Boulder Colorado Legal Blog

Summer can be a bittersweet season for many college students in more ways than one. For some, it may be some of their last months off before they get back to studying and eventually adulthood. For those who have summer jobs and internships, they are getting a taste of things to come. Regardless of what category you fall under, you at least still get to take advantage of national holidays where you, your family and your friends can take some much-needed time off.

The Fourth of July and Labor Day are some of the most celebrated holidays in the nation. However, that also makes them some of the most dangerous for drivers on the road. In 2017, there were 394 drivers in Colorado arrested for suspected DUI. The police are on high alert, so even the slightest mistake while driving can raise suspicions for them. Here are some factors you need to consider before making party plans around these holidays:

When a couple in Colorado is experiencing marital difficulties, they might not be sure they want to divorce immediately; they might prefer to negotiate a separation rather than have the case decided by a court. In many cases, the couple can benefit from spending some time apart and the marriage is salvageable. Or, maybe the couple is on amicable terms and can agree on the fundamental issues as they dissolve the marriage. For people in this situation, it is important to understand how a separation agreement can be used.

As a separation or dissolution moves forward, the parties can come up with a written separation agreement. In the agreement will be stipulations regarding maintenance, how the property will be split, and how children will be handled with child support, parenting time and parental responsibilities. The separation agreement will be binding except for issues related to children. If, however, the court finds that the economic situation makes the agreement unfair, it will not necessarily be binding.

Driving at excessive speed and operating a vehicle in a reckless manager in Colorado is inherently dangerous. To put a stop to drivers behaving in this way, law enforcement is out in force to catch them and give citations for their behavior. In some cases, the allegations are sufficiently egregious that there is an arrest. Although people should not drive recklessly and dangerously, that does not mean they should go to jail, lose their driving privileges and face other penalties for it. Having a legal defense to combat the charges is a person's right and it is important to exercise that right to avoid the worst consequences.

A man was arrested on numerous charges related to speeding and reckless driving. The 31-year-old was seen by witnesses who contacted law enforcement at around 8:15 p.m. The vehicle, a Dodge Challenger, was reportedly driving at significant speeds and changing lanes recklessly. A state trooper saw the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. However, the driver allegedly sped off and reached speeds of 130-mph while running onto the shoulder of the road.

In a Colorado divorce, the focus will understandably be on children, their support and custodial issues. Spousal maintenance will also come to the forefront. There are many avenues of dispute in any case involving family law and divorce. Property division might get lost in the shuffle, but that does not diminish the importance of understanding the law and how it is determined what will be divided as marital property and what will be separate property. Having legal assistance is critical with these circumstances.

When determining how marital property will be divided, the court will consider how much each party contributed to its acquisition. That will factor in the contribution of a person who was functioning as a homemaker. The property will have value and this will be set apart to each party. When the division of property goes into effect, the circumstances of the spouses will be considered. That will include how desirable it is for one or the other to maintain the family home and to live there for a reasonable amount of time with children. If there were increases or reductions with the value of separate property that a spouse brought into the marriage, this will be assessed.