Should I Ask For Spousal Support In My Divorce?

In Colorado, spousal support (called maintenance, also known as alimony) is not an automatic right in divorce. It is a decision made by the courts, typically when one party does not have sufficient assets to meet their needs following divorce and is unable to support themselves through gainful employment or has childcare responsibilities they cannot ignore. So, should you ask for maintenance in your divorce?

The answer comes down to the particulars of each divorce case.

Health and Age

Spousal support may be granted to you if you have a medical condition that affects your ability to work or requires expensive treatment, especially if you have an ongoing condition. Additionally, if you are near retirement age, the courts will consider how your retirement will affect your finances and quality of life to determine if you should be eligible for maintenance.

Education and Employment

If your spouse has a significantly higher education than you and earns much more as a result, the courts will consider spousal support. This is especially true in cases with unemployed stay-at-home parents or spouses who will need time to increase their education and experience to find gainful employment.

How Long Have You Been Married?

Depending on the length of your marriage, you may be able to receive spousal support. The duration of spousal support will be determined by the length of marriage, with longer marriages receiving longer term spousal support.

Some people decide to trade potential spousal support for a greater share of the divorce settlement, while others prefer to receive monthly payments. The only way to know which is best for you is to discuss your case with your divorce attorney.

Our Denver divorce lawyers can assist you in determining is spousal support is right for you.

Check Out Divorce Matters® Colorado Alimony Calculator and Child Support App

Hello, readers!

We have an exciting new announcement that may help you and your spouse figure out some of the logistics of your divorce, and you can access it directly from your Android or iOS device. Our law firm has published a free app, which you can find the App Store under the name “Divorce Matters Colorado Spousal Maintenance and Child Support Calculator.”

What Does the Colorado Alimony Calculator Do?

It does exactly what it sounds like it does: it is a simple, portable method of quickly estimating how much you might be expected to pay for spousal maintenance (alimony) and child support if you are involved in a divorce. Knowing is half the battle – our app provides a thorough, inclusive analysis of your financial situation and applies Colorado laws and statutes to help provide you with an accurate estimate of how much you or your spouse will be expected to pay, based on factors like gross monthly income, length of your marriage and a breakdown of costs you might not realize can affect alimony and child support payments. If you’re looking for a reliable Colorado alimony calculator or child support calculator, this app is a great place to start. Knowing what to expect ahead of time can help relieve some of the stress and uncertainty of an upcoming divorce.

You Still Need an Attorney

While our Colorado alimony calculator is an excellent tool, it’s just the beginning. Divorce is not just an emotional process – it’s a financial one. Understanding what your future might look like in terms of income, support obligations, and expenses is critical for long-term stability. Our app gives you a head start by offering a general idea of your support obligations, which can help you begin planning responsibly and realistically.

Whether you’re the spouse who may be ordered to pay support or the one who may receive it, having a ballpark estimate helps you prepare. You can begin adjusting your budget, understanding your post-divorce lifestyle, and even negotiating more confidently if you’re pursuing a collaborative or mediated divorce. Many people are caught off guard by the financial implications of divorce. Using our Colorado alimony calculator early in the process can help avoid that.

Still, while technology can be empowering, it can’t replace personalized legal advice. Colorado’s child support and spousal maintenance guidelines are complex – and the final determination involves more than just numbers. A court may take into account factors like parenting time schedules, the specific needs of a child, each spouse’s financial contributions to the household, and potential for future income. That’s why even if you use the calculator, it’s essential to consult with an experienced attorney before making any assumptions or agreements.

Your Financial Future After Divorce

At Divorce Matters®, we often hear from clients who were surprised by the final outcome of their divorce settlement or support order – often because they relied solely on general tools or informal advice from friends or online forums. While our Colorado alimony calculator and child support calculator provides a helpful starting point, an attorney can help you understand what adjustments might apply in your unique situation, and whether the court might deviate from standard guidelines based on special circumstances.

Additionally, an attorney can ensure you’re not missing key financial elements – like shared debts, tax implications, or hidden income – that can affect the fairness of your final agreement. They can also advocate for temporary support during the divorce process, which can make a significant difference in your day-to-day life.

Another reason to focus on the financial aspects of your divorce early and often is because these decisions have long-term implications. For example, if you’re the recipient of spousal maintenance, understanding how long it will last and how it’s calculated can help you plan your return to the workforce. If you’re paying support, it’s important to know what’s expected of you – and what steps to take if your circumstances change in the future.

Planning ahead also helps reduce conflict. When both parties understand how support is calculated and why, it becomes easier to have productive conversations about fairness. This can lead to more amicable negotiations, fewer court appearances, and better outcomes for everyone involved – especially children.

Modifications to Payments

Our Colorado alimony calculator is also helpful if you’re already divorced but believe your support order may need to be modified. Life happens—jobs change, incomes shift, and parenting responsibilities evolve. We can help you with through a variety of scenarios and consider whether it’s time to file for a modification.

At Divorce Matters®, we believe in giving our clients the tools and education they need to feel confident in their decisions. The Colorado Spousal Maintenance and Child Support Calculator app is just one of the many ways we support individuals before, during, and after their divorce. We proudly serve clients throughout Colorado, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Fort Collins, Centennial, Boulder, and beyond.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or you’re facing a complex support dispute, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let us guide you through the legal and financial realities of your case with clarity and care.

App Requirements:

If you are on iOS, our app is supported by iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch running iOS 8.0 or later.

Our Denver divorce attorneys seek to provide the premier client experiences for divorcing couples in Colorado.