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By David M. Johnson, Johnson Kush PC Grandparents are often called upon to assist in the care and upbringing of children. U.S. census data shows that 7.1 million American grandparents are living with their grandchildren under 18. Some 2.3 million of those grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. About a third of grandchildren living with […]

February 2021 In Colorado the courts require the parties involved in family law cases to attend mediation with a neutral mediator before a hearing for final or permanent orders takes place. This article will discuss what mediation is—and is not—and the process as it is used in family law cases in Colorado. What Is Mediation? […]

February 2021 This article will update the law on common law marriage that was first discussed in an article in May 2019.  This update will focus on three new cases decided by the Colorado Supreme Court in January, 2021: Hoggsett v. Neale, In re Estate of Yudkin, and In re Marriage of LaFleur and Pyfer. […]

May 2019 I. Elements of Common Law Marriage A. Background.  Colorado is one of only 11 states that still recognize common law marriage.  Several of the states only recognize it up to a certain date or under certain circumstances. Common law marriage is a holdover from centuries ago when it was difficult to find a […]

In many divorces one or both spouse may own a business or an interest in a business. Sometimes, that business may be the largest asset in the case. This article will discuss how such a business is valued and how that value may be allocated between two spouses who are dissolving their marriage. Type of […]

Effective Ways To Resolve Disputes Over Children In Divorce Disputes over children are probably the most difficult and stressful matters that face a parent or child going through the divorce process. They are also the most important. This article will discuss how those decisions can be made, what the process is for resolving disputes and […]

Do I Need A Prenuptial Agreement? Prenuptial (or premarital) agreements are recognized as binding contracts and are enforceable agreements in Colorado. Colorado statutes and case law control what must be or what may be included in a prenuptial agreement. Whether an individual “needs” a prenuptial agreement depends on the particular facts and circumstances of the […]

FAQ’s on MAINTENANCE (ALIMONY) IN COLORADO 1. What is maintenance? Maintenance is financial support paid by one spouse (called the “payor”) to another (called the “recipient”) in a dissolution of marriage case. In some states it is called “alimony”. The IRS calls it “alimony”. The section of the Internal Revenue Code that deals with alimony […]