Divorce is on the rise in America, and military families are no exception.
According to a recent count by the United States Department of Defense, the divorce rate among military couples has been steadily increasing for the past 10 years, from 2.6% in 2001 to 3.7% in 2011. However, considering that between 40-50% of first marriages in Colorado and across the country end in divorce, the Defense Department’s finding may not come as a surprise.
In Colorado, the courts follow a “no fault” practice, meaning that you can obtain a divorce without proving that your spouse did something wrong. Rather, you need only cite irreconcilable differences. Therefore, the court will not consider fault as a factor for dividing your marital property and determining financial issues and support.
Even without fault as a factor, however, resolving issues of child support, spousal support and custody can be very difficult. For that reason, the first thing you should do after deciding to divorce is to schedule a consultation with an experienced divorce lawyer.
An attorney will be able to prepare a strategy for dividing your marital assets, which may include real estate, bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, cars, and personal valuables, like jewelry. An attorney will also be able to advise you on how to allocate responsibility for any marital debts, which may include mortgages, balances owed on credit cards, and car and student loans. If children are involved, an attorney can advise you on how the court may examine parental behavior in determining custody and support arrangements.
If you find yourself facing a divorce, you may be dealing with stress and financial hardships. By having an attorney at your side, you will be able to get through that process effectively and efficiently.
Source: Huffington Post, “Military Divorce: What It’s Like To Split From Your Military Spouse,” Natasha Burton, May 28, 2012