Equitable distribution under Colorado law requires the Court to classify assets and debts as marital or separate, assign them a value, and then distribute them in a manner that is fair given the totality of the circumstances in any particular case. Factors the Court considers include each spouse’s contribution to the acquisition of marital property (including contributions to the marriage as a homemaker), the value of property set apart to each spouse, and the economic circumstances of each party at the time of division.
Separate property, assets acquired before the marriage, by gift or inheritance, or excluded by valid written agreement, generally remain with the owning spouse, provided it has not been commingled with marital assets. Commingling and transmutation issues often present the most contested challenges in high-asset cases, and tracing by an expert is typically required.
Our firm regularly handles estates involving business interests, professional practices, real estate portfolios, deferred compensation, stock options, and retirement assets. We work with forensic accountants, business valuators, forensic experts, and other experts to ensure that all assets are properly identified and accurately valued. Our goal is to position clients for long-term financial health, not merely to resolve the immediate dispute.
