A recent review of over 30 published studies by the University of Arizona (UA) found that divorced adults experience a higher risk of early death than married adults. In fact, divorced adults are 23 percent more likely to die early, according to data collected by researchers while tracking certain couples for 11 years.

The health risks of divorce were found to be similar to the health risks of other established health issues, such as smoking, alcoholism and being overweight. Divorced men were found to be at a higher risk of early death than divorced women. The study does not conclude that divorce 100 percent leads to early death, just that it is a risk factor that may increase the chances of early death. Most divorced adults actually move on to higher levels of satisfaction and even remarry.

The UA study was published in Perspectives on Psychological Science and analyzed 32 studies which involved 11 countries and 6.5 million adults over the course of 27 years. It does present an important “chicken or the egg” question, however: Does divorce lead to poor health, or does poor health lead to divorce?

The relationship between a husband and wife can be very complicated, and though studies can reveal certain trends, they by no means predict what will happen to every couple. Divorce is often the most important step to finding happiness. At Kaplan Law, LLC, our experienced divorce lawyers in Colorado understand that divorce, though a difficult decision to make, may be necessary for the health and well-being of a couple. If you are considering a divorce in Colorado, contact us today for a consultation of your legal rights and options at (303) 458-5500.

The divorce “cooling-off” bill would have required a divorcing couple with underage children to attend six hours of instruction on the affects of divorce on children, as well as to wait approximately eight months before they could actually proceed with the divorce process. Extenuating circumstances, such as sexual abuse, domestic violence, and other factors would have been exceptions to the proposed rule.

The senator sponsoring the bill is still committed to finding ways to address the problems associated with divorce, but sees now that the proposed bill may not be the way to go. It garnered national attention from counselors, attorneys, and others, who questioned whether government and/or bureaucracy should be involved in a couple’s decision to divorce. Another bill concerning the problems associated with divorce may find its way back into the legislature in future sessions.

Divorce is not an easy decision, especially for a couple with children, but it is sometimes necessary. If you are considering a divorce in Colorado, the experienced divorce lawyers in Denver at Kaplan Law, LLC can help. Call us today for a consultation at (303) 458-5500.

The Puritan courts were not known for looking kindly on divorce, but although the system may have been more severe then, this first recorded divorce was not unlike divorces today in terms of why it was granted, or in modern cases, filed. Infidelity and abandonment are not uncommon reasons for divorce today. Other common reasons for filing divorce in modern times include:

• Financial Issues;
• Physical, Psychological, or Emotional Abuse;
• Poor Communication;
• Child Rearing Disputes;
• Conflict Resolution Issues;
• Cultural or Religious Tension;
• Addiction;
• Personality Clashes; or
• Differences in Expectations and Goals.

The reasons why a married couple files for divorce varies; what works or doesn’t work is unique to each marriage. Unfortunately, what doesn’t work often creates irresolvable problems for which divorce is the only answer. If you are considering filing for divorce in Colorado, the experienced divorce attorneys in Denver at Kaplan Law, LLC, can help you understand your legal rights and options so that you may make an informed decision. Contact us today for a consultation at (303) 458-5500.

1. Lack of or Poor Communication

   Money is often treated as the elephant in the room by married couples when it is, in fact, one of the most important topics needing discussion. Talk to your significant other about finances early on in the relationship so that there are no surprises later on.

2. Secrets

   Many married couples hide spending from the other, be it a small or big purchase. For some, it has to do with not feeling like a child who must ask for permission. This can end up creating more problems in the long run. Secrets are secrets, regardless of what is being hidden, and secrets take their toll on a marriage.

3. No Budget

   Keeping track of who spends what can be very difficult without a budget. Making sure both spouses are responsible for adhering to a set budget can ensure that there is always enough money for fixed monthly expenses and that neither spouse overspends.

4. No Will

   Married couples need to be financially prepared for the inevitable. Hashing out the financial details of a will can ensure that both spouses are prepared.

5. Ignoring Differences in Spending Habits

   Just because one spouse likes to shop and the other likes to save does not mean they should not try to find a common middle ground. Leaving each to their own will only exacerbate financial problems in the future.

6. Sharing is not Always Caring

   It may not be practical to share everything, especially early on in a relationship. You may find yourself in a situation that leaves you financially indebted or insecure.

There are various reasons why a couple may decide to divorce; some are preventable, but oftentimes, marital troubles cannot be worked out. If you are considering divorce in Colorado, the dedicated Denver divorce lawyers at Kaplan Law, LLC, can help you understand your legal rights and options so that you can make an informed decision. Contact us today at (303) 458-5500 for a consultation.

A CFI is a licensed attorney, psychologist, or other mental health professional who is knowledgeable in the area of child development. His or her job is to conduct an investigation and then report his or her recommendations to the court concerning what parenting time and/or parental decision making arrangement he or she believes is in the child’s best interest. According to Colorado Revised Statute 14-10-116.5, the CFI may not also serve as legal representation of the child in such cases where one is appointed.

Because of a CFI’s role in family court, it is important that there are clear rules establishing how they are appointed and what their scope of authority is. In April 2011, the Colorado Supreme Court amended the Colorado CFI Guidelines to reflect the following changes:

• A cap of $2,000 was established for the investigation and report;
• Fees and/or costs that surpass the cap must be justified by additional order of the court and proof of extraordinary circumstances;
• Remove the CFI’s authority to conduct alcohol and drug evaluations or psychological testing;
• Remove “CFI quasi-judicial immunity” in the order of appointment; and
• Remove the CFI’s authority to facilitate a meeting between both parties/parents when a protective order prohibits such proximity/contact.

More recently, the Colorado Supreme Court made additional amendments to the CFI Guidelines, which took effect on November 30, 2011. Some of these recent changes include: establishing fees for CFI testimony in conjunction with the cap; establishing CFI appointment guidelines; clarifying complaint procedures; eliminating CFI referrals for specific professionals when neither the court nor the parties made such a request themselves; and modifying language regarding the CFI’s authority to perform certain types of tests or evaluations.

Determining the allocation of parental responsibilities to suit the best interests of the child is one of the most important duties of family court. If you are concerned about child custody issues in your Colorado divorce, the experienced child custody attorneys in Denver can provide you with the information and support you need to make an informed decision about your future. Contact us today at (303) 458-5500 to learn more about your legal options.

Make plans. Don’t leave the holidays up to chance. Connect with family and friends and make plans to join them for some part of their holiday celebration, whether it is an intimate Christmas day brunch or a big New Year’s Eve party. They care about you and will be happy to have you. If you will be alone for the holidays, that’s okay. Make plans for yourself. See a movie, cook yourself a special dinner, go out to see Christmas lights, or whatever else you feel like doing.

Create new traditions. Trying to keep your former holiday traditions is a surefire way of making sure you will be disappointed, if not depressed, during the holidays. Designate your own special day to celebrate the holidays with your children; get together with friends on holidays where you would be alone; or create any other new tradition.

Be flexible. This is a close relation to “create new traditions.” Be open to celebrating the holidays in different ways and with different people. Also, don’t focus so much on the day itself when it comes to spending the holidays with your children. It’s the celebration they remember, not necessarily the actual day.

Ask for support from friends and family. Having a support system is very important after a divorce. Having family and friends that care about you is a valuable resource for you while you cope, but they need to know you want help.

There are difficult times ahead after a divorce, but it is sometimes necessary. If you are considering divorce in Colorado, or have questions about any other family law matters, the experienced family law lawyers in Denver at Kaplan Law, LLC, can help. Call us today for a consultation at (303) 458-5500.

According to the Ventura County Star, many Iraq veterans feel more comfortable with their combat buddies than their own families. Furthermore, they feel more comfortable in Iraq than at home. Many military veterans have such a hard time trying to reintegrate into family life that they seek redeployment. There are a wide range of issues that could keep a “military family” from succeeding. In some cases, the at-home spouse may not want to relinquish the control he or she had over their household while their spouse was deployed. On the other hand, when the deployed spouse returns, he or she may expect that his or her spouse and/or children will respond to orders.

In addition, many veterans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can cause nervousness, irritability, agitation, impatience, aggression, and other effects. Alcoholism is often associated with PTSD. With all these obstacles to face when coming home, it is common for military members to divorce. According to U.S. Pentagon statistics, the military divorce rate increased from 2.6 percent in 2001 to 3.6 percent in 2009. It remained about the same in 2010.

Coming home is something most soldiers dream about. They want to return to either their husbands or wives and children. Once they get home, however, they face an uphill battle. At Kaplan Law, LLC, our experienced divorce lawyers in Denver understand that it is not always possible to hold onto a marriage, but we are committed to making sure that our clients make an informed decision about what is best for themselves and their families. If you are interested in determining whether divorce is the best option for you, we can help. Call us today at (303) 458-5500 for a consultation.

The decision to remove attorney-client privilege from a child and their guardian ad litem sparked much debate. On the one hand, child advocates believe that the trust between a child and their guardian ad litem should never be broken. Many abused, neglected, or troubled children may feel betrayed if their attorney divulges information they were told in confidence. On the other hand, many child advocates believe that this ruling is in keeping with the purpose of a guardian ad litem, which is to act in the best interests of the child regardless of the child’s desires. Parent responsibility and parenting time are some of the most contentious parts of the divorce process. If there are serious allegations from one parent about the other, or if neither parent can agree or compromise on a custody arrangement, the decision will be taken out of their hands. At Kaplan Law, LLC, our dedicated family law attorneys in Colorado believe that the custody ruling should reflect the best interests of the child and are committed to working towards that goal. If you have children and are considering divorce, call us today to learn more about your legal options at (303) 458-5500.

The responsibility of parental decision-making may be allocated to both parents equally, or may be awarded solely to one parent, or may be divided between the parents. Decision-making responsibilities include the child’s education, health, religion and may sometimes also include other areas. If the decision-making responsibilities are allocated equally, one parent may not make certain decisions without the approval of the other or a court order. A decision maker or arbitrator are other ways to resolve a dispute, if both parents agree to have such a person appointed.

Parenting time refers to the amount of time each parent spends with the child. If the child primarily lives with one parent, the court may order a certain amount of parenting time to the other. Parenting time is not necessarily split equally, although the court often will award parenting time equally to both parents, unless another arrangement is clearly in the best interests of the child. Extenuating circumstances involving abuse, alcoholism, neglect or other dangerous situations may result in one parent being given all parental responsibilities.

A divorce can be very traumatic for children, and so it is important that both parents support the parental responsibility arrangements. If you have children and are considering divorce in Colorado, the experienced Denver child custody attorneys at Kaplan Law, LLC, can answer all of your questions and address any concerns you may have pertaining to child custody laws in Colorado. Call us today at (303) 458-5500 for a consultation.

There are some circumstances where a civil relationship between a husband and wife post-divorce is unlikely, such as if one spouse was unfaithful or betrayed the other’s trust in some other way. However, in many cases, couples mutually decide to divorce and maintain a level of friendship, or at least civility. For these couples, formal litigation can ruin the relationship and the best option is mediation.

Mediation involves an objective third-party that works with the couple to come to an agreement on issues such as distribution of assets, child custody and support, spousal support, parenting time, and others in a more private and open environment. The couple will still need to go to court to file for divorce, however. Although it is not necessary, each spouse can still consult with their own divorce attorney and formal litigation is always available. Because the mediator helps the couple come to an agreement themselves, it is more likely that there won’t be problems later on, as opposed to a decision a judge imposes that one spouse or the other does not agree with.

At Kaplan Law, LLC, our dedicated mediation attorneys in Colorado can help you and your spouse maintain a civil post-divorce relationship by facilitating the important discussions that will lead to the necessary decisions on financial and personal matters. In court, the judge decides what is best for you and your family. In mediation, you decide. To learn more about mediation, call us today at (303) 458-5500 for a consultation.