Denver Legal Blog

Don't let stress hinder your co-parenting relationship

On behalf of CoakleyKrol, LLC on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

When you and your former spouse decided to divorce, you no doubt understood that your decision would prompt changes in your own lives as well as your children's. There's a lot more to legally ending a marriage in a Colorado court than signing a few papers and moving on in life. The in-between can be quite stressful, especially if you and your ex have a contentious relationship.

There are several things to keep in mind that can help you keep stress to a minimum in your co-parenting interactions. First and foremost is to remember that you may no longer desire to be spouses, but you will always be parents together. Appreciating each other for the roles you play in your children's lives helps lay the groundwork for peaceful co-parenting.

The outline of a parenting plan gives you a good place to start

On behalf of CoakleyKrol, LLC on Friday, November 29, 2019.

Your marriage may be over, but your parental relationship will never end. You and your future former spouse know that you will need to work together in order to help your children through the impending transition, and to give them the love and support they need in order to thrive as they grow.

You decided that the best course of action is to create a parenting plan together outside of the courtroom, in order to tailor it to your family and give you more control over how your future as co-parents will look. The problem is that you aren't quite sure what you need to include, and you don't want to miss something important.

How healthy will your post-divorce finances be?

On behalf of CoakleyKrol, LLC on Friday, August 30, 2019.

Whether you are successfully making ends meet or living a comfortable lifestyle, nothing can change your financial stability more drastically than a divorce. Couples who divorce often find themselves trying to stretch half the income over double the expenses.

As emotionally difficult as a divorce can be, you may find that financial struggles can follow you for years after the judge signs the final papers. However, it does not have to be this way. If you take some proactive steps in the months before and during the divorce, you may find your financial situation more manageable as you make your way through the early years of your post-divorce life.

Divorce: Ways to help your kids adapt to a new lifestyle

On behalf of CoakleyKrol, LLC on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

Children typically encounter many challenges when their parents divorce. You may have done what most other Colorado parents do after deciding to sever your marital ties, which is to gather the kids all in one room and have a family discussion about it. From that point on, however, each of your children may have different reactions and will likely need guidance, support and encouragement from you, especially as the first year without the family under one roof unfolds.

Like most parents, you want what is best for your children. However, how you interpret that and how your ex does may spark some friction. If a particular obstacle arises, you can reach out for additional support at any time. In the meantime, you can take several steps to help your children cope and move on in life.

Are you considering divorce because of one of these issues?

On behalf of CoakleyKrol, LLC on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

When a Colorado married couple petitions the court for divorce, it may be one of the most consequential events of their lives. Whether you've been thinking about taking similar action for quite some time now or only recently considered it an option, you're still likely to encounter numerous challenges as you leave the past behind and move on in life.

Understanding what caused your divorce can help you come to terms with the situation; it may also have an impact on proceedings, especially if you file an at-fault petition. Although no two relationships are identical, you may find that you have certain things in common with other couples who have also decided to take up separate households from their spouses on a permanent basis.

Happy holidays: Ways to make it possible after divorce

On behalf of CoakleyKrol, LLC on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

If you are entering your first, post-divorce holiday season, you may be feeling a bit anxious about how it's all going to work. Even though you feel fairly confident about your co-parenting plan, you know that your kids are used to the family holiday traditions you've always had and that things will be quite different this year. Your divorce doesn't necessarily have to mean the end of your holiday fun.

There are several key factors to keep in mind that can help you and your co-parent avoid the stressful, emotionally charged, highly contentious holiday disasters that some former couples wind up facing. To start, it always helps to remember that your children's well-being is the central focus. From there, you can lay some ground rules and be proactive to help your children adapt to their new holiday routine.

Read this if you're planning to tell your kids about divorce

On behalf of CoakleyKrol, LLC on Friday, September 7, 2018.

No two Colorado families are exactly the same. Your parenting style may be quite different from your neighbor's. Then again, you may find you have similar ideas regarding how to raise children and, in particular, how to talk to them about important issues, such as divorce. It is no secret that many parents will be having such discussions with their kids this year.

If you're one of them, you may want to consider these practical ideas to help your children cope in the healthiest way possible. Depending on the age ranges of your children, what you do and say might vary; therefore, if you have both toddler-age and teenage children in your family, you may want to speak to your kids separately in addition to having a family discussion.

Is your former spouse undermining your rightful parenting time?

On behalf of CoakleyKrol, LLC on Monday, June 11, 2018.

The issues between two Colorado parents can continue long after a divorce is final. In fact, the difficult feelings and emotions can cause problems that may require one parent to seek legal recourse to resolve ongoing issues. One problem that you may need help resolving is parenting time interference.

When your child's other parent does not want to cooperate with the terms of a custody or visitation order, it is more than just an inconvenience. It is a direct threat to your parental rights, as well as a threat to the well-being of your child. If you are dealing with parenting time interference, you have the right to take action to shield your interests and your kids.

How can I protect my small business in the event of a divorce?

On behalf of CoakleyKrol, LLC posted in blog on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

As a small business owner, you want to protect your livelihood. You have spent many countless hours nurturing your business and transforming it into the thriving source of income it is today. For many people, and especially now as more individuals start to work for themselves, their businesses are their most important and most financially significant asset.

Like many other small business owners in Colorado, you could someday face divorce. No one plans to be divorced, but research shows that up to 40 percent of marriages end in divorce. If the business is included in the financial settlement of the divorce, it can have a big impact on its future profitability. Luckily, there are strategies that you can implement to protect your most important asset.

Did your spouse get defensive when asked about missing money?

On behalf of CoakleyKrol, LLC posted in blog on Thursday, December 14, 2017.

Divorce is never easy, and you may have more than your share of challenges in store, depending on your particular situation. If you have children, there might be disagreements about custody or visitation. If you're a business owner, protecting your interests will likely be a high priority when property division proceedings begin. Hopefully, you will be able to negotiate a fair and agreeable settlement that allows you to move forward toward a new, successful lifestyle.

That's often easier said than done, however, especially if you suspect that your spouse is trying to hide assets so that he or she won't be subject to division. If you're like many other spouses in Colorado, you've probably learned to trust your instincts when it comes to feeling like something is not right in your relationship. If your spouse is showing signs of suspicious behavior, you may want to further investigate the matter before heading to court.