Family Law Blog

Determining Colorado Child Support Obligations

By admin on May 12, 2010

In Colorado, the amount of child support that one parent must pay another depends on a variety of factors set out under Colorado law. The level of support is determined based on the gross income of both parents, which includes investments, social security, etc. but does not include the income of a new spouse of a parent. The court also looks at the number of children and the percentage of time the children spend with each parent. In addition, if one child lives with one parent and another child or children live with the other parent, separate support obligations must be determined and weighed against each other.

The rules are fairly inflexible, and do not take into account how much a parent’s living expenses or child-related expenses actually are. However, an experienced Colorado child support lawyer knows the court will take into consideration child care expenses and medical insurance and other medical expenses in making its child support determination.

If one parent or both parents are unemployed or underemployed (taking a job at less pay than he or she could otherwise earn in order to avoid child support obligations), the court may decide to impute, or assign, to that parent extra income when making the determination. However, if a parent is in school or is a stay at home parent caring for a child under 30 months old, income may not be imputed to that parent. Child support typically continues until the child turns 19, graduates from high school, marries, or joins the military.

Child support issues in Colorado can be tricky. If you need help with a modification of child support or other child support issues, contact the experienced Denver child support attorneys at Kaplan Law, LLC. We will work hard to ensure your rights are protected and that your child support matters are successfully and efficiently resolved.

Free Paternity Tests Could Bolster Child Support Involvement

By admin on December 16, 2009

According to Jackson, Mississippi’s local CBS affiliate WJTV, the state’s Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced that it is offering free paternity testing. Reportedly, the state is hoping that the testing, which typically costs anywhere from $300 to $500 (not including attorney fees) will spur more biological fathers to take responsibility for providing payments to their children. Consequently, by determining that men in question are in fact fathers, the state is also hoping to benefit itself. That is, in increasing child support collections, the state will help guarantee future federal funding.

While opponents of the plan argue that the state should not be spending money for testing, the end result is intended to help secure state funding which, as pointed out by the DHS, will be used to help children in the state of Mississippi. While children are the primary focus of paternity testing, divorce, not just in Mississippi but across the country, entails a much wider spectrum of custodial issues.

Issues ranging from child support to spousal support to division of property are all matters that need to be carefully taken into consideration during any divorce case. Because such cases can be quite complicated, it is in the best interest of any person involved in a Colorado divorce case to retain the services of an experienced family law attorney.

The skilled attorneys at Kaplan Law, LLC have represented clients in a variety of divorce cases. Our divorce lawyers will work on your behalf to attain the best possible outcome in your case, and will ensure that your rights are not infringed upon in a court of law. The Colorado family law attorneys at Kaplan Law, LLC understand the complex nature of divorce cases, and are sympathetic towards the stress that can ensue as a result. If you are thinking of filing for divorce and would like helpful information, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at 1-877-527-5206.

Source:http://www2.wjtv.com/jtv/news/local/article/dhs_offering_free_paternity_tests/20038/

Amnesty Granted for a Limited Time to Pennsylvania Child Support Payers

By admin on November 18, 2009

Philadelphia’s KYW News Radio 1060 recently reported that parents who are behind on child support payments, and have had bench warrants filed against them for those outstanding sums, have been granted amnesty by the Pennsylvania Family Court. The amnesty will not excuse parents from fulfilling their financial obligations to their children, but will prevent them from being arrested. It is believed that the amnesty, which was only granted for a small period of time, would urge some parents, who would otherwise neglect payment altogether in order to avoid jail time, to accept their role in the child support process.

According to the article, parents who chose to accept the amnesty were essentially given a pass on the penalties associated with late payment, or no payment at all for that matter, and were granted a new court hearing to go over their payment details. Unemployed parents will even receive job training and assistance in acquiring a job, both in hope that child support payments will be kept up from here on out.
The program was summed up best by a Family Court judge, who reasoned that “the issue is making sure that the parent that owes that money is obligated to pay for the support of that child, and that Philadelphia Family Court is providing an opportunity for employment — and possibly long-term employment with benefits — in these rough economic times.”

Issues surrounding custody and child support payments can often be quite detailed, regardless of which state you live in. Tackling such paramount issues in the state of Colorado is much easier with the assistance of an experienced Colorado child support attorney who will fight to ensure that the client’s rights are upheld at all times in a court of law. If you would like more information about family law in Colorado, don’t hesitate to contact the skilled attorneys at Kaplan Law, LLC. Our divorce and child custody lawyers will work on your behalf to attain the best possible outcome in your case. Please call us today at 1-877-527-5206.

Source:http://www.kyw1060.com/pages/5661605.php

Military Personnel Protect Our Country, but Marriages May Suffer Nevertheless

By admin on November 4, 2009

A recent examiner.com article discusses the unfortunate tendency for spouses of military personnel to grow so tiresome of their significant other’s deployment that divorce becomes a solution to the problem. The story cites another article from the Washington post that explains how the commanding officers of soldiers that find themselves on the verge of divorce have the ultimate say over whether or not the soldier is granted an emergency leave on the grounds of correcting problems at home, including a looming divorce.

Among the many reasons often cited for divorce amongst military families is a lack of interaction that a deployed soldier has with his or her spouse. Feelings of abandonment and loneliness may slowly creep up on unsuspecting spouses when their significant other is deployed overseas or even out of state. Child custody and other issues arise in many divorce proceedings, and child custody can often be difficult for a deployed soldier to contend with. In all cases where divorce seems like a likely possibility, and especially if children are involved, an individual’s best course of action is to retain the services of a skilled Denver child custody attorney who will see to it that all decisions made in regard to divorce are as equitable as possible for both parties involved.

According to the article, many states have passed laws preventing military deployment as being cited as a significant reason for seeking a divorce. To ensure that your rights are upheld in a court of law, don’t hesitate to contact the family law attorneys at Kaplan Law, LLC. Our experienced divorce lawyers have represented a large number of clients in a variety of divorce proceedings, and are prepared to make your divorce proceedings as stress-free as possible. Our Denver family law attorneys understand how complex such situations can be, and are prepared to handle every detail of your case so that you don’t have to. Please call Kaplan Law, LLC today at 1-877-527-5206 for more information about divorce and your possible options.

Source:http://www.examiner.com/x-3145-Miami-Relationships-Examiner~y2009m9d6-Custody-battles-and-divorce-in-military-families

Study Claims Divorce Can Result in Illness

By admin on August 27, 2009

According to Bloomberg News, a recent study by the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that those people who experience divorce generally are more susceptible to health problems caused by the onset of stress. Health problems in this case included diabetes and even cancer. Statistically, divorced people suffer from chronic health problems nearly 20% more than those people who are married.

According to the National Institutes for Health, the divorce rate in the United States is just about 50%. Almost half of all couples married will go through a divorce at some point in their lives, and of that half, many of them will eventually divorce multiple times. With such high levels of stress associated with divorces, especially those divorces that are complicated and drawn out for longer than they should be, it’s no wonder that debilitating health effects are capable of taking a hold of an otherwise healthy adult.

Linda Waite, a sociologist at the University of Chicago, offered her opinion on the findings, suggesting that “the thing to keep in mind is that…marital status affects the chances of chronic conditions…[and] anything you can do to mitigate the effects of stress should help.” In all divorce cases, it is important to realize that there are sources that can offer significant assistance in making divorce proceeding as simple and smooth as possible. An experienced attorney will examine the details of a divorce proceeding, and work towards the best interests of the client. These interests include making the proceedings as pain and stress free as possible.

The skilled Denver divorce attorneys at Kaplan Law, LLC represent all types of divorce cases, including those centering-around child custody and support payments. Divorce can completely change a person’s life, and as consequence is accompanied by tremendous amounts of stress. Denver’s family law attorneys at Kaplan Law, LLC understand that, and work towards making divorce proceedings not only as equitable as possibly, but also as stress free. Please call Kaplan Law, LLC today at 1-877-527-5206 for more information.

Source Article:http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601202&sid=aOKTsymCkaKU

Nas’s Pregnant Wife Files For Divorce

By admin on August 4, 2009

The website accessshollywood.com reported in an article that Kelis, wife of hip-hop star Nas, has filed for divorce after being married four years. An associate of Kelis confirmed the news to Access Hollywood.

The associate said, “I can confirm that she has filed for divorce. We request the media to respect her privacy during this very difficult time.”

Kelis gained fame with her popular song “Milkshake”, and filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

Kelis is pregnant with their child, and is requesting spousal and child support.

In an interview with MTV News, Nas showed no signs of any marital problems.

Nas said, “She’s great man. She’s doing good. I’ve been thinking about kinda putting something online: ‘Choose his name.’ You get a couple of stacks for that. We take care of you for that. You win something real. But we’re thinking now.”

The couple was married in Atlanta in January 2005.

Many states view divorce differently and have different rules as to what may warrant a divorce. The State of Colorado follows a “no fault” divorce law, which means that either the husband or wife can request dissolution of marriage merely because the marriage is broken and they do not feel that the marriage can be repaired. The Colorado divorce attorneys at Kaplan Law can assist you in the division of personal items which were acquired during the marriage, as well as the determination of monthly spousal support, if warranted.

At Kaplan Law, their skilled Colorado divorce lawyers understand that their clients are going through what is, at best, an emotionally difficult process. The family law attorneys at Kaplan Law can help with decisions of personal and or property matters, collection of funds, and child custody. It is their goal to make the process of getting divorced as quick and easy as possible so that you can get on with your life. Please call 1-877-527-5260 for a free consultation.