Colorado Springs Spousal Maintenance Lawyer

In Colorado, spousal maintenance is a factor in divorces, where the marriage lasts at least 36 months. Generally, the duration of maintenance is related to the length of the marriage. For marriages of 12.5 years or longer, the court may order maintenance for up to half the length of the marriage. Maintenance may be ordered indefinitely for very long-term marriages, typically 20 years or more.

Spousal maintenance is intended to help the recipient maintain a standard of living similar to the one enjoyed during the marriage and provide support while they work towards self-sufficiency. “Reasonable” maintenance depends on several factors, including the income disparity between the parties, the property division, and the recipient’s ability to become self-supporting.

The most effective way to avoid paying spousal support is through a prenuptial agreement. However, this requires planning and agreement from both parties before the marriage. You may be subject to a court-ordered maintenance obligation if you do not have a prenuptial agreement. In some cases, negotiating a larger share of marital property instead of maintenance may be possible, but this is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Many maintenance agreements include clauses specifying events that will terminate the obligation. These “terminating actions” might include the recipient’s remarriage or cohabitation. It is crucial to carefully review your agreement to understand the specific terminating actions that apply to your situation.