Compassionate Denver-based family law attorneys who advocate for your best interests
Family law is a specialized practice area within The Law Offices of Decker & Jones that focuses on family relationships such as divorce and child custody.
Family touches many aspects of life and Decker & Jones lawyers help with a variety of related issues including allegations of child abuse and other matters involving minors. The team at Decker & Jones has compassion for our clients and we prioritize your well-being and best interests by providing personalized attention, strong communication, and effective representation.
Family law and matrimonial issues are some of the most contentious matters argued in Colorado’s court system. Disputes involving divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, orders of protection, or abuse and neglect are very personal and sensitive in nature. Decker & Jones Law is here to support and assist as you navigate these difficult issues.
We understand the long-term impact that family law matters can have on our client’s life and we help you move forward with confidence and resilience.
We listen carefully to your concerns and goals, and work collaboratively to develop a personalized legal strategy.
Our family law attorneys build a relationship of trust and respect with our clients. As a strong advocate, Decker & Jones fights tirelessly to protect your rights and interests, while also seeking to minimize conflict and find constructive solutions. Whether negotiating a settlement or representing our clients in court, Decker & Jones family law attorneys will work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome.
DECKER
& JONES FAMILY LAW SERVICES
- Separation Agreements
- Divorce
- Mediation
- Division of Marital Property
- Paternity
- Child Custody & Visitation
- Child & Spousal Support
- Orders of Protection
- Abuse & Neglect Allegations
Divorce
Divorce can be one of the most stressful events in life. If you’re going through a divorce you may not be thinking clearly. When you are hurting, you may not be thinking about the business aspects of your relationship. Contact an attorney from Decker & Jones early to help you navigate this difficult time. We help you manage the emotions that arise during a divorce so you can think clearly and make informed decisions that protect your interests and those of your children.
- Do not sell assets
- Do not hide money
- Do not move out of your house
- Do not manipulate your kids
- Make an agreement early
The attorneys at Decker & Jones are licensed in the State of Colorado to handle all aspects of your divorce, including: property division, spousal support, child custody and more. We work closely with our clients to understand your unique circumstances and customize a legal strategy to help you achieve your goals. Our experience gives us a deep understanding of Colorado divorce law and the legal system, along with the skills to negotiate favorable settlements and represent you in court if necessary.
Colorado is a no-fault state, which means that if one spouse declares that the marriage is broken, that is adequate grounds for dissolving the marriage by law. As a no-fault state, judges will not allow a spouse to present evidence of wrongdoing by the other spouse. Allegations of abuse may be relevant in child custody and visitation disputes. Wrongfully disposing of a marital asset may be relevant in division of marital property proceedings.
The most common dissolution of marriage is a divorce, but legal separation or annulments are other options. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but in the end, the court will resolve all outstanding issues unless the parties can reach an agreement outside of the court system through mediation.
MEDIATION
The lawyers at Decker & Jones know that an amicable mediation is preferable compared to a litigated divorce. We have served as a mediator in many instances, and also as an attorney representing one of the spouses in mediation sessions where clients are not representing themselves. Dissolutions of marriage and separations are significant life events that are emotionally and financially complex. The family law team at Decker & Jones supports clients and advocates for their best interests in divorce and legal separation mediation.
Colorado has specific statutes and guidelines to streamline the separation journey, which safeguards the rights and welfare of all parties.
NO FAULT
Colorado adheres to a "no-fault" divorce model, meaning that neither party is obligated to substantiate the fault or misconduct of the other to secure a divorce. This approach minimizes adversarial elements and centers on resolving matters like child custody, asset division, and spousal maintenance.
PROPERTY DIVISION
Colorado operates on the principle of equitable distribution, meaning that marital assets are divided justly, though not necessarily equally. This encompasses assets acquired during the course of the marriage, such as real estate, vehicles, and financial holdings. Debts amassed during the marriage are also a factor.
CHILD CUSTODY
Colorado places a strong emphasis on the child's best interests. The legal system urges parents to collaborate on a parenting plan that outlines custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and decision-making roles. Mediation frequently comes into play to facilitate consensus between parents.
SPOUSAL SUPPORT
In Colorado, spousal support, also recognized as alimony, might be granted to one spouse based on criteria like marriage duration, financial need, and capacity to provide financial support. The objective is to furnish economic assistance to the disadvantaged partner and aid them in achieving financial self-sufficiency.
Colorado acknowledges the significance of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as mediation and collaborative law, for addressing separation-related matters. These approaches aim to mitigate conflicts, foster effective communication, and enable couples to arrive at mutually acceptable agreements without resorting to litigation.
Free Legal Consultation Call 303-573-5253
PATERNITY
The threshold question in any family matter involving a child is paternity. Establishing paternity can be done in a variety of ways, including: DNA testing, birth certificate or other documentation, admission, or holding the child out to the public as your own. The family lawyers at Decker & Jones have extensive experience in matters related to paternity such as: child support, custody, visitation rights, and modification of orders. Our role in paternity cases is to provide legal guidance, protect our client's rights, and ensure that the best interests of the child remain top-of-mind throughout the process.
CHILD CUSTODY & VISITATION
The legal standard that Colorado Family Court uses in determining custody is “what is in the best interest of the child”. Child custody disputes determine who will be the custodial parent and thus the parent entitled to receive child support. After custody has been assigned, a visitation agreement can be put in place.
Decker & Jones lawyers advises our clients that there are three main types of child custody.
1) Full Custody gives that parent the authority to make all decisions for the child without consent of the other. The only obligation of the parent in full custody is to inform the non-custodial parent of major issues and decisions that are ongoing with regard to the child.
2) Joint Custody is exactly what it implies, the non-custodial parent is given equal decision making with regard to all major issues in the child’s life such as education, medical and religious decisions.
3) Residential Custody gives the parent who receives it the right to have the child live with him or her.
Child visitation rights for the non-custodial parent, is a matter that Decker & Jones has extensive experience advocating for. Standard Visitation is every other weekend, alternating holidays and 4 weeks vacation, but many judges have become more flexible and liberal with visitation if they believe there is a good parent seeking the extra visitation. Family Court operates in the best interest of the child, and having two parents actively involved in the child’s life is preferred.
CHILD SUPPORT
After paternity and child custody have been established, the next step is child support. The custodial parent is entitled to child support and the non-custodial parent is obligated to pay it. There are many issues that the court evaluates including day care expenses, medical expenses, etc. in determining a final child support award. Our legal team ensures that the child support amount is accurately calculated according to Colorado’s guidelines. We also facilitate negotiations by finding common ground and crafting an arrangement that meets the child's needs. Decker & Jones Law prepares the necessary legal documents to formalize the child support agreement and make it legally binding when requested.
SPOUSAL SUPPORT & MAINTENANCE
There are two types of spousal maintenance: rehabilitative and permanent. Maintenance is awarded in instances where there is a primary “breadwinner.” If a spouse has given up a career or delayed a career, the court’s main goal is to have maintenance awarded with the hope of compensating the spouse and giving the spouse time to reestablish the career that was delayed or interrupted. The court will place a time period on this type of maintenance if they believe the party can reestablish their career, and this is called rehabilitative maintenance. If the court believes there is no opportunity to reestablish the lost career or establish a career for this spouse, the court may issue a permanent maintenance order, which is paid for the lifetime of the spouse.
When amicable negotiations are not possible, Decker & Jones advocates for our client's position in court, presenting evidence and making legal arguments to achieve a just spousal support arrangement. We also aid in modifying or enforcing existing support orders as circumstances change over time. With our experience and knowledge of family law, client’s rely on Decker & Jones to achieve their desired spousal support outcomes.
