Fort Collins Law Blog

One of the biggest mistakes people can make when planning for divorce is to develop a strategy based on things they hear from friends or what they saw in a movie instead of advice from an attorney. The wrong actions could leave you very vulnerable in a contentious divorce. Things that you do out of a desire for self-preservation could look different to the courts than they do to you.

Specifically, steps that people often take to protect their assets could often be misconstrued by the courts as an effort to hide those assets. Understanding the difference between these two actions is of critical importance as you head toward divorce.

Parents who are in the midst of a divorce or ending their relationship want to make sure that they are able to maximize the amount of time they can spend with their kids. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a parenting time case to become extremely emotional, which can make it very difficult to focus on the important decisions that need to be made at this time.

If you find yourself in such a situation, you need to be sure that you are taking the right steps to get an agreement that is right for your children. Keeping their best interests in mind can be a real challenge when the other parent is making your life much more difficult, but here are some of the things you can do to help you create a lasting parenting time plan.

Regardless of your age, creating an estate plan is a detailed process that requires your full attention. If you make all the right decisions, it will give you and your loved ones peace of mind. However, if you make any mistakes, it could result in trouble down the road.

When creating your first estate plan in Colorado, it's important to focus on the basics. Here are some things to do:

• Create a will: This is where most people start, as a will is the most common estate planning document. With this, you can outline who gets what upon your death. Even if you do nothing else in regard to your estate plan, it's critical to create a will.
• Name beneficiaries: This all comes down to whom you want to receive your assets when you pass on. Some people name one beneficiary, while others name several. There is no right or wrong approach, so consider everyone in your life before making a final decision.
• Choose an executor: The executor of your will is the person responsible for carrying out your final wishes. This person will review your will upon your death, assist with the probate process and make sure everything is taken care of based on the details of your will.
• Create a durable power of attorney: This document gives another person the ability to manage your finances should you be unable to do so as the result of incapacity. This is much better than letting the court decide.
• Create an advance health care directive: If you're unable to make your own medical decisions, such as toward the end of your life, you want to know that the right person can step in to do so on your behalf. An advance health care directive allows you to name an agent to ensure that you receive the type of treatment you want.
• Name a guardian: If you have any children under the age of 18, have a plan on who will raise them should you and your spouse pass on. The best way to do this is to name a guardian in your will.

After the dust settles from your divorce, it may take some time to adjust to sharing custody of your child. Many parents struggle to find healthy means of communication with their exes, even though they must work together to provide a good life for their child.

In some cases, one parent or the other may abuse the other parent's right, complicating their relationship with the child or depriving them of their court-ordered custody time. In many instances, this is parenting time interference, which courts don't take lightly. A parent who violates the other parent's rights may face a number of punishments, including loss of privileges and mandatory make-up days for lost custody time.