predicting their separation for several weeks. The future of the reality show stars is uncertain at this time, so stay tuned.

Actors Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford to Divorce

Actress Jane Kaczmarek, formerly of Malcolm in the Middle, and actor Bradley Whitford, formerly of The West Wing, have filed for divorce in Los Angeles. Married since 1992, the couple  have children, Frances, 12, George, 9, and Mary Louisa 6.  A representative for Whitford has stated that the couple hopes the media will respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Fed Exec's Divorce a Ploy to Dodge $3.2B Payout?

The wife of former Cendant  chairman, Walter Forbes has filed for divorce. Mr. Forbes was convicted of conspiracy to commit securities fraud in 2006, and is responsible for the largest accounting fraud of the 1990's . In 2007, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison and was ordered to pay restitution for his role in the fraud scheme that cost the travel and real estate company and its investors more than $3 billion. Prosecutors are saying that the timing of the divorce filing suggests its purpose is to frustrate the enforcement for the court ordered restitution. A civil lawsuit threatens t …

Facebook and Your Divorce

If you are going through a divorce, be careful what you put on your Facebook profile. Social networking sites can be evidentiary goldmines. For example, if your soon to be ex-wife sees on your new girlfriend's Facebook page that you purchased your lover an expensive piece of jewelry with marital funds, the court could regard that as marital assets being disbursed to a third party. Did your wife tell the court that she is incapable of getting a job? Then why is she pursuing job interviews through LinkedIn? Keep in mind that opposing lawyers are likely to access personal information on sites lik …

Post Decree Modifications on the Rise

Family law attorneys across the nation have noticed a significant increase in activity during the first and second quarters of 2009. A rising number of clients are filing motions to reduce their maintenance and child support payments due to a decrease in wages or lack of employment. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers recently stated that 39% of the nations top divorce attorneys cited an increase in requests for lower child support payment, and an additional 42% reported a rise in the number of changes to maintenance payments. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 47 …

Unpaid Child Support Expected to Increase in 2009

About half of all annual child support in the U.S. goes unpaid. According to the National Child Support Enforcement Association in Washington D.C., only $13 billion, or 56%, of the $23 billion due was collected for fiscal year 2000. Due to the uncertainty regarding economic conditions that are affecting the globe, the amount of uncollected funds is expected to increase in 2009.

Appearing In Court for Divorce Proceedings

If you can create an agreement with your spouse, you do not need to be present for any part of the proceeds.  If you cannot agree, most of the work can be accomplished with you being out of state. If there is a trial, however, some judges are flexible about telephone testimony, others will require that you attend. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal …

Details of Mel Gibson's Divorce to be Kept Confidential

The details of Mel Gibson's divorce - fiscal and otherwise - will not be for public consumption. A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge has granted Robyn Gibson's request to keep the details of her divorce from husband Mel Gibson confidential. The order, which was granted on June 5th, protects witness reports, depositions and tax returns and other financial information from being released. The ruling also forces both parties to keep silent about the settlement publicly. The couple has been married for 28 years and they have 7 children.

Usher Has Filed for Divorce in Atlanta

After two years of divorce rumors, the press reported yesterday that R and B singer Usher Raymond and his wife Tameka Foster Raymond have filed for divorce to end their brief marriage. It appears that Usher filed for divorce in Atlanta and moved out the martial home several weeks ago.  The Raymonds have 2 children, 17 month old Usher Raymond V, and 6 month old Naviyd Eli.

Common Law Marriage in CO is Legal in Other States

When couples who established a common law marriage in Colorado move to a state that does not recognize common law marriages, the marriage created in Colorado will be recognized as a valid marriage. If a  couple wishes to dissolve their union, since there is no "Common Law Divorce", they must obtain a divorce by filing within the court system just like traditionally married couples. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody …

Rich Harris on 630 KHOW AM Today at 12:30 pm

Listen to Rich Harris on the Tom Martino Show today at 12:30 pm. Rich will be discussing Colorado Family Law. Tune into 630 KHOW AM!

Supermodel and Polo Player in Bitter Divorce

Former Victoria's secret model Stephanie Seymore and her polo playing billionaire husband Peter Brant are in the middle of a bitter divorce. Sources close to the couple say their separation has become a real life War of the Roses, a film starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner.  Police were called to the couples estate twice last weekend, and once the weekend before when the windshield of a car on their property was smashed with a baseball bat. The couple have 3 children ages 4, 12, and 15 and Ms. Seymour is concerned about their safety. Mr. Brandts attorney says that Peter was 3,000 …

The Economic Downturn and Divorce

According to a recent article in The New York Times, couples in the U.S. have historically have stayed together in times of economic crisis. If the Great Depression is any guide, we may see the divorce rate declining not because everyone's marriage is necessarily happy, but simply because couples cannot afford to divorce and maintain separate residences. The divorce rate, which had been rising slowly since the Civil War, suddenly dropped in 1930, the year after the Great Depression began. By 1932, when nearly one quarter of the work force was unemployed, the divorce rate declined by 25% from 1 …

Know Your Bottom Line

If you are considering filing for a divorce and have not paid attention to your family's financial planning, seek to discover and to understand your investments and the approximate value of your debts and assets.

Awarding Attorney's Fees

The granting of attorney fees to be paid by the opposing party is discretionary with the Colorado family courts. There are occasions when judges award attorney fees very early in the case, but very often they wait until its conclusion.

Actor Barry Bostwick to Divorce

The Rocky Horror Picture Show star and his second wife,  Sherri have cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their divorce. They filed for paperwork for the Dissolution of Marriage in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wedneday, June 2, 2009. Mrs. Bostwick is petitioning for custody of their 2 children, Brian, 14 and 12 year old Chelsea. She has also filed to terminate any claims he could make for spousal support. Actor Barry Bostwick was previously married to actress Stacey Nelkin. They divorced in 1991.

Is Your Spouse Hiding Assets?

When our clients suspect that their self- employed spouse may have sources of hidden assets or income,  the attorneys at The Harris Law Firm utilize the services of forensic accountants, financial analysts and private investigators to determine hard to identify streams of income.

A Longer Work Week May Lead to a More Stable Marriage

A new study co-authored by Melbourne Institute economist Mark Wooden finds that men are less likely to divorce if they are working between 40 and 50 hours per week. The study found that the optimum arrangement  appears to be when the man works between 40 and 49 hours per week. Beyond this number of hours, Professor Wooden warns that the risk of separation becomes greater, but it is still lower than for couples where the men only work between 35 and 40 hours per week. The study used data from Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Austrailia which tracked families between 2002 and 2006. P …

Dress for Success!

Harris Law Firm Attorneys Alex White, Margaret Walker, Elissa Bercovitz, Camille Mulholland, and Jennie Wray hosted a NOSH AND NETWORKING event today at the firm to benefit the Dress for Success organization. Participants donated gently used business attire for low income working women.

Rich Harris Appeared on Fox 31 TV

Rich Harris, President and Managing Partner of The Harris Law Firm appeared on Fox 31 TV this morning from 9 am to 10 am to discuss post decree modifications of parenting plans. Rich discussed Colorado Family Law with host Tom Martino on the pilot of the new Martino TV show on Channel KDVR.

Jon and Kate Plus 8 Headed for Divorce?

Reality TV stars, Jon and Kate, don't appear to be thinking much about their 8 children these days. With Kate having an affair with her bodyguard and Jon dating a 23 year old school teacher, the pair seem to be focusing on matters other than the health and well being of their brood. Prior to the success of their show, in which they now make $75,000 per episode, the pair barely generated that amount per year between the two of them. Hopefully, however, the young stars will soon realize that money isnt everything and  start to prioritize their marriage and their family for the sake of the k …

Rich Harris on the Tom Martino Show - Fox 31 News

President and Managing Partner of The Harris Law Firm, Rich Harris will appear on the Tom Martino Show on Fox 31 TV on Monday, June 1st from 9 am to 10 am to discuss Colorado family law. The show will be re-broadcast on KWGN Channel 2 at 11 am.

Marital Property

After a divorce action is filed, the Court will issue a temporary domestic order instructing both parties not to interfere with marital property. Pursuant to C.R.S. Sec. 14-10-107(4)(b)(I)(A)&(D), a party is restrained from transferring, encumbering, concealing, or in any way disposing of, without consent of the other party or an order of the court, any marital property. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm' …

Will the Decline in the Economy Curb the Divorce Rate?

Many divorce lawyers have theorized that family law is a recession proof practice area, but economists have predicted that the decline of the housing market may change that. With many couples most valuable asset being the marital home, warring spouses may consider staying together until the housing market recovers. But as glimmers of an economic recovery begin to flicker, it appears that those who forced themselves to endure difficult marriages are seeking divorces at a rate more consistent with statistics established in recent decades.

2009 Eventful Year for Octo-Mel!

Only 6 weeks after Mel Gibson's wife filed for divorce after 28 years of marriage, Mel announced that he and girlfriend Oksana Grigorieve are expecting a child. The 53 year old actor has 7 children with wife Robyn, but they have been separated for almost 3 years. Teased by Jay Leno, host of The Tonight Show, about saving so many children, Gibson remarked, "I guess I'm OctoMel now!"

Peter Andre to File for Divorce from Katie Price

Model Katie Price, aka Jordan, visited with her divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton, the family law attorney who represented Paul McCartney in his divorce from Heather Mills. Apparently Price is not ready to talk to the press about what is going on, but it is rumored that she is spending more and more time with her riding coach, Andrew Gould. Singer Andre is now staying at the home of his agent, Claire Powell, but looking to buy a home close to Price so he can see their children.

Arranged Marriages in Iran are More Successful

New research conducted in by Tehran University in Iran indicated that nearly 90% of the Iranian "love marriages" ended in divorce. The study showed that the factors that lead to marital breakdowns among young people included marrying before they realized the magnitude of their cultural, financial, and/or religious differences, and their desire to live only "for better, for richer, and in health". According to the same study, only 15% of the marriages that were arranged by the couples parents ended in the dissolution of marriage, and only 2% of those who attended couples cou …

Rich Harris on Tom Martino Show Today from 12 to 3 pm

Rich Harris will appear on The Tom Martino Show from 12 to 1 pm on KHOW 630 AM today and again on June 29th. Listen to Rich Harris, President of The Harris Law Firm, discuss Colorado Family Law and expound on subjects that include  divorce, allocation of parental rights, modifications of child support, etc. Call Tom Martino and Rich Harris and ask your question live at 303 713 8255 (TALK)

Sean Penn Calls Off Divorce for the 2nd Time

Oscar winning actor Sean Penn who recently filed for divorce for the second time in 16 months, has now withdrawn his motion and wants to dismiss his case for a legal separation from actress Robin Wright Penn. Mr. Penn has stated that he acted in anger and should not have filed. It has been rumored that Mr. Penn has been having a relationship with actress Natalie Portman.

Texas Amends the 60 Day Waiting Period for Divorce

Michael Cheroutes Jr., a family law attorney and a partner at The Harris Law Firm, says that the Texas Senate approved legislation this week granting 2 exemptions to the 60 day waiting period currently required before couples can divorce. The bill is designed to allow victims of domestic violence to end a marriage immediately. The exemption would allow  spouses who have been victims of domestic violence to avoid the mandatory waiting period when their partner has been convicted of domestic violence or has been served with a restraining order. The legislation must still be approved by …

Rich Harris Discusses Family Law on Tom Martino Show

Rich Harris, President and Managing Partner of The Harris Law Firm, discussed the modification of parenting time on the Tom Martino Show on KHOW yesterday.  Rich will be discussing Colorado family law with Tom Martino on KHOW 630 AM every Wednesday at 12:30 pm

Mel Gibson's Child on the Way May Not Impact Pending Divorce

Although Mel Gibson's new girlfriend is now pregnant with his child, the fact will not likely be a factor in his pending divorce. Beverly Hills attorney Evan T. Sussman of Sussman and Associates, a Certified Specialist in Family Law,  explains that California is a no fault state meaning that adultry is not an issue in legal matters involving divorce.  He further explained that Robin, Mel's wife of 28 years, could, however, react more emotionally to the divorce and issues regarding child support, maintenance, and the division of property could be more difficult to resolve. Oksana's pr …

Rich Harris & Tom Martino 630 KHOW Wednesdays at 12:30 pm

Rich Harris will appear on the Tom Martino Show, 630 KHOW,  on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm to discuss Colorado family law. The Harris Law Firm is now listed as the go to family law firm on Martino's referral list at www.mylegalhelpcenter.com

Imputing Income

Child support is calculated using the custodial and non-custodial parent's income. The court maintains the right to deviate from the guidelines if it believes it is justified, but in most cases the court will follow the amount proscribed by these guidelines. If one parent is voluntarily underemployed because they have remarried and no longer need to work, it is possible for the court to impute income to the non-working parent for child support purposes.

Happy Divorce?

A growing number of family law attorneys are becoming disciples of collaborative law, a process which brings civility and cooperation to the divorce process. Rather than each spouse paying for litigators,  both parties agree to settle in a professional manner outside the courtroom. Collaborative law converts say that in addition to being less divisive, the process if often faster and less expensive. High profile cases, including celebrities Roy Disney and Robin Williams, used collaborative law because it maintains their privacy.

Body Guards Escort Hulk Hogan's Wife to Divorce Hearing

Linda Bollea, estranged wife of Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea, had private security guards escort her in and out of the family law courthouse today in Clearwater, FL. Mrs Bollea has informed reporters that she fears for her safety since her soon to be former-husband is "a guy with a lot of rage and issues with jealousy." There is a hearing scheduled in June and the trial is set for October.

Divorce Now Carved in Stone

The divorce between actress Sharon Stone and her editor husband, Phil Bronstein was recently finalized in Washington D.C.  The couple married in 2003, separated in 2008, and had an amiciable divorce. They now share custody of their adopted son Roan, who is 4 years old.

How Child Support is Spent

A parent cannot demand to see an accounting of how the child support payment is spent in the State of Colorado. It is presumed by the Court that the funds are being used to benefit the children even if an indirect manner.

How Does the Court Define "Decision Making Responsibilities"?

Decision making responsibilities are the part of the parenting plan that addresses major decisions like religion, education, medical care, extra curricular activities, etc. Day to day decisions such as hygiene, diet, clothing, etc. is made by the parent who is caring for the child that day.

Attorney Margaret Walker Named Pro Bono Coordinator

Rich Harris, President and Managing Partner of The Harris Law Firm in Denver, Colorado is pleased to announce that family law attorney Margaret "Peggy" Walker has been named the new "Pro Bono Coordinator" for the firm.  Ms. Walker will coordinate the with the firm's 13 family law attorneys to provide free legal services to those who cannot afford a lawyer. Ms. Walker has practiced family law in the State of Colorado since 1977, and is a former law professor with the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. In addition to her practice as a family law attorney for Th …

Super Model Stephanie Seymour Files for Divorce

Former Victoria Secret model, Stephanie Seymour, has filed for divorce from her billionaire husband in New York.  Still living in the marital home, albeit the maid's quarters, Ms. Seymour gave the press no reason for the divorce, but stated that her husband, Peter Brant,  is "playing dirty." Brant, former owner of the White Birch Paper Company, is an avid art collector and the publisher of Interview and Art in America magazines.  The couple have 3 children.

John H. Tatlock Joins The Harris Law Firm as Special Counsel

Rich Harris, founder, President and Managing Partner of The Harris Law Firm has announced that John H. Tatlock, Esq. has joined The Harris Law Firm as Special Counsel. Tatlock is a trial attorney with more than 20 years of experience in complex litigation.

Harris Law Firm Paralegal Achieves Advanced Certification

Michael Cheroutes Jr. a partner with The Harris Law Firm, announced today that Ms. Jennifer Sutherland, one of the firm's paralegals has been awarded the prestigious Advanced Certified Paralegal designation by NALA, The Association of Legal Assistants/Paralegals. Ms. Sutherland recently completed  the requirements for certification and is now authorized to use the "ACP" designation. NALA is the leading professional association for paralegals in the US.  The Harris Law Firm congratulations Jenny Sutherland!

Supporting Children from Different Marriages

The obligation to support a child of a previous marriage does not end when a parent remarries and has additional children. The Colorado Court will not allow a parent to violate a child support obligation simply because he or she has new children to care for. Understandably the cost of supporting children is substantial; however if a parent ignores their financial obligation and that responsibility falls into the hands of the government to support the child, the Child Support Enforcement Agency will seek to garnish the parents wages to pay for child support and any arrearages.

Keeping Your Married Name

Regardless of her former husband's preference, a woman has the legal right to maintain the use of her married surname if she chooses to do so. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matter in the best way possible. When you consult with one of our attorneys, the expert legal advice you receive will help you understand your rights and options according to Color …

Social Norms Lower Divorce Rate in New Zealand

Government statistics indicate that the New Zealand divorce rate has fallen to the lowest level in 27 years. New figures show that the divorce rate is now 11.3 per 1,000 marriages in 2008, down from 12.8 in 2004. Mental health professionals are saying the reason for the slowing divorce rate is that marriage has become a choice rather than a social norm and couples are waiting longer to tie the knot. One in five partnerships lived together without being married in 2008, while the ratio in 1996 was one in seven. In 2008, the median age for marriage was 32.5 for men and 30.2 for women, compared w …

Length of Marriage Only One Factor When Determining Alimony

There is no specific amount of time that a couple must be married that determines if one party will receive alimony, spousal support, or "maintenance" as it is called in the State of Colorado. The length of the marriage is only one factor that is taken into account when the court determines a maintenance award.

Colorado's Family Law Team

Sean Penn Files for Divorce from Robin Wright..Again!

Oscar winning actor Sean Penn has filed for divorce from actress Robin Wright-Penn, his wife of 13 years. Penn filed once before, but the couple reconciled.

Only $33 Million is a Hard Day's Night for Heather Mills McCartney

Heather Mills, the former wife of Paul McCartney, is still seething over the meager $33.6 million divorce settlement she received from the former Beatle. McCartney divorced Mills last March and the former model, who is now charging $102,000 as an after dinner speaker for charity functions, is complaining that she only received 5% of they earned over their 7 year marriage. Mills claims that she worked for McCartney while he was on tour and considering her participation, she feels that she should have received a significantly larger sum.

Court Orders Issued Outside the State of Colorado

If you live in the State of Colorado and have domestic court orders issued by another state, Colorado will give full faith and credit to those court orders. Our family courts will acknowledge and enforce them as if they were entered in Colorado.

High Priced Hollywood Divorces

While Mel Gibson's pending divorce from wife Robyn Moore could be the most expensive in Hollywood history with an estimated $900 million to divide, the couple shares that spotlight with other high profile pairs. Michael Douglas and Diandra Luker divided approximately $45 million, Kevin Costner and and Cindy Silva shared $80 million, Harrison Ford and Melissa Matheson split $85 million, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman apportioned $90 million, and Director Steven Spielberg and Amy Irvin allocated $100 million.

Britain's Royal Family to Visit the Vatican

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will arrive in Rome this week to meet with Pope Benedict at the Vatican. It is always noteworthy when a member of the British Royal family meets with the head of the Anglican Church due to the fact that King Henry VIII separated from the church in Rome to create the Church of England in order to obtain a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, his first wife. Charles and Camilla married in 2005 and are both divorced from their former spouses.

The Sweet Taste of Divorce?

On a typical Saturday, Beatriz Otero, owner of Elite Cake Creations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida,  delivers an average of 18 wedding cakes from Miami to Palm Beach. But recently, the bakery has added a novelty item to their line of pastries: divorce cakes! The bakery's motto is no milestone should go unnoticed, so they have designed a cake in the shape of a broken heart with the groom on one piece and the bride on another. Otero said that they are in no way being flippant about the fact that divorce is a serious situation, but she added that when people are looking for closure and are r …

Passport Denied for Non Payment of Child Support

A parent may be denied a passport by the Department of State if it is determined that he or she owes more than $5,000 in child support arrearages pursuant to federal law. It depends, in part, on whether a human services agency has contacted the Department of State and placed a hold for non-payment.

Money and Kids After Divorce

Financial planner, analyst, and new author Linda Leitz shares valuable advice to divorced parents in her new book called "We Need to Talk: Money and Kids After Divorce." Leitz, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, focuses on how single parents can teach their kids about financial responsibility when the other parent leaves the household. It is a book not just about managing money, but coping with the emotions involved when the family has to learn to live with less. She expounds on the five stages of grief, (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance) that spread to money managem …

Changing the Locks to Keep Your Spouse Out of the Family Home

Unless there is a court order stating otherwise, a spouse can change the locks on the family residence without notice. These actions do, however, have legal consequences. The "locked out" spouse has an interest in the martial property and has some rights to the residence, and such behavior can be viewed as spiteful by the courts in divorce proceedings.

Mel Gibson's Wife Files for Divorce

Robin Moore Gibson, wife of actor and director Mel Gibson for nearly 30 years, has filed for divorce in Los Angeles. The couple has already separated.  Moore has cited irreconcilable differences, and is seeking joint custody over their minor child, Thomas, 9. She is also seeking spousal support and attorney's fees. The pair, now both 53, married in 1980 and have seven children - Hannah is 28, twins Edward and Christian are 26, William, 24, Louis, 21, Milo, 19 and Thomas, soon to be 10.

How Children Can Adjust to Divorce

Author Nancy Holyoke's new book, "A Smart Girl's Guide to Her Parents Divorce: How to Land on Your Feet When Your World Turns Upside Down" offers many tips for girls facing this upset in their lives. She offers tips such as: 1. Recognize that you will not feel awful forever. Time helps, emotions cool and situations change. 2. Know that the divorce is not your fault. 3. Allow yourself to feel your feelings, which may include anger, sadness and grief. 4. It's okay to speak with another adult about how you feel: Friends, neighbors, family, therapists Published by American …

"Honey, Can We Talk?"

Although most couples experience an occasional breakdown in communications when attempting to discuss their issues, a Connecticut pair has brought new meaning to the question, "Can we talk?" Robert Drawbaugh was rescued by police this week when they found him handcuffed to his wife with bite marks on his arms and torso. Helen Sun, Drawbaugh's wife, said she used the handcuffs because it was the only way she could have a face to face conversation with her husband of 7 years. She has been charged with assault. Robert Drawbaugh has since filed for divorce citing that their union h …

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Help is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and in Spanish with access to more than 170 languages through interpreter services. If you, or someone you know is frightened or concerned about a possible threat of domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at:   1 - 800- SAFE (7233) or 1-800- 78 …

Empowerment Can Protect Women From Domestic Violence

Unlike many health related issues, there are few social and demographic characteristics that can identify risk groups for domestic violence against women. Violence is used strategically and is often a result of issues that include financial instability, substance abuse, jealousy, and women's gender role transgressions.  Women who are empowered educationally, economically, and socially are the most protected, but below this high level, the relationship between empowerment and risk of domestic violence is nonlinear. Violence is frequently used to resolve a crisis of male identity, at times …

Who's Who of Divorce?

Rocker Pete Townshend, guitarist of The Who, will finally be a single man as of April 7th, 2009. Today the judge will finalize Townshend's divorce from Karen Astley, his wife of 41 years. Pete and Karen married in 1968 and separated in 1994. The pair have 3 grown children. Pete Townshend now lives with his partner, Rachel Fuller.

Name Changes for a Minor Child

To request a name change for a minor, you must file the following documents with the Colorado court: Petition for Change of Name of Minor Child Consent of the Non-Custodial Parent or Notice to the Non-Custodial Parent, or Request to Publish Notice and Order/Notice and Order/Notice to Non-Custodial Parent by Publication Order for Publication of Name Change Public Notice Final Decree of Name Change If the child has been the subject of an action regarding child support, parental rights or parenting time, you must file the documents in the District of Juvenile Court that handled …

Collaborative Law Can Protect Your Business During Divorce

The courtroom battles between warring spouses often end up destroying the very wealth that they were trying to divide. But an increasingly popular alternative to expensive litigation in divorce cases involving a business is Collaborative Law. By using the Collaborative Law method, both parties agree to settle their family law matter, keep all information confidential, and ultimately avoid costly litigation. Collaborative lawyers and the neutral financial professionals who often assist them, often suggest creative alternatives in business related matters, whereby, for example, the spouse may re …

New York is the Nations Last State to Adopt a "No Fault" Law

New York now allows couples to cite irreconcilable differences as the reason for their separation. Instead NY law used to insist that one spouse assign blame to the other, and then proceed to prove it in court. One couple, who recently agreed on an amicable divorce, proceeded to spend in excess of $100,000 manuevering through the complex the New York family law system. One of the parties to the divorce exclaimed, "It is truly mind boggling to work within a system that seeks to prevent you from moving ahead with your life!" NY has joined the rest of nation and now recognizes …

Devils Goalie Martin Brodeur Will Pay Permanant Maintenance

The New Jersey court ruled that the Devil's star goalie, Martin Brodeur, must pay his former wife $500,000 per year in child support and maintenance until 2020, the year his youngest child will graduate from high school. The ruling came last Thursday after Brodeur appealed a lower court ruling that awarded Melanie DuBois permanent maintenance, $132,000 in annual child support, and $9 million in other assets. Brodeur had originally asked that he only be required to pay maintenance until he retires in 2012, and DuBois asked that he pay until 2024 when their youngest is estimated to graduate from …

Singapore's Divorce Rate Lower than in the USA

Singapore's divorce rate in 2007 was lower compared to other countries. According to the Dept. of Statistics, the divorce rate in Singapore in 2007 was 2.02 per 1000 people. Comparatively, the US had a divorce rate at the time of 3.7 and South Korea was 5.0. Speaking at the marriage convention this week, Singapore's Minister of State Yu-Foo Yi said marriages today across the globe are facing more challenges as couples cope with greater demands at work, competing aspirations, and evolving societal values. One concern is that couples today increasingly see divorce as their first option when thei …

Financial Risks are Greater for Women in Divorce

Financial risks during divorce are often greater for women who have put their careers on hold after marriage to raise a family. Very often they have given up lucrative careers to be home with the children, and have not planned for their futures by funding retirement accounts and updating their employment skills. With nearly 43% of first marriages ending in divorce within 15 years, women need to consider their financial futures prior to tying the knot. Fortunately in Colorado, the courts seek to divide martial assets, or those acquired after the marriage, in an equitable manner. Located in Den …

Yet Another Hollywood Divorce

After 19 years of marriage, CSI star Marg Helgenberger has filed for divorce from Screen Actors Guild president, Alan Rosenberg.  Stating that the marriage cannot be saved, Ms. Helgenberger cited irreconcilable differences and is asking for maintenance. The couple has an 18 year old son, Hugh.

The High Cost of Being Britney Spears

Britney Spears' legal fees for the last year have reached a staggering amount. Court documents filed by Spears' attorneys in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, March 23rd, 2009, revealed that the singer has been forced to pay more than $2.7 million to her lawyers over the last 11months. This amount included the cost of her divorce from Kevin Federline, and the child custody battle for their two young sons, for whom Federline is now the primary custodial parent. In addition to her own legal expenses, Spears also paid $374,000 to Federlines' family law attorneys. Additionally,  Britney a …

Filing a Motion for a Continuance

To request to have the court date changed, your attorney must file a motion for a continuance. The judge will consider the reasons for the change, and approve or deny the request at his or her discretion. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matter in the best way possible. When you consult with one of our attorneys, the expert legal advice you receive will …

Garnishing Wages for Non-Payment of Maintenance

If your former spouse has failed to pay maintenance, it is possible to file a motion for enforcement and have his or her paycheck garnished for up to 55%  after deductions for taxes and other wage assignments. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matter in the best way possible. When you consult with one of our attorneys, the expert legal advice you rec …

Divorcing Countess Could Be Slumming It on $43 Million Per Year.

Swedish born Countess Marie Douglas-David, 36, is divorcing her CEO husband and  demanding $100 million to cover her expenses. The Countess claims that she will require at least $53,000 per week to cover costs that include maintenance on the couples several properties, her personal trainer, clothing, and her driver. Mrs. David claims that the $43 million deal outlined in their postnuptial agreement is simply not enough for her to live on now. The former investment banker claims she has no income and needs husband David George, the Chairman of United Technologies to cover her basic expense …

Former Pastor Ted Haggard to Make TV Appearance

Former Evangelical Pastor Ted Haggard and his wife are planning another TV appearance, this time to discuss their marriage.  The two are in Los Angeles taping an appearance on the syndicated "Divorce Court" to be broadcast nationally on April 1st.

The End of the Special Advocate

In 2005, the Colorado Governor signed into law a revised version of the special advocate statute. Although this term is sometimes still used, this revised statute created very different positions and gave distinct qualifications, duties and responsibilities. To view this article in its entirety, please click here:

Divorce vs. Annullment

The sole ground for divorce in the State of Colorado is the "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." For an annulment, the Colorado court must state that a marriage was never established. Annulment is much more difficult to prove, and  therefore much rarer, than a divorce.

What Do Divorce Lawyers and Firefighters Have in Common?

The common characteristic between divorce attorneys and firefighters is that they both have a driving desire to rescue. While the firefighter will lead you to safety from a burning building, the motive of the divorce lawyer is to minimize the suffering inherent in the dissolution of your marriage by leading you through the legal labyrinth in as painless a manner as possible. To read more on this subject by author Sarah Hampson, please click here:

Change of Venue for Cases Involving Children

For parenting time or child related issues, a case is properly filed in the county where the child(ren) resides. A change of venue is not likely unless both parties agree.

Britain Holds First Divorce Fair

Breaking up is hard to do, but lawyers and mental health professionals in Britain are offering support to the newly divorced at "The Starting Over" divorce fair in Brighton. With one of the highest divorce rates in Europe, the exhibitors at the fair will offer legal assistance, divorce counseling, and alternative therapies to help heal those recovering from the strain of divorce.

Determining Parenting Time in Colorado

Parenting time in the State of Colorado is decided according to the best interests of the child statute. Multiple factors are considered by the court and include the age of the child, the physical distance between the parents' residences, and the childs' physical and emotional needs. The parents abilities to maintain a respectful and professional relationship and to promote healthy parent-child interactions are also considerations. If either parent has a criminal history, that is likely to be a factor relevant in the decsion making process when determining parenting time . Located in Denver ( …

Can an Unhappy Marriage Give You Heartburn?

A new study by a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Utah has indicated that cardiovascular damage is more common for those involved in an unhappy marriage. The study also showed that damage to the heart is more common in women than in men. While both men and women in strained unions may experience more bouts of depression than their happily married counterparts, women in contentious relationships are more likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar and other markers of what is known as "Metabolic Syndrome". Metabolic Syndrome …

Formula for Divorce

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone and his wife Slavica have been granted an uncontested divorce after 25 years of marriage. The quickie divorce took a total of 58 seconds. The Croatia-born former Armani model is entitled to half of the tycoons 2.4 billion pound fortune which includes a hotel in Gstaad, the family home in Chelsea, a jet, and a yacht named after their two daughters. Bernie and Slavica met at the 1982 Italian Grand Prix and wed in 1985. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exc …

Overpayment of Child Support?

If you made payments through the Family Support Registry, then Child Support Enforcement can help you resolve this matter: www.childsupport.state.co.us/parent/family/SupportRegistryIndex.jsp Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matter in the best way possible. When you consult with one of our attorneys, the expert legal advice you receive will help you un …

Game Over for Casino Boss and His Wife

On Monday March 5th, casino magnet Steve Wynn and his wife Elaine filed for divorce in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr Wynn is the chief executive officer of the Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts which reported $210.2 million in net income for 2008.

Author of "Call Me Crazy" Finalizes Divorce

Actress and author Anne Heche has finalized her divorce from cinemotographer husband Coleman Laffoon after being legally separated since December of 2006. According to documents filed Monday at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Heche and Laffoon will share custody of their 7 year old son Homer when both parents are in LA. The "Six Days, Seven Nights" star will pay $3,700 in monthly child support and 75% of their son's private school tuition. The newly single star announced that she and actor James Tupper from "Men in Trees" are expecting their first child in December.

Harmonious Divorce?

Although this phrase sounds like an oxymoron, an emerging practice called "Collaborative Law" includes a group of Colorado professionals who are committed to helping couples divorce with respect and dignity. In this process, couples must be focused on a fair resolution in regard to their finances and the best interests of the children involved.  To begin, each spouse hires an attorney trained in Collaborative Law, which requires that both parties make full and voluntary disclosure of all pertinent records. If other professionals are required, such as child counselors or accounta …

Divorce is Hard - Even for the Legally Blonde

Reese Witherspoon describes her 2005 divorce from Ryan Phillippe as "humiliating and isolating, but if divorce is not painful, maybe it wasn't the right decision to marry to begin with. These are very appropriate feelings." The actress, who has 2 children with Phillippe says she tried to avoid the blame game with her ex. "It is easy to do  and I am certainly guilty of it, but you also have to ask yourself what role you played in the unraveling of the marriage." Reese has since recovered from her divorce and is now happily dating fellow actor, Jake Gyllenhaal who …

Divorce Prediction Research

Dr John Gottman of the the University of Washington calculated that a strong marriage will have at least a 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions. When the ratio starts to drop, the risk of divorce rises. The study videotaped thousands of couples and coded positive and negative facial expressions, body language and comments. Something as simple as eye rolling can be a strong indication of future divorce according to the study.

Twice Divorced Robin Williams Postpones Performances

Robin Williams, who filed for divorce from second wife of 19 years last March, has postponed 4 live performances due to shortness of breath. Williams is currently being evaluated by doctors who have recommended that he take a week off to rest. The statement just released says that the comedian, now 57, will reschedule the missed performances of the "Weapons of Self Destruction" tour which began in September of 2008.

Is Your Marriage at Risk?

A recent psychological study has identified the 3 types of marriages that have the highest risk of divorce: 1. The Pursuer and the Distancer - One partner will seek to discuss problems in the marriage, while the other spouse will dismiss their concerns without ever addressing the issues. 2. The Disengaged Couple - These are emotionally distant individuals who do not require intimacy and lack mutual interests. 3. The Operatic Marriage - This marriage is characterized by a tumultuous and volatile relationship, marked by cycles of fighting and making up.

Jennifer Anniston Discusses Divorce from Brad Pitt

Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt divorced in 2005, but going on four years later, the press remains interested in the details of their breakup. When the pair recently came face to face at the Oscars, Jen told Elle Magazine that she doesnt owe anyone her side of their story, and explained that there is no good guy and no bad guy, and no sides to be taken. Jen attended the Oscars with boyfriend John Mayer, and Brad was front row center with his "co-parent", Angelina Jolie.

Cohabitation Raises Couples Chances of Divorce

Maggie Gallagher and Linda Waite, authors of "A Case for Marriage", say that studies regarding cohabitation indicate that couples who live together prior to marriage have a greater chance of divorcing than couples who never cohabitated. The reason for this fact, the authors say, is that cohabitants do not reap the advantages of a deeper partnership and do not feel responsible for each other's well being. The latest Census Bureau figures show that 4 million couples are living together outside of marriage.

Are Verbal Agreements Regarding Child Support Valid?

If the custodial parent tells the other parent that child support is necessary, the non-custodial parent could be taking a tremendous financial risk. When there are no court orders in place, and there are no records of child support paid, it is possible for the custodial parent to file for child support later. The judgment could be retroactive to birth, with the interest on the arrearages being 12% per annum compounded monthly.

Step Parent Adoption

For a step-parent to adopt a child in the State of Colorado, they must be married to the consenting biological parent for at least one year. They must also reside in Colorado, and must be at least 21 years of age. If the child to be adopted is over the age of 12, his or her consent to the adoption is also required by the Colorado court. At the time of petition for adoption is filed, the child must be under the age of 18, legally available for adoption, and living in Colorado. Persons over the age of 18, but under the age of 21, may also be adopted as a child, but only upon approval of the cour …

DNA Tests for Paternity

Paternity Tests are used to determine the identity of a child's biological father and typically reliable about 99.99%  of the time. Due to the high degree of reliability, the test results serve as a legally admissible determination that the man tested is or is not the child's father. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here

Courts Taking the Unstable Economy into Consideration

Colorado Courts are taking into account today's unstable economic environment when hearing cases regarding post decree modifications that include child support and/or maintenance. The Court will ask you for documentation regarding a decrease in wages or termination of employment, and may also ask you to provide proof that you are diligently seeking new employment.  The 12 attorneys at The Harris Law Firm, which specializes in Colorado family law, handle post decree legal matters regarding child support and maintenance modications.

The High Cost of an Affair

A British newspaper recently reported that the average cost of an affair is approximately 8,000 pounds, or $11,600 in US dollars. Costs associated with romantic trysts include weekend getaways, meals, flowers, chocolates, lingerie and jewelry. Twenty percent carry 2 cell phones to reduce the chance of being caught, and ten percent of those who cheat buy their partners gifts to assuage their guilt. With leading forecasters indicating that the current global recession will worsen in 2009, philanderers may be forced to cut back on extracurricular expenditures this year.

Collecting Back Child Support

If there were court orders in place for child support to be paid, the recipient can file a motion for contempt to collect arrearages plus interest which is 12% per annum compounded monthly.

Madonna and Ritchie to Share Custody

News reports indicate that the pop star and the film director entered into a shared custody settlement involving their 2 young children. Madonna will be living in NYC, and Guy Ritchie will be residing at the couple's former martial estate in the English countryside. It will be interesting to see how their shared parenting arrangement unfolds. An increasing number of couples live in different states, or like the celebrity couple, different countries. Though statistics are hard to come by, it is clear that the trend is for people to be more mobile.  People move from state to state with f …

What is the Effective Date When Support is Modified?

Generally, a child support modification is only retroactive to the date of filing the motion. However, when the parties mutally consent to the change in custody of a child, child support is retroactive to the date of the change.

Sensitive Issues Re: the California Octuplets

So, what do we make about the mother in California, Nadya Suleman, who recently gave birth to octuplets? The single mom who receives welfare now has 8 new kids to add to the 6 she already has.  And, news reports yesterday indicated that her home is about to go into foreclosure. Everyone seems to be expressing anger, and is wringing  their hands in frustration. How could this have happened, and how dare she? But the real issue here is, what does society do in a situation like this? As a supposed-enlightened community, we do not regulate people's right to procreate. And, we have …

Parental Planning for Relocation

Perhaps the most important consideration for the court in determining relocation cases is how will it impact the parenting relationship with the other parent. Parents seeking to relocate will be well served to outline several approaches and plans to maintaining substantive parenting time with the other parent. A family law attorney can provide numerous models for parenting plans designed for parties living in different states or long distances apart. Think about the time and cost involved in transporting the children longer distances and how school breaks, 3 days weekends, and even virtual vis …

What if Child Support Orders Were Issued in Wyoming?

Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act, Colorado Courts have a duty to enforce a decree and parenting time order issued in another state, if that state originally had jurisdiction to enter a parenting time order.  For example, if the parent in WY will not return the child to the primary custodial parent in CO, then the parent in CO can register the foreign divorce decree and file a Motion to Enforce the parenting time order in a CO court to have the child returned.

How Long Will Our Divorce Take?

The minimum amount of time it takes to obtain a divorce in the State of Colorado is 90 days, but if there are children involved, they must live in this state for at least 6 months before the court will address the allocation of parental responsibility.

Termination of Child Support

You can generally terminate child support payments when the child turns 19 which is the age of emancipation in Colorado.  The Support Order usually states that payments end at that time barring special circumstances Such circumstances may include the fact that the child has not graduated from high school by age 19, or if the child has special needs.  If the court orders are not clear about when child support should end, you should file a motion to terminate the order.

If You Need to Modify Child Suppport, File Now!

  In Colorado, you can modify child support based on an employment change that would result in more than a 10% difference in the ultimate support obligation. But support can only be modified back to the date in which the modification was filed and cannot be retroactive beyond the date of filing.   I

Child Support Modifications: Imputing Income

  To impute income, the court must first determine that a parent is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed. If the court finds that this is the case, child support will be calculated based on potential income. The court considers a myriad of factors, but may impute income based on income from previous employment.

Failure to Pay Child Support?

Did you know that there are potential criminal ramifications for failure to pay child support? Colorado law provides for a jail sentence up to 6 months, the suspension of your driver's license, and the interception of your tax refund for those who refuse to pay. If you are in need of help from a delinquent spouse, we can help! Or if you are accused of this crime, but have valid or extenuating circumstances, we can help defend you. The attorneys at The Harris Law Firm have many years of experience in this area.

Actor Eddie Murphy to Pay $51,000 in Child Support per Month

After a 15 month court battle, actor Eddie Murphy has agreed to pay $51,000 in child support to his former lover, Melanie Brown. The former Spice Girl had a fling with Murphy in 2006 that resulted in the birth of a daughter. Although Murphy contested the fact that the child was his, a DNA test confirmed that Angel Iris was indeed his child. Angel Iris was born on Murphy's birthday, April 3rd, 2007. Happy Birthday!

Divorce Becomes an Art Form

Opening in Los Angeles on Valentines Day, "Divorce, the Musical" shows one couple's hellish journey to untie the knot. As art imitates life, the production is replete with angry spouses, battling attorneys, out of control children, dramatic family members and concerned therapists. Producers Rick Culbertson and Lynn Marks new musical comedy reminds us that laughing in the face of tragedy can sometimes be the best way to move on.

Divorce Via Facebook?

Given the pervasive nature of the internet, it was only a matter of time before someone announced their intention to file for divorce via the web. Inevitably, an online revelation occured when a British woman was surprised to learn of her husbands intent to divorce her from a recent posting on his Facebook page. In spite of the fact that the now infamous couple has separated and is living apart, neither party has yet to file the legal documents necessary to dissolve their union.

What is Collaborative Law?

Collaborative Law is a new approach to Colorado family law whereby both parties in the divorce case have an attorney who is trained in the collaborative process.  The purpose of Collaborative Law is to have an alternative approach to the resolution of disputes. To create a collaborative agreement, each party must agree that they will settle the case rather than resorting to litigation. Other trained professionals, such as divorce coaches, financial specialists, and tax professionals may also be involved as a part of the collaborative law process. Family law attorney, former law professor …

Colorado Child Support

  Generally, both parents have a financial obligation to support their children until they turn 19 or have otherwise become emancipated.

Mediation at The Harris Law Firm

Family law attorney and mediator Margaret Walker at The Harris Law Firm says mediation can be used in in a variety of ways. A couple can use the mediation process in the initial stages of a divorce to discuss the provisions for the children and how to divide assets and debts in an equitable manner. Mediation can be used later in the dissolution process to discuss ways of creating an agreement that is amenable to both parties. Mediation will not force an agreement, but will simply a foster a discussion between the parties with the mediator acting as a neutral third party. If mediation is used t …

What is an Initial Status Conference?

  The initial status conference is often the first Court date in your divorce case. The Court meets with both spouses at the ISC to determine how the case is progressing and what issues need to be addressed. If there are issues on which you and your spouse cannot agree, the Court may order the parties to attend a mediation session and/or set the matter for a contested hearing. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Suppor …

Parental Alientation

Often times during a child custody and/or child support dispute, the parents act in ways adverse to the best interests of the children. Parents may attempt to voluntarily or involuntarily turn the child against the other parent. To view this article in its' entirety, please click here:

Annulments Limited to Unlawful Unions

  You cannot obtain an annulment based on the short duration of the marriage alone. One party must show to the Court that there was something unlawful about the marriage.   For example, a marriage between family members would be grounds for an annulment, as would bigamy, or the lack of consent from one of the parties.

Dallas Man Seeks to Dissolve a Same Sex Marriage

In what could further define the rights of same sex couples in the U.S, a man in Dallas has filed for divorce from his husband and long term partner. Married in Massachusettes in 2006, the couple later returned to Texas. On Wednesday, one of the partners who cited irreconcilable differences, asked a state district court to void the union. Texas statues and the state constition prohibit same sex marriages or civil unions, but Article 1V, Section 1 of the US Constitution states that recognize contracts from other states. In contravention, the federal Defense of Marriage Act recognizes only marri …

Star of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice to Divorce

PR representatives for actress Kate Walsh and executive Alex Young say that "Papers have been filed to amicably end their marriage.  Young has stated irreconcilable differences as the reason for their separation. The couple married in September of 2007 and separated just before Thanksgiving the following year. Kate and Alex are currently on good terms and are hopeful that they can remain friends"

Co-Parenting Following a Divorce

      Many couples seeking a divorce find it difficult to continue raising their children as a unit. In a co-parenting arrangement, the children are spending roughly equal amounts of time with each parent. Parents can also reduce the impact the divorce may have on the children by following several steps. Please see the attached article for a complete list of steps.       To view this article in it's entirety, please click here:

Military Divorces on the Rise

Data obtained from the American Forces Press Service reports that military divorces rose by .1 percent to 3.4 percent during 2008. There were 492 more divorces last year than in 2007. More than 25,000 marriages ended in divorce in 2008 across the military, and the US Army accounted for 10,200 of them. Attorney Stephen Vertucci with The Harris Law Firm handles miliary divorces at The Harris Law Firm.

Foreign Marriages Valid in Colorado

Q: Pursuant to Griswold v. Griswold, 23 Colo. App. 365, 368 (Colo. Ct. App. 1913) "All marriages contracted without this state, which shall be valid by the laws of the country in which the same were contracted, shall be valid in all courts within this state; Provided, nothing in this section shall be construed so as to allow bigamy or polygamy in this state."

European Union Seeks to Adopt New Divorce Laws

The EU justice ministers were split today regarding the adopton of new divorce laws for mixed nationality couples. Ten of the 27 member states now seek to adopt new legislation to address the fragmented family law system, but they are currently in opposition to the European Commission. The debate revolves around the question of which law should be applied when citizens of two different EU member states who are married want a divorce. At least half of the EU's 27 member states will have to agree that a change is necessary if enhanced cooperation regarding divorce issues among the states is to b …

How Long Does the Divorce Process Take?

  The minimum amount of time it takes to obtain a divorce in Colorado is 90 days, but if there are children involved, they must live in this state for at least 6 months before the Court will address the allocation of parental responsibility.

Prophetic Singer Amy Winehouse Predicts that Love is a Losing Game.

English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse wrote and recorded "Love is a Losing Game" for her second album Back to Black released in 2006.  Now that her husband of almost 2 years, Blake Fielder-Civil, has started divorce proceedings against her on the grounds of infidelity, the lyrics of Winehouse's hit song almost make her seem prophetic.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Creates Fee to File for Divorce

With the State of California facing a projected $40 billion shortfall over 18 months, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has created a myriad of tax and fee hikes for 2009. In addition to raising fees for traffic tickets, automobile registration and parking offenses, Californians who plan to divorce in 2009 will now have to pay a $30 fee to file.

Judge vs. Magistrate

  A Judge is appointed by Colorado's Governor, except in home ruled cities and counties like Denver and Broomfield. The Judge serves for a period of years until a retention election.       A Magistrate is hired by the Chief Judge, and may have limited jurisdiction, such as not being able to preside over jury trials. A Magistrate can be fired like any other employee.        

Divorces Can Be Big, Small, or Medium

Actress Patricia Arquette, star of NBC's "Medium" has filed for divorce from actor husband Thomas Jane in Los Angeles.The couple married in May of 2006 and have a 5 year old daughter, "Harlow". The actress is not seeking spousal support and has requested that the court deny Mr. Jane maintenance.

Some Spouses Will Get an Arm and a Leg, but a Kidney?

As part of the divorce settlement, New York divorce attorney, Dominic Barbara, and his client, surgeon Dr.  Richard Batista, are demanding that Mrs. Dawnell Batista return the kidney that Dr. Batista donated to her in 2001. Dr. Batista says that if she does not agree to his proposal, that he will accept $1.5 million in compensation instead. New York attorneys are saying that it is hard to imagine that any court would force her to give up the kidney for several reasons: The transplanted kidney from Dr. Batista was a gift to his wife and gifts generally stay with the recipient, Mrs. Bat …

How Do We Handle Credit Card Debt During a Divorce?

The Colorado Courts seek to divide assets and debts on an equitable basis. Regarding credit card debt accumulated by one party during the marriage, there is a strong possibility that the courts will divide it equally unless a strong case is presented that one party should be held responsible. Debt accumulated after the divorce has been filed is still considered marital debt, but the courts often award the post filing debt to the party who incurred it.

What is a Child Family Investigator (CFI)?

A CFI is an individual appointed by the court to conduct an investigation and make recommendations to the court regarding parental decision making responsibilities and parenting time. The CFI is usually a licensed  therapist or has a background in psychology and/or counseling.

Marital Debt 101

Colorado law provides that marital debt be divided on an equitable basis. When deciding what is fair, the court will consider each party's financial situation, and will attempt to allocate the unpaid debt in a manner so that each person can move towards financial independence from the other. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here:

Create a Foundation for a New Beginning

There is no quick and easy method for working through the pain of divorce, but you must be aware that you will heal over time. The growth process inherent in divorce will bring with it the hope and the strength  that you need to create the sound foundation for a new and better life. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here:

Happy New Year!

Rich Harris, and everyone at The Harris Law Firm, would like to wish all of you a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year! Here is to a great 2009!

Celebrity Divorces for 2008

The biggest divorce news of 2008 came when Madonna and Guy Ritchie filed for divorce in mid-October.  Other high profiles divorces this year included model Christie Brinkley, and actors Robin Williams, Liv Tyler, Morgan Freeman, Chris Kattan, and talk show host Star Jones. 2008 also included a number of short marriages: Ivana Trump and Rossano Rubicondi, who married in April, announced that they have separated. Actress Kate Walsh and her husband Alex Young have moved on after only 15 months, and Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds marriage was dissolved after only 2 weeks. David Duchovny …

Actor Alec Baldwin Writes Divorce Guide for Men

Actor Alec Baldwin, who stars with actress/writer Tina Fey on the NBC sitcom, "30 Rock", is also the author of a new book for men regarding the divorce process. Baldwin, who was married to actress Kim Bassinger, recently published a book about divorce titled "A Promise to Ourselves: A Journey Through Fatherhood and Divorce."

When Can A Child Decide?

Many states in the US will allow children to decide with whom they wish to reside when they reach a certain age. In Colorado, a court is not required to rule in favor of the child's request. A court may consider the child's wishes, depending upon the child's maturity, the reasonableness of the request, and to what extent the Court perceives the child's wishes as his or her own. To view this article in it's entireity, please click here Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Co …

The Division of Marital Assets

The first step in dividing marital assets is obtaining and reviewing financial information from both parties. Generally, the assets and debt that a married couple accumulates during the course of the marriage are divided between them as fairly as possible. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here: Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matte …

Divorce and Taxes

In short, maintenance payments must be declared as income by the person who receives them, and are tax deductible for the person who pays them. Child support payments, however, are neither taxable to the payee or deductible by the payor. More detailed tax information can be provided by your attorney or by a tax professional. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here: Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support …

To a Peaceful and Joyous Holiday

And all the best to each of you during this festive season. From Rich Harris and Everyone at The Harris Law Firm

What if My Spouse Makes More Money Than He is Disclosing?

Colorado domestic law requires that each spouse provide comprehensive disclosure of all income, assets and liabilities. If you are concerned that your spouse is not being completely honest, there are legal tools available to your attorney to obtain accurate information. Your attorney can request more information from your spouse and issue subpoenas to third parties such as your spouses' employer to provide documents and give testimony under oath. While it is easier if both spouses are forthcoming, it is good to know that there are legal options available to you to ensure the receipt of data th …

Divorce: What to Tell Your Children

It is important to be honest with your children during the divorce process. Speak to them in a direct manner and emphasize that your separation is permanent. Reassure them that the divorce is not their fault. Stress that the stabiliity and structure of their lives will remain constant, and they are and will continue to be loved by both parents. Finally, encourage them to talk to you about their feelings and allow them to openly express their emotions in a safe environment. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here: Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472 …

How Long Do I Have to Pay Child Support?

In Colorado, child support is generally due and payable until the child is 19 or is otherwise emancipated. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matter in the best way possible. When you consult with one of our attorneys, the expert legal advice you receive will help you understand your rights and options according to Colorado law. And when you retain this AV …

Legal Separation and Filing Tax Returns Jointly

    Under 7703(a)(2), legally separated parties are viewed as unmarried. Therefore, it may be assumed that if classified as unmarried, then the parties may not file taxes jointly. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matter in the best way possible. When you consult with one of our attorneys, the expert legal advice you receive will help yo …

Relocation: Determining the Best Interest of the Child

Relocation is a material change in circumstances and if the parties are unable to readjust the custody and visitation arrangements, the Court is required to examine the statutory factors to determine the best interests of the children. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here:

Moving Out - Some Common Misconceptions

In a divorce, every couple must, at some point, deal with the decision of who moves out of the martial home. It is important to understand, however, that in these circumstances, you will not forfeit your financial rights to the property. To read this article in it's entirety, please click here:

Can I File for Divorce on My Own?

When an individual decides to be "pro se", or to represent themselves in a divorce action rather than using an attorney, they should be aware that it can be difficult to "undo" the orders that are entered in the divorce decree. For this reason, it is always wise to at least consult with an attorney prior to filing for divorce to discuss possible strategies and some of the potential issues that may arise during the proceedings. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here:

Divorce and Seniors

Divorce is difficult at any any age, but it can be especially challenging for elderly couples. The emotional impact of separation is difficult after so many years together, and the financial considerations may also magnified as well. Additionally, limited health insurance options and long term care needs can also be a significant issue. To read this article in it's entirety, please click here:

What is a Legal Separation?

A legal separation is very similar to a divorce. In fact, the court will address all of the same issues involving the parties' children and finances, and the case will result in the parties have separate rights, responsibilities, and liabilities in the eyes of the law. The only difference is that the marriage will not be dissolved, so neither party will be eligible to marry another. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here:

Military Law and Divorce

If you or your spouse are in the military, there are special military laws and issues that must be considered in . For instance, a service member who is currently deployed may have the right to request that a divorce proceeding be delayed until his or her return. Military compensation and benfits also operate differently than those in the private sector. Thus, in a military divorce, it is important that you discuss your situation with a family law attorney who is familiar with military law and can guide through the additional complexities. To view this article in it's entirety, please c …

Creating Postive Interactions with Your Ex Spouse

For a great many individuals, going through a divorce is a traumatic process.  Learning about the emotional phases that divorcing couples commonly experience , perhaps with the assistance of a qualified therapist, may help you to make this transition and establish a different but healthy relationship with your former spouse. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here:

What Constitutes a Common Law Marriage?

  There are no clean-cut designations that determine whether someone is common law married or not. All that needs to be shown is that the two of you intended to be common law married and presented yourselves to the public as a married couple. In order to establish a common law marriage, Courts will be looking for specific indicators such as whether or not you maintained joint financial accounts, or joint credit cards. They will also ask if you filed joint tax returns, or listed your significant other as a “spouse” on insurance forms. If other evidence suggests that you are …

Dividing Marital Assets

  Pursuant to C.R.S. Sec. 14-10-107(4)(b)(I)(A) & (D), a party is restrained from transferring, encumbering, concealing, or in any way disposing of, without the consent of the other party or an order of the court, any marital property.        

Can I Ask My Spouse to Pay for the Divorce?

You can request that your spouse pay for your attorney's fees, but there is no guarantee that the Court will grant your request. The Court will compare your relative positions in regard to income and property and if there is a disparity, the Court will generally attempt to create a balance by awarding the requested attorney fees.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

When dealing with family law matters, including divorce and issues regarding parenting time, working with an experienced attorney can protect your rights according to Colorado law. Having a professional to guide through the legal process, can ease your anxiety and give you the peace of mind you need to make the right choices. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here:

Protecting Children from Parental Abductions

In the absence of an existing court order, there can be no custodial abduction and either parent is within his or her rights to take the child anywhere they choose. There are specific ways, however, to protect yourself and your child from a possible parental abduction. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here: Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve you …

When Pets are an Issue in Divorce Proceedings

During the last several years, more and more couples are finding it difficult to reach an agreement about the living arrangements of the family pet following a divorce.  Issues include decision making, visitation, and the costs associated with the pet's well being. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here: Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve yo …

Investigations and Evaluations

In domestic proceedings, many investigations and evaluations may be ordered by the court or agreed upon by the parties. Please see the following article regarding the following investigations and evaluations: Child Family Investigator (CFI) Parenting Time Evaluator Guardian ad Litem Decision Maker Special Master To view this article in it's entirety, please click here: Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the fir …

Marital Agreements

With almost half of all new marriages now ending in divorce, it is becoming more and more common for spouses to have a prenuptial agreement, or marital agreement, as it is now called under Colorado law. While it is important for couples to be hopeful and optimistic about the ultimate success of their marriage, it is also important, as it is when any legal partnership is established, to discuss the financial considerations that will be an issue in the event that the union fails. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here: Please note that the Archived Articles section of …

Forgiving Infidelity

Finding out that your spouse is having an affair is one of life's most painful experiences, but if you are willing to work together, your relationship can be salvaged. It is important that both partners be committed to the healing process and begin with the realization that it will take time to establish trust. Honest communication, the sharing of feelings, and forgiveness are the keys. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here: Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing excl …

Filing a Motion for Temporary Orders

A motion is a request made by a party upon which the court issues a ruling or order.  The goal of temporary orders is to establish legally binding guidelines that will increase stability during a separation and the time leading up to the divorce. By filing a motion for temporary orders, your attorney is requesting that the court grant orders for you to receive the following on a temporary basis until the Court can make its ruling in the final decree. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here: Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harr …

Finding a Great Lawyer

Selecting the right lawyer is crucial to the success of your family law case. Begin by meeting with the family law attorney in person for an initial consultation to discuss your situation in detail. Ask the attorney how much experience he or she has with your type of case. Find out if the lawyer works as a part of a team and ask about the other lawyers and legal professions who will be assigned to your case.  Ask the attorney if you can expect a prompt response to your calls and/or emails from him and/or his paralegal. Ask if you will you receive billing statements that are detailed and i …

10 Ways to Control Your Legal Costs During a Dispute

Being informed, being organized and knowing the legal process are only three of the ten important ways to begin your family law case and keep your legal costs under control. Rich Harris, President of The Harris Law Firm provides 10 important tips to help clients keep their legal costs in line. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here: Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to wor …

Maintenance (Alimony or Spousal Support)

Maintenance, also known as alimony or spousal support, is money paid by the higher income producing spouse to support the spouse who is earning less money.  Maintenance is an amount of money paid to the other spouse to pay for his or her needs and is separate from the money paid for child support. The amount of the maintenance award is highly dependent on the unique circumstances of the couple involved in the divorce proceedings. When making a determination for maintenance, the Colorado court will consider a variety of factors that include the income or earning potential of the spouse …

How Do We Divide Our Upside Down House?

In today's difficult economic environment,  the marital home is often worth less now than you originally paid. If your house is "upside down" meaning you owe more than the house is currently worth, it can be a difficult asset to divide during the divorce process. Your family law attorney may be able to help you and your spouse come up with a creative solution to manage this difficult situation during and after the dissolution of marriage. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here: Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris …

Proper Courtroom Behavior

Many people do not know how to behave or what to expect when arriving to court, so here are a few helpful tips to help you prepare before and during your case: 1. Dress and act in a conservative manner 2. Act professional while your matter is waiting to be heard.   3. Be courteous while your matter is being heard. Although court can be a taxing experience, try to start off on a good foot and utilize these tips because it can make a difference. To view this article in its entirety, please click here: Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The H …

Will the Court Consider a Child's Wishes Regarding Parenting Time?

Colorado courts do not have to take into consideration a child's wishes regarding parenting time, but the court may choose to consider them. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work with you to resolve your legal matter in the best way possible. When you consult with one of our attorneys, the expert legal advice you receive will …

Emotional Intelligence

In his book Emotional Intelligence, author Daniel Goleman discusses the importance of managing emotions in relationships. To view this article in it's entirety, please click here

How Does the Prenuptial Process Work?

      The process of preparing a marital agreement will begin with a discussion by both parties in order to establish goals and objectives. The second step will be for each party to hire their own attorney from different firms. One will be retained to draft the agreement and the other attorney will be hired to review the draft. For the agreement to be enforceable, each party must make a fair and reasonable disclosure of their debts and assets and exchange financial data.       The process of drafting and preparing a prenuptial or postnuptial agre …

Colorado Parenting Time and Child Support

    Colorado law favors meaningful and continuing contact between both parents and the child following a divorce. Couples who separate usually arrive at a parenting plan in one of two ways: Either the parties come to an agreement as to how the responsibilities are to be divided and the agreement is subsequently accepted by the Court, or the Court considers the evidence and crafts a parenting plan as part of permanent orders. Even in cases where one parent stipulates (agrees) to a parenting plan with little or no parental responsibility, there is no guarantee that the Cour …

Division of Assets in a Colorado Divorce

  Q: When we divorce, how do we divide our assets? A: Both parties in a divorce are legally obligated to disclose all assets at the time of divorce regardless of whether they are believed to be marital or separate assets.  Assets that are deemed marital in the State of Colorado are divided equitably in the event of a divorce.   Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclusively on Colorado Divorce and Colorado Child Custody and Support, the firm's philosophy is to work wi …

Preparing for Divorce in the State of Colorado

Q: Can you give me a list of the things I should be aware of prior to filing for divorce? Choose an experienced Colorado family law attorney with whom you feel comfortable discussing the details of your situation.   Be prepared to disclose the details of your current financial status and be able to provide an accounting of all debts and assets.   When disclosing assets, remember to include the value of your retirement accounts. These will include all of the following: 401k’s, 403b’s, Traditional, SEP, Simple and Roth IRA’s, Pensi …

Grandparents Rights

  A grandparent has the right to petition for visitation if the parents are divorced or separated. However, in order to rebut due process presumptions in favor of the parent deciding on appropriate visitation with the grandparents, the grandparents must demonstrate to the court by clear and convincing evidence that the visitation schedule they seek, and not the visitation schedule the parent seeks, is in the best interests of the child. Located in Denver (303) 299-9484 and Fort Collins (970) 472-1838, The Harris Law Firm is Colorado's largest family law firm.  Focusing exclu …