Spouses who choose to file for divorce must address many details before it is finalized. There will likely be some back and forth as the two sides protect their best interests and parental rights. At the same time, the children’s well-being should be the top priority. Part of ensuring that well-being is determining what is most important to the children during and after the divorce.
Co-parenting amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
Some state Supreme Courts have already issued statements regarding the operation of the courts in light of the coronavirus. Colorado is one of them, but the only family law issue the court touched on was to say that hearings on motions to restrict parenting time and parental abduction prevention will still be heard. Courts will also hear temporary and permanent protection orders matters. Hearings may take place by telephone.
More women are out-earning their husbands
It is increasingly common for women to earn equal pay or be the breadwinner in the family. This should come as no surprise since women have attended college at a higher rate than men in recent years, and they now make up over half the U.S. workforce. According to the Pew Research Center, this near parity arrived within a few generations -- only 3.8% of women earned more than their husbands in 1960. But it is not quite equal yet here in the U.S. - we rank 53 out of a total 153 in equal pay.
Marital misconduct in Colorado
Colorado is a no-fault state when it comes to divorce. This means that there need not be a specific reason or action that causes the marriage to be unsustainable. With this in mind, the courts typically do not look at fault for the marriage’s failure in dividing up marital assets. However, Colorado does allow for marital misconduct to be a factor if there is unfair spending or misuse of those shared assets.
Setting boundaries when co-parenting
Family experts and the courts agree that co-parenting is the best approach to raising children if the parents file for divorce. Ideally, this will involve effortless planning, seamless transitions between homes, and parents who are on the same page when it comes to goals for raising the children and rules for doing it. The reality, however, is that it will take effort, but it is possible.
Breaking the news of your divorce is complex
Making the final decision to file for divorce is difficult, but the hardest part of all may be telling the children. While it will likely take time and patience for them to understand, we expect friends, adult family members and work colleagues to understand and offer empathy when they hear the news.
