Colorado Springs Alimony Attorneys

Helping Clients Achieve Financial Stability

If you’re navigating a divorce and have questions about alimony, The Harris Law Firm in Colorado Springs, CO, is here to help. Our experienced team of attorneys understands the complexities of spousal support and will guide you through each step of the process. Whether you need help securing fair alimony payments or modifying an existing agreement, a Colorado Springs alimony lawyer from our firm can provide knowledgeable and compassionate support.

Contact us at to learn more about how The Harris Law Firm, P.C. can help. We offer free phone consultations!

What is Alimony?

Alimony, also called spousal support or maintenance, is a financial arrangement in which one spouse provides monetary support to the other after a divorce or separation. The main goal of alimony is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a reasonable standard of living while working toward financial independence.

Court decisions about alimony in El Paso County, which includes Colorado Springs, factor in the region's military presence, economic differences, and variations in local costs of living. Courts review not only state guidelines but also the needs specific to families in the area.

In Colorado, courts consider several factors when determining whether alimony is appropriate, including:

• The financial resources of both parties.
• The length of the marriage.
• Each spouse’s earning potential and job skills.
• Contributions to the marriage, such as homemaking or supporting the other spouse’s education or career.

Common Types of Spousal Support

Alimony in Colorado can take several forms, depending on the needs and circumstances of both spouses. Here are the most common types:

• Temporary Maintenance: The court may award temporary maintenance during the divorce to help the lower-earning spouse cover expenses until the case is resolved. This support provides stability while you wait for the final order.
• Rehabilitative Maintenance: Rehabilitative maintenance supports a spouse as that person seeks financial independence, such as through further education or job training. The duration depends on how long it takes for the recipient to reach self-sufficiency.
• Permanent Maintenance: Permanent maintenance is rare and usually applies to long-term marriages where one spouse is very unlikely to achieve financial independence due to age, health, or other significant factors. This type of maintenance can often be modified or terminated under certain circumstances.
• Lump-Sum Maintenance: Lump-sum maintenance resolves support obligations through a single, one-time payment instead of monthly installments. This approach eliminates ongoing financial ties after divorce.

Colorado law sets specific guidelines for calculating spousal support amount and duration. The courts may apply a statutory formula if your combined gross income fits within the state’s threshold, but judges can adjust support based on your situation. In Colorado Springs, factors like military retirement benefits or housing rates may affect how spousal support is structured.

How Colorado Courts Determine the Duration and Amount of Alimony

When setting alimony or spousal support in Colorado, courts follow state guidelines but also evaluate each case based on individual circumstances. A formula applies to certain income ranges, but judges review factors such as marriage length, both spouses’ incomes, and ongoing living expenses. If you live in Colorado Springs, the local court considers regional factors such as area housing rates and employment conditions in El Paso County.

The judge reviews detailed financial disclosures and applies the relevant statute, sometimes setting support for a duration linked to the length of the marriage. Shorter marriages may result in just a few years of support, while longer unions could lead to extended arrangements. The court looks at each spouse’s ability to become self-supporting and whether one party sacrificed career opportunities to help the other.

When children are involved, child support is a separate calculation. However, the total financial picture will influence both child and spousal support awards. Features unique to the Colorado Springs area, such as frequent military relocations, may affect the nature or duration of financial arrangements. A local attorney can clarify how these factors relate to your situation and present your case based on the realities of your life in El Paso County.

Understanding the Tax Implications of Spousal Support in Colorado

Recent changes to federal tax law impact how parties handle alimony payments for agreements signed in 2019 or later. Now, the person paying alimony cannot deduct those payments on federal taxes, and the recipient does not include alimony payments as taxable income. This change can influence the net financial impact of a support agreement.

Colorado does not alter federal tax law for Colorado Springs residents, but courts still review whether spousal support arrangements fairly account for both parties’ after-tax resources. If your maintenance agreement took effect before 2019, you may have a different tax result. Always check your agreement date before making assumptions.

Colorado Springs residents should consider how changes in income or future financial challenges could affect their tax standing. Planning ahead can help keep your support agreement and taxes manageable over time.