Family law issues can be complicated matters, made more difficult by their inherently personal nature. Compassionate, experienced family law attorneys can help you navigate your case while avoiding common mistakes and directing you toward the best options for your unique situation.
Our dedicated legal team at The Law Office of Jeanne M. Wilson & Associates is ready to help no matter how complex your case is. Call us today or schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our Colorado Springs family lawyers to set up a consultation.
Types of Family Law Cases We Handle
We have experience handling a wide range of family law disputes, including:
Divorce
Most couples may not have a plan in place for it, but around half of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce. Our experience with these cases allows our team to understand the difficulty you will face during this time, and our divorce attorneys strive to get the best possible outcome from your case.
Military Divorce
While there is no legal difference in the divorce process for military members and civilians, members of our country's armed forces can face some unique issues in processing their case. We can bring our extensive experience handling military divorces to the table and help you develop a plan that fits your own particular situation. We are also proud to offer a discount to active-duty members of the military and their spouses.
Dissolution of a Civil Union
Our goal when working on a civil union dissolution is the same as for a divorce: the preservation of our client's assets without compromising the stability of the lives of their children and family. A civil union can be dissolved through a full out-of-court settlement or partial settlement through a mediator, or by going to trial for a court ruling. We know what it takes to navigate each of these situations and will always put the best interest of our client first.
Restraining Orders
We have experience on both sides of the aisle, both seeking the establishment of a restraining order and defending against the unnecessary creation of a restraining order. In both cases, it is critical that you have legal representation from an attorney experienced in the area to protect your legal rights and ensure that you explore every legal avenue open to you.
Spousal Support
Alimony, also known as spousal maintenance or support in the state of Colorado, can be a highly contentious area for many couples. There are several different types of spousal maintenance recognized by the courts, each used in different scenarios and have different requirements that must be met.
The judge ruling over your case will hear the arguments from both sides before deciding to approve or deny the spousal maintenance payments, or in some cases will defer judgment if it is likely that circumstances will change in a way that would meet the requirements for alimony. This topic can be a complicated and heated subject in the divorce process, but working with an experienced Colorado Springs alimony attorney will offer you the best chance to reach a favorable outcome.
Child Custody
Child custody, also known as parental responsibility in the state of Colorado, is another area of the divorce process that can cause problems for separating couples. Decisions regarding child custody not only determine divisions of parenting time between the parents but also who holds decision-making responsibility for major areas of the child's life. While child custody is commonly part of divorce cases, keep in mind that couples do not have to be married to bring a case before a judge.
The court will hear arguments from both sides before ruling on the custody division, holding the well-being and best interest of the child as the most important aspect. Couples may also work together, through a third-party mediator, or child custody lawyers to develop parenting plans and form an agreement that can then be presented to the judge for approval.
Child Support
Child support payments are a common requirement in divorce cases. The goal is to ensure children receive financial and medical support from both parents, maintaining a degree of stability throughout the separation or divorce.
Both the initial establishment of child support payments and the process for modifying them can be difficult and messy situations for many couples. Seeking the expert advice of a child support attorney with a deep understanding of Colorado laws can help you protect your legal rights as well as the best interests of your child.
Division of Property
The division of marital property can be a difficult point to settle outside of court. If a couple is unable to agree on the separation of their joined assets a judge will rule on it for them. This stage of the divorce process can create a great deal of friction between a couple, as each side combs through the finances and assets of the other.
Even for couples with relatively few assets, the legal challenges created by trying to fairly divide them can be extreme, and working with a qualified Colorado Springs attorney is often in your best interest.
When Should You Hire a Family Law Attorney
Modern family law matters span a wide range of topics, from divorce and child custody to domestic violence and restraining orders. Each instance has unique circumstances surrounding it that will dictate when you should hire a family law attorney.
In general, it is best to work with a lawyer as early in the case as possible. For issues such as divorce or child custody, this may mean finding legal representation as soon as you have decided to move forward with the case. For other situations that don't afford you time to prepare, you may have to find an attorney after things have already been set in motion.
If you have chosen to begin a family law proceeding without the help of an attorney you may still choose to hire one midway through the process. Many situations can see a family lawyer serving as a mediator, and they may not be needed at the beginning.
The important thing to remember is that the sooner an attorney is involved, the better understanding of the case they will have and the more options they will be able to pursue. If at any point you begin to suspect that having legal representation would be beneficial for you, go ahead and find an experienced lawyer to work with.
How Do You Choose the Best Family Law Attorney?
There are many resources available to anyone looking for a family lawyer. From personal recommendations to online reviews, a few minutes of searching will turn up an incredible number of options for you to choose from. So how do you pick the best lawyer for your case?
- Recommendations: Speak with friends, family, or anyone else you know that has gone through a similar situation to yours. Ask about the lawyer they worked with and if they would recommend their services. Personal recommendations are still one of the best and most common methods of finding an attorney for your case.
- Search Engines: A quick Google search will show you an almost overwhelming number of lawyers in the Colorado Springs area. Fortunately, you should be able to quickly find information on their experience as well as reviews from past clients that speak to their abilities. If you are having a hard time finding this information either on Google or their professional website, move on to the next one.
- Online Directories: Many websites exist that contain directories for attorneys in specific areas. You can often separate them by practice type as well, making it a quick and easy way to find a list of prospective lawyers. From there it is an easy matter to look into their experience and client feedback.
- The Colorado State Bar Association: The website for the state bar association will have information on the different registered attorneys in your area. Look through the list to find a possible fit for your case before proceeding to the next step.
Once you have made a list of lawyers that may be a good fit for you take the time to meet with them. Reach out to each firm and schedule an appointment to look over your case. Most family lawyers will offer a consultation that gives you the opportunity to hear ideas about you, give them the details about your situation, and every bit as importantly ask them questions. It may be a good idea to bring a list of questions with you into the meeting to ensure you hit all the points you wanted to.
After meeting each lawyer you are ready to make your choice. Think over their qualifications and experience, but also how comfortable you were with them and how open they seemed in communicating with you. The legal process can be complicated and your case may be a long one. You will want to be sure the Colorado Springs family law firm you choose to work with is responsive to your questions and concerns.
At The Law Office of Jeanne M. Wilson & Associates PC, our dedicated family law team is ready to help with your legal issues. We have experience working on simple and complex divorces, child custody cases, restraining orders, alimony payments, and many other areas of family law. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a case consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys!
