Colorado considers many forms of union between two people who join their lives or create a family. Traditional marriage is still the most common way for two people to unite, but most states now also recognize other options, including civil unions and common-law marriages in Colorado. It’s important to understand the differences between these two alternatives to a traditional marriage if you and your loved one are weighing your legal options for uniting. What is a Common Law Marriage in…

With more than its share of scenic roadways, mountain passes, and historic highways, there are many reasons to get the most out of a motorcycle in Colorado. But before you hit Trail Ridge Road this spring, or buy a motorcycle to save gas costs on daily commutes to work or school, it’s important to understand Colorado’s motorcycle insurance laws. Colorado is an at-fault state for accident claims, including motorcycle accidents. For that reason, it not only matters who causes an…

When spouses divorce, both parties who previously enjoyed a similar lifestyle may suddenly face a significant financial disparity. Alimony—labeled spousal maintenance in Colorado—may be one of the most contentious issues between parties in a divorce, but the intention is to prevent one spouse from suffering from unfair economic impacts after a divorce. If one person earned a higher income during the marriage and the other focused their time and attention on raising children and/or keeping a home, spousal support becomes…

When two spouses divorce after a significant number of years together in marriage, it may leave one spouse at a considerable disadvantage. For instance, if one spouse spent the majority of time in the marriage focusing on raising children and keeping the home, they may not have had adequate time to focus on furthering their education and career. In these cases, the disadvantaged spouse may ask for spousal maintenance—also called spousal support or alimony. Whenever a judge awards an amount…

When a death occurs in a family, it’s always a tragic and distressing time for those left behind, but when the death results from the negligence, recklessness, or wrongdoing of another party, it adds a new layer of pain to the grief. In any situation where an injury victim could have brought a personal injury claim forward had they survived, a close family member left behind can file a claim for wrongful death against the person or entity at fault…