Aurora Legal Separation Lawyer

Sometimes married couples find themselves in the unique situation of needing to separate but not wanting an official divorce – for whatever reason. The laws in the State of Colorado offer such couples the option of a legal separation. If you’re in a position in which you need to explore your options as they relate to the dissolution of your marriage, it’s time to consult with an experienced Aurora, Colorado, legal separation attorney.

Why Some Couples Seek Legal Separation

Because a couple who is legally separated remains married in the technical sense, there are some distinct advantages to legal separation for some couples. For example, all of the following apply:

1. Legal separation generally allows one spouse to remain on the other’s healthcare plan.
2. Legal separation does not affect the military benefits received by the couple.
3. Legal separation offers a viable alternative for those couples whose religious beliefs denounce divorce.

If, however, either spouse ever decides to move forward and remarry, the couple obviously must first obtain a divorce.

Legal Separation Is Not a Shortcut

Some couples have the mistaken belief that legal separation is a less arduous process or is a shortcut to marital dissolution, but this simply is not the case. You will need to go through all of the steps associated with obtaining a divorce, and the process is typically just as expensive as obtaining a divorce would be. Divorce offers couples a kind of alternate state in which they are treated as if they are married for some purposes and, for others, are treated as if they are not. While legal separation generally isn’t the best path forward, it can be an optimal choice for couples who are committed to specific goals.

The Terms of Your Legal Separation

To obtain a legal separation, you’ll need to tackle all of the major issues involved in a divorce, including:

• The division of your marital property (that property that you acquired together as a married couple)
• Your child custody arrangements (typically the children live primarily with one parent and have a visitation schedule with the other)
• Child support (both parents are responsible for supporting their children financially, and as such, the parent with a visitation schedule usually pays child support to the other parent)

A legal separation is only possible if you both agree to a legal separation (instead of divorce). Finally, after a legal separation has been granted, either spouse can – relatively conveniently and inexpensively – convert it to divorce any time after the first six months of separation.

An Experienced Aurora Colorado Legal Separation Lawyers Can Help

Legal separation can be a good option for some couples with specific concerns. If you are considering the possibility of a legal separation, the Aurora legal separation lawyers at CNL Law Firm, PLLC, are committed to helping you to better understand your options and to find the path forward that best suits your unique needs. Our experienced legal team is here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at (720) 370-2171 for more information today.