# Split Simple Website: https://www.splitsimple.com Language: en (UTF-8) Charset: UTF-8 Generated: 2026-09-15T16:25:43+00:00 --- # Detailed Content ## Posts ### Mediation for Fault and No-Fault Divorce: What’s the Difference - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/mediation-for-fault-and-no-fault-divorce-whats-the-difference/ - **Published:** 2026-09-09 - **Modified:** 2026-09-09 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Divorce laws vary by state and one of the biggest areas of confusion is the difference between fault and no-fault divorce. Historically, spouses had to prove a legally recognized reason... **Content:** Divorce laws vary by state and one of the biggest areas of confusion is the difference between fault and no-fault divorce. Historically, spouses had to prove a legally recognized reason for ending their marriage. Today, Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, meaning spouses don’t have to prove wrongdoing to end their marriage. For couples considering divorce mediation in Colorado, understanding what no-fault divorce means can help clear up misconceptions about blame, marital misconduct and the issues that really need to be resolved during the divorce process. What is a Fault Divorce? A fault divorce is one where a spouse is seeking to end a marriage based on specific conduct recognized as grounds for divorce under state law. Historically these grounds could include adultery, abandonment, cruelty or other forms of marital misconduct. Some states still recognize certain fault based grounds but Colorado does not require spouses to prove fault to get a divorce. For couples divorcing in Colorado, this means generally there is no need to gather evidence to prove one spouse caused the marriage to fail. Instead the legal focus is on whether the marriage is irretrievably broken. What is a No-Fault Divorce? A no-fault divorce allows a marriage to be dissolved without either spouse having to prove the other was responsible for the breakdown of the marriage. Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. Under Colorado law the court can enter a decree of dissolution when it finds the marriage is irretrievably broken. The process doesn’t require proof of adultery, abandonment, cruelty or similar marital misconduct just to establish grounds for divorce. This can be especially important during divorce mediation. Instead of spending time proving who ended the marriage, spouses can focus on the practical issues that need to be resolved as they separate. Does No-Fault Mean Past Conduct Never Matters? Not necessarily. No-fault divorce means marital misconduct is not required to establish the legal grounds for ending the marriage. It doesn’t mean behavior during the marriage can never be relevant. For example, concerns about domestic violence, abuse, neglect or a child’s safety can be relevant when parenting responsibilities are being determined. Financial conduct may also be relevant under certain circumstances including issues with the disposition of marital assets.The key point is that divorce proceedings are not about who was the better partner. Conduct is only relevant when it has a legal connection to an issue that needs to be resolved. Is a No-Fault Divorce the Same as an Uncontested Divorce? No. These are different things. No-fault refers to the legal grounds for ending a marriage. Uncontested divorce generally means spouses have agreed on the issues that need to be resolved to finalize their divorce. A couple can have a no-fault divorce and still disagree on property division, maintenance, parenting responsibilities, child support or other matters. This is especially important when talking about divorce mediation. Mediation isn’t about determining who was at fault. It gives spouses a structured process to work through their disagreements and see if they can agree… --- ### Can You Make Special Requests During Denver Divorce Mediation? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/can-you-make-special-requests-during-denver-divorce-mediation-2/ - **Published:** 2026-09-01 - **Modified:** 2026-09-01 - **Author:** t **Summary:** One of the benefits of divorce mediation is that you can create agreements that fit your family’s special situation. While Colorado law sets the framework for property division, parenting responsibilities... **Content:** One of the benefits of divorce mediation is that you can create agreements that fit your family’s special situation. While Colorado law sets the framework for property division, parenting responsibilities and spousal or child support, many aspects of a divorce agreement can be customized to fit both spouses. During Denver divorce mediation, you work with a neutral mediator to discuss your priorities, identify areas of agreement and resolve differences through collaboration not litigation. If you have specific concerns or goals for your future, mediation is a chance to discuss them and see if they can be part of your final agreement. Flexibility of Mediation Colorado law provides guidelines for divorce but that doesn’t mean every agreement looks the same. In many situations, spouses have flexibility to negotiate solutions that work for their individual circumstances as long as the final agreement complies with Colorado law and is acceptable to both parties. An attorney-mediator can explain the legal framework, identify options that may be available and facilitate productive discussions while remaining neutral throughout the process. Instead of making decisions for either spouse, the mediator helps both spouses explore possible solutions together. Requesting Specific Assets One or both spouses often have a strong preference for certain assets. This might be the family home, a particular vehicle, investment accounts, family heirlooms or other property with financial or sentimental value. During mediation, you can discuss these preferences openly. If one spouse wants to keep a particular asset, the overall property division can often be adjusted so the agreement is still equitable under Colorado law. The focus is on finding a solution both parties can agree to while considering the value of all marital assets. Family Business Interests When a family business is involved, mediation is a chance to discuss how ownership and future operations will be handled. Some couples decide one spouse will continue to run the business and the other will receive compensation through other marital assets. Others may choose to maintain joint ownership for a period of time or another arrangement that fits their individual circumstances. The right solution depends on many factors including each spouse’s involvement in the business, financial considerations and long-term goals. Personalizing Parenting Plans Parenting plans are rarely one size fits all. Every family has unique schedules, traditions and responsibilities that should be considered when creating arrangements for children. During mediation, parents can discuss work and school schedules, extracurricular activities, holiday traditions, vacations, transportation, communication expectations and how to handle future schedule changes. For example, parents may agree to preserve annual family traditions, accommodate rotating work schedules, have regular video calls when children are with the other parent or include procedures for future decision-making. As long as the agreement supports the children’s best interests and complies with Colorado law, mediation allows families to create parenting plans that fit their individual needs. Supporting Future Financial Goals Many couples also use mediation to discuss financial arrangements after divorce. One spouse may want more liquid assets to simplify the transition into a… --- ### SplitSimple Continues Annual Social Work Scholarship Supporting Future Family Advocates - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/splitsimple-continues-annual-social-work-scholarship-supporting-future-family-advocates/ - **Published:** 2026-07-27 - **Modified:** 2026-07-27 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Split Simple continues its annual Social Work Scholarship, helping undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in social work through educational support. **Content:** SplitSimple, a divorce mediation services provider operating in Denver, has announced the continuation of its annual scholarship program designed to support students pursuing careers in social work. The scholarship recognizes the important role social workers play in helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges, including divorce and separation. The scholarship program reflects SplitSimple’s commitment to supporting the next generation of professionals who provide essential guidance and resources to families during times of transition. Through this annual initiative, the company seeks to encourage students who are preparing for careers dedicated to strengthening individuals, families, and communities. “Social workers are often the unsung heroes who help families navigate some of their most challenging moments,” said Chris Griffith, founder of SplitSimple. “Through this scholarship, we hope to support students who share our commitment to helping families find constructive paths forward during times of transition. The work these future professionals will do extends far beyond what we accomplish through divorce mediation, touching lives across communities in countless ways.” The scholarship initiative aligns with SplitSimple’s broader mission of helping families resolve conflict through respectful communication and collaboration. Social workers frequently assist individuals and families experiencing separation or divorce by connecting them with counseling, community resources, and other support services. By supporting students entering the profession, SplitSimple hopes to contribute to the continued availability of skilled professionals who help families during periods of change. Applicants are selected according to the scholarship program’s published eligibility requirements and application guidelines. Through the program, SplitSimple aims to recognize students who demonstrate a commitment to serving others and making a positive impact through the field of social work. The relationship between social work and family mediation highlights the value of a comprehensive support system for families experiencing significant life changes. While mediators help couples work toward mutually acceptable agreements, social workers often provide additional emotional support, advocacy, and access to community resources that can help families adapt to new circumstances. SplitSimple specializes in divorce mediation services that help couples reach mutually acceptable agreements without the adversarial nature often associated with traditional litigation. The company offers remote mediation sessions, allowing clients to participate from the comfort of their homes while working through important decisions involving asset division, child support and parenting arrangements, financial matters, and other aspects of the divorce process. Its services also include uncontested divorce proceedings, alimony, equitable division of assets, no-fault divorce cases, prenuptial agreements, and preparation and filing of required legal documents. The company’s collaborative approach helps clients reach agreements that can be submitted to the court for approval while minimizing conflict, reducing emotional stress, and encouraging productive communication throughout the mediation process. By offering an alternative to traditional divorce litigation, SplitSimple helps families move forward with dignity and respect while preserving important relationships, particularly when children are involved. --- ### Can You Make Special Requests During Denver Divorce Mediation? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/can-you-make-special-requests-during-denver-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2026-07-27 - **Modified:** 2026-07-27 - **Author:** t **Summary:** One of the benefits of divorce mediation is that you can create agreements that fit your family’s special situation. While Colorado law sets the framework for property division, parenting responsibilities... **Content:** One of the benefits of divorce mediation is that you can create agreements that fit your family’s special situation. While Colorado law sets the framework for property division, parenting responsibilities and spousal or child support, many aspects of a divorce agreement can be customized to fit both spouses. During Denver divorce mediation, you work with a neutral mediator to discuss your priorities, identify areas of agreement and resolve differences through collaboration not litigation. If you have specific concerns or goals for your future, mediation is a chance to discuss them and see if they can be part of your final agreement. Flexibility of Mediation Colorado law provides guidelines for divorce but that doesn’t mean every agreement looks the same. In many situations, spouses have flexibility to negotiate solutions that work for their individual circumstances as long as the final agreement complies with Colorado law and is acceptable to both parties. An attorney-mediator can explain the legal framework, identify options that may be available and facilitate productive discussions while remaining neutral throughout the process. Instead of making decisions for either spouse, the mediator helps both spouses explore possible solutions together. Requesting Specific Assets One or both spouses often have a strong preference for certain assets. This might be the family home, a particular vehicle, investment accounts, family heirlooms or other property with financial or sentimental value. During mediation, you can discuss these preferences openly. If one spouse wants to keep a particular asset, the overall property division can often be adjusted so the agreement is still equitable under Colorado law. The focus is on finding a solution both parties can agree to while considering the value of all marital assets. Family Business Interests When a family business is involved, mediation is a chance to discuss how ownership and future operations will be handled. Some couples decide one spouse will continue to run the business and the other will receive compensation through other marital assets. Others may choose to maintain joint ownership for a period of time or another arrangement that fits their individual circumstances. The right solution depends on many factors including each spouse’s involvement in the business, financial considerations and long-term goals. Personalizing Parenting Plans Parenting plans are rarely one size fits all. Every family has unique schedules, traditions and responsibilities that should be considered when creating arrangements for children. During mediation, parents can discuss work and school schedules, extracurricular activities, holiday traditions, vacations, transportation, communication expectations and how to handle future schedule changes. For example, parents may agree to preserve annual family traditions, accommodate rotating work schedules, have regular video calls when children are with the other parent or include procedures for future decision-making. As long as the agreement supports the children’s best interests and complies with Colorado law, mediation allows families to create parenting plans that fit their individual needs. Supporting Future Financial Goals Many couples also use mediation to discuss financial arrangements after divorce. One spouse may want more liquid assets to simplify the transition into a… --- ### Why Many Attorney-Mediators Have a Background in Family Law - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/why-many-attorney-mediators-have-a-background-in-family-law/ - **Published:** 2026-07-08 - **Modified:** 2026-07-08 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Divorce mediation allows couples to work together to resolve the legal and financial issues of ending a marriage. Instead of asking a judge to decide, spouses work with a neutral... **Content:** Divorce mediation allows couples to work together to resolve the legal and financial issues of ending a marriage. Instead of asking a judge to decide, spouses work with a neutral mediator to agree on property division, parenting plans, spousal and child support as well as other important matters. Mediators come from all sorts of backgrounds, mental health, finance and law. At Split Simple, mediation is done by attorney mediators with experience in Colorado family law. A mediator does not represent either spouse or give individual legal advice, but a legal background can help facilitate the conversation and ensure agreements comply with Colorado law. Colorado Divorce Law One of the benefits of working with an attorney mediator is their knowledge of Colorado divorce law and court requirements. Throughout the mediation process, they can explain Colorado law as it relates to common divorce issues, so both spouses can make informed decisions together. This legal knowledge is especially helpful when discussing property division, parenting responsibilities, child support and spousal maintenance. Attorney mediators know the legal framework around these issues and can help couples develop agreements that are practical, fair and court-submittable. Navigating Property Division Dividing marital property is one of the biggest parts of many divorces. Every family’s financial situation is different, whether it’s a home, retirement accounts, investments, business interests or other assets. In Denver divorce mediation, an attorney mediator helps both spouses identify marital assets and liabilities, then guides the conversation towards solutions that reflect Colorado’s equitable division laws. Instead of deciding how property should be divided, the mediator facilitates the conversation so the couple can reach their own agreement. Because attorney mediators know how Colorado courts approach property division, they can also help identify issues that need to be discussed before a final agreement is prepared. Parenting Plans That Work for Families When there are children involved, developing a parenting plan is often the most important part of the mediation process. Every family has different, schedules, responsibilities and priorities, so it’s essential to create an arrangement that works for both parents and kids. Attorney mediators help parents discuss parenting time, decision making responsibilities, communication expectations, holidays and future adjustments in a structured and respectful environment. They know Colorado family law and can explain the legal requirements while encouraging parents to develop solutions that fit their family’s unique situation. The goal is to create a parenting plan that supports long-term cooperation and stability for kids as families transition into new routines. Experience With Many Types of Divorces Many attorney mediators have years of experience with Colorado family law before focusing on mediation. This experience gives them insight into the various situations couples will face during divorce. Every divorce is different. Some couples need help organizing financial information, others need more guidance when discussing parenting arrangements or long term financial planning. Attorney mediators draw on their experience in both litigation and mediation to keep the conversation productive and focused on solutions. Our Colorado divorce attorney mediators don’t take sides, they remain neutral… --- ### Why Family Law Attorneys Often Serve as Divorce Mediators - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/why-family-law-attorneys-often-serve-as-divorce-mediators/ - **Published:** 2026-06-11 - **Modified:** 2026-06-21 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Learn how Split Simple supports families through divorce mediation, helping parents navigate separation, co-parenting, and child-focused resolutions with less conflict. **Content:** Divorce mediation is a process that helps separating couples work out agreements on important aspects of divorce, including property division, parenting arrangements, child support and spousal maintenance. Through communication, negotiation and compromise, mediation gives couples the opportunity to resolve disputes outside of a courtroom. Because divorce agreements involve legal and financial considerations, many people wonder who is best to guide the mediation process. Mediators come from various professional backgrounds, including mental health, finance and law. In some cases, family law attorneys also mediate, bringing legal knowledge and experience to the process. For couples considering Denver Divorce Mediation, understanding how attorney-mediators can contribute to the process can help clarify if this is the right approach for them. Understanding Divorce and Family Law Family law attorneys work with issues related to divorce, parenting and financial arrangements after separation. In Colorado, divorce involves legal standards for equitable division of marital property, parenting responsibilities, child support and spousal maintenance. An attorney-mediator may help couples understand Colorado family law in addressing the decisions they are making during mediation. While mediators don’t provide legal advice to both parties like a personal attorney would, attorney-mediators can often explain legal processes and ensure agreements are structured for court review. For many couples pursuing Denver Divorce Mediation, having a mediator with family law experience can provide more clarity when navigating unfamiliar legal terminology or procedural requirements. Working Through Property and Financial Decisions Dividing marital assets is often one of the more complicated parts of divorce. Some couples have relatively simple finances, while others have to address retirement accounts, real estate, business interests, investments or shared debt. Mediation gives couples a space to discuss these issues collaboratively rather than through litigation. A mediator with family law experience can help facilitate productive discussions and keep agreements focused on practical outcomes for both parties. Colorado is an equitable distribution state for marital property, meaning assets are divided fairly, not necessarily equally. Couples in Denver Divorce Mediation often appreciate having a structured process to discuss financial priorities and long-term stability as they transition into separate households. Building Parenting Plans and Child Support Agreements When children are involved, mediation often focuses on parenting plans and future family routines. Colorado courts prioritize the best interests of the child and parents are encouraged to create workable agreements on parenting time, decision-making responsibilities and financial support. Every family is different, which means parenting agreements often need to account for school schedules, extracurricular activities, work obligations and long-term co-parenting goals. An attorney-mediator with family law experience can help parents discuss options, work through disagreements and create parenting plans that reflect both legal requirements and the unique needs of their children. Experience with Various Divorce Situations Family law attorneys who mediate often have years of experience with many different types of divorce situations. Some couples come to mediation with little conflict and just need help with decisions. Others may have more challenging conversations about finances, communication or parenting. Because every divorce is unique, mediation is rarely one-size-fits-all. The process… --- ### Understanding Divorce in Colorado: No-Fault Divorce, Conflict, and the Role of Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/understanding-divorce-in-colorado-no-fault-divorce-conflict-and-the-role-of-mediation/ - **Published:** 2026-06-05 - **Modified:** 2026-06-21 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Divorce can be overwhelming when couples are trying to understand the legal process while navigating emotional and financial decisions. One area that can be confusing is the difference between fault... **Content:** Divorce can be overwhelming when couples are trying to understand the legal process while navigating emotional and financial decisions. One area that can be confusing is the difference between fault and no-fault divorce and how these apply in Colorado. In many TV shows and older legal stories, divorce is often portrayed as a process where one spouse must prove wrongdoing, such as adultery or abandonment. While fault-based divorces still exist in some states, Colorado handles divorce differently. Understanding how divorce works in Colorado can help couples make more informed decisions about the path forward, especially when considering Denver Divorce Mediation. Colorado Is a No-Fault Divorce State Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, which means a spouse doesn’t have to prove misconduct or wrongdoing to get a divorce. Instead, the court only requires one spouse to say the marriage is “irretrievably broken,” meaning the relationship can no longer be fixed. Unlike fault-based systems in some states, Colorado courts don’t require evidence of infidelity, cruelty or abandonment to grant a divorce. This is to reduce unnecessary conflict and allow couples to focus on practical matters like finances, parenting time and property division. But while fault is not required to get a divorce, disagreements can still happen. Couples may have different opinions on child custody, child support, spousal maintenance or how to divide marital assets. Even in a no-fault system, emotions and unresolved issues can make the process tough. Why Some Divorces Become Contentious Although Colorado is a no-fault state, divorce can still be very stressful when couples can’t communicate or agree. In some cases, disagreements about finances, parenting time or long-term responsibilities can create tension that slows down the process. Litigation through the court system can sometimes increase conflict because each party feels like they need to “win” the argument. Court proceedings can also take longer and cost more as attorneys negotiate or argue contested issues. For couples with kids, prolonged conflict can be especially tough. Parents worry about stability, protecting family relationships and minimizing disruption during an already difficult transition.   The Role of Denver Divorce Mediation For many Colorado couples, Denver Divorce Mediation is an alternative to resolving disputes. Instead of relying on courtroom litigation, mediation provides an opportunity for spouses to work through important decisions together with a neutral third party. In mediation, couples discuss topics like parenting plans, asset division, debt allocation, child support and spousal maintenance. The mediator doesn’t make decisions for the couple or take sides. Instead, the mediator helps facilitate productive conversations and supports both parties in working towards mutually acceptable solutions. For many families, mediation creates a more structured and collaborative environment to discuss tough issues. While the process may still involve hard conversations, mediation often allows couples to move at a pace that encourages communication not confrontation. At Split Simple, the focus of mediation is helping couples work towards practical, workable agreements while reducing conflict whenever possible. Many families find that Denver divorce mediation allows them to have more control over the outcome rather… --- ### Family Law Support Before and After Divorce: Understanding Legal Needs Beyond the Divorce Process - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/family-law-support-before-and-after-divorce-understanding-legal-needs-beyond-the-divorce-process/ - **Published:** 2026-05-18 - **Modified:** 2026-06-21 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Divorce is a big part of family law but it’s only one piece of a larger legal landscape that deals with changes in family structure, financial responsibilities and parenting arrangements.... **Content:** Divorce is a big part of family law but it’s only one piece of a larger legal landscape that deals with changes in family structure, financial responsibilities and parenting arrangements. Issues like division of assets, allocation of parental responsibilities, child support and spousal maintenance are often associated with the divorce process. But family law services may be needed before a divorce is filed or after a divorce is final. Many people don’t realize that legal guidance may be necessary during a separation or when circumstances change after a divorce. Reviewing agreements, modifying court orders or establishing new arrangements can help families remain stable while they adapt to changing needs. This article looks at several situations where legal and mediation services may be relevant outside of the divorce process itself. Family Law Outside of Divorce Family law doesn’t always start or end with a divorce decree. Legal issues can arise during a separation, after a divorce is complete or when family circumstances change. Some common situations include: Legal separation while still married Establishing or modifying parenting time and decision making responsibilities Adjusting child support Reviewing or modifying spousal maintenance Marriage and separation involve financial, legal and personal issues that require formal agreements. Even if spouses don’t want to get divorced right away they may still need to address household finances, living arrangements or parenting responsibilities. Having clear expectations can help reduce misunderstandings and provide structure during transition periods. Similarly after a divorce is final changes in employment, income, health or family dynamics may make it necessary to review existing agreements. Colorado law allows certain court orders including parenting plans and support arrangements to be modified in appropriate circumstances. Modification may or may not require court approval.   Legal Separation: An Alternative to Divorce Legal separation allows spouses to live separately while still married. In Colorado a legal separation is recognized by the court and results in orders addressing property division, parental responsibilities and financial support just like a divorce. But unlike divorce the marriage is not terminated. People may choose legal separation for many reasons including religious or personal beliefs, financial reasons or uncertainty about whether the marriage will ultimately end. In some cases spouses may later decide to convert a legal separation into a divorce through a formal legal process. During a legal separation spouses would establish agreements for: Division of property and debts Parenting time and decision making responsibilities Child support Spousal maintenance when applicable. These agreements help clarify expectations and provide a framework for managing daily responsibilities while spouses are living apart. Parenting During Separation When parents separate one of the biggest issues to address is the care and well being of their children. Colorado law requires parenting plans to be developed based on the best interests of the child. These plans typically outline parenting time schedules, decision making authority and procedures for resolving disputes. A well structured parenting plan can provide consistency for children during transition periods. Plans can be tailored to accommodate school schedules, extracurricular activities and… --- ### Common Questions About Divorce Mediation and How the Process Works in Colorado - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/common-questions-about-divorce-mediation-and-how-the-process-works-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2026-04-21 - **Modified:** 2026-05-09 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Divorce mediation is a process many couples consider when navigating the legal and personal aspects of ending a marriage. **Content:** Divorce mediation is a process many couples consider when navigating the legal and personal aspects of ending a marriage. Instead of going straight to litigation, mediation provides an opportunity to discuss important decisions in a structured setting with the help of a neutral professional. In Colorado, mediation is recognized as a practical way to resolve family law matters and courts may even require or encourage mediation before certain disputes go to trial. Understanding how mediation works and what to expect can help you make informed decisions about how to move forward. Below are answers to several common questions about divorce mediation and how it works in the Colorado legal system. What Does the Divorce Mediation Process Look Like? Divorce mediation is working with a neutral third-party mediator who helps you and your spouse communicate and negotiate agreements about your separation. The mediator doesn’t act as a judge and doesn’t make decisions for either of you. Instead the mediator facilitates and directs the conversation, helps clarify issues and supports both of you as you work towards mutually acceptable solutions. In Colorado, mediation can address many topics including: Division of marital property and debts Parenting plans and decision making responsibilities Child support and spousal maintenance Scheduling and communication arrangements Other family related issues It’s typically voluntary, but Colorado courts often require mediation for disputes involving property division, child support, spousal maintenance, parenting time or decision making before scheduling a contested hearing. Even when mediation is court ordered, participation in reaching an agreement is voluntary. If you can’t reach an agreement, you can continue through the court process. Also important to note is that mediation is different from arbitration as the two are often confused. In mediation the mediator guides the conversation but doesn’t impose a decision. In arbitration the third party acts as a decision maker and issues a binding ruling, like a judge. Why Do Some Couples Choose Mediation Instead of Going to Court? Many couples choose mediation because it provides a structured environment to resolve disputes while having some control over the outcome. Instead of leaving it all up to a judge to decide the terms of the divorce, mediation allows you to be directly involved in shaping the agreements that fit your unique situation. Some of the benefits of mediation include: More Participation in Decision Making Mediation allows both of you to be part of the solution. This can be especially important when it comes to parenting arrangements, financial responsibilities and long term planning for the family. Faster Resolution Court proceedings involve formal schedules, procedural requirements and multiple hearings. Mediation can sometimes reduce the time it takes to resolve disputes especially when both parties are willing to communicate and negotiate in good faith. However the timeline for any divorce depends on the complexity of the issues. Cost Legal fees vary widely depending on the type of case, the number of contested issues and the time it takes to resolve. Mediation may reduce some costs by limiting the need for… --- ### His House, Her House- What Items Should You Duplicate? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/his-house-her-house-what-items-should-you-duplicate/ - **Published:** 2026-04-08 - **Modified:** 2026-07-08 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for help creating two households for children after divorce. Our divorce mediators in Aurora help create custody agreements and parenting plans **Content:** When you’re in the initial stages of the Aurora divorce mediation process, everything seems confusing–including how you’re going to handle dividing your children’s possessions. What items do you really need to have two of? What items can easily move back and forth between different parents’ homes? There are several key things to take into consideration for your children when you’re setting up a custody plan and two households following the divorce. The Bedroom Your child should have a place to call their own at each parent’s home. Obviously, whether or not this is a full-size bedroom all to themselves will depend on a number of factors: the size of the house; the size of the family at each house including half siblings, step-siblings, and more; and what works for each family. However, your child should have a bed to sleep in and a place to store their possessions, even if they’re only there every other weekend. You want to be sure that they feel at home no matter where they are! Clothing One of the biggest points of contention between parents is clothing. In general, clothing should move freely between houses, especially as your child gets old enough to have favorite outfits. You don’t want your child to feel as though their own clothing doesn’t belong to them! If there’s a concern, such as one parent frequently refusing to “send back” good school clothing or other important items, consider some of these possibilities. Make sure that clothing that goes to one house always comes back. The child can keep dirty clothes in a backpack or bag to bring home with them. Set aside one time each month or each couple of months to sort items back out. Make your child responsible for their own clothing: if it doesn’t come back with them, they won’t be able to wear it! Toys and Games Your child is attached to their toys and games, and they want to be able to take them with them no matter where they are. In general, toys and games should be able to travel freely between parents’ homes. Of course, each child should have toys in each home so that even if they don’t pack up a bag, they’ll have plenty to do! Fill out the movie and game shelf at each home as well as allowing your child to travel back and forth freely with their possessions. There are, however, several things that you should encourage your child to think about. If they’re only at the noncustodial parent’s house every other weekend, it doesn’t make sense for them to take everything they own with them (even though this may feel comforting at first for a child whose world has been disrupted by the divorce). Instead, encourage them to pick out a few things that are very important to them. Items that belong to other children in the home are off-limits. Only items that actually belong to each child should be moved between households. Remind your child… --- ### Family Law Attorneys vs. Divorce Mediators: What’s the Difference - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/family-law-attorneys-vs-divorce-mediators-whats-the-difference/ - **Published:** 2026-03-24 - **Modified:** 2026-03-24 - **Author:** t **Summary:** When you start thinking about divorce, one of the first questions that pops up is where to start. Should you hire a family law attorney? **Content:** When you start thinking about divorce, one of the first questions that pops up is where to start. Should you hire a family law attorney? Should you consider mediation instead? The answer depends on your situation, your goals and the level of conflict. Understanding the difference between a family law attorney and a divorce mediator will help you choose the path that’s right for your family. What Does a Family Law Attorney Do? A family law attorney is a lawyer who practices family law. This can include divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities (custody), child support, adoption and marital agreements. In a traditional divorce process, each spouse hires their own attorney. Each attorney represents one client and advocates for that client’s legal interests. If disagreements arise over finances, parenting time or other issues, attorneys negotiate on behalf of their respective clients. If negotiations don’t resolve the issues, the case may go to court where a judge makes the final decisions. For high conflict, safety concerns or significant power imbalances, separate legal representation is important. Litigation is sometimes necessary when cooperation is not possible. What Is a Divorce Mediator? A divorce mediator plays a different role. Rather than representing one spouse, a mediator is a neutral professional who helps both parties work through the details of their divorce together. The mediator doesn’t take sides and doesn’t advocate for one spouse over the other. Instead they guide structured conversations about property division, finances, parenting plans and other agreements that need to be reached. The goal is to help both spouses arrive at decisions meeting the needs of both parties and avoiding a courtroom battle. Some mediators are attorneys, others come from different professional backgrounds. When the mediator is also a family law attorney, they may be able to draft the necessary legal documents once agreements are reached. But even attorney-mediators remain neutral throughout the process and don’t give individual legal advice to either spouse during mediation. For couples looking for alternatives to litigation, Denver Divorce Mediation offers a structured environment where conversations stay focused on solutions not positions. Why the Traditional Process Feels Adversarial In a two-attorney model, each lawyer’s role is to protect their client’s interests. That structure can feel adversarial especially when communication between spouses is already strained. While many attorneys try to negotiate respectfully, the system itself is built around advocacy for one side.This doesn’t mean every litigated divorce is hostile. Many settle outside of court. But the dynamic is different from mediation where the focus is on joint problem solving not positional bargaining. Is Mediation Faster or More Affordable? Every divorce is unique so timelines and costs vary. But mediation can be more efficient than traditional litigation because both spouses are working towards agreement in the same room rather than negotiating back and forth through separate counsel. Because there is one neutral professional facilitating the discussions instead of two opposing attorneys preparing for court, mediation may reduce overall costs in many cases. But the level of cooperation between spouses… --- ### SplitSimple Announces 2026 Scholarship and Expanded Denver Divorce Mediation Resources - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/splitsimple-announces-2026-scholarship-and-expanded-denver-divorce-mediation-resources/ - **Published:** 2026-03-23 - **Modified:** 2026-03-23 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Navigating the complexities of a family transition requires more than just legal paperwork. It requires a dedicated partner who understands the emotional and financial weight of divorce. **Content:** Navigating the complexities of a family transition requires more than just legal paperwork. It requires a dedicated partner who understands the emotional and financial weight of divorce. SplitSimple is proud to announce its continued dedication to Colorado families through its comprehensive mediation services and the official opening of applications for its 2026 Social Work Scholarship. By combining professional excellence with a deep commitment to community support, the firm helps individuals move toward their next chapter with dignity and financial security. The Benefits of Specialized Mediation in Denver The traditional courtroom battle often leaves families feeling drained and adversarial. In contrast, choosing Denver Divorce Mediation provides a constructive environment where parties can reach mutually beneficial agreements. This process is designed to be comprehensive, ensuring that every critical detail is addressed with precision. From the equitable division of assets and the calculation of alimony to the sensitive construction of parenting plans, the goal is to provide a roadmap for the future. By focusing on collaboration rather than litigation, families can protect their children from unnecessary conflict and preserve their hard earned resources. Beyond the Mediation Table SplitSimple believes that professional services should be rooted in empathy. The mediation process at all the Denver metro locations is led by experts who specialize in de-escalating tension and finding creative solutions to complex financial and childcare issues. The firm recognizes that a divorce is not just the end of a legal contract but a significant life change that impacts long term wellbeing. This philosophy of care extends beyond the office walls and into the broader community, where the firm seeks to alleviate the burdens faced by those navigating changing family dynamics. Investing in Future Leaders Education is a vital component of future growth and stability. Recognizing the resilience of students who have maintained their academic focus during difficult family transitions, SplitSimple is proud to offer its annual program for aspiring social workers. This initiative is specifically designed to support undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing careers in social work. By providing financial assistance to those who have overcome the challenges of divorce or other difficulties within their own families, the firm aims to ensure that higher education remains accessible to the next generation of empathetic professionals. How to Navigate the Transition Choosing the right path during a divorce is a pivotal decision. Prospective clients are encouraged to seek mediation early in the process to avoid the high costs and public nature of a trial. Preparing for the next chapter involves gathering financial documentation, considering the best interests of any children involved, and maintaining an open mind toward compromise. SplitSimple provides the tools and experts necessary to simplify these steps, making an otherwise daunting process manageable and transparent. A Commitment to Community and Excellence SplitSimple remains steadfast in its mission to provide both professional guidance and meaningful community resources. Whether through the expert facilitation of parenting plans or the financial support of a scholarship, the firm is dedicated to the health and success of the… --- ### Moving Through Divorce with Clarity and Cooperation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/moving-through-divorce-with-clarity-and-cooperation/ - **Published:** 2026-03-18 - **Modified:** 2026-03-18 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Divorce is tough, it is not easy. Even when both spouses agree it’s the right decision, the process can be overwhelming. **Content:** Divorce is tough, it is not easy. Even when both spouses agree it’s the right decision, the process can be overwhelming. When children are involved, emotions run even higher because parents are not only thinking about themselves but about how the transition will affect their family. Divorce is a legal process but it’s also a personal one. Many couples are not looking for a fight. They are looking for a way to move forward fairly, protect their children and reach agreements that make sense for their future. In Colorado, divorce mediation has become a common path for couples who want to resolve issues thoughtfully rather than escalate conflict. What are Your Options Not every divorce has to start in a courtroom. Some couples work with individual attorneys from the beginning, others explore mediation first. In Colorado you don’t have to hire an attorney to file for divorce but many people find it helpful to at least consult with one so they understand their rights and responsibilities. Mediation offers a different approach. Instead of each spouse working against each other, a neutral mediator guides both parties through structured conversations about finances, parenting arrangements and other decisions that need to be made. The goal is not to “win” but to reach workable agreements that feel balanced and sustainable. For couples in the Denver metro area who want to learn more about Denver Divorce Mediation there are services that provide a structured setting to work through the practical details of divorce without immediately going to court. For many families this approach supports clearer communication and more thoughtful decision making. What Happens in an Initial Consultation Whether you meet with an attorney or a mediator, the first conversation is usually about understanding your situation. You may discuss your goals, your concerns and any immediate issues that need attention. This is also the time to ask questions about the process, timelines and costs. If mediation is being considered, the conversation may focus on whether both spouses are willing to participate in good faith and whether there are any factors that would make mediation not work. Every family is different so the right approach depends on the specific dynamics involved. Preparing for the Process No matter which path you choose, being organized can make the process smoother. Divorce requires financial transparency. That means gathering tax returns, pay stubs, account statements, property information and any existing legal agreements such as prenuptial agreements. If children are involved you may also want to think about parenting schedules, school routines, medical needs and what kind of structure would support stability during the transition. Writing down questions or concerns ahead of time can help make sure important topics are addressed. Preparation is not about building a case but about clarity. When both parties have the facts it’s easier to have productive conversations. Parenting Arrangements and the Best Interests of the Child In Colorado courts use the “best interests of the child” standard when evaluating parenting decisions and timesharing. Parenting arrangements generally… --- ### Family Law Attorneys, Divorce Mediation, and Child Custody - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/family-law-attorneys-divorce-mediation-and-child-custody/ - **Published:** 2026-02-27 - **Modified:** 2026-05-05 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Family law touches many stages of life, from marriage and parenting to separation and divorce. In Colorado, you can consult a Denver family law attorney for prenuptial agreements, divorce filings, child custody issues, adoption, guardianship and more. **Content:** Family law touches many stages of life, from marriage and parenting to separation and divorce. In Colorado, you can consult a Denver family law attorney for prenuptial agreements, divorce filings, child custody issues, adoption, guardianship and more. Increasingly, many are looking for attorneys who can also provide structured divorce mediation as an alternative to traditional litigation. Mediation-First Approach When you’re separating, going to court isn’t always the most efficient or constructive path. Most family law attorneys recommend mediation before litigation, especially when there are children involved. Mediation gives you the opportunity to address finances, parenting time and division of assets in a neutral, problem-solving environment rather than an adversarial one. The process is structured but less formal than a courtroom, which often reduces conflict and improves communication. Because the focus is on cooperation rather than “winning,” many couples find it easier to maintain a functional relationship after the divorce, especially important for co-parents. Working With an Attorney-Mediator Some attorneys specialize not only in family law but also in divorce mediation. In these cases, you work with a single neutral professional who: Facilitates discussion and clarifies priorities Helps you identify realistic options Provides legal structure to the conversation Guides the development of fair financial and parenting agreements. Unlike litigation where each party has their own attorney, a mediator doesn’t represent one party against the other. Instead, the attorney-mediator is neutral and supports both parties in understanding Colorado family law requirements while encouraging a peaceful resolution. Once agreements are reached, the attorney-mediator can also draft the necessary documents to make sure the final agreement is legally sound and ready for court filing. Predictable, Transparent Fee Structures Cost is a big concern for many families going through divorce. Traditional litigation can get expensive with hourly billing from two separate attorneys, multiple hearings and ongoing disputes. Split Simple offers a flat-fee model instead, which provides: A set number of mediation hours Support for financial disclosures Preparation of divorce paperwork Guidance on parenting plans and child support documents While fee structures vary by provider and case complexity, flat-fee options allow you to know the cost upfront and avoid escalating litigation expenses. A structured mediation model can help parents: Create a practical parenting schedule Agree on decision-making roles Use state guidelines for child support and spousal support Reduce the emotional impact on the children. Because parents are collaborating rather than litigating, they often leave mediation with clearer communication and shared expectations which supports long-term co-parenting success. Why Many Choose Mediation Over Litigation Litigation has its place in family law but divorce mediation offers several advantages for cases where communication is possible: Less conflict: Sessions focus on solutions rather than blame. Control over the outcome: Couples create their own agreements rather than relying on court orders. Less financial strain: Fees are lower than prolonged litigation. Faster resolution: Many mediated divorces are done in weeks rather than months or years. Better for the children: Less adversarial processes tend to support healthier co-parenting relationships. A Practical Approach to Modern… --- ### Make Divorce Less Complicated: 5 Questions to Ask your Mediator - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/make-divorce-less-complicated-5-questions-to-ask-your-mediator-2/ - **Published:** 2026-02-03 - **Modified:** 2026-05-05 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Filing for divorce can be one of the most stressful times of your life. For couples exploring their options, mediation may be a better route than diving into litigation. **Content:** Filing for divorce can be one of the most stressful times of your life. For couples exploring their options, mediation may be a better route than diving into litigation. While there are many benefits, it’s important to understand how the process works and what to expect. Asking questions upfront can help you work with the right professional and the right process. Is Mediation Right for Us? Before committing to mediation, it’s good to determine if the process is a good fit for you. Mediation is often less expensive than litigating a case in court, encourages collaborative problem solving, is private beyond the public courtroom and can resolve issues faster and with less emotional toll. It may also help parents prioritize their children during transitions. But mediation isn’t for every situation. In cases of domestic abuse, safety concerns or extreme power imbalance, alternatives to mediation may be recommended. A mediator can determine if the process is right for your specific situation. How Do You Mediate? Just like you choose a doctor or financial advisor based on fit, you should feel comfortable with a mediator’s style. Asking how sessions are structured, how disagreements are handled and what communication style the mediator uses can give you clarity. For example, some mediators are directive, facilitative and focus on guiding the conversation, others are evaluative and offer feedback on potential legal outcomes. Knowing these differences will help you ensure the mediator’s style works for you. Can We Have Private Meetings? Many couples wonder if private meetings with the mediator are allowed. In most models both spouses are present for discussions because transparency is key to the process. But some mediators may allow brief private conversations, sometimes called caucuses, if communication breaks down or decisions stall. Whether these meetings are a good idea depends on the mediator’s style and the couple’s dynamics. If private discussions are important to you, it’s worth asking how they are handled and under what circumstances they are allowed. Are the Results Binding? Another question to ask is whether the results of mediation have to be followed. Mediation outcomes are not binding unless both spouses sign a written agreement that formalizes the terms. In many cases a binding agreement is prepared at the end of the process and later filed with the court. If no agreement is signed, spouses are not required to follow the proposed terms, but ignoring them may lead to litigation down the line. Your mediator can explain when agreements become binding, if additional legal review is recommended and how documents are processed through the court system. Can Attorneys Attend Mediation Sessions? It’s common to ask if attorneys can attend mediation sessions as their attendance can be helpful. However, many people participate in mediation without attorneys present in order to reduce fees, knowing that they can always consult with a divorce attorney prior to signing any legally binding documents.  Attorneys can still play an important role in reviewing agreements or providing independent advice outside of sessions. Clarifying how attorneys… --- ### Divorce Statistics: Understanding the Most Common Reasons for Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-statistics-understanding-the-most-common-reasons-for-divorce/ - **Published:** 2025-12-29 - **Modified:** 2026-05-05 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Divorce can be a confusing and emotional process. Marriages that once felt unshakable can break down for reasons both expected and surprising. **Content:** Divorce can be a confusing and emotional process. Marriages that once felt unshakable can break down for reasons both expected and surprising. Understanding the common causes of divorce can provide perspective as you navigate this transition. At Split Simple, we specialize in divorce mediation, helping couples create fair, amicable agreements while reducing stress and conflict. The 50% Divorce Myth Many people have heard that “50% of marriages end in divorce,” but this isn’t entirely accurate. In reality: 43% of first marriages end in divorce 60% of second marriages end in divorce 73% of third marriages end in divorce Divorce rates have generally declined since 2000, and fewer people are remarrying, which also affects overall statistics. Marriages that end in divorce typically last about eight years, though divorces between three and seven years are common. Early divorces often result from marrying without fully understanding each other, while later divorces usually involve one of the leading causes discussed below. The Top 7 Causes of Divorce While every marriage is unique, surveys highlight seven primary reasons couples divorce. Percentages reflect the number of respondents who identified each as a major factor. 1. Lack of Commitment – 75% Commitment is the foundation of a healthy marriage. Relationships require consistent effort, communication, and mutual support. When one or both partners fail to stay committed, the marriage often deteriorates over time. Divorce mediation can help couples recognize patterns of disengagement and work toward solutions—or part amicably when the relationship cannot be salvaged. 2. Infidelity – 60% Infidelity—whether emotional or physical—is a common reason couples divorce. Trust is central to marriage, and once it’s broken, many spouses feel the relationship can no longer provide security. Divorce mediation can guide couples through these difficult conversations, focusing on fair resolution and minimizing conflict. 3. Excessive Conflict – 58% Frequent or intense arguments erode love and respect. Couples who cannot resolve conflicts constructively may eventually choose divorce. Mediation provides a structured environment to address disagreements calmly, facilitating communication and reducing hostility. 4. Marrying Too Young – 45% Young couples may grow and change in different directions, leading to incompatible expectations and values. Divorce mediation can help younger couples separate respectfully, ensuring both parties feel heard and understood. 5. Financial Stress – 38% Money issues are a common marital stressor. Differences in spending, saving, or managing debt can drive couples apart. Mediation helps couples navigate financial matters fairly, reducing misunderstandings and potential disputes. 6. Domestic Abuse – 24% Abuse—emotional or physical—is a significant factor in many divorces. Mediation can offer a safe and structured process for planning separation, though safety precautions must always be prioritized. 7. Substance Abuse – 17% Substance abuse can cause deception, irresponsibility, and conflict, leading to divorce. Mediation provides a structured process for handling separation while addressing financial and custodial concerns responsibly. Additional Contributing Factors Other issues that commonly influence divorce include: Lack of Preparation – 70% Entering marriage without understanding its challenges increases the likelihood of divorce. Mediation can support couples in reflecting on these gaps… --- ### Why Handle Your Denver Divorce with Mediation? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/why-handle-your-denver-divorce-with-mediation/ - **Published:** 2025-12-16 - **Modified:** 2026-05-05 - **Author:** t **Summary:** There are many ways to get divorced. You can hire two lawyers and negotiate every detail, take your case to court, file a DIY divorce, or pursue divorce mediation. **Content:** There are many ways to get divorced. You can hire two lawyers and negotiate every detail, take your case to court, file a DIY divorce, or pursue divorce mediation. Each approach is chosen for different reasons, but couples who select mediation often do so for practical and cooperative solutions. Divorce mediation allows a neutral professional to guide both spouses in building a personalized divorce agreement. This approach can make the divorce process more efficient, reduce conflict, and set the stage for successful lives apart. At Split Simple, our Denver attorney mediators help couples navigate divorce with clarity and fairness. 1. Save Time and Money Mediation is often the most efficient path to divorce. Sessions focus on practical solutions rather than adversarial battles. Your mediator reviews marital assets, priorities, and goals, then helps craft terms that work for both spouses. At Split Simple, mediation sessions typically last two hours, and most couples complete the process in just one to three mediation sessions. Compared to prolonged litigation or back-and-forth lawyer negotiations, mediation saves both time and money. 2. Navigate Potential Conflicts Couples anticipating disagreements often choose mediation to manage conflict constructively. A divorce mediator provides a neutral space where strong opinions and differing priorities can be expressed safely. By encouraging open communication and compromise, mediation helps spouses move past heated arguments and focus on solutions. Because the mediator does not take sides, both parties can share feelings and concerns honestly, enabling fair agreements even in high-conflict situations. 3. Practical Guidance Through Setting Divorce Terms DIY divorces can save money but often fail to address complex finances, property issues, or legal requirements. Divorce mediation combines the affordability of DIY approaches with professional guidance. Mediators walk couples through building agreements tailored to their unique situations and goals. At Split Simple, our mediators are licensed attorneys who ensure every step complies with Colorado divorce law, minimizing delays and errors in the final paperwork. 4. Building the Best Co-Parenting Plan When children are involved, co-parenting plans are crucial. A strong, adaptable plan helps both parents collaborate effectively, fostering stability and positive outcomes for children. Mediation creates a structured environment for parents to craft a co-parenting plan that meets the unique needs of their family. Skilled mediators guide discussions around schedules, responsibilities, and long-term goals to support teamwork beyond the divorce. 5. Separating Complicated Finances Dividing assets can be one of the most challenging aspects of divorce. Shared investments, property, businesses, and retirement accounts all add complexity. A divorce mediator helps analyze finances, identify marital versus separate assets, and develop fair strategies for division. This ensures both spouses start their new lives with clear, practical financial arrangements, without the stress of arbitrary splits or prolonged disputes. 6. Preparing for Successful Lives Apart Divorce is often emotionally charged, but mediation focuses on creating a foundation for separate, successful lives. By resolving disagreements constructively, couples can leave the process with practical arrangements for property, finances, and parenting. For those seeking an amicable separation, divorce mediation offers a path to… --- ### Is Divorce Mediation Right for You? How to ask the right questions - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/is-divorce-mediation-right-for-you-how-to-ask-the-right-questions/ - **Published:** 2025-11-25 - **Modified:** 2026-05-05 - **Author:** t **Summary:** When approaching the subject of divorce, a good plan is important to see good results. Everyone today knows that diving into a litigious divorce is a good way for things to spiral out of control. **Content:** When approaching the subject of divorce, a good plan is important to see good results. Everyone today knows that diving into a litigious divorce is a good way for things to spiral out of control. This is why many separating spouses seek divorce mediation instead of a combative lawyer-vs-lawyer experience where a judge gets the final say. In divorce mediation, you can work together to find the most mutually beneficial divorce terms. Mediation tends to result in fairer and more practical divisions of assets, a more thoughtful child custody plan, and the ability to resolve conflicts in the process of separating households. Of course, you probably have a few questions before you get started.  At Split Simple, we’re ready to answer any questions you might have. Most of our clients have a few questions, and we have answers ready to go. Here are some of the most practical questions you may want to ask.     1) How Long Does Divorce Mediation Take? Divorce mediation can take as little or as much time as you need. Every mediation service is a little different. At Split Simple, we have streamlined the process to help you hit all the important points and draft a satisfactory divorce agreement as quickly as possible. Believe it or not, most of our clients can achieve a complete divorce mediation process within two to six hours of direct work with one of our skilled attorney-mediators. Meditations take place in two-hour sessions, and even complex divorces rarely take more than three sessions, or six hours total going over assets, custody, and separation terms. Of course, if you have a particularly difficult estate to separate or conflicts to resolve, you can book as many sessions as you need. Our efficient yet attentive approach to mediation can help you resolve any challenges quickly, keeping your costs streamlined and fixed as a result.   2) Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer In Addition to Divorce Mediation? Every mediator at Split Simple is also a licensed divorce attorney. Our attorney-mediators make it possible to work out the terms of your divorce through mediation and draft a divorce agreement at the same time. An attorney-mediator offers two important advantages for clients seeking an efficient divorce mediation. First, each mediator is acutely aware of Colorado divorce law, and can therefore ensure that the mediated terms align with both your needs and the legal requirements for a Colorado divorce.  Second, your divorce can be finalized as soon as mediation is complete. We provide you with all the documents necessary to finalize your divorce with Colorado courts. This means that you do not need to hire a lawyer to finalize the paperwork in addition to divorce mediation.  At the same time, after each mediation session you will receive a summary of items discussed, including proposed asset and debt division, parenting plans and cash flow estimates. In addition, you will receive a draft of your court documents to review prior to your Final Document Review Session. This makes it… --- ### SplitSimple Awards 2025 Social Work Scholarship to Jessica Starkes for Her Inspiring Commitment to Families and Communities - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/splitsimple-awards-2025-social-work-scholarship-to-jessica-starkes-for-her-inspiring-commitment-to-families-and-communities/ - **Published:** 2025-11-24 - **Modified:** 2026-06-21 - **Author:** t **Summary:** SplitSimple, a Denver-based divorce mediation service, has awarded its 2025 Social Work Scholarship to Jessica Starkes, recognizing her exceptional commitment to supporting families and communities through challenging transitions. The scholarship program reflects the company’s ongoing dedication ... **Content:** SplitSimple, a Denver-based divorce mediation service, has awarded its 2025 Social Work Scholarship to Jessica Starkes, recognizing her exceptional commitment to supporting families and communities through challenging transitions. The scholarship program reflects the company’s ongoing dedication to fostering the next generation of social work professionals who share its values of compassionate support, dignity, and constructive conflict resolution. Starkes, whose academic journey and professional service have distinguished her among numerous qualified applicants, will receive financial support to advance her social work education. Her selection highlights her profound empathy and dedication to helping families navigate difficult life transitions—values that align closely with SplitSimple’s mission in divorce mediation. “My journey toward social work has been shaped by both personal experiences and professional commitments that have profoundly impacted my life,” Starkes wrote in her application essay. “Over the past six years, I have worked as a program manager in an emergency homeless shelter, providing support to unhoused individuals facing crises.” Through her work, Starkes has seen firsthand the resilience of individuals confronting immense challenges, from homelessness to addiction and trauma. “Each story is different, yet they are tied together by a common theme of systemic barriers that make it nearly impossible to recover without support,” she shared. “These experiences have inspired me to strengthen my skills and knowledge to make an even greater impact—not only on people, but also on the systems that affect them.” Chris Griffith, CEO of SplitSimple, praised Starkes for her compassion and purpose-driven approach to social work: “Jessica Starkes represents the future of compassionate social work practice. Her approach to supporting families during times of crisis mirrors our own philosophy of helping couples find cooperative solutions during divorce proceedings,” Griffith said. “We believe that investing in students like Jessica strengthens the entire support network available to families facing challenging transitions.” Starkes’ essay also revealed the deeply personal motivations that fuel her professional ambitions. As a survivor of domestic violence and addiction, and as a mother who has experienced the profound loss of a child to suicide, her story is one of resilience and transformation. “The death of my teenage daughter to suicide was the most painful experience I have ever faced, but it also reshaped my sense of purpose,” Starkes wrote. “Losing her taught me that mental health support and advocacy for families in crisis is not optional—it is a matter of life and death.” Her perspective as a single mother of a child with special needs further informs her advocacy for equitable access to education and family resources. “Navigating the school system, advocating for accommodations, and balancing full-time work with caregiving responsibilities has taught me perseverance and resilience,” she said. “It has also opened my eyes to how many families struggle in silence when they lack the knowledge, resources, or confidence to advocate for themselves.” The SplitSimple Social Work Scholarship is awarded annually to a student who demonstrates both academic excellence and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for families and communities. Selection criteria emphasize practical experience, academic achievement,… --- ### Family Law Attorneys: Resolving Conflicts Through Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/family-law-attorneys-resolving-conflicts-through-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2025-11-11 - **Modified:** 2026-05-05 - **Author:** t **Summary:** When a family law attorney serves as a divorce mediator, they bring legal knowledge and steady guidance to help spouses reach workable agreements — whether the split starts amicably or is hotly contested. At Split Simple, our attorney-mediators have guided hundreds of divorces and know how to mov... **Content:** When a family law attorney serves as a divorce mediator, they bring legal knowledge and steady guidance to help spouses reach workable agreements — whether the split starts amicably or is hotly contested. At Split Simple, our attorney-mediators have guided hundreds of divorces and know how to move couples from conflict to practical solutions. Here’s how family law attorneys help resolve conflict during divorce mediation. Conflict resolution through mediation Divorce mediation helps couples focus on solutions rather than firefights. Family law emphasizes the wellbeing of everyone involved — both spouses and any children — and mediation gives parties control over outcomes instead of leaving decisions to a court. Below are the most common methods an attorney-mediator will use to transform conflict into agreement. Start from common ground Even in high-conflict divorces, there’s usually shared self-interest: the desire for financial stability after the split, the wish to conclude the process quickly, and the goal of minimizing legal costs and stress. Mediators build on those practical shared goals as the foundation for negotiation. Calm spiteful positions with reason Anger sometimes produces spiteful demands — for example, insisting on keeping a house despite the cost or demanding every small possession. An attorney-mediator will evaluate the real consequences of those demands and help clients understand how unreasonable positions can hurt the person taking them, which often breaks stalemates. Use give-and-take compromises Mediation is negotiation. Mediators encourage practical trade-offs — “If you take X, then I get Y” — so each person walks away with priorities met while avoiding all-or-nothing fights. Keep children’s best interests front and center For parents, a steady focus on the children’s needs helps reframe the dispute. A quieter, cooperative divorce — with fair parenting time and cooperative co-parenting — usually lessens the long-term impact on children. In Colorado, parenting issues are decided under the “allocation of parental responsibilities” framework, and judges prioritize the child’s best interests when a court must decide. Follow the law Some demands simply aren’t legally enforceable. Colorado courts divide marital property equitably (which means fairly — not automatically 50/50), consider many factors before awarding spousal maintenance, and resolve parenting issues based on the child’s best interests. An attorney-mediator explains these legal limits early in the process so parties understand what the law actually allows and won’t waste energy on impossible demands. What if spouses can’t be civil? Mediators control the process and the communication style to reduce conflict. Common techniques include: Enforcing turn-taking and relevance rules so only one person speaks and comments stay on-topic. Holding separate video sessions so parties aren’t in the same room. Using shuttle mediation, where the mediator conveys proposals between parties who do not directly communicate. In many cases, simply changing the environment and pace of conversation helps spouses cool down and focus on the next asset or term rather than re-litigating the entire marriage. Can you make an angry spouse attend mediation? Mediation is voluntary: a mediator cannot force a spouse to attend. That said, many courts require or refer… --- ### Financial Planning During Divorce Mediation: Understanding your assets - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/financial-planning-during-divorce-mediation-understanding-your-assets/ - **Published:** 2025-10-30 - **Modified:** 2026-05-05 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Dividing your assets during divorce mediation is not just about splitting your household. It's also a form of financial planning. **Content:** Dividing your assets during divorce mediation is not just about splitting your household. It’s also a form of financial planning. After all, the money and property you walk away with will determine your launching point to start your new life. Each person has good reason to plan carefully during the financial aspect of the divorce to ensure that they can build a financially sound future. The first step in divorce financial planning is fully understanding the assets to be divided. It’s important not to leave anything out or to undervalue things that might normally be overlooked. Our goal at Split Simple is to provide Denver divorce mediation that will help both spouses establish a financially independent life after the divorce. The first step is to create a complete list of your marital assets.   Checking and Saving Accounts The easiest place to start is your checking and savings accounts. Whether you have household funds, separate personal funds, or both; you will need to itemize all accounts and funds accumulated since the marriage began. The state of Colorado does not differentiate between personal and shared finances when separating assets in a divorce, and liquid capital is the easiest to split to create a fair division.   Retirement Accounts Retirement accounts should also be quantified. Now is a good time to retrieve all retirement funds from previous jobs to get a full account of what each spouse possesses. Defined contribution retirement accounts such as IRA’s and 401(k)’s as well as defined benefit plans such as private or public pension plans should all be considered in a divorce. With appropriate guidance retirement accounts may be divided between spouses at a divorce without penalty.    Stocks and Investment Funds Any stocks or investments owned by either or both spouses should also be quantified and split. This type of asset is also one of the easiest to reassign in order to create a balanced portfolio for each separating spouse. Even stock options and restricted stock units should be considered in the equitable division of assets at a divorce in Colorado.   Your Primary Home, If Owned If you own your house, with or without an active mortgage, it’s value will also be calculated in the splitting of divorce assets. Most spouses choose to sell the house and split the proceeds as a way to fairly separate their assets. However, one spouse is permitted to buy the other out of the house in order to keep the value balanced. It should be noted that keeping the house may not be financially desirable, as one spouse will be obligated   Investment Properties Whether or not you own a primary home, many people today own investment properties with their spouse. Rental homes and occasionally commercial property can bring in a fair income or hold value as land. The value of these properties will be split in the divorce, either by designating ownership to just one spouse or by selling the property and splitting the value. Multiple investment properties are easier to split in… --- ### Utilizing Child Specialists in Mediation: The role of child specialists to represent children’s interests during mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/utilizing-child-specialists-in-mediation-the-role-of-child-specialists-to-represent-childrens-interests-during-mediation/ - **Published:** 2025-10-13 - **Modified:** 2025-10-13 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Divorce is a hard time for children. From toddlers to teenagers, kids involved in a divorce often don't know how to respond. **Content:** Divorce is a hard time for children. From toddlers to teenagers, kids involved in a divorce often don’t know how to respond. They are powerless to stop the divorce but sometimes feel it is their fault. Their lives hang in the balance of the custody agreement and parenting plan. Ideally, parents will be able to build an agreement that supports healthy and happy child development. But the best route is not always clear. In these situations, a divorce mediator may suggest that parents meet with a parenting plan consultant who can educate parents on healthy child development, and guide custody decisions toward what is best for the child or children involved. What role does a parenting plan consultant play in divorce mediation? Let’s explore the possibilities and the advice they bring to the mediation table.   Providing Guidance Based on Child Development First and foremost, parenting plan consultants understand how children develop. Child development research has revealed that children need specific kinds of support during and after a divorce. For example, it has been proven that children who maintain a strong bond with both parents have more positive outcomes than children who don’t. It has also been found that children feel more secure when they have two homes rather than traveling with a suitcase. These and other insights can help parents set aside conflicts and plan for child custody and co-parenting with the child’s best interests and optimal development in mind.   Parenting Plan Consultant Role A parenting plan consultant may speak to the children if requested by the parents to better understand each child’s individual needs. While children may not be able to advocate for themselves in divorce negotiation, a parenting plan consultant can help parents hear the needs of their children in a therapeutic manner.  A professional will be able to gently guide custody and parenting plans toward what is best for the children and what addresses their specific needs so that these are always considered at this critical juncture in divorce agreement planning.   Resolve Disputes About Parenting When parents can’t agree about parenting plans or policies, a parenting plan consultant may be able to diffuse the situation. A parenting plan consultant can provide a definitive answer about what is best for the child, parenting methods that do or don’t work, and what will create the most effective environment for healthy child development. A mediator is more likely to recommend consultation with a parenting plan consultant when parents can’t agree on important parenting decisions. The advice they give can help shape the custody agreement and the terms of the co-parenting plan based on the best interests of the child.   Helping to Build a Supportive Co-Parenting Plan Ultimately, the result of using a parenting plan consultant in divorce mediation is a very well-designed co-parenting plan. A parenting plan consultant can help you balance parenting time with your schedules, prepare an adaptive plan that will grow with your child, and provide helpful suggestions on how to ensure the plan provides your child… --- ### Mediation vs. Collaborative Divorce: Key Differences - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/mediation-vs-collaborative-divorce-key-differences/ - **Published:** 2025-09-30 - **Modified:** 2025-09-30 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Split Simple provides expert divorce mediation services designed to reduce conflict, save time, and reach fair agreements without going to court. **Content:** Divorce is a tricky time for all concerned, especially when children are involved. Some divorces are dramatic affairs that end up in court. However, other couples may be able to split in a smoother, more amicable, and cost effective manner. When your divorce is uncontested – when you have mutually decided to go your separate ways – you have options that don’t involve an expensive court case. Two options for this are mediation and collaborative divorce. What is the difference, and which one might be right for you? What is Mediation? Mediation or a mediated divorce, is when the couple involves a third-party mediator to help them resolve their differences and arrive at a settlement meeting the needs of both parties. The mediator is typically an attorney and works with both parties to help understand their needs and meet a mutually beneficial end result. This is less adversarial than going to court, but still allows for disputes and differences to be resolved. What is a Collaborative Divorce? A collaborative divorce is a legal process where both partners work together with more than just one mediator. Each partner has their own attorney and typically a divorce team, which many times includes a financial planner, a psychologist, a pediatric counselor, etc. Four-way meetings with you, your spouse, and your attorneys continue until a settlement agreement everyone is happy with is drafted. These meetings are facilitated by two neutral professionals, typically a financial advisor and a mental health coach. The agreement is then signed. What Are the Key Differences? Here are some of the key differences: The role of lawyers. In mediation, a mediator works with both parties and acts as a third party neutral. In a collaborative divorce, like a courtroom divorce, each party has their own lawyer to assist them in negotiations. Collaborative divorce is not supported by the law in all states. Meanwhile, all states allow mediation and some states may even require that you attempt mediation before going to court. Collaborative divorce involves more people. This increases the number of viewpoints and can lead to a better settlement, but it is a lot more expensive. Divorce teams might even include a professional parenting coordinator, a real estate broker, etc. All of these people need to be paid. A single mediator can often handle adversarial incidents better than two attorneys…with collaborative divorce, the attorneys ultimately are there to represent solely the interests of their clients. A single mediator works to make sure both sides are heard and understood as part of the negotiation process. What Are the Similarities? While mediation is often required as a preliminary to a courtroom divorce, both mediation and a collaborative divorce help couples split if the divorce is not contested. The approach supports negotiation and working together for the best solution for both partners and any children. However, some couples find that this style of divorce leaves them with less closure. It may also not work if there is a matter of major contention, such… --- ### The Role of Mediator Ethics in Divorce Proceedings - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-role-of-mediator-ethics-in-divorce-proceedings/ - **Published:** 2025-09-22 - **Modified:** 2026-05-05 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Mediators operate under a code of conduct and ethics. This is necessary in order to provide mediation that clients can rely on and trust. **Content:** Mediators operate under a code of conduct and ethics. This is necessary in order to provide mediation that clients can rely on and trust. Ethics plays an important role in the process of mediation, especially for divorce proceedings. Divorce mediation relies on the mediator’s neutrality, fairness, and dedication to positive outcomes for both parties. If a divorce mediator could not be trusted to uphold the ethics of mediation, then spouses would be forced to return to the adversarial two-lawyer system. How does a mediator’s ethics ensure a fair and well-constructed divorce? Let us show you how it all works.   Neutrality and Impartiality A mediator must be neutral and impartial. This means they must avoid bias and never take sides. This can mean setting aside personal sympathies in addition to resisting attempts by clients to manipulate their impartiality, such as threats, gifts, or coercion. A divorce mediator cannot be swayed to favor one spouse over the other but must work to ensure spouses get equal treatment in both open discussions and structured negotiations.   Honesty and Transparency A divorce mediator must be open and honest, making information and resources available at all times. This is especially important when conveying the legal requirements for divorce, the practical aspects of asset division, and explaining a spouse’s options after the divorce is complete. They also exercise transparency when helping spouses to achieve full disclosure in a safe space.   Confidentiality Divorces are an extremely personal experience requiring significant revelations of personal data. Divorce mediators discover things about their clients’ lives that must remain private. This is why confidentiality is a core tenet of mediation. Anyone who acts as a mediator must be prepared to maintain what they learn in absolute confidentiality.   Voluntary and Self-Determined Participation A mediator only works with people who want to enter the mediation process. This ensures that no spouse can be forced into mediation and that both people agree to their voluntary participation before the mediation can begin. Each party always has the option to review all of their decisions with an attorney before signing any legally binding agreements. In addition to voluntary joining, the same principle requires participants to exercise self-determination. This means that each participant has the right to make their own decisions for their own reasons as long as these decisions fit the structure of a legally valid divorce and the terms of fair mediation.   Equitable Problem Solving Divorce mediators approach every divorce with a dedication to equitable fairness. This fairness is expressed in treating both spouses equally, in preparing the mediation process, and in pursuing specific problem-solving challenges to seek fair solutions that are equitable for both spouses in every case. Divorce mediators keep it fair, no matter the circumstances or situation.  Problem solving requires seeking solutions within the structure of a legal divorce that offers something for everyone. That dedication to equitable mediation ensures that both clients in a divorce are offered solutions that consider their needs and beneficial outcomes.   Ethical Divorce Mediation Divorce mediation is rooted… --- ### Post-Mediation Support \| Resources and Next Steps After Agreement - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/post-mediation-support-resources-and-next-steps-after-agreement/ - **Published:** 2025-08-28 - **Modified:** 2026-05-05 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Helping individuals transition smoothly after mediation concludes Choosing divorce mediation is a good way to ensure a more peaceful and personalized divorce process than a litigated result. You, your mediator, and your spouse will work together to negotiate mutually acceptable terms. **Content:** Helping individuals transition smoothly after mediation concludes Choosing divorce mediation is a good way to ensure a more peaceful and personalized divorce process than a litigated result. You, your mediator, and your spouse will work together to negotiate mutually acceptable terms. You will navigate asset division, property ownership, and separation terms. If necessary, you will define child support, spousal support, or child custody and a co-parenting plan. But what comes next after the mediation is done? How do you move forward when every term has been discussed and agreements have been reached? Your divorce doesn’t end at the conclusion of divorce mediation. In fact, you could say that here is where it begins. At Split Simple, we believe in providing post-mediation support to help spouses move forward from mediation to the rest of their lives. Here’s what comes next:  Submitting the Divorce Documents First, your divorce mediator drafts the documents necessary for you to submit them to Colorado courts, including Denver, Arapahoe, Douglas and Boulder counties. Your mediator provides you with specific instructions on signing and submission of those documents. This is part of our attorney-led mediator service to ensure your mediation results in a completed divorce. Your mediator will also guide you through the next steps in completing the divorce process, including what to expect in any court meetings or, in some cases, how to avoid them altogether. Once your documents have been signed and submitted to the court it is important to begin taking those next steps to build your independent lives. Establishing Two Households It is time to make sure there are two independent households that can operate completely separately from one another. During the course of mediation you will typically discuss with your mediator an estimate of your after tax and support income compared to your estimated post divorce expenses. The goal is to help ensure that both individuals have a sense of their post divorce estimated cash flow and expenses in order to minimize any potential surprises as you establish separate households.   Counseling for Personal Support and Growth Divorce is a traumatic experience for most people, even if you minimize the stress with divorce mediation. It can also be a time of reflection and an opportunity for personal growth. Seeking counseling can provide you with the personal and emotional support you need to embark on your post-divorce journey while also securing a source of encouragement and good advice to pursue personal growth in your new single life.  Putting the Co-Parenting Plan Into Action If you and your ex have children together, child custody and a co-parenting plan were likely part of the divorce agreement. Now that divorce mediation is done, it’s time to put your co-parenting plan into action. There’s no need to wait until the divorce is finalized. Start your routine early and get the hang of the collaborative schedule that you spent time building.  Talk to your kids about how the plan will work, keep in touch with your co-parent for logistic communications,… --- ### The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-role-of-emotional-intelligence-in-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2025-08-26 - **Modified:** 2026-05-05 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Divorce is an emotionally charged time for anyone. People often feel a tumult of emotions, which can manifest in both expected and unexpected ways. **Content:** Divorce is an emotionally charged time for anyone.  People often feel a tumult of emotions, which can manifest in both expected and unexpected ways. It’s only natural that these emotions also play a role in the divorce mediation process. This is why it’s so important for a divorce mediator to have emotional intelligence, which helps them understand the needs of both spouses and how to effectively navigate the mediation process. At Split Simple, our skilled mediators have handled many emotional divorces with sensitivity and diplomacy. We know that emotional intelligence often illuminates the best route through a difficult negotiation to find mutually satisfying solutions for both parties. Let’s explore the important role of emotional intelligence in the divorce mediation process.   Balancing Emotion and Practicality A good divorce mediation is rooted in practical decisions. Each person will enjoy a more balanced life after divorce when assets division and divorce terms are decided with care rather than driven by strong emotions. A divorce mediator with emotional intelligence can help spouses plan carefully by recognizing those emotions and proposing compromises that both satisfy emotional needs and ensure practical legally binding solutions.   Calming the Waters The process of divorce can be overwhelming. It involves making a lot of life-impacting decisions in rapid sequence, and that can take some delicacy. When one or both spouses starts to get overwhelmed, a divorce mediator with emotional awareness will notice and slow down the process. They might propose a break or talk about something relaxing for a moment. They might give a client the opportunity to think over key decisions and process what has been negotiated so far. This ensures that spouses can take mediation at their own pace and can make those important decisions only when they have the energy and focus again to give each choice full consideration.   Resolving Emotional Conflicts Often, conflicts during divorce mediation stem from emotion rather than practical need. A spouse may feel the need to win something or want to deny something valuable to the other. There may be stories, betrayals, and hurt feelings involved in the ownership of a specific item or control over a specific account. Seeing these emotions clearly can help a divorce mediator navigate through the decision-making process.  They can diffuse hostility, coach clients to set aside their feelings about an object, and help both clients feel like they are winning the negotiation with fair and satisfying divisions. They can propose compromises, inspire counter-offers, and ensure a reasonable divorce is complete despite emotional conflict.   Bridging the Gap Emotional intelligence can also help a divorce mediator bridge the emotional gap between spouses. During a divorce, each person is typically caught up in their own emotional roller-coaster. But it can help to see the situation from the other person’s perspective. Understanding why someone is fighting so hard for an asset or against an agreement often opens the way to counter-offers and real, genuine negotiation. Divorce mediators can sometimes translate each person’s emotional motivations so the other party understands and… --- ### SplitSimple's 2025 Social Work Scholarship Empowers Future Change-Makers - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/splitsimples-2025-social-work-scholarship-empowers-future-change-makers/ - **Published:** 2025-08-06 - **Modified:** 2025-08-06 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Split Simple is now accepting applications for its annual social work scholarship. This scholarship is designed to help students who are pursuing careers in social work. **Content:** Split Simple is now accepting applications for its annual social work scholarship. This scholarship is designed to help students who are pursuing careers in social work. It aims to provide financial support to those who are committed to making a difference in social services. Each year, the scholarship from Split Simple offers financial aid to students who show a strong desire to help others and a dedication to social justice. The scholarship is open to students enrolled in accredited social work programs. It awards $500 to assist with tuition, books, and other educational costs. Applicants need to submit a personal statement detailing why they are motivated to enter the field of social work and what they hope to achieve in their careers. Other important factors considered are academic performance, community involvement, and financial need. Chris Griffith of Split Simple highlights the company’s dedication to supporting future leaders in social work. “Our scholarship is one of the ways we contribute to the community. By supporting passionate students, we want them to continue their education and make a positive impact in social work,” Griffith said. This scholarship is part of Split Simple’s ongoing community contributions, which align with its core values. As a provider of divorce mediation services in Denver, Aurora, Boulder and throughout Colorado, Split Simple acknowledges the crucial role social workers have in offering support to those experiencing life changes. Social workers provide necessary guidance and resources to individuals and families. The scholarship recognizes the importance of the changes social workers make in the lives of others. They help people, families, and communities overcome challenges, from managing trauma to advocating for social change. Beyond the scholarship, Split Simple offers a comprehensive range of services, including divorce mediation, uncontested divorce facilitation, and guidance on alimony, child care issues, and fair division of assets. Their approach to mediation focuses on resolving disputes peacefully and efficiently. They also work with no-fault divorce cases and provide up front reasonable pricing. Their mediation services, described on their website, emphasize a structured and thoughtful process designed to meet the needs of all parties involved. The wide array of services they offer highlights the need for professional mediation and guidance to achieve fair outcomes. Griffith speaks about the company’s commitment to community involvement: “We see the scholarship as an extension of our service ethos. It’s about supporting those who will continue to promote peace and understanding in various capacities.” Candidates are encouraged to apply early to ensure their applications are reviewed. The application period closes September 20, 2025. The chosen recipient will be announced and funds will be provided by October 1, 2025. As Split Simple continues its work in Colorado, it remains dedicated to having a positive impact through its mediation services and by nurturing the next generation of social workers. The company hopes this scholarship will ease some of the financial challenges faced by students who aim to enter this essential profession. By investing in education, Split Simple strives to build a community of skilled… --- ### The Role of Empathy, Active Listening and Trust in Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-role-of-empathy-active-listening-and-trust-in-mediation/ - **Published:** 2025-07-24 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** t **Summary:** When it comes to mediation, the way in which the parties involved view each other and the way in which they view the mediator, is very important to ensure a successful outcome. When there's a more positive dynamic between the people getting divorced, they are both more likely to be happy with the... **Content:** When it comes to mediation, the way in which the parties involved view each other and the way in which they view the mediator, is very important to ensure a successful outcome. When there’s a more positive dynamic between the people getting divorced, they are both more likely to be happy with the outcome of the mediation. So it’s up to the mediator to foster the kind of environment in which there is less acrimony. They can also encourage both parties to view the situation more realistically and objectively. Here are some psychological concepts helpful to understand in order to bring about a successful mediation outcome: Emotional Intelligence The emotional intelligence of the people getting divorced as well as the emotional intelligence skills of the mediator are important to reach a successful mediation outcome. Empathy and the ability to manage one’s emotions are important factors in mediation, as is open communication. It’s up to the mediator to create the kind of environment where it’s possible for the parties involved to express themselves without acrimony. This is likely to lead to an outcome that both parties will be satisfied with. The IDR Cycle There are three stages that every mediation has to go through: Inflationary: At the beginning, each party is dealing with feelings of hurt and low self-worth, and they may act overconfident in order to cover this up. Deflationary: After some time, the overconfidence that they are displaying deflates, and they start to feel like they’re “giving up.” Realistic: Eventually, after the two parties have gone through the inflationary and deflationary phases, they’re ready to view things realistically, a process that can be helped along by the mediator. Trust It’s very important for the two parties involved to trust the mediator and to feel that s/he is being fair towards both of them. The mediator can validate their emotions, display empathy to both of them and make it clear that they’re not taking sides. This will help build trust and come to a successful mediation outcome. Cognitive Biases There are various patterns of thought, or cognitive biases, that can get in the way of successful mediation. For example, there is reactive devaluation, in which one party might reject an offer from the other, simply because they view that party in a negative way. In such cases, it’s up to the mediator to reframe the situation in an objective, neutral way so that none of the parties feels attacked by the other. Active Listening It’s very important for the mediator to listen actively and try to understand where each party is coming from, without taking sides in the mediation. Very often, what each person in the mediation wants is to be heard, and when they feel as if they are being heard and understood, then they’re much more willing to hear what the other person has to say as well. Emotional Recovery Although a person can’t completely recover from marital conflicts during the process of mediation, they can at least… --- ### The Impact of Mediation on Post-Divorce Co-Parenting Relationships - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-impact-of-mediation-on-post-divorce-co-parenting-relationships/ - **Published:** 2025-07-08 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Raising children is a shared responsibility for parents, even if you get divorced. In modern terms, this is referred to as the co-parenting relationship. **Content:** Raising children is a shared responsibility for parents, even if you get divorced. In modern terms, this is referred to as the co-parenting relationship. It’s about teamwork, communication, and working together for the sake of your children. Needless to say, how your divorce goes will determine how easy it is to achieve this kind of teamwork. Will you be calm co-parents who can coordinate around holidays and your children’s extracurricular activities? Or will you be angry and uncomfortable every time you need to interact? If you’re worried about the future of your co-parenting relationship, divorce mediation can help.   A Non-Adversarial Divorce for Parents When a divorce is a big fight, it sets the stage for ongoing hostility. This is not ideal when you need to be co-parents, so it’s best to avoid the whole adversarial scenario of a traditional divorce. Divorce mediation is a non-adversarial method where spouses can work together to build an equally beneficial divorce agreement. Instead of two lawyers battling for two very different results from the divorce, your neutral attorney mediator will guide both people through the negotiating and decision-making process. You will meet in sessions, cover the necessary terms, and divide your marital assets as fairly as possible.   Minimizing Conflict During the Divorce Divorce mediation minimizes conflict and helps you focus on the well being of your children. Instead of causing the situation to heat up, mediation cools it down. Your divorce will be handled by a professional mediator, experienced in guiding negotiations that end in mutual compromise. Each person will have a chance to explain their perspective and the mediator is there to help the parties find a solution that is in the best interests of their children. Offers and counter-offers are encouraged along with guidance from the mediator until both spouses can agree on the terms. This not only makes divorce easier, it also minimizes the negative emotions and experiences created by the divorce and fosters a teamwork that can pass forward into your co-parenting style.   Carefully Building the Child Custody Agreement Your divorce mediator can also ensure that the child custody agreement is fair and adaptive for both parents. When both people feel the custody agreement works for them and consider their need for child-parent bonding time, this helps to prevent the typical conflicts and negative emotions often associated with child custody terms. Your divorce mediator will ensure that the parenting plan fosters the best interests of your children, a fair allocation of holidays, and special considerations regarding schedules and circumstances.   Designing a Flexible Co-Parenting Plan The last step is to build a flexible co-parenting plan that works for everyone. Your co-parenting plan should be personalized to suit the needs of both parents and the kids. What are the best custody intervals? When is the best time to switch, and how will you handle the switches in order to minimize conflict? Can the plan account for future changes in schedule, especially as your child grows up and joins sports or clubs? A… --- ### 7 Ways Divorce Mediation Benefits Child Custody Agreements - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/aurora-mediation-divorce-agreements/ - **Published:** 2025-06-29 - **Modified:** 2026-06-30 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for help with child custody arrangements with the Chciago Divorce Mediators helping Aurora couples reach an uncontested divorce 720-501-4600 **Content:** Building a good child custody agreement does not happen with boilerplate policy. Every family is different. Every co-parenting team and every child bring their own unique spin to the situation. You can likely build the right custody agreement out of the selection of standard methods and policies, but actually agreeing on terms (and writing them into a legally binding contract) usually requires a little help. The traditional method is to hire two lawyers, one each, and go head-to-head in negotiations. But for most divorcing parents, adversarial divorce is clearly not the way to go. If your goal is to build a healthy co-parenting plan into your Aurora divorce mediation agreement, child custody needs to be handled with cooperation, calm, and expertise.  Divorce mediation provides that kind of calm, cooperative environment needed to build mutual child custody terms. In Aurora divorce mediation, both parents sit down with an experienced family law professional who will help write divorce terms based on the shared needs of all involved parties instead of negotiating from single mindedly self-driven platforms. Let’s take a closer look at how mediation services can benefit your child custody agreement. 1) Both Parent Situations are Explained & Considered  Child custody should balance the separate households of both co-parents. Sometimes, there are even more than two co-parents if guardians or step-parents are also involved. Each person’s situation, abilities, and limitations must be considered. There are many agreements that sound mathematically fair on paper but do not evenly share the burdens in practice. In traditional divorce, each party has a lawyer who argues for their side, and the “winner” gets there self-focused terms in the contract. With Aurora divorce mediation, both parents can fully explain, prove, and explore their situation.  This way, policies can be built that work for everyone in practice, not just on paper. If one parent doesn’t drive, or one has a unique work schedule, or both have special limitations, these factors can be built into a mutually balanced custody agreement. 2) Build a Complete Picture of Each Child’s Experience The unified view of divorce is also helpful when crafting the future life of your child(ren). Children’s lives are shaped by the terms of your custody agreement. Every exchange is a car-ride and a home transition for them. Every even is measured by which parent and house they’ll be with and which friends they will be near. With Aurora divorce mediation, a child’s full journey can be thought about and hand-crafted to the family’s needs. Including the needs and preferences of the children. Would your children benefit from more frequent exchanges, or longer stable periods? Are some agreements more helpful to their after school and weekend plans? A mediator will help you consider the child custody agreement from the child’s perspective as well. 3) Solutions Consider Every Party’s Needs Negotiations in traditional divorce may be solution-based, but each solution proposed has only one party in mind – as a policy. Compromises move the bar along a scale of favorability to… --- ### Crafting Fair Spousal Support Agreements Through Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/crafting-fair-spousal-support-agreements-through-mediation/ - **Published:** 2025-06-25 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Spousal support is a delicate subject in any divorce. Discussing how money is spent during a marriage is difficult and during a divorce the issue of alimony can trigger many emotional reactions. **Content:** Spousal support is a delicate subject in any divorce. Discussing how money is spent during a marriage is difficult and during a divorce the issue of alimony can trigger many emotional reactions. The issue of spousal support involves many factors which can make both discussion and fairness more difficult for spouses getting divorced. In situations where spousal support is appropriate, divorce mediation is one of the best ways to ensure that the discussion is complete, practical and ensures fairness for both spouses in the agreement. How does divorce mediation ensure a fair spousal support agreement? Let’s take a closer look at how the mediators at Split Simple approach the matter and ensure it is balanced on all sides.  Understanding the Reasons for Spousal Support First, the divorce mediator considers the potential need for spousal support. In modern divorces, spousal support is something that is called for based on need and lifestyle. Understanding the most common reasons for spousal support can help you see your situation from the right perspective. One spouse gave up their career to maintain the home. They may have moved with a spouse who is constantly relocating, raised the children, and/or provided essential support to aid the working spouse in their career. They would need to restart their career to live with financial independence. One spouse makes considerably more than the other. The lesser earning spouse would experience severe financial hardship and a drop in quality of life if suddenly living on their income alone. One spouse is disabled and unable to support themselves. They may also lack an additional support system away from their spouse’s income and marital healthcare. In these situations, it is appropriate for the higher-earning spouse to provide some degree of spousal support to ensure their ex does not experience undue hardship after the household division.  Analyzing Individual Finances and Quality of Life The divorce mediator will then make a neutral analysis of the comparative finances and the quality of life the spouses have maintained. While marital division of assets can provide the lesser-earning spouse with some ability to start a new life, the disparity in income or earning ability may result in a profound loss in quality of life after the divorce. If this situation is apparent, the divorce mediator will utilize the Colorado Spousal Support Guidelines in order to calculate how much spousal income would be appropriate to supplement the lesser earning spouse’s income to achieve a reasonable quality of life. While neither spouse is expected to live the same way after a divorce, spousal support is intended to ensure the lesser-earning spouse can secure comparable safety, stability, and health.  Hearing Out Both Sides of the Situation The process of mediation also ensures that both spouses have a chance to express their side of the situation. The higher earning spouse will be able to fully explain what they think is appropriate in terms of spousal support and openly discuss their concerns about the agreement. An important part of fairness is ensuring… --- ### The Impact of Mediation on Children's Well-Being - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-impact-of-mediation-on-childrens-well-being/ - **Published:** 2025-06-10 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Children are often impacted by divorce in ways that their parents do not realize. The environment of strong negative feelings can cause more upset and confusion than the physical separation of households. **Content:** Children are often impacted by divorce in ways that their parents do not realize. The environment of strong negative feelings can cause more upset and confusion than the physical separation of households. The adversarial nature of a traditional divorce often only makes things worse. When parents have to fight over divorce terms, that fight often spills over into family time, even when spending time separately with the children. Divorce mediation offers a more peaceful and teamwork-focused approach to divorce that both reduces emotional trauma for children during the divorce process and builds a more supportive co-parenting environment when the divorce is complete. The impact of divorce mediation on your children’s well-being is a positive one, fostering a peaceful and reassuring family life for children during and after a parental divorce.   Reducing the Hostility Between Parents Divorce mediation reduces conflict instead of inflaming it. Parents are encouraged to collaborate and reach agreements instead of fighting for each person to get the best terms. Mediation fosters negotiation, compromise, and mutual understanding whenever possible. Even conflicts are dealt with using cool practicality and the simple need to reach a fair agreement after heated emotions have passed.  This puts parents in a mindset to remain calm and amicable at home as well as at the mediation table. Children experience less strife during the divorce and witness fewer fights between the parents they love.   Building Stable Parental Households In mediation, the best terms are defined by an agreement that builds two stable households. For parents, the goal is to create two homes where children feel safe and welcomed and enjoy a similar quality of life. Many children adapt to a two-household life between their parents happily when both homes are a safe space with a parent who can relax when they are together. Divorce mediation aims to create these positive post-divorce lifestyles where children enjoy a larger family landscape and feel stability from both parental homes.   A Safe Space to Find Solutions In some cases, parents speak with a parenting consultant as part of the mediation process. Speaking with a therapeutic professional about parenting plan recommendations allows parents to find what is in the best interests of their children, rather than the perceived best result for each individual parent. Children may even have the opportunity to speak with such parenting consultants in order to have their voice heard in a therapeutic environment. Building a Better Planned Custody Agreement Divorce mediation also aims to build fair and functional child custody agreements that create room for a happy post-divorce family life. An agreement will be built with significant and meaningful time between parents based on the family’s unique scheduling and travel needs. Parents are welcome to negotiate the best terms, and the mediator will help build a custody agreement that creates harmony instead of conflict for the rest of the child’s legal minority years.   Creating a More Intuitive and Supportive Co-Parenting Plan Finally, divorce mediation will guide parents through building a co-parenting plan that will grow with… --- ### Understanding the Financial Impact of Divorce in Denver: What to Expect - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/understanding-the-financial-impact-of-divorce-in-denver-what-to-expect/ - **Published:** 2025-05-13 - **Modified:** 2025-05-13 - **Author:** t **Summary:** Finances are always a deeply involved part of any Denver divorce. Dividing marital assets, building two financially separate lives, and the cost of divorce services all represent a serious impact on your personal finances. **Content:** Finances are always a deeply involved part of any Denver divorce. Dividing marital assets, building two financially separate lives, and the cost of divorce services all represent a serious impact on your personal finances. Many couples are not prepared for that impact and the financial aftermath that is created by a divorce in Denver. You can’t just draw a line down the middle of your finances and call it done. It takes careful planning and often the process of divorce leaves you with less than you anticipated. Fortunately, expert services like Denver divorce mediation can help you find the most efficient path to both understand and minimize the financial impact of your Denver divorce. At Split Simple, we’ve helped thousands of spouses divide assets neatly and we can offer you a clear roadmap for what to expect from your finances on the road ahead.   The Division of Marital Assets The first step is to consider the impact of dividing marital and separate assets. Assets aren’t just houses, cars, and furniture, but also your financial accounts. Checking, savings, retirement, and investment accounts accumulated during the marriage are all considered and must be equitably divided. A finance-savvy divorce mediator can help you achieve the most strategic division, where both people gain the greatest benefit from their share of the divided assets. This involves evaluation of various asset types as well as awareness of potential tax pitfalls in the division of assets in a divorce. This process is important so that neither person is left with an unintended imbalance of the marital assets and debts.   The Risk of Frozen Accounts Once a divorce is filed the Denver Divorce Court issues an Automatic Temporary Injunction that protects both spouses from reckless spending, asset hiding, or asset damage. To some extent accounts may be “frozen” absent mutual agreement between divorcing spouses to remove the old on those accounts. It is important that divorcing spouses in Denver focus on cooperation in order to avoid unnecessary financial headaches.  Spouses with a practical approach to divorce who want to maintain everyday access to financial accounts should plan carefully and work together to avoid the risks of frozen accounts, which can be inconvenient or even harmful to your lifestyle during the divorce.   Building Two Separate Lifestyles The division of assets is not just about an equitable split. A practical divorce mediator understands that two separate lifestyles must be created through the asset division process. Both spouses need the ability to build a new life with the combination of their working income and their share of the marital assets.  This requires careful planning, including Denver cost of living calculations, new home location scouting, and ensuring that the asset division represents a sustainable financial reality for both parties after the divorce.   The Cost of Divorce and Its Impact It is also important to remember that divorce services will deplete your resources. The potential cost of a Denver divorce can range widely from a few thousand dollars to well over $50,000 depending… --- ### When to Consider Legal Separation vs. Divorce: What's Best for Your Family? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/when-to-consider-legal-separation-vs-divorce-whats-best-for-your-family/ - **Published:** 2025-05-06 - **Modified:** 2025-05-06 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Divorce is not just about relationships. It's a legal way to divide a household, separate finances, and create a child custody agreement. **Content:** Divorce is not just about relationships. It’s a legal way to divide a household, separate finances, and create a child custody agreement. However, you don’t necessarily need a divorce to accomplish these goals. You can achieve all the logistic goals of a divorce without ending the marriage through a legal separation. Which is the right answer for your family? If you are considering a legal separation, how would you get one? As experienced Denver divorce mediators, we can help you understand your choice and provide practical legal support for both the divorce and legal separation process. What is Legal Separation vs Divorce? Divorce ends a marriage, including all the aspects of a joined household. It involves dividing finances, property, and child custody while also permanently severing the marital bond so that two people are no longer considered married in the eyes of the law or society. Legal separation makes it possible to divide a household’s finances and child custody while keeping your marriage intact. You can live separately, keep separate accounts, properties, and investments, but remain legally married. It may also be reversible. You can bring your household back together in the future and resume a joint marital life if you choose to end the separation and share marital assets again. Which path is best for your family depends on why you are separating and your future plans. Distance Without Divorce One of the most common reasons for legal separation is when two spouses need to live apart. Perhaps one takes a distant job for several years, or moves to another country to take care of relatives. The marriage is still active, but it’s important to handle your finances and household separately in order to avoid complicated tax issues and keep your divided budgets tidy. It may also be necessary to build a travel-based child custody plan so that your children can spend time with both parents while your households are divided. Legal separation provides for child custody agreements within an active marriage. Societal and Cultural Implications Some married couples are in a situation where divorce is not an option for societal or cultural reasons. If your marriage is deeply rooted in tradition and a divorce would cause unnecessary strife, legal separation can be a more peaceful way to get space from one another without officially ending the marriage. Legal separation is often a solution for couples who no longer want to live together but choose not to sever the family ties or upset their extended relatives or community by getting a divorce. Taking the Halfway Step In marriages where there has been conflict or loss of trust, legal separation can act as the halfway step, like a test-run for divorce. You can go through the process of dividing your assets, creating separate households, and even navigating child custody before officially ending the marriage. If absence makes the heart grow fonder or you are able to work out your differences over time, then you can end the separation and rebuild… --- ### Do We Need Two Divorce Lawyers if We Agree on Everything? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/do-we-need-two-divorce-lawyers-if-we-agree-on-everything/ - **Published:** 2025-05-01 - **Modified:** 2026-06-30 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Our Divorce Mediators in Aurora will help you and your spouse move through the process of divorce without the use of a courtroom. Click Here for more! **Content:** Not all divorces are bitter battles between two angry ex-spouses. In fact, many divorces are amicable, a parting of two ex-partners. Maybe you grew distant, maybe a tragedy separated you. Maybe there is pain in the past, but you still mostly share the same values when separating your households. Couples who agree on how to divorce are not uncommon, but it can sometimes be hard to know how to go forward from there. Media guides separating spouses to hire two different divorce lawyers. And divorce lawyers encourage ex-partners to fight over financial details, home ownership, and custody. These billable hours draw out and conflicts come up where they don’t need to. And two lawyers are more costly than a simple divorce agreement should be. So do you and your soon-to-be ex really need two conflicting divorce lawyers? There are two answers here, and both are important to know before you dive into the legal complexities of drafting and finalizing an amicable divorce.   It is Unethical to Share One Divorce Lawyer The first rule is that one separating couple cannot share a divorce lawyer. This is due to the nature of divorce law. Each divorce lawyer is trained to defend the interests of the single person who hires them, and a divorce is often seen as an opposing lawsuit where two parties are both trying to get the better deal. It is, therefore, a divorce lawyer’s job to fight for the interests of the spouse who hired them. For the best financial deal, for the most custody time, for possession of certain shared property. It is in the nature of their training to value one divorcing spouse over another. And sometimes this dedication is needed in an adversarial or unbalanced divorce. Along this vein, it is also unethical for a divorce lawyer to agree to work for two spouses at the same time, even if the spouses want to agree and evenly split everything. It is simply assumed (and reasonably reflected over centuries of law) that the lawyer will either fail to represent both sets of interests completely or will intentionally or unintentionally favor one spouse’s interests over the other. This is the same reason a real estate agent can’t work for both the buyer and seller. All reputable divorce lawyers won’t do it, and will suggest alternatives for any ex-couple that asks. It is Unfair to Hire a Lawyer for Only One Spouse Some spouses try a nonfunctional alternative is for one person in the separating couple to hire a lawyer while the other does not. For spouses that want to reduce their legal fees, hiring one lawyer can seem like a tempting option. However, in practice the deal is almost never fair for both spouses financially or in divorce terms. Having only one spouse hire a lawyer can technically result in the correct legal documents being drawn up with terms the couple agrees on. But it is unfair for the same reason that hiring one lawyer for two spouses… --- ### How to Co-Parent Effectively After a Divorce: Tips for Denver Parents - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-co-parent-effectively-after-a-divorce-tips-for-denver-parents/ - **Published:** 2025-03-12 - **Modified:** 2025-03-12 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Co-parenting is a form of teamwork between divorced parents to ensure your children grow up happy and secure. Getting a divorce is something parents go through for personal reasons, but co-parenting is for the kids. **Content:** Co-parenting is a form of teamwork between divorced parents to ensure your children grow up happy and secure.  Getting a divorce is something parents go through for personal reasons, but co-parenting is for the kids. Colorado favors cooperative parenting arrangements because they have been proven to be more beneficial for child development. Significant involvement by both parents often is in the best interest of the child. Once parents have achieved the separation they need for sanity and stability, the next step is to work together on a co-parenting plan.  The right plan can ensure your children are happy, stable, and get plenty of time with both parents.  Will it be a challenge to work with your co-parent and coordinate schedules? Perhaps. But it’s a labor of love that you both will appreciate as your child or children thrive between your combined care. A good co-parenting plan is built on logistics, cooperation, and a good routine. SplitSimple has guided many parents through the divorce process and building a co-parenting plan. In our experience, these are the most effective tips for parents to co-parent effectively after the divorce. Coordinate Your Schedules The schedule is the core of a good co-parenting plan. The right schedule is one that works for everyone. Bring together both parents’ work schedules and your personal routines. Then add your child’s school calendar and their schedule for extracurricular activities and favorite routine activities like visiting friends and summer camp. Web applications such as https://www.ourfamilywizard.com/ can help parents coordinate their schedules.  Build a weekly schedule that fits everyone’s needs. Then zoom out and sketch out a yearly schedule that considers things like holiday custody, camp, work trips, and family traditions. Working together to keep that schedule will ensure peace, predictability, and a stable environment for your children.   Make Both Houses “Home” for Your Children Children benefit from feeling at home in both parental households. Carrying luggage can make them feel like an outsider, while “coming home” to their own bedroom, closet of clothes, and toys will make them feel like they belong with either parent. Make an effort to create that welcoming space for your child or children in both homes. Let them decorate their space, have their own bed, and a place to keep items so they don’t have to pack. Treat both homes as “home” and let them use casual designations like “Mom’s home” and “Dad’s home” or “My blue house”. Encourage your children to feel at home in both places and reassure them that they always have a place in both homes.   Stay in Communication  Communication is important to stay coordinated. No life is perfectly predictable, so there will always be late arrivals, swapped pick-ups, school events, and other reasons to stay in semi-constant contact. Even if you’re not comfortable chatting with your co-parent, text communication can bridge the gap. Texting to coordinate is perfectly normal and you can keep your conversations limited entirely to logistics. If you need to have a parenting conversation, schedule it through… --- ### 4 Reasons for Divorce Mediation When You Have Children - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/4-reasons-for-divorce-mediation-when-you-have-children/ - **Published:** 2024-11-20 - **Modified:** 2025-07-14 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more information about why couples choose divorce mediation in Denver when children are involved. Contact Split Simple Today **Content:** Taking care of your children is always your top priority. This remains true even as you plan for divorce. For many parents, their biggest worry is how the divorce will impact their children, from fair child custody agreements to effective co-parenting. Fortunately, there is a conflict-free way for divorcing parents to pursue the best interests of their children together.   Denver divorce mediation takes the conflict out of the divorce process and instead focuses on building divorce terms that work well for everyone, including your children. A divorce mediator can help you build child custody terms and a co-parenting plan that will help you ensure a stable, fair, and supportive childhood experience after the divorce. Let’s explore the many reasons why divorce mediation is a strong choice when you have children. How Divorce Mediation Works for Parents Denver divorce mediation begins with both spouses and a divorce mediator. Our attorney-mediators at Split Simple are all trained family law attorneys who understand the nuances of a strong child custody and co-parenting plan, and how to set this plan into legal divorce terms. Recent years have made shared equal custody the norm, so your mediator will guide you toward the best path where both parents get equal time with the children. The right schedule and customs, however, will depend on the unique circumstances and details of your family. Both parents will express their concerns and preferences, as well as any special needs that the children may have. The divorce mediator will then help the parents work out an ideal set of policies and co-parenting schedule that works for everyone. Any differences can be calmly debated with the help of the mediator until an acceptable compromise or even a superior solution is found. Divorce Mediation Creates Personalized Child Custody Agreements There are many reasons to pursue Denver divorce mediation and an uncontested divorce over the ‘Two lawyers and a courtroom” experience. One of them is the ability to craft a truly personalized child custody agreement. You may agree that your ex should get quality time with the kids. You may feel that they will be an OK parent when the kids are a little older. But right now, you worry about leaving them alone overnight. Maybe your spouse has a disability, sleep disorder, a panic disorder, or just hasn’t learned the skills they need for infant care. That’s okay. With Denver divorce mediation, it doesn’t have to be a personal slight to pose a problem and seek a solution. If approached correctly, your spouse may even agree that they’re worried about overnights when you’re usually in charge of infant or toddler care. If you can calmly express your concerns with the mediator, your divorce mediator will work with both parents to build a flexible solution that can grow with your children. Building a Co-Parenting Schedule With equal custody, the most challenging step in divorce child custody agreements is building a split schedule that works for everyone. Studies have found that children do best when… --- ### What are Your Reasons for Divorce and Mediation? How to Set Your Goals - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-are-your-reasons-for-divorce-and-mediation-how-to-set-your-goals/ - **Published:** 2024-11-06 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here to start setting goals for your divorce wit ha Denver divorce mediation attorney at Split Simple today 720-501-4600 **Content:** Getting divorced takes a lot of planning. A Denver divorce mediator can help you walk through each step of the planning and negotiating process, but there are still several things it helps to have prepared before you step foot in the mediation room. You’ll likely want to gather your paperwork regarding finances, assets, and personal information. You may have some idea about the agreements you want to reach with your spouse and the terms you want to ask for in negotiations. As professional divorce mediators, we’ve also found that it truly helps to have a few goals for your divorce outcomes in mind. Building uncontested divorce negotiation goals can help guide your discussions and reach the solutions that provide the most satisfying outcome. Every person and family is unique, and you can prepare for a uniquely positive result from your Denver divorce mediation by considering your goals before your first meeting. Asset-Related Divorce Goals The first step is to determine the best way to split your assets. While you can split everything down the middle, a Denver divorce mediator can often help you find a more practical and beneficial way to split existing assets to reduce hassle and set both parties up for a smoother, independent life when the process is complete. Questions to Ask: What assets are outside the marriage? What do you and your spouse own together? What is the easiest way to separate your assets fairly? How can asset separation leave both spouses well-established for a new life? Identify and Isolate Personal Assets Personal assets include anything owned by either spouse outside of the marriage. This includes pre-existing property (like a car, house, or stocks owned before you got married), inheritance, and personal gifts. Most keepsakes from family members, for example, are personal assets. Take time to list all personal assets and isolate items, property, or financial assets that are not part of the marriage. This will simplify separating shared assets, and help you feel confident about personal property. Split Shared Assets in the Most Practical Manner Your mediator can help you avoid unnecessarily awkward splits. For example, there’s usually no need to put a retirement account in jeopardy by opening it early to split the contents when other assets can be separated to even the balance instead. Each spouse may take the car they drive most instead of selling to split the proceeds, and things like checking or savings accounts and some investments are the easiest to split. Set Up Both Ex-Spouses for a Financially Independent Life Make sure that the way assets are split leaves both parties able to live independently. For example, “taking the house” without financial assets can leave someone unable to pay the bills on their own. But splitting the cars and savings accounts can leave both parties with transportation and a nest egg to restart with. Sell or Buy Out the House If you own a house (or other property) together, determine whether it’s better to sell the house and split… --- ### Irreconcilable Differences Slowing Down Your Divorce? Mediation Can Help - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/irreconcilable-differences-slowing-down-your-divorce-mediation-can-help/ - **Published:** 2024-10-30 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more on how divorce mediation in Denver helps with irreconcilable differences & Split Simple in Denver helps couples reach uncontested divorce **Content:** Divorce happens to many couples. Even if you loved each other to start with and tried your best, sometimes differences become too great. Maybe you can’t agree, maybe there was a betrayal. These are often found to be irreconcilable differences, a key reason for divorce. Whatever happened, you know the marriage is over, and it’s time to go your separate ways. The challenge is working your way productively through a divorce when those irreconcilable differences still divide you. The reasons for divorce are the same reasons that Denver divorce mediation can help you build the divorce that both people need. Those irreconcilable differences that often lead to conflict can be managed with the help of a skilled Denver divorce mediation. With mediation, you can set aside your differences and focus just on the details needed to ensure you are able to build separate, functional lives after the divorce. Split Simple can help, starting with building an approach that can help you overcome your reasons for divorce just long enough to complete the divorce itself. You Can’t Agree On Anything Disagreements can come from many different sources, but being unable to agree is often one of the strongest signs that a divorce is in the cards. If you can no longer agree on anything, from what to have for breakfast to how to plan for the future, then a couple will often realize that they can no longer effectively share a life together. Unfortunately, this also makes coming to agreements in your divorce more difficult. The good news is that a Denver divorce mediation can help you find common ground where it matters. Starting from a few basic agreements – like the importance of financial stability and the steps necessary to complete your divorce. Working with one logical agreement at a time, your Denver divorce mediator can help you build a practical divorce agreement that can meet both your needs without requiring you to agree on anything but the next steps. You Don’t Handle Finances the Same Way One of the most common conflicts in divorce is financial management. Some people save, some people spend. Some want to discuss every purchase, some prefer to shop in private. You may even be dealing with more extreme differences like reckless spending, gambling addiction, or overt secrecy. This can make splitting your marital assets in the divorce more complicated, and often leads to conflicts that extend the time and cost of the divorce itself. A Denver divorce mediation can help you prepare. First, you will receive guidance on how to document and codify your finances, including the potential need to find hidden or obscured finances. Then, together, you will walk through the process of defining marital vs personal assets and go through fairly dividing marital assets for the best possible outcome. The mediator’s even-handed approach can help broach the difference between how both spouses handle finances to ensure both people have the resources necessary to start a new life. You Want to Start Separate… --- ### Don't Stay in an Unhappy Marriage: 5 Popular Reasons People Choose Divorce Lawyers in Denver - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/dont-stay-in-an-unhappy-marriage-5-popular-reasons-people-choose-divorce-lawyers-in-denver/ - **Published:** 2024-10-16 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for a divorce mediation attorney to help you and your spouse reach an uncontested divorce in Denver with Divorce Mediation Services 720-501-4600 **Content:** When it comes down to it, life changes. Although you might have married your partner in love, it’s possible to fall out of it, especially with the many stressors of everyday life. If you’re thinking about getting a divorce, know that choosing divorce is not a failure on your part—it’s simply a new beginning. Our team of lawyers are a great option for those interested in getting an uncontested divorce in Denver, so if you’re in the market or Denver divorce mediation, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s talk more about some common reasons why married couples get divorced. By the end, you’ll have a better idea as to if divorce is the choice that’s right for you and your partner. 5 Common Reasons for Divorce #1 Marrying Before You’re Ready Although you might have felt confident that you and your partner were the right fit at the time of your marriage, far too many people get married before they’re ready. This can come in many different forms. For example, some people decide to get married when they’re too young—whether you someone gets married right out of high school or they marry their first partner, this can lead to an unstable marriage down the line. In addition, divorces happen when people marry before they get to know themselves. Before you choose to settle down with someone, it’s crucial that you’ve taken the time to get to know your own personality and needs. When you haven’t had enough time to explore your own sense of self, you might end up divorcing your partner. Again, know that it’s okay to get a divorce—it’s brave to admit that you’ve married before you’re ready, and it’s even braver to choose divorce. #2 Substance Abuse It is incredibly hard when your partner has a substance abuse problem. Although you might love your partner, if they have a drug or an alcohol problem, it puts a strain on your marriage. Being married to someone who abuses drugs and alcohol is even harder when there are kids involved—because you’ve got to consider the kids’ health and safety, too. Because people who abuse drugs and alcohol tend to be irresponsible, aggressive, and zoned out, it is very common for couples to get divorced if one party is abusing substances. So many couples try everything—rehab, counselling, and more. But sometimes, it just doesn’t work out and getting divorced is the best option. If you are in a relationship with someone who has a substance abuse problem, know that you’re not alone—and know that getting a divorce can be the thing that helps you prioritize you once more. #3 Parenting and Parenting Disagreements Things change when you have children. Of course, you love your children, and you wouldn’t be the same without them. That said, it is hard to parent with a partner, especially if you’re not on the same page. If your partner is an absent parent or you just have irreconcilable differences in terms of your parenting… --- ### Why Divorce is Faster Through Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/why-divorce-is-faster-through-mediation/ - **Published:** 2024-10-02 - **Modified:** 2025-07-14 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for a faster and more simple divorce with divorce mediation services from Split Simple in Denver. We can help you reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** Getting a divorce takes time, but it doesn’t have to take as much time as you might think. Courtroom divorces can drag on, and you may already know that seeking an uncontested divorce is likely to go faster. But what if you still have disagreements? Denver divorce mediation provides the guided negotiation you need to more efficiently resolve disputes and put together a divorce agreement that is beneficial to both parties. But just how long does divorce mediation take?  It can take anywhere from a few days to a few months, depending on the divorce complexity, disputes to resolve, and the availability of the spouses to schedule mediation sessions. The experienced mediators of Split Simple can guide you through the matters that contribute to how long divorce mediation can take. Preparing Your Documents You can make your Denver divorce mediation process faster by first gathering your relevant documents and details. A divorce mediator will need to help you divide all marital assets, and that means a full record of your accounts, properties, and possessions. This includes stocks and shares, business ownership, houses, cars, and other equipment, high-value personal belongings, retirement accounts, bank accounts, and more. Having a full set of financial records can help your divorce mediator more quickly divide assets in a fair and reasonable fashion. You can also gather records related to child custody, your income situation, or other specific concerns that might influence the best way to navigate the divorce. Prepare these documents before your Denver divorce mediation to save hours of time and multiple sessions getting everything together. If you are divorcing with Split Simple, we can provide you a pre-mediation checklist and will answer any questions you may have about preparing your documents through email or over the phone before your first session begins. Splitting Marital Assets Every divorce is unique, but the one thing they all share is the process of splitting marital assets. Therefore, this is the first issue you will tackle in Denver divorce mediation. The length of time depends on the amount of assets to split and how much spouses want to disagree over how things are divided. Your divorce mediator will determine the best way to split assets to launch two separate lives. They will also try to ensure that both spouses are as satisfied as possible with what is included in their half. For example, each person should be able to keep their favorite items for which their is no dispute, and negotiate for items both spouses love. retirement accounts should never be split, if it is possible to avoid, to avoid early withdrawal penalties. The mediator will seek to set up both spouses to creat their own household with the right combination of finances and possessions in the asset split. If anything needs to be sold, like the house or a high-priced car, they will walk you through selling quickly and getting the best value. Complex Asset Matters The more complex a divorce, the longer it will take… --- ### Stop the Stress: Why Divorce Mediation Supports Your Health and Wellness - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/stop-the-stress-why-divorce-mediation-supports-your-health-and-wellness/ - **Published:** 2024-09-18 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for divorce mediation services from Split Simple located in Denver. Easily reach an uncontested divorce 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce is inherently stressful. The required emotional fortitude and personal energy required to make it from filing the first petition to completing a divorce agreement is often exhausting. The usual routes through divorce don’t make it any easier. Courtroom divorces add the stress of going to court and pit spouses against one another over who gets the better terms. Even outside of the courtroom, hiring two lawyers turns the process into fight or competition. There’s a reason most divorce tips include the strong reminder to take care of your mental health and physical wellbeing.  Fortunately, there’s another way to handle your divorce that doesn’t leave you stressed out and drained. If you don’t need the stress and just want to build a practical and well-structured divorce, Denver divorce mediation offers a better path.  Divorce Mediation: The Calm Way to Divorce Denver divorce mediation involves meeting with your spouse and a professional attorney-mediator. Together, you will go over your assets and household division concerns until each issue is addressed in the most practical way possible. The mediator is experienced in helping to prevent conflicts and smooth out disagreements by maintaining a calm and professional mediation environment.   For people who don’t want more stress in their lives, divorce mediation offers a more peaceful way to build a divorce agreement in which compromises are found through discussion and problem-solving instead of fighting with lawyers. Whether you are already worried about your health or seeking a way to avoid the high-intensity stress of a typical divorce, choosing Denver divorce mediation is the best path to divorce with the minimum possible stress. Let’s explore the specific reasons why divorce mediation supports health and wellness through our low-stress approach. Privacy and Confidentiality One of the matters that can pique your stress is the exposure of private matters. When a marriage breaks down, there are often details that you want to keep private that may be necessary to discuss during divorce negotiations. In a courtroom divorce, everything is put out in the open and discussed by a room full of officials. In Denver divorce mediation, the only people involved are you, your spouse, and your mediator. Your mediator will protect your privacy and confidentiality to ensure that you don’t have to worry about private matters seeing the light of day. The only public document will be the divorce agreement itself, which will contain only the necessary terms for a reasonable division of your assets and household. A Calm and Reasonable Process The process of Denver divorce mediation is a calm one. Each session involves selecting a few key issues, making practical decisions and reaching compromises, then recording the terms for the final draft of your divorce agreement. Your mediator will start by addressing the division of assets and finances, ensuring that your choices fairly divide the assets in half, give each spouse the necessary resources to start fresh, and the terms are legally compliant with Colorado divorce law. From there, you can discuss matters like shared property,… --- ### Why Asset Division is Easy and Fair with Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/why-asset-division-is-easy-and-fair-with-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2024-09-04 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more about how asset division is easy and fair with divorce mediation services in Denver at Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** Dividing assets is the single most challenging part of getting divorced. Personal feelings, meaningful property, a need for stability, and the desire to get a better deal all create classic conflict when spouses seek to fairly divide assets in a divorce. This often leads to fights and having separate lawyers rarely makes the situation easier.  Divorcing spouses need a solution that can help them achieve practical and personal goals in asset division. A solution that can minimize conflict and help them achieve the real goal: Two separate and financially independent lives after evenly dividing the marital assets. The answer is Denver divorce mediation. At Split Simple, we have a tried-and-true method to help spouses split assets no matter how complicated your portfolios or how strong your feelings. Our mediators will help you quantify, navigate, and negotiate to fairly split your assets and move forward toward a healthily complete divorce. Why is divorce mediation in Denver the ideal answer to asset division conflicts? Let’s dive into the details. 1. A Structured Process for Asset Division First, what often helps spouses the most is a well-established process for dividing assets. A structured approach that follows a set formula for asset division can help reduce conflicts and quickly divide all but the most emotionally charged or complicated assets down the middle. Our Denver divorce mediators are skilled at helping spouses analyze their shared properties and financial accounts and determine the optimal line of division to ensure both spouses get a fair share of both liquid and non-liquid assets.  From there, your mediator will lead you through a methodical consideration for each asset that is more difficult to divide. If you have large undivided accounts and properties, the initial assets can be used to balance the scale depending on who keeps larger assets. 2. Aligned with Colorado Divorce Law An attorney-mediator brings the advantage of legal understanding of all Colorado divorce laws. Colorado requires that divorcing spouses split marital assets evenly. While you don’t have to split everything down the middle (good news for real estate and retirement accounts), each spouse should receive assets approximately equal in value. This and other more nuanced divorce asset division laws are necessary to ensure your final divorce agreement can be accepted by the court. Your attorney-mediator will help you find asset-division solutions that will always be in alignment with Colorado divorce law. 3. Focus on Compromise and Trade Divorce mediation in Denver guides spouses down a path of discussion, compromise, and trading assets instead of fighting battles over specific property. While working with two lawyers can turn asset division into legal combat, the approach is very different with mediation. Spouses are encouraged to consider what matters most and how to trade important vs unimportant assets to ensure a fair balance while helping everyone to get the specific assets or financial support they need to move forward. Should a conflict arise over an asset that both spouses want, the mediator will lead the way through negotiations and compromise… --- ### Questions to Ask Your Denver Mediation Attorney Before Hiring Them - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/questions-to-ask-your-denver-mediation-attorney-before-hiring-them/ - **Published:** 2024-08-29 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Ask your Denver divorce mediation attorney these six questions before hiring them. Our Denver divorce mediation attorneys can help you navigate your divorce **Content:** Questions will naturally arise about topics that you have limited or no personal experience with. For many people, that includes questions about how various aspects of Denver divorce mediation will personally impact them. We are in the business of helping our clients get the best possible results out of their divorce mediation experience in Denver, and that is why we want to take on some of the top questions that you may have about Denver mediation near you. These are the questions that you should ask any mediator that you are considering hiring.  Does Divorce Mediation Make Sense for My Case? Before you can dig in deeper on the questions that you need answers to about Denver divorce mediation, you first need to know if it is right for your circumstances at all. As it turns out, divorce mediation is an appropriate avenue to explore for the vast majority of divorce cases. As Denver divorce mediators, we can tell you that many parties are best served by addressing their issues via mediation before taking them to court.  The Denver divorce mediation process is less expensive, less involved, and less intrusive than a divorce case that gets determined in a courthouse. You also have a better chance to resolve issues on your own terms and get things your way when you are willing to work them out in mediation. The court system also looks more favorably on those who are willing to do this as well as it saves everyone time and resources.  What is Your Mediation Approach? Different situations call for different mediation styles. There is a glamorization of the “bulldog” approach to mediation where the attorney comes in demanding the world. However, in most circumstances, a more delicate touch is typically more effective. That said, it is critical to understand what kind of approach your attorney will take to the case and what kind of results they expect to gain from this approach. There are many different tactics that a mediator may take to gain the results that you need from the process. That is why the most important thing to think about when judging the approach of any given mediator is how comfortable you are with the approach that your specific mediator is seeking to take. After all, when you have confidence in their abilities, then you can have more peace of mind about their ability to help you in mediation. Make certain you ask these questions to get more to the root of what your Denver divorce mediation attorney is likely to do.  Can Mediation Work if My Spouse and I Aren’t Speaking? One stumbling block in the minds of most is what they will do in the event that they and their spouse are no longer on speaking terms. If that is where you find yourself, don’t fret. It is true that at this point you might not have much to gain from going to mediation, but there is still some hope. There may be a… --- ### Family Law FAQ: Lawyers vs Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/family-law-faq-lawyers-vs-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2024-08-15 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Our Denver divorce mediation attorneys aren't just lawyers they can help mediate and finalize your divorce to help achieve an uncontested divorce in Denver **Content:** When you are planning a divorce, the first step most people take is to hire an attorney. While commonly called divorce attorneys, the official term for an attorney who works primarily with divorces is a family law attorney. This is because family law is the field of law that includes divorce and child custody. A Denver divorce lawyer is someone who understands all the matters of family assets, custody, and safety that can go into a divorce, no matter how complicated. But what if you want Denver divorce mediation instead? You know that a family law attorney is necessary to complete a typical divorce – in fact, most divorcing couples have two different lawyers to represent both sides. So, how does that translate to a divorce mediation service? At Split Simple, all of our Denver divorce mediators are also Denver family law attorneys, so we can answer all your questions about divorce mediation and family law. How Much Does a Divorce Mediator Know About Family Law? Divorce mediators are experts in family law. They have to be in order to guide clients toward the right compromises and terms. A divorce mediator specializes in resolving conflicts and finding solutions so that two people who may not agree on everything (or anything at all) can still achieve a peaceful and mutually beneficial divorce agreement. To do this, they must know family law inside and out because sometimes divorce solutions are complicated, and every divorce agreement must conform to the law to be accepted by the court. How Much of Family Law is About Divorce? While more than 50% of family law practitioners focus primarily on divorces, only about one-third of family law focuses on divorce itself. Divorce laws tend to specifically cover the division of assets, defining how to fairly split the marital household and all marital property, including accounts, possessions, funds, stocks, properties, and so on. Divorce law also dictates how divorces are handled if they are negotiated in the courts. The rest of family law, however, relates to other family matters. Child custody occupies another third of family law, but it is not exclusive to divorce. Separated parents and even parents that are still a couple, but who temporarily live far from each other, sometimes rely on child custody to keep things simple. Other aspects of family law include matters of adoption, marriage, dispute resolution, and inheritance. Of course, inheritance carries over into estate law, which is actually a different area of practice that is closely linked to family law. Does Your Divorce Mediator Need to Be a Family Law Attorney? No, but it’s better if they are. Many people become divorce mediators, and not all of them are family law attorneys. The skills of Denver divorce mediation can be a natural talent or a trained skill. Some people work as divorce mediators focusing only on helping clients resolve their differences and reach certain agreements, but they do not have a law degree and may have never practiced family law… --- ### Family Law FAQ's: How to Defend Your Non-Marital Property and Assets - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/family-law-faqs-how-to-defend-your-non-marital-property-and-assets/ - **Published:** 2024-08-01 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Our divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver can help protect your non-marital property and assets during the divorce mediation process **Content:** You are preparing for your divorce. You know that splitting assets is one of the most important steps and that Colorado is a fair division state. This means that spouses split all “marital assets” approximately down the middle, each spouse taking the value equivalent of half. A marital asset is any property, and everything of financial value gained during the marriage. This includes personal bank accounts, retirement accounts, and property in just one name. However, some things are excluded from the down-the-middle split: pre-marital assets and non-marital assets. Pre-marital assets include everything you owned before you got married. Your family heirlooms, college furniture, and the government bonds your grandmother gave you on special birthdays should all be safe. Non-marital assets include anything that was gifted solely to you. This includes family inheritance and personal gifts from friends or family.  The trick is proving that the assets you want to protect in the divorce are pre-marital or non-marital – especially if your ex is out to claim things that aren’t theirs to claim. Your Denver divorce mediator can help you list all assets that you own outside the marriage and find the right proof to secure their immunity from the asset split. Here’s how you can prove your ownership of pre-marital and non-marital property. Proving Pre-Marital Property If your spouse is trying to claim furniture or assets you owned before your marriage, it’s time to dig up the photographic and documented evidence that they’re reaching beyond the limits of marital property.  There are four reliable ways to prove your personal ownership of pre-marital assets. Dated Pre-Marital Photos of Yourself with the Property A picture is worth a thousand words. If you can find a dated photo of yourself with the asset-in-question with a date before the marriage, you can show who had the item first. Whether it’s your grandmother’s antique armoire or the awesome chef knife set you got in college, if you’ve got an old picture of yourself with it, that’s a strong argument for pre-marital ownership. Dig through your photo albums, phone archives, and social media accounts to find that perfect photo, or even ask old friends for a photo you remember being taken. Receipts or Purchase Emails Dated Before the Marriage Digital record-keeping means we have records for almost everything, these days. Dig up the old digital receipt for anything you purchased before the date of your marriage. You might have an email receipt or there might be a record of the purchase still in your account’s order history on the store website. While it’s unlikely, you might even have a physical receipt if you tucked it into the item’s box, but a digital receipt is better because it will also have your name on it. Property Listed in a Prenuptial Agreement Prenuptial agreements are often used to protect pre-marital property in the event of a divorce. If you have a prenup, check to see if the assets you want to protect were thoughtfully listed. If so, you’re… --- ### Family Law FAQ's: Divorce Terms You Can Negotiate in Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/family-law-faqs-divorce-terms-you-can-negotiate-in-mediation/ - **Published:** 2024-07-31 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Our Denver Divorce Mediation attorneys can help negotiate every aspect of your divorce so you can reach an uncontested divorce in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** What kind of terms can you put into a divorce agreement? One of the best things about Denver divorce mediation is the opportunity to customize the divorce terms to your specific needs, desires, and lifestyle. Both spouses can bargain for the things that they care about most and what would be most beneficial to them in the long term. Divorce terms typically relate to the division of assets and child custody agreements. The truly interesting aspect of divorce negotiations is that you never know what you can get until you try. Often, spouses want two different sets of things when you get down into the details; beyond a fair split of assets and parenting time, which are equally desirable (and required), you may have very different priorities and be able to negotiate for all sorts of beneficial terms that your spouse will grant without worry or in trade for something they want in return. What can you ask for in your divorce? Split Simple has guided many couples through Denver divorce mediation and can give you a few helpful ideas on the kind of divorce terms that might be useful to ask for, because you just might get them. A Favorable Division of Assets When dividing up marital assets, consider where you can draw the line that will be most favorable to you. Naturally, you want to keep your own retirement accounts without splitting them open with early withdrawal penalties. But what else is beneficial? If you have a personal car, a private savings account, or a business you’ve put your heart into, simply ask to keep those on your side of the divide and balance with assets you are less passionate about. Consider which assets will help set up your post-divorce future. Ask for the accounts, items, or property that you can do more with. While every marital estate is unique, there are sure to be a few opportunities available if you only think to ask. Your Denver divorce mediators will then help arrange the asset split to achieve the most direct benefit for both parties. Freedom from Marital Debt Did your spouse rack up a bunch of debt during the marriage? Do you want to start fresh without debt to worry about in your new life? As for freedom from “marital debt” or red numbers in the marital assets. Ask that your spouse take on their own debt, or even that you transfer some shared debt to them so that you can start fresh. As long as you balance the value of that negative number, you could walk away from your marriage debt-free. Child Custody On Your Schedule Mediator – dices containing the word mediator, a book, glasses and a fountain pen. Is your schedule tough to work around? Ask that the base child custody and co-parenting plan be shaped around your schedule by default. Ask that your parenting time aligns with your free time and days off so that you can maximize the time you have to… --- ### What Divorce Mediation Has to Offer - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-divorce-mediation-has-to-offer/ - **Published:** 2024-07-17 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Why should you choose divorce mediation? Split Simple located in Denver can help you reach an uncontested divorce with divorce mediation services **Content:** Getting divorced is a tough situation to deal with one is thrilled about a divorce, but it also doesn’t have to be as traumatic as you see on television. Divorces can be amiable, cooperative, and represent the opportunity to start in a new chapter in your life. They are not just about ending a previous chapter. When two people approach divorce like an ending, the temptation to “make it count” can lead to big fights, court time, and even bigger bills. However, a divorce can be used to set both spouses up for a positive life after separation, instead. This is something that divorce mediators specialize in. Divorce mediation focuses on creating a divorce agreement that is a win-win arrangement instead of a lose-lose result. Divorce mediation can help to separate spouses think about their assets in a practical and uplifting way. Working with a divorce mediator, you can turn your marital assets into two separate kits for launch.  This article will dive into the ways that divorce mediation can improve your experience and lead to a better life after divorce.   Launch as Two Separate Adults The first and most important goal of divorce mediation is how you will separate assets so that both exes can live a happy and healthy life after the divorce is complete. The entire point of separating your assets evenly is to leave both parties able to rebuild a separate life after the separation. Even if souses make wildly different incomes, leaving each with half is the practical approach to encouraging a self-reliant launching point.   After all, neither spouse wants to be responsible for alimony or for their shared children to suffer when visiting. The right strategy when separating assets is to ensure that both parties have enough liquid capital after the divorce. Don’t Keep What You Don’t Need One of the greatest tricks of Denver divorce mediation and of changing up your house is the opportunity to get rid of items that you don’t need. Spare tools, extra clothes, furniture you won’t need, all of it can go. Anything you don’t need can be sold, which will then become liquid capital. You can then much more easily split the liquid capital evenly between both spouses. The money also becomes a nest-egg to be moved when each of you removes, redecorates, and refurnishes your own private homes. You can sell the cars and buy something more affordable, or you can carefully split the difference between large possessions and household money so that each person gets a fair portion of what you have. Most importantly, a mediator can help you achieve the solution that you need to build a new life after the divorce, even if there is some downtime in  between these events. Create a Better Life for Children From the Marriage Any children from your marriage – or before – will also benefit from the Denver divorce mediation process. A mediator can invite children and teens to step into the session to share their… --- ### Denver Divorce Mediation FAQ’s - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/denver-divorce-mediation-faqs/ - **Published:** 2024-07-03 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** If you're in the midst of a divorce, you may find yourself with a lot of questions. Denver divorce mediators can help you acquire an uncontested divorce. **Content:** If you’re in the midst of a divorce, you may find yourself with a lot of questions. Denver divorce mediators can help you acquire an uncontested divorce. Check out these FAQs to learn more about an uncontested divorce in Denver or how a divorce mediator can assist in the process.  1. What can I expect during divorce mediation in Denver? Divorce can be a complicated and emotional process. However, in general, if you and your spouse can come to a fair agreement about how you will divide your assets and handle child custody, the process will go more smoothly for everyone involved. During the mediation process, you will work with Denver divorce mediators that specialize in mediation to come to a fair agreement.  Your mediation may cover: How you will distribute property after the divorce, including who will retain possession of specific assets or accounts. How you will handle any marital debts, including mortgages, car loans, and credit card bills. How you will handle child custody arrangements. Denver divorce mediators will not resolve any conflicts between you and your former spouse for you. They will, however, offer advice that can help you settle your differences fairly and without having to go to court. You will each have the opportunity to lay out any arguments you may have or any challenges that stand in your way, and the mediator will help you reach a resolution that fits both your needs. At the end of the Denver divorce mediation session, you may fill out a Mediation Compliance Form that shows that you and your spouse took this step to attempt to resolve your divorce.  2. How can I get an uncontested divorce in Denver if my spouse and I do not agree about divorce terms? Often, you and your spouse will start out relatively far apart on what you want from your divorce agreement. However, by working with a mediator, you can often come to a reasonable agreement. A mediator can help: Provide essential information about how to fairly and equitably divide property Offer insights into fair resolutions for serious questions you may have about property division Suggest alternative solutions you and your spouse may not have come up with on your own A mediator cannot decide the terms of your divorce for you. However, a Denver divorce mediator does provide you with an unbiased third party who can help you work through essential questions about your divorce agreement, your next steps, and more.  3. How does Colorado usually decide custody cases?  When possible, the Colorado court system generally tries to assign equal custody to both parents: a 50/50 custody split. Ultimately, however, the courts aim to make decisions that are in the best interests of the child. The court may take a number of elements under consideration when determining what is actively in the best interests of the child. Not only does that mean determining whether any abuse may have taken place, it may consider: Whether one parent is in the… --- ### Child Custody and Family Law FAQs - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/child-custody-and-family-law-faqs/ - **Published:** 2024-06-19 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Here are 5 questions our Denver divorce mediators can answer about child custody and family law for your divorce here in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Working through a divorce is never easy for children, especially when both of their parents are interested in custody. Because family law can be a highly complex process, making sure that you have someone you trust in your corner is key when it comes to making the best possible decisions for your children. Split Simple is a top choice when it comes to reducing the hassle and frustration that can be involved with many divorces in Colorado, and our Denver divorce mediators are here to help you understand the child custody process and what factors might impact your likelihood of receiving custody.  Here are some of the most common questions we get about what the process of determining child custody typically looks like and how our experienced Denver family law attorneys can help you make sure it goes as smoothly as possible.  How Much Does My Child’s Preference Matter?  Your child’s safety is of utmost importance when living in a two-parent home is no longer an option, and their overall  happiness in a new living situation is a close second. This means that making an effort to carefully consider the input of any children that are old enough to understand what is happening and capable of sharing their thoughts is a high priority in Colorado. While your child’s preference of which parent they would prefer to live with will not necessarily always be awarded custody, especially if we have a legitimate reason to believe that parent may not be able to provide a safe home for the child, many Denver family law attorneys recognize the importance of your child’s comfort and may be more likely to make a decision in their favor if there is no obvious reason not to.  Can My Child’s Other Parent and I Create Our Own Parenting Plan?  Parents that are able to work together well enough to make the majority of their own custody and parenting decisions without a significant amount of outside assistance are often capable of creating a better long-term environment for their children than those that have most or all terms forced upon them. This means that many Denver family law attorneys appreciate working with parents that are interested in creating a parenting plan that includes ideal compromises that partially align with both parents’ individual preferences. However, it is still best to have your plan sealed as an official court order once you have finished making decisions to avoid discrepancies and reduce potential conflicts in the future.  Should I Expect Sole Custody or Shared Custody?  Every situation is different, and there are many factors that go into determining whether sole or shared custody is a better fit for your children. Parents that live near one another and get along reasonably well are often more likely to meet the minimum logistical guidelines for making shared custody a reasonable option, which is often the best choice for children that have a healthy relationship with both parents and are likely to be safe in both… --- ### The 5 Most Important Questions To Ask Your Family Law Attorney - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-5-most-important-questions-to-ask-your-family-law-attorney/ - **Published:** 2024-06-05 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Here are the 5 most important questions you should ask your Denver family law attorney at Split Simple about your divorce 720-501-4600 **Content:** When spouses are considering a divorce, Denver divorce mediators can help. If you are looking for divorce mediation near you, a Denver custody lawyer can help you to make the process less argumentative and more cost-effective. In fact, those who attempt to handle the process without a Denver child custody lawyer could be setting themselves up for a far more difficult road. With the help of a Denver child support lawyer, the process is simplified and all of your most crucial questions can be answered in a timely manner. In order to properly negotiate the terms of a divorce and receive the necessary advice on child custody, the presence of a Denver family law attorney is crucial. If the divorce terms can be resolved in mediation, this also allows all parties involved to save money. To obtain the best possible outcome for you and your loved ones, a family law attorney should be the first call that you make. Of course, there are certain questions that you may have. For starters, there is no shortage of requirements to work in family law. Clients have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their family law attorneys have all of the necessary qualifications to handle their cases. In order to learn more about all of the most crucial questions that need to be asked of potential family law attorneys, please be sure to read on. This guide is here to help potential clientele to make sense of it all. 1. Can I Represent Myself? This is one of those questions where you should be less focused on whether you can and more focused on whether you should. While you are certainly able to represent yourself in a case of this nature, it is not something that any experienced family law attorney would recommend. This is the best way to ensure your ability to obtain the best possible outcome, especially in cases where there is a high probability that tempers could flare. Divorces and child custody disputes are often difficult to resolve, as there are a number of moving parts that must be tended to. Child custody issues can be especially difficult to untangle, which is why you need to have a Denver family law attorney on hand who understands the ins and outs of these cases. They will be able to explain your rights to you and give you a more realistic idea of what to expect. On the other hand, those who decide to represent themselves are not always going to know how to navigate a dispute that revolves around divorce terms and/or child custody issues. When a divorce takes place, emotions remain raw and it can be challenging for both sides to come together to hash out a reasonable agreement. That’s why professional assistance is recommended. 2. How Long Is The Process Going To Take? When both parties involved do not have access to a family law attorney, the process is far more likely to be dragged out.… --- ### Divorce Mediation FAQs - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-mediation-faqs/ - **Published:** 2024-05-30 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 9 Things you need to know about Denver Divorce Mediation from Split Simple's divorce mediation attorneys. Schedule your consultation today 720-501-4600 **Content:** Here are some of the more common questions about Denver divorce mediators and mediation that come across our desks here at Split Simple. What is divorce mediation? Denver divorce mediation is growing as an alternative to the complex, traditional divorce production. Instead of sitting in front of a judge and letting the court dictate how the decoupling will end, work with a well-versed, neutral third party who helps the spouses determine the outcome. Are mediators divorce lawyers? Not always. They may be attorneys, but mediators can also be psychologists or other marriage-related professionals. In their capacity as mediators, they have no authority or power to determine legal decisions concerning the breakup. Their role is to facilitate negotiations among the want-to-be ex-spouses, discussing all concerns to facilitate an amicable separation. The Denver divorce mediator helps the couple get over the bumps in the road, negotiating everything from child visitation to the division of assets. Does divorce mediation work? When you utilize Denver divorce mediation near you, you get an accomplished professional who can concentrate on the specific issues of the spouses/parents. The process works as both parties can directly hear concerns (even if they choose to mediate separately) through the mediator who accommodates individual concerns without compromising either spouse’s interests. What are the major benefits of a Denver family law attorney in mediation? There are many advantages to using mediation. Here’s what we consider the top three. Save Time and Cost: The final cost of mediation may be high but that depends on how much negotiation the couple needs. But, on average, couples looking for an uncontested divorce are better served with mediation than a courtroom. Eliminate Inefficiency: Communicating via judges and lawyers takes up a lot of costs and a lot of time. With a conventional divorce, you have no idea how long it will take for your message to go from the secretary to the paralegal to your lawyer. One spouse’s attorney speaks with the other spouse’s attorney before getting back to the first spouse. This expends so much time (which in the law field equals mo’ money!). Mediation accelerates open discussion and faster resolution without roadblocks. Distortion Is Minimized: Communicating through lawyers and judges or via agitated exes often leads to message distortion. In mediation, where negotiations are open-ended, it’s not unusual for a spouse to learn they never had a handle on their future exe’s viewpoint. When both parties are present in divorce and family mediation, they speak freely and clear up misunderstandings. The result is a greater chance of compromise. Are there risks when using mediation for parenting? There is no risk-free dispute process. A Denver divorce mediator will do everything in their power to get fair treatment for all parents, but they focus on ways parents and children can maintain healthy relationships after the divorce. Child support and custody through Denver divorce mediation is a less adversarial process than you’d get before a judge, but parents still need to come to an agreement about what’s… --- ### What to Ask For in Your Divorce Mediation Asset Division - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-to-ask-for-in-your-divorce-mediation-asset-division/ - **Published:** 2024-05-16 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the assets to ask for in your Divorce Mediation session. Split Simple's divorce mediation attorneys can help you reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** Denver divorce mediation is one of the most practical ways to end a marriage. If you are looking to file an uncontested divorce with an efficient division of assets and reasonable terms, mediation is always the right approach. If your spouse is also ready for a well-reasoned discussion and a few compromises in order to live well after the divorce, you’re ready to get started. Of course, the one thing that most people worry about when approaching divorce negotiations is what they will get – and what they will lose. One of the best ways you can prepare for your Denver divorce mediation sessions is to make a list of the things you want to keep. What should you ask for in the divorce? How can your Denver divorce mediator help you get the things that you want the most? Which assets are the most valuable? Which items would you hate to live without, even though you acquired them during the marriage? At Split Simple, we’re here to help you achieve the most satisfying divorce outcomes possible through Denver divorce mediation. We can suggest the smartest things to ask for during your divorce asset division.   Splitting Assets in Divorce Mediation The most important thing to know about asset splitting is that everything you ask for will need to be balanced on the scales. Each item you ask for will be matched in cash or items of equal financial value that your spouse will receive. Tally up everything that you want to keep so you know the true weight – not just the sentimental value – of what you would like to ask for. 1. Your Retirement Accounts Retirement accounts are part of the asset split in a divorce, but each person will take a penalty if retirement funds are cracked open before the designated age. One of the first asks should be to keep your retirement accounts whole and untouched. Asking this on behalf of both parties can also provide a gesture of goodwill if both of your retirement accounts are considerable and should be preserved. 2. Your Personal Vehicle Many well-off couples have two cars, each with a primary owner.  Your car is the one you drive most often. The radio presets are all your favorites. The internal computer is programmed with your apps and preferences. The seat is all set up exactly the way you like it. And you would hate to give up the car just to balance financial scales. Ask for your car, and be prepared to give your spouse assets of equal value. If they have a car of similar value, then you’re all set. Along the same lines, if your car or their car is of greater value, you can correct the balance with cash or with other personal items of value. 3. Your Wardrobe and High-Value Personal Items Did you know that your wardrobe and other high-value personal items are calculated? A nice business casual wardrobe can be worth several thousand dollars. Throw… --- ### 5 Questions to Ask a Divorce Mediator. - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/5-questions-to-ask-a-divorce-mediator/ - **Published:** 2024-05-02 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 5 questions to ask your Denver Divorce Mediation Attorney to see if they are the right fit for you. Contact Split Simple located in Denver today 720-501-4600 **Content:** Planning a divorce is never easy, but some divorces go much more smoothly than others. Often, this is because spouses have decided to work together and split with the help of a Denver divorce mediator instead of diving into courtroom combat. Of course, Denver divorce mediation is also less familiar a process because there haven’t been a thousand mediations depicted on television. If you’re ready to conduct an amicable divorce that leaves both ex’s ready to start a new life separately, the best place to start is by asking a divorce mediator a few key questions.   At Split Simple, we have mediated hundreds of divorces, and are always ready to answer questions before, during, and after your Denver divorce mediation sessions. Here are the five questions you should ask and that we have often answered for our clients. 1) What Are Your Qualifications as a Divorce Mediator? Split Simple mediators are mediator-attorneys. Each one of our mediators is a licensed divorce attorney. This means that your mediator will not only be able to help you resolve conflicts, they can also help you split assets, design a child custody agreement, and draw up a divorce contract that is in compliance with the law and will be accepted by the court. While there are no mandatory requirements for divorce mediators in Colorado, we believe that the best Denver divorce mediation service comes from an attorney who understands both the human and legal sides of the divorce process. Because of this, our mediator-attorneys are also better-equipped to handle truly challenging cases in which spouses must disentangle complex assets, shared businesses, or unusual custody requirements with beneficial and legally correct solutions. 2) Can You Make a Divorce Fair? Denver divorce mediation is the best way to draft a fair divorce. In our culture, it can be hard to imagine a divorce that’s fair because tradition pushes both spouses to fight for any advantage with the help of opposing divorce lawyers. In fact, divorce lawyers are obligated to advocate completely for their individual clients without considering the other person.  This is why spouses who want to separate amicably and fairly often seek Denver divorce mediation. In mediation, exes share divorce attorney, and the goal is to build a post-divorce life in which both spouses live comfortably and share equal parenting of any children. Through mediation, we can easily help you split your assets fairly, prioritizing things like favorite possessions and personal accounts.  It is possible to craft a fair divorce, and Denver divorce mediation is the best way to achieve this goal. 3) What About Our Kids? Child custody is an important part of any divorce. Modern custody agreements favor shared custody with 50/50 parenting time whenever possible. Because every family is unique, our Denver divorce mediator will help you build a custody schedule and terms that best fit family lifestyles and needs. We can help you adapt your custody agreement based on whatever conditions are affecting your family.  Unusual work schedules, parents who live… --- ### Family Law and Divorce Mediation FAQs - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/family-law-and-divorce-mediation-faqs/ - **Published:** 2024-04-30 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Divorce is a complicated and stressful life event that often involves complexities in family law, child custody, and child support. Denver divorce mediator play a pivotal role in assisting couples through uncontested divorces without resorting to courtroom battles. **Content:** Divorce is a complicated and stressful life event that often involves complexities in family law, child custody, and child support. Denver divorce mediator play a pivotal role in assisting couples through uncontested divorces without resorting to courtroom battles. At Split Simple, our focus is on facilitating amicable resolutions and prioritizing the well-being of families during these challenging times. Let’s delve into various aspects of Denver divorce mediation, family law, child support, and child custody, addressing common questions and concerns. 1. What is Divorce Mediation, and How Does It Work in Denver? Divorce mediation is a collaborative process that assists divorcing couples in resolving disputes outside of the courtroom. In Denver, this process involves a neutral mediator who facilitates discussions and negotiations between both parties. This approach emphasizes open communication and cooperative decision-making to reach agreements on various aspects of the divorce, such as asset division, child custody, and support. To find out more, the American Bar Association provides insights on family law, Denver divorce mediation, and child custody. How It Works in Denver: Denver divorce mediator guide couples through discussions, encouraging them to express their concerns and preferences. Through a series of meetings, mediators assist in exploring options, providing legal insights where needed, and aiding in the creation of a comprehensive divorce agreement that not only aligns with Colorado family law, but also satisfies both parties in the divorce. 2. In a divorce, who decides how the assets are split? In a “marital settlement agreement,” which is a contract between the husband and wife that splits property and bills and settles other issues of the divorce, spouses are usually free to divide their property however they want. It’s true that a lot of divorces start out very badly, but most of them end without a judge having to decide on property or other problems when a mediator is present. But if the parties can’t agree on how to divide the assets, the court has to make the decision. Every state has its own laws. In many states, both people can keep their “separate” or “non-marital” property as a start. However, Colorado is a “marital property” state, which means that marital assets and debts must be divided equitably. This doesn’t necessarily mean dividing assets equally. The court will consider many factors when determining how to split property, including the length of the marriage. 3. What does joint custody mean? There are two parts to joint custody: joint physical custody and joint legal custody. One or both of these parts can be in a shared custody order. When parents have joint legal custody, together they make decisions about their child’s life, like where to go to school, how to get medical care, and what religion to teach them. Extracurricular activities, summer camp, the age at which a child can start dating or looking for work, and the methods of punishment are some of the other things that can be taken into account in these types of custody deals. In joint custody, each… --- ### Understanding the Scope and Function of Family Law - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/understanding-the-scope-and-function-of-family-law/ - **Published:** 2024-04-18 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** What is Family Law and why is it so important to understand prior to divorce? Click Here for more about the Family Law Attorneys at Split Simple in Denver **Content:** In general, people think that family law only covers marriage, divorce and child custody issues, but it can also cover real estate and child fertility issues. Basically, anything that concerns the family unit and is legal in nature is covered by family law. So domestic violence issues fall under the purview of family law. Reproductive procedures such as IVF can lead to legal issues in case the couple separates and both parties want to claim the resulting embryos. These issues will all be covered by family law and can be handled by a Denver family law attorneys. However, the main issues covered by family law are still divorce, custody, alimony, adoption and premarital (also known as prenuptial) agreements. Keep in mind that each state also has different laws with regard to all these issues, which can make things complicated in the field of family law. For example, every state has a no-fault divorce, but not every state has fault-based divorces, such as divorces caused by adultery, desertion or cruelty. Given the complexity of family law, it’s a good idea to hire a Denver family law attorney. In case you’re interested in a low-stress, low conflict approach, you can also get Denver divorce mediation near you. This will help you to come to an agreement about various family law issues. If you get an attorney-mediator, then you’ll be getting the best of both worlds. What Is the Scope of Family Law in Divorce Cases? When a couple is getting divorced, family law can help them to figure out what grounds to use to establish a divorce. In Colorado and Illinois, for example, you can get a no-fault divorce if you show that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” or that there are “irreconcilable differences.” In Colorado, you can also claim economic fault if it seems like your spouse is deliberately squandering money or running their business into the ground because they know they’re going to get a divorce. Denver family law attorneys can also help you to establish how much one spouse will be paying the other in terms of alimony and child support. It will also help in establishing whether one spouse or the other is going to get full custody of the children or if there will be joint custody. It can help to determine whether the parent who doesn’t have custody will get visitation. Family law will also help in determining how the assets gained during the time that the couple were married will be divided between them. To do this, you’ll need to consider the cost of the assets at the time when they were purchased as well as the present. The idea is to distribute the assets in a fair and equitable way which may not necessarily mean going 50/50. Of course, you can choose to go to court when you get divorced, but Denver divorce mediation may be a simpler method of working out the custody and economic issues that arise when you file for divorce.… --- ### 9 Questions to Ask a Divorce Mediator About Child Custody Agreements - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/9-questions-to-ask-a-divorce-mediator-about-child-custody-agreements/ - **Published:** 2024-04-04 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 9 Questions to ask your divorce mediation attorney about child custody agreements during your divorce mediation session. Contact Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** Building a child custody agreement is one of the most delicate stages of a modern divorce. In Colorado, most divorces with children favor joint custody, in which both parents share equal custodial time with the children. This is designed to help children maintain an equal bond with both parents, keeping a dual support system that does not favor either parent as the primary guardian. Of course, every family is also unique. The exact details of your child custody agreement should reflect the availability, safety, distance, and connection shared between parents and children. One of the most important stages in planning a child custody agreement is asking questions. It’s important for parents to ask questions and fully understand the outcomes when planning a child custody agreement. At Split Simple, our mediator-attorneys are ready to provide guidance and problem-solving you need to build a robust and family-supportive custody agreement.  The following nine questions can help you discover what you most need to know about building a child custody agreement through Denver divorce mediation.     1) How Does a Mediator Build Child Custody Agreements? A Denver divorce mediator works with both parents to determine the best care available for shared children. Unless there are reasons otherwise, custody agreements begin with a baseline of evenly shared joint custody in which the child spends equal time with both parents. Stability is prioritized, seeking schedules that provide both split parenting time and a consistent schedule, especially during the school year.  Mediators will then adapt the basic joint custody agreement to parental work schedules and children’s recreational schedules. This can help build a routine where children can easily transition between parental time during their weekly or monthly routines. Lastly, room for growth is built in where possible so that when parental or children’s schedules change over time, it is easy to rebalance the routine to remain fair and simple to implement. 2) Is There Child Support with Joint Custody? Child support is based on a combination of income difference and overnights. Therefore, there can be a child support agreement even if parents share time equally in a joint custody agreement. This can happen if one parent has a significantly higher income than the other to ensure that children’s quality of life is similar with both parents, and that parenting is not an unreasonable financial burden on the parent with a lower income level. However, in situations where both parents earn a similar amount of money and share joint custody, child support is not typically included in the custody agreement. 3) How Do We Cause the Least Disruption for the Children? Most child custody agreements focus on minimizing disruption for the children. Priorities include keeping children in the same school district, in their childhood home, or in the same home for the duration of the school week. This reduces chaos experienced by children during critical learning and formative times. To keep children in the same schools, both parents will ideally live within the school district. Children do not necessarily… --- ### Do I Need an Attorney in Mediation? Common FAQs About Denver Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/do-i-need-an-attorney-in-mediation-common-faqs-about-denver-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2024-03-28 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Do I need an attorney for my divorce mediation sessions? Click Here for more about the Denver Divorce Mediation process with Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** Coming to the realization that it is time to file for divorce is never easy, and the process of getting divorced can be a daunting task. However, getting divorced doesn’t have to mean a drawn-out court battle. If you and your spouse are willing to come together to work toward an amicable divorce, then Denver divorce mediation could provide a better alternative to divorce court. A Denver divorce mediator can act as a neutral facilitator and help guide you and your spouse through the process of settling common divorce-related issues like property division, custody, and spousal support.  While Denver divorce mediation can provide a cheaper, less combative alternative to a lengthy court battle, choosing mediation does not mean that you don’t need to consult an attorney to help guide you through the divorce process. While this is a common misconception, a divorce attorney can be instrumental in helping look out for your best interests during the mediation process.  If you are starting the process of divorcing your spouse and are considering Denver divorce mediation, keep reading for a look at answers to frequently asked questions we receive about divorce mediation and the importance of working with an attorney during this process.   Why Do I Need an Attorney During Mediation? When you go through the process of Denver divorce mediation, you and your spouse will work together with a neutral attorney-mediator who specializes in facilitating communication between couples to help them finalize their divorce amicably. Yet, this may lead you to wonder why you would still need to work with a divorce attorney if you have a Denver divorce mediator. The main reason to consider consulting a divorce attorney is that your mediator cannot take sides or give legal advice. If you have questions or concerns about how your divorce is proceeding and you want to make sure that your best interests are looked after, you should consider hiring an attorney even as a consultant. An attorney can inform you of your rights and help ensure that the terms of the mediated agreement are reasonable.  When Should I Consult a Divorce Attorney? Even if you choose Denver divorce mediation, working with an experienced attorney can ensure your rights are looked out for and that the terms of your divorce are favorable to you. Yet, at what point during the mediation process should you consult an attorney? This will depend on a number of factors including how well you and your spouse are able to cooperate and communicate during Denver divorce mediation. If your divorce is uncontested and you and your spouse are committed to working together in mediation to end your marriage amicably, you may be able to come up with a divorce agreement that suits you both without much trouble. However, even if this case, you will want to have an attorney review the proposed settlement before you sign anything in order to make sure that the settlement is fair to you and that your legal rights are looked after.… --- ### What to Offer Your Spouse in Divorce Mediation Asset Division - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-to-offer-your-spouse-in-divorce-mediation-asset-division/ - **Published:** 2024-03-14 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** What should you offer your spouse during asset division in divorce mediation? The Divorce Mediation Attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver can help **Content:** When going into divorce negotiations, splitting your assets is one of the most important steps. During this process, negotiation is key. No doubt, there will be a few things you want to keep and it’s important to have a similar list of items that you’re willing to offer your spouse in return. This list can include items that you know they will want, and valuable assets that have no special value to you, therefore making effective financial ballast on the scale. Having these items ready to offer makes negotiation easier and can help your spouse relax about whether the asset division is going in their favor.  At Split Simple, our goal is to lead Denver divorce mediation sessions for productive and long-term beneficial divorce agreements, including asset negotiations that leave everyone satisfied. We can suggest a list of practical items and asset categories you can offer your spouse to foster goodwill and balance the scales when there are special things you want. What Makes a Good Offer? The best way to build this unique list is to consider three factors Things your spouse wants to keep, even if they don’t remember to ask Things of value that can help tip the scales at a strategic moment Things that have no sentimental meaning or practical value for you. The following assets should easily fall into these categories, making them valuable negotiation offers to put on the table during your divorce mediation discussions. 1. Their Keepsakes and Premarital Items If you have control over the house or personal storage locker, collect your spouse’s keepsakes and personal items. Include boxes they had forgotten about but would hate to lose. Instead of holding them hostage like a divorce in a television drama, package these special items neatly and make them into a peace offering.  Many of these keepsakes will be premarital, meaning your spouse owned them before the marriage and the items still belong exclusively to them. These items will not be calculated in the asset split, but making these items easily available to your spouse is a good way to make it clear that you are negotiating in good faith. 2. Personal Possessions Personal items have value and can be considered included in the asset division. While your collection of t-shirts and jeans probably isn’t worth considering, it is common for successful men and women to have a valuable wardrobe of business casual clothes, formalwear, and high-value accessories that can tally up to several thousand dollars altogether. Consider the value of your personal possessions and those of your spouse. If they are of similar value, simply mention that each set balances the other. If their personal possessions are of significantly greater value because of their job or tastes, you can offer to leave their collection untouched in return for something of similar value that you would like to keep in trade, like your favorite piece of art or antique furniture. 3. Their Favorite Car In most modern marriages, each spouse has their own… --- ### Answering Your Burning Questions About Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/answering-your-burning-questions-about-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2024-03-01 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Here are answers to frequently asked Divorce Mediation questions from the divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce mediation is something that plenty of people have questions about. A recent study found that 93% of divorcing couples attempt some form of alternative dispute resolution before going to court. The primary reason is that there are numerous benefits to using an alternative dispute resolution instead of rushing to court immediately. Instead of leaving everything in the hands of the court to decide, some divorcing couples opt to take matters into their own hands and work together to come up with a solution that all sides can agree to. With all of this in mind, we will take a look at some of the questions you might have about how Denver divorce mediation works and why it might be the best choice for you. What Does the Mediation Process Look Like? Denver divorce mediation is the process of using a neutral third-party mediator to help the divorcing spouses communicate with one another. The role of the Denver divorce mediator is simply to facilitate that conversation. He or she does NOT make any formal decisions for the pair. Instead, their role is to simply work with both parties to help them speak to each other in a constructive manner. The mediator is attempting to get both sides to talk to one another so they can potentially come to some agreement related to how they will handle various aspects of their divorce. Mediator – dices containing the word mediator, a book, glasses and a fountain pen. Mediation is different from arbitration despite the fact that the two processes are often confused. In the mediation process, the Denver divorce mediator does not make any legally binding decisions for the couple. They don’t make any decisions at all. However, in arbitration, the third party does make binding legal decisions. They act just as a judge would in a divorce case. The decisions they make carry the weight of law, and the couple agrees ahead of time to abide by the decisions made by the third party. This is a faster way to resolve a divorce case, but it might leave some upset with the ultimate outcome. Why is Mediation Preferable to Divorce Court? There are multiple reasons some couples opt to go through Denver divorce mediation instead of going through the formal process of having their divorce case heard by a judge. Divorcenet.com points out that one of the biggest reasons to potentially consider mediation over the formal divorce process is to maintain control over the outcome: To a large degree, Denver divorce mediation places your future in your own hands, rather than leaving it up to a judge to decide what happens to you, your children, and your assets. No one is as familiar with your situation as you and your spouse. Mediation can help you determine the outcome of your marital split on your own terms. Having some control over your destiny is a good reason to think of divorce Denver divorce mediation as one of the best ways to resolve… --- ### Make Divorce Less Complicated: 5 Questions to Ask Your Mediator - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/make-divorce-less-complicated-5-questions-to-ask-your-mediator/ - **Published:** 2024-02-29 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Contact the Divorce Mediators at Split Simple located in Denver to reach an uncontested divorce with the help of divorce mediation services 720-501-4600 **Content:** Filing for a divorce can be incredibly difficult. Therefore, if you and your spouse are in the midst of a divorce, you might benefit from mediation, instead of immediately choosing the litigation process. Although there are many benefits to engaging in the mediation process, there are a few questions you should ask your Denver divorce mediator, to ensure you’re informed about the ins and outs of the process. Here are 5 essential questions to ask your mediator; after asking these questions, you’ll know if you have chosen the right mediator for your situation: 1. Would Mediation Be Right for Me and My Partner? Before deciding to proceed, you need to know if mediation would be the right choice for both yourself and your spouse. The good news is, in many instances, mediation is a wonderful choice for couples filing for divorce. There are many benefits to the mediation process, including the following: The process is affordable. It is fairer than the litigation process often is. You’ll certainly save money and time. Everything that happens within the mediation process is confidential. Usually, both parties leave satisfied with the results. If there are children involved, they will be put first. The process has less formalities. It leads to a more amicable divorce. With all these positive things being said, you might be wondering “When would Denver divorce mediation not be right for me and my partner?” There are exceptions to this rule, but by and large, mediation is not the right choice when there is domestic abuse in a relationship. When this is the case, you will likely be advised to not proceed with the mediation process. For more information about your specific circumstance, be sure to talk to your Denver divorce mediator for direct guidance. 2. How Do You Conduct the Mediation Process? Whether you’re looking for a new doctor, a new housekeeper, or a new school for your children to attend, you want to make sure you find the person or the place that’s the right fit. The same goes for mediators. It’s vital that you feel like you connect with your Denver divorce mediator. Therefore, you’ve got to ask a lot of questions to find out what mediation style your mediator adheres to. When you ask questions about how your Denver divorce mediator conducts the mediation process, then you’ll be confident that you’ve chosen the right mediator. A few specific questions about how a mediator goes about the process might be things like: “How do you react when one partner seems to be dominating the conversation?” or “Could you describe your mediation style?” Asking questions like these ensures that you know how your mediator works. 3. Will It Be Possible to Have Private Meetings? Understandably, couples have anxieties about coming to a consensus that will best benefit them. So, you might want to schedule private meetings with your Denver divorce mediator so that you can discuss your personal goals without your partner present. However, in many instances, your mediator… --- ### Additional Denver Divorce Mediation FAQ's - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/additional-denver-divorce-mediation-faqs/ - **Published:** 2024-02-15 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Here are FAQs from Split Simple to ask when looking for a divorce mediator and moving forward with the divorce mediation process in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** It is no secret that divorce can be an expensive and stressful process, particularly when it involves lengthy litigation. Fortunately, there are steps that couples can take to make the divorce process easier emotionally and financially, including using Denver divorce mediation to finalize your divorce without going to court. Divorce mediation allows you and your spouse to work with a trained, third-party mediator to find solutions to disputes surrounding your divorce, helping you to finalize your divorce as quickly and painlessly as possible.  Not only can Denver divorce mediation save time and money compared to going to divorce court, but couples who choose mediation are often more satisfied with their final divorce agreement, as they will have had a hand in making important decisions regarding custody and the division of assets. Yet, this may lead you to wonder how Denver divorce mediation works in Colorado and how you will know if this process is right for you. Keep reading as we cover answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about divorce mediation. When Can You Use Divorce Mediation? Denver divorce mediation can be used at any stage during the divorce process to help you and your spouse resolve disputes, including after the divorce has been finalized.  Before You File for Divorce Before you and your spouse file for divorce, you may file a separation agreement. After doing so, you will be able to get an uncontested divorce and take advantage of a streamlined joint divorce filing procedure. However, your joint separation agreement must cover all important issues involved in ending your marriage such as how you’ll divide property, whether one spouse with pay spousal maintenance, and any custody arrangements.  Since these are all areas that can cause potential conflict, many couples choose to hire a Denver divorce mediator to help them reach a separation agreement. Your mediator will then prepare written documents reflecting the agreements you reach during this process, and they may even help you with the process of filing for divorce. Partnering with a Denver divorce mediation service before you’ve even filed for divorce can then streamline the process, saving you time and money.  During Divorce Proceedings Even if you are initially against the idea of Denver divorce mediation, you can still choose to work with a mediation service after you file for divorce. In fact, once your case moves through the legal system, a judge may even require you to attempt mediation before litigation can proceed. However, whether or not you will be required to attempt mediation will depend on the specifics of your case, which we will discuss in further detail below.  Mediation After Your Divorce Has Been Finalized Even after your divorce has been finalized, Denver divorce mediation can be used to settle any disagreements you may run into with your ex about your divorce judgment. This can be particularly helpful for couples who are co-parenting and want to make adjustments to their parenting schedule or the amount of child support… --- ### 5 Essential Questions to Ask Your Divorce Mediator - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/5-essential-questions-to-ask-your-divorce-mediator/ - **Published:** 2024-02-01 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** The Denver Divorce Mediators at Split Simple in Denver can help you reach an uncontested divorce with mediation and family law services 720-501-4600 **Content:** Going through a divorce is one of the most emotionally challenging and financially taxing experiences in life. But it doesn’t have to be a drawn-out, contentious battle. If you and your spouse are looking for a low-conflict and cost-effective approach to divorce, considering the services of a divorce attorney is a wise choice. Denver divorce mediators, like Split Simple, specialize in helping couples reach amicable agreements that prioritize fairness, children’s well-being, and efficient conflict resolution. But how do you know if Denver divorce mediation is right for you? Here are five questions to help you determine if divorce mediation is suitable for your situation. How Can Divorce Mediators Make My Divorce Fair? Most people see divorce as a zero-sum game where only one party wins at the detriment of the other. Fortunately, Denver divorce mediation offers a different approach. They prioritize fairness and cooperation, making it a win-win for those involved. First and foremost, Denver divorce mediators are neutral third parties who guide you and your spouse through the negotiation process. They provide a conducive environment, facilitating open and honest communication. This ensures both parties have the opportunity to express their concerns, needs, and desires. These trained professionals actively listen to both sides’ concerns and goals, making sure each party’s voice is heard. They guide discussions on asset division, spousal support, and child custody, helping couples make informed decisions toward equitable solutions. The benefits of divorce mediators don’t stop there. They are also well-versed in family law and understand the legal requirements for a divorce settlement. They actively ensure these requirements are met while advocating for a balanced distribution of assets and responsibilities. By actively participating in the negotiation process, Denver divorce mediators can address any imbalances and discrepancies, helping to create a divorce settlement that both parties can agree upon. This approach not only ensures a fair outcome but also minimizes the potential for future conflicts, saving you time, stress, and legal fees down the road. How Does a Divorce Attorney Prioritize Our Kids’ Well-Being? Divorce attorneys who specialize in mediation recognize that children often bear the brunt of divorce-related stress and conflict. To address this concern, they take proactive steps to prioritize your kid’s well-being during the entire divorce process. These steps include: Child-Centric Approach Denver divorce mediation places a strong emphasis on being child-centric. Divorce attorneys facilitate conversations that revolve around what’s best for the children involved. They help parents set aside personal grievances and focus on creating solutions that prioritize the best interests of the kids. This includes developing custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and child support agreements that provide stability and consistency for the young ones. Conflict Mitigation By nurturing open and constructive communication, divorce mediation sessions encourage parents to find common ground and make decisions collaboratively. This reduces the potential for harmful disputes that can negatively impact children’s emotional health. Emotional Support Divorce attorneys serving as mediators offer guidance and resources to help parents address their children’s concerns and feelings. This ensures that children are… --- ### Child Custody Agreements: Litigation Vs. Mediation Vs. Uncontested Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/child-custody-agreements-litigation-vs-mediation-vs-uncontested-divorce/ - **Published:** 2024-01-24 - **Modified:** 2025-04-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** The Family Law Attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver can help you reach an agreement for child custody during Divorce Mediation services 720-501-4600 **Content:** One of the most contentious issues in any divorce is child custody. Many child custody cases are fueled by emotions, making it difficult for parents to discuss matters objectively. Instead of focusing on the child’s best interests, anger, grief, and fear of losing your relationship with your child makes you focus so much on the other person’s flaws, giving you a distorted picture of who they are. Child custody is a crucial aspect of divorce that impacts the well-being and future of children. Therefore, parents involved in child custody disputes must understand what it entails and the laws around it so that they can make informed decisions, protect their children’s best interests, and navigate the legal system more effectively. Colorado Child Custody Laws The state of Colorado uses the term ‘allocation of parental responsibilities’ rather than child custody. The allocation of responsibilities is based on the child’s best interests under Colorado Revised Statute Section 14-10-124 and can be joint or primary. Joint parental responsibility means that both parents share visitation with the child equally. When one parent has less than 90 overnight visitations from the child, the other parent is considered to have primary parental responsibility. Colorado also provides a distinction between residential responsibility and decision-making responsibility. Sole decision-making responsibility describes an arrangement that gives one parent the responsibility of deciding everything to do with a child’s welfare: education, medical, extracurricular, religion, etc. This, however, does not mean that the other parent is out of the picture. On the other hand, joint decision-making responsibility requires both parents to cooperate regarding a child’s welfare. This, however, does not mean that the child will live with both parents for an equal amount of time. Different Ways to Reach an Agreement Regarding Child Custody The law generally believes that it is in the child’s best interest to have frequent and continuing contact with both parents. Parents are, therefore, encouraged to reach a custody agreement that provides for the child’s physical and emotional well-being. The courts can help make the arrangements based on the child’s best interest, or parents can work together to develop a custody plan that suits their situation. Once parents reach an agreement, they should submit them in writing to the court for approval. Below are some of the common approaches to child custody issues and their pros and cons Child Custody Litigation Litigation involves the help of the court to make custody agreements. It is often used in highly contentious cases where parents find it difficult to agree on specific terms or issues of their case. All facts and relevant topics are presented before a judge who uses his best judgment of the child’s best interest to determine custody arrangements. The litigation process begins with one parent filing a court petition for custody. The court will then serve other parent with the petition and allow them to respond. After that, the court will schedule hearings to allow both parties to defend their positions, present evidence, and even call witnesses to… --- ### What to Ask For in Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-to-ask-for-in-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2024-01-17 - **Modified:** 2024-03-13 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** The expert Denver Divorce Mediators at Split Simple can help you navigate what you should ask for in your divorce mediation sessions 720-501-4600 **Content:** Even an uncontested divorce can become difficult when it comes to dividing property and assets, and the process can be much more frustrating if neither of you will willingly let go of anything. While no division will go exactly how you want it to, choosing Split Simple’s Denver divorce mediation services can be an important step in improving your likelihood of getting what is most important to you and ensuring that other property and assets are divided as reasonably as possible. Here are seven of the most important things to consider when working with a Denver divorce mediator. Fair Asset Division Dividing your savings accounts, retirement accounts, and other money can be one of the most frustrating parts of a divorce, especially for affluent couples that will lose a much higher amount than lower-income individuals. While you will likely have the security of not having to worry about receiving too little to make ends meet, you may also have a business or other very high-value assets that can be particularly difficult to divide. Denver divorce mediation plays a crucial role in ensuring that asset division is as equitable as possible, no matter how much you have. Fair Property Division Coming to an agreement on how homes, vehicles, high-value possessions, and other property should be divided is challenging in most divorces, but it can be particularly difficult for couples with above-average incomes and a significant amount of valuable property to consider. Owning multiple vehicles, a boat, all the latest electronics, and the home of your dreams can be wonderful, but it also means that going into a divorce will likely be harder on you from the beginning than it is for people with much less to lose. Knowing that you will lose access to half of your current life is never easy, but working with an experienced Denver divorce mediator can increase your likelihood of getting the property that is most important to you and making sure your division is as fair as possible. Ideal Child Custody Arrangement As a parent, you likely want what is best for your children. This means that it is important to remember that your children are not property to be divided equally, and a 50-50 custody split may not be the best option for every child. Fair custody decisions are made based on the best interests of the children, and many children have more stable home lives when they primarily live with one parent. That being said, it is certainly appropriate to provide as much information as possible to sway this decision in your favor if you believe that being granted sole custody of your children or having them live with you the majority of the time aligns with their preferences and will give them a more stable, safe, and opportunity-filled life. Reasonable Child Support Raising children is expensive, especially when it comes to making sure your children continue to have access to opportunities. Many parents that are awarded sole custody can have a hard… --- ### Common Family Law Questions in Denver: Get the Facts Straight - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/common-family-law-questions-in-denver-get-the-facts-straight/ - **Published:** 2024-01-10 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Split Simple has answers to Family Law questions regarding divorce mediation in Denver, child custody laws, alimony and uncontested divorce 720-501-4600 **Content:** General Family Law Frequently Asked Questions Q: Do I Need a Family Law Lawyer? While it is not mandatory to have legal representation in family law cases, having the help of an attorney is critical. Family law cases involve complex laws that must be followed to increase the chance of a favorable outcome. A Denver family law attorney will help you address these complexities while also protecting your rights and interests. Q: What Is Considered A ”Family Law” Case? Family law cases involve issues and disputes that could affect you and your spouse, domestic partner, child, or close relatives. They can include: Divorce, legal separation and annulment Child support Child custody Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders Paternity Step parent adoption Grandparent rights and visitation Q: How Much Does It Cost to Retain a Denver Family Law Attorney? Denver family law attorneys in Denver usually charge by the hour, but some also have flat rates for simple services like document drafting or reviews. Usually, the rates vary depending on the complexity of the matter. Make sure to set a rate with your lawyer upfront so that you know what to expect at the end. Q: How Do I Choose a Lawyer for Family Law Issues Family law practice is extensive, and you need to ensure that your attorney is knowledgeable in the issue they are representing you for. In addition to experience and familiarity with the laws and legal system, they should also be reliable, effective communicators and demonstrate the utmost professional care. Q: How Long Does the Court Process Take? Family issues cases can take 2 to 3 years on average to finalize. The court may be able to settle and finalize a majority of matters within 12 months of commencing proceedings, but sometimes delays are involved. There is also no strict time frame that Denver family law attorneys have to stick to, and therefore, it’s impossible to give an exact answer for how long a hearing may take. Divorce Mediation Frequently Asked Questions Q: How Much Does Divorce Mediation? Denver divorce mediation is an affordable option to dissolve a marriage when compared to retaining a divorce attorney. It costs as low as $750 for the entire process, although you may have to pay more or less depending on how long it proceeds. Q: What Are Some of The Issues Decided During a Divorce Mediation Process? Mediation is an avenue for divorcing couples to have honest and civil negotiations on some of the concerns that arise when ending a marriage. Some of the issues that can be handled through divorce mediation in Denver include the following: Child custody Child support Parenting time Division of marital assets Division of dent Relocation cases Spousal maintenance Q: Does The Mediator Make Decisions in My Case? No, in mediation cases, Denver divorce mediators only serve as a neutral third party to facilitate agreements between the divorcing parties. They have no power to make decisions and are required to stay neutral and biased to allow… --- ### How Does Divorce Mediation Work Over Long Distances? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-does-divorce-mediation-work-over-long-distances/ - **Published:** 2023-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Split Simple in Denver has been holding virtual divorce mediation sessions for several years and can help you reach an uncontested divorce over long-distance. **Content:** Long-Distance Divorce Mediation FAQ Long-distance marriages and separations where one spouse moves away often end in divorce. When two spouses not only don’t live together, but don’t even live close, the chance of divorce rises above the 80% of separations for ending in divorce. However, it is notoriously difficult to get divorced while one spouse is not available to make in-person appearances. Court dates, in particular, are difficult to navigate when spouses live too far apart to easily travel or be in the same place at the same time. Fortunately, divorce mediation in Denver makes it much easier to conduct your divorce at a distance with all of the discussion and negotiation necessary to create a truly mutual and personalized divorce agreement. Split Simple can answer your many questions regarding long-distance divorce and how to complete successful divorce mediation when there is a long distance between spouses. Can You Get Divorced While One Spouse Lives Far Away? It can be difficult to get divorced at a distance because traditional divorces require both spouses to make in-person court appearances. Even if you work out most of the details over the phone, a courtroom divorce requires you to appear in court. However, if you file an uncontested divorce that does not require courtroom appointments, it becomes possible to complete your divorce without being physically in the same place at the same time. Can You Get a Colorado Divorce if One Spouse Lives Outside the State? If you are considering getting divorced in Denver, Colorado? Getting divorced in Colorado uses the state laws of Colorado to shape the terms and policies of your divorce. In order to file a Colorado divorce, only one spouse needs to be a registered resident of Colorado to get a Denver divorce. They will need to be a legal resident of Colorado for a minimum of 90 days before filing for divorce. If a Colorado resident files for divorce, the divorce will be effective for both spouses. though one lives outside of Colorado. Does Divorce Mediation Have to Take Place In-Person? No. Divorce mediation can be conducted in any way that allows live three-way discussions between both spouses and the divorce mediator. Using modern technology, it is possible to conduct divorce mediation sessions with video meeting software. These platforms often include file and screen-sharing capabilities that make it easy even to focus on specific paperwork and checklists to complete the mediation process. At Split Simple, we have been conducting fully remote divorce mediation for several years. We are able to accommodate any spouses who are not able to physically attend sessions at the same time through virtual meetings instead. Whether both spouses live in Denver with mismatched schedules or long-distance spouses who need divorce without travel, remote mediation is the ideal solution. Do Both Spouses Need to Live in Denver for Divorce Mediation? No. Because remote sessions are possible, both spouses do not need to live in Denver to enjoy Denver divorce mediation. In fact, only one spouse… --- ### Handling Divorce and Depression: How Divorce Mediation Can Help - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/handling-divorce-and-depression-how-divorce-mediation-can-help/ - **Published:** 2023-12-22 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for ways divorce mediation from Split Simple located in Denver can help you navigate the divorce process and reach an uncontested divorce. **Content:** Divorce and depression are two concepts that are inevitably linked. Many people experience depression along with the realization or acceptance that their marriage is ending. Whether it’s a sense of failure to live up to societal standards or grief over a relationship that has permanently changed, depression is a natural side effect. Some people also carry depression with them as a psychological or medical condition that makes the entire situation inherently much harder to deal with. When Depression Makes Divorce Just Too Much Depression is like a heavy weight. It is experienced a little differently by each person ranging from overwhelming sadness to crippling apathy. Some people going through an intense depression can’t get out of bed, some go through the motions but even deciding what to eat for breakfast can become an overwhelming decision. In the face of depression, divorce can seem like too big a challenge to overcome, too big a change to handle, or too sad a situation to acknowledge. If you suffer from depression, divorce can seem like just too much, and your spouse asking for important decisions to be made likely makes you want to hide or burst into tears, depending on how your depression manifests. To make matters worse, treating your depression with self-care and carefully good vibes feels nearly impossible when facing the devastating circumstances of divorce, a situation dire enough to make strong, naturally upbeat people sit in the dark wishing it would all go away. When Your Spouse is Too Depressed to Help with the Divorce Dealing with a spouse going through an intense depression during a divorce can be equally challenging. If your spouse’s divorce has spiralled into unmanageable depths in a time when you really need them to pull it together and agree on a few practical terms, you’re not the first. Depending on the course of your marriage, you may feel sympathy for their depression or just an empty well of exasperation at this point. Their depression may be a personal demon they struggle with, something they seem to choose over you again and again, and perhaps a major contributor to the divorce itself. But when your spouse just won’t work with you to amicably end the marriage because they can’t get out of bed or muster the energy to sign a few pieces of paper, you may be tempted to take drastic action just to reclaim the ability to move forward with your own life – or defend the sanity of yourself and your children. Divorce Mediation Can Break Through the Depression Barrier For those who don’t know how to move forward with a divorce as the result of one or two cases of crippling depression, Denver divorce mediators can help. A divorce mediator is someone whose job is to assist both sides in finding the most mutually beneficial divorce terms. They diffuse negative emotions and try to make sure only the most constructive conversations are had while building a new life for both parties through the… --- ### How to Handle Your First Family Holidays After the Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-handle-your-first-family-holidays-after-the-divorce/ - **Published:** 2023-12-19 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Divorce is unpleasant. Your Holidays don't have to be. Click Here for tips on navigating family gatherings during this Holiday season after divorce 720-501-4600 **Content:** The holidays are one of the most difficult time periods for the recently divorced, for a number of reasons. In this time of family-oriented holiday cheer, it’s tough not to feel lingering emotions about the divorce and where your life might be going from here. Know that you are not alone. There are millions of people right now who are not in the “Hallmark” nuclear family situation. People who go no-contact with their parents, people who just left a relationship, people who have to travel for work during this time of year; many people are “making it on their own” this season. If you are a parent, you will also be facing these feelings while also coordinating with your ex to make a happy holiday with split custody. Split Simple can help with a few thoughtful tips. Common Christmas Custody Schedules For parents, the top priority of a post-divorce (or mid-divorce) holiday is the matter of split custody. How can you both spend important Christmas time with your kids without stepping on toes or creating undue stress? It’s a challenge, but it’s also a path forged by millions before you. Here are some of the most common Christmas custody schedules that work. Christmas Morning to Lunch / Christmas Afternoon to Bedtime The lunchtime split is a great way for one parent to oversee Christmas morning while the other parent plans fun things to do on Christmas afternoon. This way, the entire day feels special, and children simply experience a different style of fun with each parent. Kids can have their Christmas morning and Holiday Brunch at the usual grandma’s house, but then also go mini-golfing, sledding, or have a movie marathon with their other parent plus a big dinner after the hand-off at lunchtime. Week Before Christmas / Week After Christmas Some parents split the two weeks before and after Christmas, with less emphasis on exactly how Christmas day is spent. In these cases, it’s more likely that the kids will get “two Christmases” with two days unwrapping presents from under the tree. Don’t worry; this is something they will come to look forward to and see as a special family tradition where both parents are separately happy to be with them. Thanksgiving / Christmas Another common arrangement is to split holiday breaks. One parent takes the children for the complete Thanksgiving holiday break, often with their set of grandparents and family, then the second parent takes the children for the week of Christmas, though they may share time during the larger winter break from school. Claiming the Weekend Before or After Christmas Some parents focus on the weekends they have off from work and hold two separate Christmases on the available weekends before and after Christmas. In this arrangement, one parent would have their holiday with the kids on the weekend before Christmas, and the other would plan their holiday celebration on the day or the weekend after Christmas. Based on Work Schedule Availability Lastly, your work schedules may… --- ### Divorce Mediation FAQs: How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce with Mediation in Denver? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-mediation-faqs-how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-divorce-with-mediation-in-denver/ - **Published:** 2023-11-08 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for a timeline on how long Divorce in Denver will take with the Divorce Mediation services from Split Simple located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** How long does it take to get a divorce in Denver if you use a divorce mediator? Answer: With Split Simple divorce mediation, the shortest possible time for a Denver divorce is 2 hours and 91 days. How Long Does It Take to Get Divorced in Denver? Typical Divorce Time: 3-6 months of negotiations 3 months (91 days) of waiting for approval   When you want a divorce in Denver and you want it fast, seeking a divorce attorney is not always the right move. You already know that attorneys charge by the hour, and that cases are more valuable to them when they take more hours to complete. You may have heard from a divorce lawyer that it will take six to nine months to get divorced in Denver.   This isn’t necessarily true. In the state of Colorado, the minimum amount of time a divorce can take is 91 days –  or three months – from submitting your divorce papers to the court to the court finalizing your divorce. Everything else is just the time you need to assemble your divorce papers for both parties to sign. How long that takes depends on the spouses and how they choose to resolve their concerns vis-a-vis the divorce. Why the 91-Day Wait to Get Divorced in Colorado? Prevents impulse divorces Should not be an obstacle for reasonable ex’s Every divorce in the state of Colorado takes a minimum of 3 months (91 days) to complete. This is a legal “cool down” period which is designed to minimize knee-jerk divorces and give couples time to reconcile. While you may be certain about your desire for a divorce – you may have already thought long and hard about this decision – the 91-day waiting period is designed stop impulsive couples from continually marrying and divorcing with the quarrel and make-up cycle. Fortunately, you don’t have to live together and during this approval delay period, you and your soon-to-by-ex can complete arrangements to live separately and start legally separate lives as soon as the paperwork clears. How Does Divorce Mediation Make a Divorce Go Faster? If you choose Denver divorce mediation instead of a divorce lawyer, you can significantly speed up the process of finalizing your paperwork before the 91 day waiting period. The reason is simple: an approach seeking harmony and mutually beneficial solutions instead of trying to rack up the billable hours with conflict.  A divorce mediator’s role is to act as a guide – a divorce expert who knows the legal requirements for a divorce agreement and a few asset-management best-practices. Their goal is to help both spouses neatly separate their finances, lifestyles, and  – if necessary  – build a functional and flexible child custody plan to create the healthiest possible post-divorce situation for everyone involved. Instead of bringing up things to fight about, your divorce mediator will suggest good compromises that both spouses can feel are fair. They will offer clever financial solutions to evenly split assets without disturbing hard-to-split accounts… --- ### How to Stay Friends with Your Ex's Awesome Family - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-stay-friends-with-your-exs-awesome-family/ - **Published:** 2023-10-18 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Tips on how to stay friends with your Ex's amazing family after you finalize your divorce mediation services with family law attorneys at Split Simple in Denver **Content:** Everyone knows that one of the toughest things about a divorce is splitting your shared social circles. Some friendships survive the transition, some don’t. However, what can really hurt is losing touch with people who you’ve made your family through your marital connection. It’s not uncommon for in-laws to adore each other, even during and after an unpleasant divorce. The question is: can you stay friends? We’re here to discuss how Denver divorce mediation can save some of those relationships most precious to you by removing some of the pain and conflict from the separation process. Getting Divorced Doesn’t Have to Be Traumatic For many people, a divorce is a traumatic experience because it becomes two people fighting for their ability to live without each other. When both are trying to get everything they can from the remnants of a marriage, nobody wins. This is why Denver divorce mediation is a healthier choice than setting two combative divorce attorneys against each other. If you and your ex are capable of coming to the mediation table and seeking mutually beneficial solutions, this is the best way to ensure both people walk away with the ability to thrive on your own. Denver divorce mediation carefully looks at the most important aspects of divorce like finances, assets, and child custody while seeking the best solution for all parties – including any children you may have. This way, divorce becomes a shared project in which you transition to two separate households without the usual trauma. When Divorce is Peaceful, Ex-In-Laws Don’t Have to Take Sides What does divorce trauma have to do with your in-law friendships? It’s about the need to take sides. When divorce is traumatic, families often feel the need to close ranks and defend their child/sibling/cousin who is going through the traumatic experience. This can lead to being forced to become enemies with the ex, even if they were once close. However, when divorce is not traumatic, family members have the option to see both the marriage and the separation with their own viewpoint. Depending on the reasons for divorce, your ex’s parents/siblings/cousins may be able to understand and even empathize with both parties without the need to sever all ties when the marriage is done. The Ability to Talk It Out Divorce mediation can help you talk out the practical factors of divorce, which can also lead to more peaceful discussions about why the marriage ended. If you can plainly state that you no longer love each other the same way, that you can’t get over something that’s changed between you or perhaps simply that you’ve grown apart, your in-laws don’t need to have as strong of feelings on the matter. When couples need to scream it out, everyone winds up drawn into the combat. But when calm conversation is your leading method, you may get the opportunity to talk it out with the in-laws you’ve grown to love without needing to bash on their dearly loved relative who you… --- ### How Does Your Support System Affect Child Custody in Denver? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-does-your-support-system-affect-child-custody-in-denver/ - **Published:** 2023-10-04 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for ways your current support system could affect the child custody agreement you finalize in your Denver divorce mediation with Split Simple **Content:** When determining child custody, Denver divorce mediators and court systems consider a child’s full support system, not just the individual parents. Most custody agreements focus primarily on the two co-parents, splitting parenting time, residence, and visitation rights whatever way represents the most healthy schedule for the child or children. However, you might be surprised how often involved grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings (of the parents or child) play a role in child custody decisions. Even close family friends who have a strong presence in the child’s life can contribute to the proceedings, especially in divorce mediation where there is time to consider every factor. How much does a childcare support system affect child custody agreements in Denver? Depending on the case, it can be quite a bit. Today, Split Simple is here to answer your essential questions about how much – or how little – your support system can influence your parenting time and visitation rights in a Denver divorce.   Child Custody Support System FAQ   How does your support system impact child custody? Can friends and family strengthen your child custody claim? Can you get child custody without a support system? How do you deal with a toxic support system in child custody? The following information will help you answer all these questions and more. The Child’s Relationship with Family Members One of the first factors taken into consideration is the child’s relationships when it comes to custody decisions. If awarding primary child custody to one parent would take them away from the support system they have come to rely on, this may be seen as an unfavorable outcome.  When possible both Denver divorce mediators or courts will favor situations where children can maintain a strong relationship to grandparents, cousins, and other family members they are close to at the time of the divorce. Frequent caretakers can also participate in the child custody agreement discussions, offering their insight on the child’s preference or testifying to their involvement in the child’s life. This also means that parents who have a robust support system that already has a strong connection to the child are more likely to maintain or share custody, even if other circumstances might make it difficult to raise the child on their own. This takes us to the second point: childcare assistance. Family and Friends Willing to Help with Childcare Often, single parents struggle to manage childcare on their own, and co-parenting doesn’t always offer a good solution. If both parents work, but are now sourcing childcare from separate incomes, a strong support system can make a big difference. Family and trusted friends who are willing and able to provide childcare can tip the scales on whether a custody situation is viable. Parents may be able to more easily split child custody or a working parent may be able to take primary custody with additional caregivers in their close personal circle. Financial Support Regarding the Child Sometimes, a support system may even be willing to add financial support to… --- ### 5 Things You Should Never Do During Your Denver Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/5-things-you-should-never-do-during-your-denver-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2023-09-20 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 5 things you shouldn't do during your divorce mediation sessions with the divorce attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** The latest statistics show that 3 people per 1,000 inhabitants in Colorado went through the legal process of divorce in 2021. That might not seem like all that many people, but you must consider the fact that this statistic accounts for every inhabitant in the state regardless of their marital status. Additionally, it only accounts for those who went through a divorce specifically in 2021. Therefore, the divorce rate is significant and something that you should contemplate as a possibility to occur in your own life. If you ever end up in a situation where you must go through divorce mediation in the Denver area, you need to know what to do. Today, we will specifically focus on what you should avoid saying when you are going through divorce mediation. 1) Don’t Get Overly Aggressive Some people jump into Denver divorce mediation with the mindset that they must win at all costs. They get overly aggressive when they approach the mediation, and they think that they have to get everything that they want. The problem with this is that mediation is about compromise and working things out with the other party. It is not always easy to see eye to eye with someone that you are going through a divorce with. However, it is best to try to work through the obstacles that might come up along the way. If you dig your heels in and refuse to compromise on anything, then you may find yourself in court. The downside to that is that you will ensure a lot of extra costs and frustration trying to get your divorce solved once and for all. Think carefully about how you will approach the mediation process and try to come into it with a level head. 2) Don’t Intentionally Anger Your Spouse Many people going through a divorce find themselves in a tough spot. They feel emotionally hurt, and they want to do everything that they possibly can to anger their spouse. Survive Divorce explains why this is a bad choice when going through mediation: While you were married pushing buttons may have been great fun and a form of inflicting pain or perceived revenge, but now it will just flat out be counter-productive to the mediation process. The Denver divorce mediation process is meant to help you figure out how to move forward with your former spouse. Things will never be the same as when you were married, but you can at least take some strides in the right direction. It is all too easy to fall into the habits of angering your spouse to make yourself feel better. However, this will not play well within the legal system. You need to be more mature than that, and you need to show that you are ready to move on as an adult. 3) Don’t Give Out Unnecessary Personal Information The mediator overseeing your process will already know a significant number of personal details about you and your situation. You should NOT… --- ### Family Law FAQ's About Divorce Mediation and Child Custody - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/family-law-faqs-about-divorce-mediation-and-child-custody/ - **Published:** 2023-09-06 - **Modified:** 2023-11-22 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 5 of the most frequently asked questions about family law, child custody and divorce mediation from our family law attorneys located in Denver **Content:** If you are starting the process of getting divorced, you may be wondering what your best option is moving forward. This may be of particular concern if you and your spouse have children, as you may find yourself wondering what your best options are for seeking a divorce without creating a difficult situation for your kids. While people often assume that getting divorced means that they will have to go through a lengthy litigation process, this is not the case. Denver divorce mediation can provide a simpler alternative that allows your and your spouse to come to an agreement regarding the terms of your divorce without the need for a courtroom battle. With the help of a third-party mediator, you and your spouse can make decisions about the division of assets without the need for a judge.  Not only can mediation help simplify your divorce, but, depending on where you live, it may be a necessary part of the divorce process. What many people looking to get a divorce do not realize is that some Colorado counties require couples to attend at least one mediation session before they can request a court hearing. Not only can this ease the burden on the courts, but Denver divorce mediation often proves to be a better option for families than litigation, as it allows couples to come up with a plan to dissolve their marriage and raise their children amicably.  Yet, as there are many misconceptions regarding how mediation works when children are involved, you may find yourself asking a number of questions as you start looking into divorce mediation. To help you better understand your options when filing for divorce, keep reading for answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive about divorce mediation as it pertains to child custody and family law.   Does Mediation Work if We Have Children? There is a common misconception that Denver divorce mediation only works for simple divorces and that mediation is not possible if children are involved. However, as long as both parents are willing to come together and have open, civil discussions about the future of their children, mediation can be a great option for divorces where children are involved. Issues involving child custody, visitation, and child support can all be discussed and handled in the mediation process. Mediation provides a great way for parents to discuss and resolve issues regarding their children in a neutral setting, giving them a chance to find the best solution for their family moving forward. The fact is that mediation provides a more civil alternative to litigation, and maintaining peace can be important as you will be co-parenting with your former spouse following your divorce. Denver divorce mediation also gives parents the opportunity to create a child custody agreement that is mutually beneficial rather than having a judge make these decisions for them (as would be the case with litigation).    Can Mediation Help With Co-Parenting? Another benefit of working with an experienced mediator is that they can… --- ### Understanding Teen Involvement in Denver Child Custody Terms - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/understanding-teen-involvement-in-denver-child-custody-terms/ - **Published:** 2023-08-23 - **Modified:** 2023-11-22 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here to better understand how child custody terms affect teen involvement in your divorce mediation services from Split Simple located in Denver **Content:** In matters of child custody, the age of the child contributes significantly to how decisions are made on their behalf. With young children, it is often recommended that parents follow a co-parenting structure by splitting custody and parenting time based on family conditions. With older children and teens, however, the child’s preference may play a major role. Teens may ask to live with one parent over the other. A teen may ask to see a parent more or less often. Teens can request that custody terms be structured in a certain way to allow for the life they hope to lead between parents. As a divorcing parent, you may be wondering what Colorado family law has to say on teen involvement in child custody agreements. At Split Simple, we handle Denver divorce mediation and build child custody agreements every day. We can answer these questions and help you build a custody agreement based on Colorado family law and the unique needs of your family. Can Teens Make Their Own Decisions About Child Custody in Colorado? Yes. In Denver Family Law courts, teens who are considered mature enough to understand the proceedings will be listened to if they have custody preferences. Of course, a teen’s preferences won’t be able to fully dictate custody terms, but strong reasoning on who to live with or how often to see a parent will be seriously considered when building the child custody agreement. At What Age Can Children in Colorado Be Involved in Child Custody Decisions? There is no specific age in Colorado or Denver family law dictating when a child or teen is old enough for their custody preferences to be considered. Instead, a judge or authority will weigh whether the teen has enough maturity and understanding that their decisions carry the weight of true preference and well-reasoned arguments. That said, precedent suggests that teenagers of 14 years and older are typically considered mature enough to participate in child custody decisions. Children aged 12 and over may be asked about their custody preferences, which will be considered with some weight. Particularly if the child has strong reasoning or strong emotion behind their preference and their choice appears reasonable in terms of parenting connection and ability. Can Teens Choose Which Parent to Live With in Colorado? Teens over the age of 16 are typically granted the ability to choose which parent to live with, unless there is a strong reason to dictate otherwise. Colorado family law has made a pattern of honoring a child’s choice of who to live with, with an increasing strength of preference as the child progresses from 12 to 16. After the age of 16, teenagers gain a strong legal ground to choose which parent to live with, and may take steps toward emancipation should they choose to live with neither parent and start supporting themselves. How are a Child or Teen’s Wishes Expressed in a Denver Divorce Proceeding? There are several methods by which a minor’s custody preferences can become… --- ### 7 Personal Wellness Tips When Going Through a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/7-personal-wellness-tips-when-going-through-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2023-08-09 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 7 Personal Wellness tips from the Divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver to help you take care during the divorce mediation process **Content:** Divorce is a time when everyone goes through a uniquely difficult personal journey. It is a major landmark in your life’s journey, and typically not a positive one. Most people feel a certain amount of sadness, anger, or disappointment during the process of a divorce, and that’s normal. It’s also normal to neglect your personal wellness in the face of the stress, massive to-do list, and loss of a partner to be well for.  Fortunately, we live in a time when personal wellness is a peak priority, which gives us the language to talk about the importance of caring for yourself both emotionally and physically during challenging points in your life. Divorce is usually an easy process, but it can help you experience a positive personal transformation and embrace a new chapter of your life as a more independent and actualized version of yourself. Today, we’re sharing seven personal wellness tips that will help you get through your divorce with your health intact. 1) Speak to Yourself Kindly One of the first casualties of divorce mediation in Denver is often your opinion of yourself. Many people experience extreme negative self-talk while analyzing where the marriage went wrong. It’s as easy to criticize yourself in the quiet of your own mind as it is to criticize your ex when speaking to friends and family. Usually, a divorce has something to do with both people, but it’s also a perfectly normal occurrence in which your chapter together has ended, for whatever reason, and moving forward is the only option. Listening to that negative voice in your head can lead down dark paths that you don’t need to delve into. Instead, try to turn around the message. Forgive yourself for past mistakes and resolve to be better. Instead of criticizing yourself, encourage yourself. Instead of putting yourself down, try to build yourself up. Intentionally think positively about yourself and prepare to give yourself another chance at a new solo life. 2) Find Ways to Enjoy Your Own Company Often, people put off divorce mediation in Denver because they don’t want to be alone. This can be because it’s hard to spend time with yourself – perhaps because of that inherently negative inner monologue that so many of us carry from an early age. You may get nervous or fidgety alone in the house. You may feel the need to seek out company or new partners just to avoid feeling alone. Try to enjoy your own company. Find ways to be alone and happy at the same time. You can use the television for company, but music is better. Sing and enjoy your own voice. Clean and enjoy a well-kept environment. Exercise and feel proud of what you can accomplish. Make art and discover your inner process. The better you can enjoy your own company, the better a friend you can be to yourself when restarting without a partner. 3) Take Care Of Yourself for the Pleasure of Being Healthy If you’ve been taking… --- ### We Own Land Together, Can We Split It In the Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/we-own-land-together-can-we-split-it-in-the-divorce/ - **Published:** 2023-07-19 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** If you own land together, can you split it in the divorce? Click here for the tips from Split Simple's divorce mediators located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Colorado is a great place to own land. There are fantastic recreational lots and cozy mountainsides to the West and wide tracts of good, flat farmland to the East. During your marriage, couples often purchase a house together, but they may also purchase spacious land. Acreage is a valuable resource, as farmland, parkland, recreational space, and of course, as an investment. If you bought a large tract of land together, what happens if one or both of you want to keep the acreage and all the outdoor enjoyment you get from it? Can you split land in a divorce? Yes, if you’re careful and the land is zoned for subdivision. How Do You Split a Piece of Property Splitting property is what we do best, here at Split Simple. But normally, we mean property like your house, car, furniture, art collection, and expensive wardrobe. In most Denver divorce mediation sessions, the house is the only thing that can’t be easily split, and most couples opt to sell the house unless they decide to co-parent any children there for stability. Splitting property in terms of land, however, is a little more complicated – but doable. Splitting land that you own jointly will require subdivision and reassignment of ownership for both halves of the land you have split. This requires zoning considerations, a visit from a surveyor, and plenty of paperwork. In most cases, rural land can be split into two parcels, as long as both parcels have road access – and utilities if applicable. How to Divide Marital Land Into Two Parcels Let’s talk about subdivision. This isn’t arithmetic and it doesn’t necessarily relate to the suburbs. Subdivision is the official term for dividing a piece of land, or sub-dividing it, as the case may be. Zoning To subdivide your land, first you will need to make sure that it is zoned for a subdivision. Some properties have special rules and, closer to cities, subdivision may not be permitted in certain zoned areas or with lots that are already quite small. But let’s stick with our main idea that you have some rural or recreational land that is mostly unbuilt, and probably not very tightly zoned. Road Access Every subdivision must have road access, or its use will be extremely limited and impossible to sell. This needs to be real road access with roads of regulation size and quality. Running a gravel track to the back half of your property is a classic mistake that will lead to impossible building codes. Which takes us to the next point. Building Code Viability When you subdivide land, it’s value is based – in part – on whether building permits can be issued for the land. Land that is too steep, rocky, unstable, or does not have sufficient road access will not be issued a building permit. Keep this in mind, especially if you are subdividing to build up or to sell the property. Subdivision and “Taking the House” Subdividing a large piece of… --- ### What to Bring to a Divorce Mediation Session - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-to-bring-to-a-divorce-mediation-session/ - **Published:** 2023-07-05 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** What should you bring to your divorce mediation session at Split Simple in Denver? Click Here for items to be prepared to meet your divorce mediation attorney **Content:** We often talk about what it means to start divorce mediation. When two people want to divorce, but would rather a good outcome than a dramatic separation – divorce mediation is usually the best answer. Preparing for Denver divorce mediation, you get your financial and asset records in line for the big split. You may have an idea of what kind of child custody you want, or what you’re going to do with shared real estate or co-owned vehicles. But what we don’t talk about is what to expect inside the mediation room – other than the mediation itself. How should you arrive? How should you dress? What should you bring to divorce mediation? That is exactly what we’re here to answer today. Financial and Property Paperwork Income and Savings Investments Property Records Account Statements Retirement Accounts Tax Returns Debt Records List of Personal, Shared, and Split Assets The paperwork is, of course, the most important supplies to bring to your Denver divorce mediation meetings. Paperwork is required by both parties to get a full vision of the pre-divorce finances. This will allow you to build a stronger set of post-divorce finances so that neither party is too put-upon by the arrangement. Be sure to bring your own financial records of every type. Properties, cars, businesses, taxes, debts; all of it. This way, we can sort everything out into fair ownership before disagreements about which box to pack or leave.  You can also call your Denver divorce mediator ahead of time to ask which documents are most important and which might be helpful. There are two ways to arrive. You can pack everything you need into a file-folder or even a file box to be carried in – or you can use an online document manager. With a document manager, you can pull up and share digital versions of each document quickly during the mediation session. Your Personal Notes and Mediation Goals The next important thing to bring are your own notes and ideas. You may already have some terms you want to fight for, but a better solution is to focus on your priorities instead. For example, you might highly prioritize keeping the house or perhaps the freedom to move with your job without divorce-term hassle.  Your Top-Ten List of Priorities Write out your top-ten priorities and how you want to deal with them through Denver divorce mediation. Consider what you care about most and what you want to see as a result of the divorce mediation. You can enumerate steps you want to take, or frame a future if you’re not sure what steps are between your current situation and your goals. A divorce mediator can work with your priorities to build solutions that are in line with what you care about most. Your Problem-Solution Ideas List Then come up with solutions to problems you foresee, like fair child custody or how to deal with both parties having opposite work schedules when trying to coordinate. When you come… --- ### How to Minimize the Impact of Divorce on Your Children - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-minimize-the-impact-of-divorce-on-your-children/ - **Published:** 2023-06-21 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** How to help minimize the impact of your divorce on your children - 8 tips from the Denver divorce mediators at Split Simple located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce, as a rule, is hard on kids. Seeing the family home break up and parents upset with each other will shake a child’s sense of stability. While you can’t change that divorce has an impact on your children, you can shape what that impact is and prevent the divorce experience from becoming traumatic. There’s no denying that some divorcees are more traumatic for children than others. What defines that crucial difference? Usually, the answer is conflict. When parents fight, say negative things, and try to make children pick sides, trauma occurs and children lose their sense of family safety. Fortunately, the reverse is also true. When divorcing parents work together to reach resolutions, co-parent, and make sure both adults exit in good financial standing, children see that their family security is not shattered, merely split into two pieces. Many kids adapt well to having two homes, two bedrooms, and even two sets of friends after a divorce with a happy and easy transition. You can achieve this for your kids by working to minimize the impact of divorce. You can work with your ex to avoid conflict and build a stable post-divorce routine. Our Denver family law attorneys operate a family-friendly process, and have ushered many conflict-free custody agreements to completion. Here are our top tips for minimizing the negative impacts of divorce on your children during and after the divorce process. 1. Spend More Time Together, Not Less One of the best tips we can give is to increase the time you spend with your kids. During divorce, children and even teenagers need constant assurance that their home life isn’t about to disappear – and that they can maintain a strong relationship with both parents. This means that both parents should take more time to spend at home or doing shared activities with the kids. Strengthen the family bond in this time when your children are worried that it will weaken. You can also start to create fun weekly routines and traditions that will carry over comfortably into the post-divorce custody and parenting time routine like going to the movies, playing a weekly sports game, or even meeting to play online. Don’t let the distractions of a divorce reduce the time you spend at home. This is important to remember as your to-do list piles up. 2. Maintain Routines and Environments, When Possible Children and teenagers need routine and structure. Often, these things break down during divorce because the parents themselves are going through personal transformations of personality and circumstance. Divorce has a huge impact on the spouses, but for your kids, you should make an effort to maintain routines like morning breakfast together, evening homework checks, and weekly special dinners. These are the things that keep the wheels on the wheels on the wagon for kids, and if these essential elements of family routine and oversight disappear, kids are more likely to stray when left on their own. 3. Talk It Out. Be Honest and Ask About… --- ### Can You Bring Your Personal Attorney to Divorce Mediation? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/can-you-bring-your-personal-attorney-to-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2023-06-07 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Can I bring my own attorney to my Divorce Mediation service with Split Simple located in Denver? Click Here for your divorce mediation options 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce is a complex process that can be handled in many different ways. You may have recently discovered that Denver divorce mediation is your best route to resolution, but what if you already have a Denver family law attorney on your side? When most people approach divorce for the first time, they reach out to a family law attorney for a consultation and some guidance. If you formed a strong connection, and especially if you have already begun working together, you may want to bring your family law attorney with you through the process – even if you ultimately choose divorce mediation.  Here at Split Simple, we can involve your personal lawyer into the process if that’s what you prefer. This article will explore why, when, and how to incorporate a personal divorce lawyer into your Denver divorce mediation service. Divorce Mediation: How It Works Traditional divorce involves two opposing spouses and two opposing lawyers. The family law attorneys then facilitate negotiations until a divorce agreement can be drafted, submitted, and approved. Each personal attorney advises their client-spouse on what is best for their personal finances and future. Divorce mediation takes a different approach.   Instead of two lawyers, there is one legally experienced Denver divorce mediator in the room whose goal is the best solution for both parties. They can help you build a divorce that doesn’t overlook any important details -and doesn’t leave one or both spouses at a financial disadvantage. The mediator can help work through differences and major disagreements – or they can facilitate an amicable split with the most practical terms of separation. Involving Others in Divorce Mediation While normally there are three people in a Denver divorce mediation session, you can bring in more. For example, teens and older children may want to be heard and mediation is a safe space for them to air their concerns or requests about how the divorce will go. If you have a shared business or truly complicated finances, you might bring in a dedicated financial advisor who has been handling your assets and will help separate them cleanly. In this way, you can also bring in your personal attorney into mediation sessions if you want their support or guidance in pursuing your goals. Reasons to Bring a Lawyer to Divorce Mediation Why might you bring your personal lawyer to a Denver divorce mediation session? Divorces are very personal and aren’t always straight-forward to navigate. There are several reasons why you might want your Denver family law attorney in the room in addition to the mediator who is there to help both parties. You Already Connected with a Denver Divorce Attorney If you started your divorce journey with the help of a local Denver family lawyer, we understand. You may have formed a strong bond and your now-personal attorney may have a deeper understanding of your situation that your Denver divorce mediator will, at first. You can bring in your current divorce attorney for moral support, to help your… --- ### When To Get a Legal Separation Instead of a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/when-to-get-a-legal-separation-instead-of-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2023-05-24 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Should you get legally separated or utilize Denver Divorce Mediation to terminate your marriage? Click Here for the pros and cos for each **Content:** The difference between a legal separation and a divorce is the severance of the marriage. In most other ways, they are handled with similar processes. A legal separation allows two spouses to form two separate households, divide their assets, stop filing jointly, and create a custody and/or support plan for children. A legal separation can also be reversed without the need to “remarry” to reform the union. In the Denver family law business, we occasionally help couples who want to separate, but do not want to complete the process with a divorce. In fact, there are a surprising number of circumstances where a legal separation is the smart, practical answer for a couple who either still love each other and/or choose not to divorce for specific reasons.  When should you get a legal separation, and when should that separation be instead of a divorce? You Will Be Living Apart for a Long Time Married couples typically live together, sharing a household and living expenses as a unit. However, as two adults, you are also capable of separating your households and living apart – and sometimes life calls for this. Let’s say one spouse must relocate for work – possibly for several years – but their partner cannot move for family, medical, or career reasons of their own.  If you must form two separate households for an extended period of time, a legal separation can simplify your separated finances, taxes, and household matters without severing the marriage. It can also reduce confusion – minimizing the mail and paperwork sent to the wrong spouse or that assumes the two of you will be filing jointly in years when you will not. You Aren’t Divorcing, But You Need a Child Custody Agreement Sometimes, custody agreements are needed without Denver divorce mediation. Take the spouses working in different cities who have not yet gone through a separation. However, they are having trouble establishing a fair parenting time routine and the issue has begun a major disagreement. In addition to keeping finances clean, a temporary or extended legal separation can allow you to forge a custody agreement that can keep a separated family balanced and healthy. Legal separation makes it easier to handle the paperwork and the routine of moving your kids between two households. A separation Denver child custody agreement simplifies the matter the same way it would for a divorce. You Are Purposefully Creating Two Financial and Legal Households A legal household is made up of a primary wage earner and their dependents. Married wage earners tend to be considered as one household, but what if you need two? You can separate to purposefully create two financial and legal households. You Will Officially be Occupying Different Primary Residences There may come a time when you need two primary residences. A primary residence is a special definition that allows for certain purchasing, taxation, and local-registration conveniences. You and your spouse may need to reside in different states or hold down two different properties. In… --- ### How to Get a Divorce When You Live in Different Cities - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-get-a-divorce-when-you-live-in-different-cities/ - **Published:** 2023-05-10 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for how the Denver Divorce Mediators at Split Simple located in Denver can help couples reach an amicable divorce when they live in different cities **Content:** Divorce is often the result of two lives going in different directions. Sometimes that new direction is reflected in the physical world in the form of a new job or opportunity in another city. During the separation phase before the divorce is even complete, it is not uncommon for one person to pick up and move somewhere new. This makes it easier to leave behind memories, start a new chapter, and to pursue opportunities that had seemed out of reach. When two separated spouses live in different cities when it comes time to divorce, how do you handle the situation? How to find amicable, fair solutions and manage negotiation sessions without taking months off for travel and lawyers? Remote divorce mediation may hold the solutions you need for a fast, satisfactory divorce when you can’t be in the same place for meetings. Divorce Mediation: The Fast and Fair Way One of the reasons remote spouses choose Denver divorce mediation is because it’s efficient. When you don’t have the time or resources to meet with separate lawyers time and time again – and don’t want to spend on the legal hours – divorce mediation focuses everything you need into concentrated, resolution-focused mediation sessions. Divorcing remotely, you want to find the best solutions that also require the least intervention. Fighting over every dollar and end-table with the help of lawyers and negotiation sessions is typically far less efficient than meeting to resolve one issue at a time until all your assets and documents are neatly split based on a fair and mutually supportive approach. Most spouses can complete their divorce within three two-hour Denver divorce mediation sessions. Preparing your documents beforehand can cut this down to only one or two sessions, a total of two to six hours to complete your divorce. For spouses who are already living far apart and just need to finalize the terms, divorce mediation is a great way to make a clean, conflict-free break. Remote Divorce Mediation by Video Meeting How does remote Denver divorce mediation work? Recently, many people have become more familiar with video conferencing and the methods of sharing a live meeting without being in the same place. Split Simple uses the same techniques regarding video meetings to hold divorce mediation sessions when both spouses cannot be in the same place at the same time. Through the use of display software, the mediator can project the financial spreadsheet and separation notes during the meeting so that both spouses can see and work with the same information. The platform will allow both voice and typed or copy/pasted information, making it easy to communicate and share data during the mediation session. Both spouses will be able to voice their concerns and come to agreements with the help of the mediator in a real-time discussion. How Split Simple Handles Remote Divorce Mediation Split Simple has handled remote Denver divorce mediation before. We know that two spouses looking to separate cannot always be in the same place, especially… --- ### Child Custody and Parenting Time for Uncommon Work Schedules - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/child-custody-and-parenting-time-for-uncommon-work-schedules/ - **Published:** 2023-04-19 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for child custody schedules for parents with uncommon work schedules. The Denver Divorce Mediators at Split Simple will help with child custody **Content:** The most common Denver child custody arrangements are on a routine schedule based on weeks and weekends. While the old ‘every other weekend’ style is falling out of fashion in favor of more equal parenting time, we are also seeing an evolution in how child custody schedules are built to handle unconventional work schedules. If you are a divorcing parent worried about getting fair parenting time with a work schedule that does not follow your typical 5-on, 2-off week or 9-5 schedule, you will be relieved to know that Colorado family law is on your side. You don’t need a Denver child custody lawyer to defend your interests as long as you have an understanding divorce mediator who is skilled in building customized child custody structures. Visitation is Outdated: Colorado Custody is Measured in Parenting Time The first and often most relieving fact is that primary custody and visitation are now considered outdated concepts. Most states, Colorado included, now focus on building parenting plans that provide fair parenting time based on the conditions of the family. If both parents have a good relationship with their children, are involved in their lives, and desires to stay involved, then a fair parenting plan will be built as part of the your Denver child custody agreement. Parenting time prioritizes time that children spend with each parent based on what is possible and reasonable for the family. This can result in a primary custody parent and visitation, but more often it involves children who live in two houses – often for equal or near-equal amounts of time. Colorado is Not a 50/50 Custody State 50/50 custody is preferred by many states as the optimal way to provide equal parenting time and minimize the need for child support payments. However, Colorado does not require you to achieve a perfect 50/50 balance. This gives divorcing families more room to arrange schedules based on what works and what provides the best overall experience for the children. Uncommon Work Schedules Can Fit Into Parenting Plan Structures For parents with an uncommon or irregular work schedule, the new parenting time approach means that you can and should build a unique parenting plan with your Denver child custody agreement. There are, in fact, many different parenting plan models available that display how an unusual schedule can fit into equal or near-equal parenting time.  These are typically labeled by the days-with-parent patterns. 7-7 Alternating Weeks With alternating weeks, parents choose a day to swap and keep children for the entire week, making arrangements for work and home time as needed. This schedule works best for older kids who know they will spend some time at home without the parent no matter what the schedule looks like. 2-2-5-5 This schedule splits a week into 2-day segments, then splits the second week down the middle. It’s a popular method that gives both parents access to a child’s full schedule including school and weekends. 2-2-3 This schedule swaps children every other afternoon. It is… --- ### How to Move and Plan a Divorce at the Same Time - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-move-and-plan-a-divorce-at-the-same-time/ - **Published:** 2023-04-05 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for tips on navigating moving and planning your divorce at the same time from the Denver Divorce Attorneys at Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** Getting a divorce is a big life change, one that often comes with many other life changes. You may seek and find a new job, new friends, and of course, a new house. More often than not, both spouses will move before, during, or after a divorce which can mean planning your move at the same time as planning your Denver divorce mediation. When you stack two major life changes on top of each other, your task-list can get pretty hectic. Here at Split Simple, we like to keep divorces simple, and sometimes that means sorting out your other immediate concerns first. If you have a big move planning at the same time as your divorce we have a few helpful tips to keep your sanity and successfully relocate without setting back your Denver divorce mediation process.     A Denver Divorce Requires Only One Denverite First, don’t worry about moving away from Denver or out of state if you have already started the ball rolling for Denver divorce mediation.  You only need one Denverite to complete the process, as long as your divorce agreement is signed and notarized by both parties. If you are getting divorced with the help of Split Simple, you can telecommute your half of the divorce process for many of the meetings while your ex holds down the fort. In fact, in case of isolation, both of you can telecommute, and we’ll handle your virtual divorce meetings right here.   Set Aside Important Documents and Files During a move is the most likely time that you will lose important documents like financial records or birth certificates. So, to protect yourself and your future plans, set all the documents you may need for the divorce into one box. Make sure it has your medical records, financial records, assets, records of pre-marriage ownership, the kid’s school records – anything that might be relevant. If your paperwork is already boxed, just keep the boxes set aside from the rest of your move. Otherwise, dedicate one big file box to family records and financial records of all kinds. Then set it aside and keep it separate from the rest of the move. Pack Your Home office Last – and Unpack It first Another clever trick for moving during a divorce is to pack up your home office last. Leave yourself with a desk, chair, and computer through which to conduct your Denver divorce mediation process, send in documents when needed, and send emails at critical moments. By packing your home office last, you leave all your paperwork and records available to search through, should something unexpected or previously misplaced be needed to complete your divorce proceedings. Prepare Your Destination Home So It’s Ready When You Are Don’t leave your destination up to chance, or even to delays. Before you finish packing, you should already have your new destination secured. Before you load furniture into the moving truck, you should make sure the water and power are on  and in your name so… --- ### Negative Aspects of Divorce on Children (and What You Can Do About It) - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/negative-aspects-of-divorce-on-children-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/ - **Published:** 2023-03-22 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the negative aspects of divorce on children, and what you can do about it. Our divorce attorneys in Denver can help 720-501-4600 **Content:** Denver divorce mediation is often thought of in a negative light. The marriage has failed. There must be something wrong with the couple that they can’t make it work. Those who are going through this difficult time often feel like they have failed. They may have a lot of regrets, and they don’t know where to turn to start building their life over.  That being said, not everything is about the couple themselves. Divorce can be downright challenging for the children. Their entire future is going to change, and they don’t really have any say in anything. Even children who are adults can struggle with the divorce, even if they don’t live at home anymore. Though little children may be alright, children in school and teenagers can be really affected by the divorce.  Even worse, they are very good at hiding their feelings and how they are doing. For that reason, you really need to keep a close eye on your children as you go through the Denver divorce mediation (and for a period of time afterward).  Here are some things that you should look for.  Drastic change in grades.  Many children who are dealing with an upheaval at home will have problems when they go to school. A good student may stop caring. They may forget to do their homework and fail some of their tests. They just can’t deal with everything that is going on with their life.  Trouble with others.  Many parents notice that their children struggle to get along with others, even those that they have gotten along with in the past. They may push their friends away and become a loner. They may start fights in school, or instigate others to hit them first (so that they don’t get in trouble). You may start getting calls from the school because your children aren’t behaving like they used to.  Trouble with authority.  These children may also struggle with those that are in charge. They may talk back to their teachers and other leaders, who are simply trying to help them. They may start to rebel against the rules and those who are in charge. They may purposely act up in order to get your attention, as well as the attention of others. Mood swings.  Many teenagers deal with anxiety and depression, though it is much more common in children whose parents are going through a divorce. Suicide is rampant, so it is important to keep an eye on your children’s moods as you start to build a new life with them.  Bad behavior. Many children of divorce do what is not expected of them. They may find themselves experimenting with drugs and alcohol. They may start to hang out with the wrong crowd, and they may find themselves in serious legal trouble if you don’t catch them right away.  So, what can you do to prevent this? Be a parent to your children. It is very easy to lose yourself in the struggle of getting divorced,… --- ### Six Tips to Make Divorce Mediation Work For You - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/six-tips-to-make-divorce-mediation-work-for-you/ - **Published:** 2023-03-08 - **Modified:** 2023-01-18 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 6 Tips to make Divorce Mediation work for you from the divorce attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** At Split Simple, we are proud to offer “uncontested divorces.” That being said, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the divorce was easy and that there was no conflict. However, that simply is not true. It just means that both parties were able to work together to come up with a Denver divorce mediation plan that works for everyone.  There are plenty of disagreements that occur during Denver divorce mediation. It is how you handle them that makes or breaks the divorce. You need to go into the process ready to compromise and come up with a solution that both of you can live with.  Here are some tips to make mediation work for you.  Choose the right mediator.  Not all mediators are made the same. That being said, there are two styles of mediators. Those who are willing to make suggestions, and those who just listen and let you work it out on your own. If you don’t think that you will have many conflicts, you may be able to go with someone who will just listen, write it down, and let you move on. If you think that you are going to need someone who is willing to help, you are going to have to look for someone who is willing to do that. You may go into mediation knowing that it is going to be really hard to come up with a solution for certain things, such as who gets the house and what to do about the children. If you know that, you are going to need someone who is going to help you through it.  Be prepared and don’t give up.  A lot of couples start with mediation, and then as soon as things get rough, they are ready to go battle it out in court. If you want mediation to work, you need to be prepared to put in the hard work. Even when it feels impossible, it isn’t, unless you say that it is. If both of you want it to work, it definitely can. You both just need to put in the work, be prepared to listen, and be ready to come up with a good compromise. If you are going into mediation thinking that it isn’t going to work, you are going to be right. It won’t work if you are going to want to go to court as soon as things get hard. So, go into mediation with an open mind.  Know what you want out of the divorce and what you are willing to compromise on. Before you even meet with your mediator, you need to have a plan. What is non-negotiable, and what are you willing to compromise on? Even better, you should know why you feel that way, so that you are able to talk about your reasons.  If you are in college and your spouse was paying for it, you may not be able to pay for it once the Denver divorce mediation process is over. Are… --- ### Answers to Common Denver Divorce Mediation FAQ's - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/answers-to-common-denver-divorce-mediation-faqs/ - **Published:** 2023-02-15 - **Modified:** 2023-01-18 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for answers to 5 Common Divorce Mediation FAQ's from the Denver divorce attorneys at Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** While going through a divorce can be extremely difficult, this process can be made even more stressful if a lengthy, contentious court battle is involved. Some couples may even put off initiating divorce proceedings because they are afraid of the costs associated with going to court and the potential emotional toll lengthy court proceedings can take on the family, particularly if children are involved. If this is the case for your and your spouse, you may want to consider choosing divorce mediation instead.  Mediation allows couples to work together to take control of their own lives and make informed decisions about their future for themselves without the intervention of a judge. This process is often quicker and cheaper than going to court, helping couples to dissolve their marriage in a simpler matter. However, if you and your spouse are starting the process of getting divorced and you are unfamiliar with mediation, you may find yourself wondering what mediation involves and how you will know if it is right for you. To help you make this important decision, here is a look at answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about Denver divorce mediation.  What is Divorce Mediation? If you are unfamiliar with the process, the first thing you may find yourself wondering is what exactly Denver divorce mediation is. Simply put, mediation is a process for divorcing couples in which they negotiate the terms of their divorce with the assistance of a mediator (usually a divorce attorney). Mediation provides a non-adversarial alternative to traditional courtroom litigation that allows couples to work together to reach an agreement when filing an uncontested divorce without court intervention.  With the help of a neutral third-party mediator who uses dispute resolution techniques, couples can use mediation to avoid the courtroom altogether, allowing them to dissolve their marriage in a manner that is mutually beneficial to both parties. Once all terms of the divorce have been agreed upon, a Denver divorce attorney can even help with the process of filing all papers with the court. The mediation process is then much simpler, cheaper, and quicker than a contentious court battle, making it a better alternative for couples who are willing to work together to peacefully end their marriage.  What Are The Benefits of Mediation? As we previously mentioned, the main reason many couples choose Denver divorce mediation over litigation is that it provides a simpler alternative to a prolonged court battle. However, there are many reasons why couples may choose divorce mediation. Some of the benefits mediation can provide include: It saves time, allowing you to start the process of healing and moving on. Mediation gives you more control to make important decisions that will affect your life. It benefits children by reducing the conflict associated with a lengthy court battle. Mediation allows couples to proceed at their own pace without the time constraints of court proceedings, providing flexibility during a difficult and emotional time.  Mediation can save a significant amount of… --- ### Positive Aspects of Divorce on Children - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/positive-aspects-of-divorce-on-children/ - **Published:** 2023-02-01 - **Modified:** 2023-01-18 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click here for the 6 Positive Aspects divorce can have on your children. The divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver can help your family **Content:** Most people truly believe that divorce is a bad thing.  It is the end of a marriage, and two people have to figure out where they are going to go from there. Then, there are the children. They are more likely to struggle in school and get in fights with other children. They may also rebel against authority and even you. You may notice that your children become anxious and depressed.  That being said, once the smoke clears and a new life begins, Denver divorce mediation may be the best thing for your children. It is often better to show your children that they can get out, instead of staying in a marriage that isn’t working for anyone!  Here are some ways that your divorce may be better for your children. Your children may be a lot happier.  There is a lot of tension in marriages that aren’t working. Even if you avoid conflict in front of your children, they often know that something isn’t right. They probably know more than you realize.  Your children are going to be able to feel the tension in both you and your spouse. This can make them tense, and many children misbehave. They may do everything that you would expect from children of divorce. They may struggle in school and start fights. They may push their friends away. They may fight you and other people who are in authority. They may rebel. Some children turn to drugs, alcohol, and even sex to make them feel better.  You may be surprised that, once the tension is gone, your happy children are back. They may feel a whole lot better. School may improve. They may make more friends, and become more sociable. You may be amazed at how much happier your children are, once they are out of that environment.  It can also help your relationship with your children.  Though you don’t want to be a single parent, it is often great for your relationship. When you have your children, they can be at the top of your mind. You don’t have to worry or take care of your spouse.  Going through Denver divorce mediation together can bring you closer. You can cry together. You can work together to pick up the pieces and start your new life. You may both go through periods of grief, anger, and sadness. Together, you can and will get through this (and come out the other side stronger people).  This will also give you plenty of time to spend together.  It doesn’t matter if you have joint or full custody, you have plenty of one-on-one time with your children. Even if you only have visitation, you have the chance to make the most of the time that you do have together! You can make memories and do things that bring both of you joy, without worrying about everyone else and their feelings!  When you don’t have your children, you have a chance to take a break. Single parenting can… --- ### Divorce Cybersecurity: How to Protect Your Accounts After a Relationship Ends - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-cybersecurity-how-to-protect-your-accounts-after-a-relationship-ends/ - **Published:** 2023-01-18 - **Modified:** 2024-12-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 9 Divorce Cybersecurity tips from Denver's leading Divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple to keep your accounts secure after your relationship ends **Content:** Separating two lives is always a complex process. Separating finances, households, property, and mutual relationships is enough to fully occupy anyone’s attention. But while you’re working on the logistics, keep an eye on your cybersecurity. Not all marriages end in mutual respect, and couples sharing a household also often share passwords and other security details. Now is the time to change everything. Even if you parted on mutual terms, even if your ex would normally never do something harmful to you – Denver divorce mediation is a difficult time, and sabotaging someone digitally is often the most tempting when more drastic actions are ruled out. From social media pranking to revenge spending, it’s always better to prevent a potential disaster before regrettable actions can be taken. As Denver divorce attorneys, we know that digitally separating from a spouse can be as difficult as financially separating. Let’s talk divorce cybersecurity. In truth, these tips can and should be applied to all household break-ups, whether it’s parting roommates, partners, friends, or ex-spouses. Make a List of All Accounts Your Ex Your Password To Your spouse likely knows your primary password, and perhaps a few secondaries if they have a knack. If you have ever shared devices or web browsers, they likely have your passwords saved alongside a list of your most frequented accounts and services. Move forward based on this assumption. You will want to change your password everywhere. Make a list of all your accounts. Use your own browser and device history, password manager files, and card statements to make sure the list is complete. Then systematically change the password to a brand new password for each. This simple choice is a non-confrontational and effective way to secure your accounts, identity, and personal finances. Change Your Email & Social Passwords Take steps to prevent digital impersonation. This is uniquely easy for spouses and long-term partners to accomplish because they have likely spoken on your behalf and even answered messages for you. Quite often, the one bitter move in an otherwise functional divorce will be digital sabotage. Divorcing exes, even reasonable people, have been known to go through an emotional crisis and log into their exes accounts to delete files, post embarrassing content, jeopardize a job, or sabotage a shared project. The best way to prevent your ex having the opportunity to impersonate you is to cut off access to your personal accounts. Change your email password -on all your email accounts. Then change every social media account password, including your favorite forums and discords. Change Your Bank Account Password and PIN Protect your finances by changing the password with your bank and with every credit card, loan, line of credit, and even shopping accounts with saved payment information. Don’t forget to change your PIN. You may also want to change any known secondary security details – like security questions your ex would know – in the process.  Change Your Media Streaming Passwords By far, one of the most popular “petty revenge”… --- ### 8 New Year's Resolutions for Getting Divorced - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/8-new-years-resolutions-for-getting-divorced/ - **Published:** 2023-01-04 - **Modified:** 2024-12-19 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 8 New Year's Resolutions for divorce and divorce mediation services from the Denver divorce attorneys at Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** The New Years’ and divorce have a lot in common. In both situations, you are looking back at the path behind you – often with a certain amount of regret – and getting ready to start fresh on the future ahead. Divorce leaves you a new person; newly single and newly able to make decisions 100% for yourself. Whether you are in the midst of a divorce right now or just recently finalized, now is the perfect time for a few powerful New Years resolutions. Here at Split Simple, we help divorcing people make decisions and plans for the future all the time – any time of year. But we know that New Years’ is a special time for those who are starting a new chapter of their life at the same time as the new year begins. So for all those who are getting divorced, or have recently divorced this winter, here are some great New Years’ resolution for a bright year of flying solo ahead of you. Focus on Your Future The single best resolution when getting divorced is to focus on the future. Instead of looking back to the past and thinking about what else could have happened, focus on what you can do today – with your two hands, two feet, and powerful human brain. What can you do? Where can you go? What new relationships can you forge or new career achievements can you attain? The past is behind you, but the future rolls out like a red carpet. Now is your chance to reinvent yourself based on who you are as an adult and what you want to do with your life; starting from this moment. Make Smart Financial Decisions Every Day Another powerful resolution (for anyone) is to resolve to be financially smart each day. Challenge yourself to think twice about impulse-buys and always look for the best price. Be proud of yourself every time you make a tasty meal at home instead of ordering out.  Life presents us with the opportunity to make financial mistakes or wise choices every day. The more you try to make careful and smart financial decisions, the more of those opportunities will leave you feeling stronger and with more in your pocket than where you started. When building a new life after a divorce, smart money decisions can make the difference between struggling and thriving on your own. Be the Best Co-Parent You Can Be If you have children with your ex, now is the time to step up and become an incredible new person: A co-parent. Co-parenting isn’t like parenting at home because you have to work like a remote yet coordinated team with your ex. When to swap, for how long, and where the kids will be at all times is something you’ll need to coordinate. The more civil and savvy you can be during this necessary teamwork, the happier you and your children will be. Don’t just let co-parenting happen, make your New Years’… --- ### 7 Ways to Split Holiday Child Custody Schedules That Work - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/7-ways-to-split-holiday-child-custody-schedules-that-work/ - **Published:** 2022-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 7 Holiday child custody schedules that work for families during and after divorce from our Denver divorce mediation attorneys 720-501-4600 **Content:** When two people separate, the holidays are a difficult time for both. But when there are children in the mix, the matter of custody and family time can complicate matters. Both parents want special time with the children during the holidays, and often it feels like this could be an all-or-nothing fight. Ultimately, however, what matters most is that quality parental time is protected and that your child’s experience is the top priority. This is true for more than just small children. Grade-schoolers and even teens need to feel like their family is stable, and that their lives are not about to crumble beneath them because of the divorce. A fair and fun holiday custody schedule can really make a difference in helping your children to feel stable and loved during this time. Agreeing on a fair schedule can also take a lot of the stress and strife out of your Denver divorce mediation process. At Split Simple, we have helped thousands of separating spouses build a supportive shared holiday schedule that is both fair to both parents and creates enjoyable stability for their children. Let’s look at some of the child custody schedules that can work for different family structures.   Split Holiday Custody Schedules Split holiday child custody occurs when parents take turns spending time with the kids over the holiday season, and split specific days and times to make this possible. There are many different ways to split the holidays depending on your time, families, and schedules. The Thanksgiving/Christmas Split There are two major feast holidays in the American holiday season: Thanksgiving and Christmas. For families that are big on feast days, you can split these two so that one spouse gets Thanksgiving (and the long weekend) and the other spouse gets Christmas. This split is often favored when both of the parent’s families want to spend time with the children, especially if  your pre-divorce tradition also included seeing one family for Thanksgiving and another for Christmas. The Thanksgiving split can also work well if the Thanksgiving spouse is very busy and may not have enough of Christmas break available. Christmas and New Year’s For a different type of family, splitting Christmas and New Year’s might feel more appropriate – especially with older kids and teens who can be more involved in the New Year’s eve late night celebrations. If one parent wants to plan a great New Year’s adventure with the kids, this can be a great way to make sharing Christmas easier. Especially if the family traditionally meets with the other spouse’s family, and this is where the children will want to be on Christmas Day. Taking New Year’s is an opportunity to build new traditions that are fun for the family without disrupting old traditions that the children may rely on for stability. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day For parents who both want to spend the specialness of Christmas Day with their children, consider a Christmas Eve / Christmas Day split. The first parent takes… --- ### Divorce and the Holidays: How to Survive the Holidays During Your Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-survive-the-holidays-during-your-divorce/ - **Published:** 2022-12-14 - **Modified:** 2025-01-03 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for tips on how to survive the Holidays during your divorce mediation from the Denver divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce in Colorado is never an instant process. It takes time to go through separation, negotiate terms, draw up the divorce documents, and then for your Denver divorce mediation to be processed by the courts. All this means that most divorces take several months, and some can take upwards of two years to complete. So if you find yourself in the middle of a divorce around the holiday season, you’re not alone.  In fact, divorce during the holidays is known to have some pretty intense effects, even if everyone remains calm and civil. You are likely to feel some pretty strong emotions, and there is often more than enough additional drama going around involving the splitting of families and traditions. This is a time of year when family blending is at its peak, and a divorce can turn your entire holiday experience on it’s head. If you have children, this adds both emotional and logistic complications to an already complicated issue. The holidays may not be easy during your Denver divorce mediation, but you can get through them. Whether you’re ready to build the “new you” this holiday season or your goal is simply to survive to the other side, we’re here to help. As Denver divorce mediators, we’ve helped to guide many divorcees through this difficult time and have a few pointers to share that might make this season a little easier for you. Prepare for the Emotional Roller Coaster Divorce and the holidays are an almost guaranteed recipe for emotions. Humans care deeply about family and holidays, whether your traditions are big or small. It’s in the genome, and even little things can create a huge emotional impact when your family situation is in flux during this time. Thoughts about family, about separation, and about losing the traditions you may have loved best often bubble to the surface, and you can feel stronger emotions than you expected to. So brace yourself. The emotional roller coaster is going to come, so you might as well buckle in for the ride. If you know that bouts of sadness or frustration are on the way, you can also more easily deal with these emotions when they come along, and then make the best rational decisions when each storm passes. Rebuild Your List of Favorite People Denver divorce mediation and the holidays are complicated because of how married couples tend to blend family relationships. You may have been close with some or all of your in-laws, or you may be happy to never see them again. You may be spending the holidays with your own parents and siblings for the first time in a while, or the first time going solo without your partner since the wedding. You may be able to accept invitations to celebrate with friends for the first time in years. There are even divorces where a divorcee might stay friends with their in-laws while a disreputable ex is on the outs. Whatever your situation and relationships, now is… --- ### How to Handle Holiday Parental Visitation when Separated or Divorced - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-handle-holiday-parental-visitation-when-separated-or-divorced/ - **Published:** 2022-11-23 - **Modified:** 2025-01-03 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for tips from Split Simple on navigating holiday parental visitation when you and your spouse are separated or divorced in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** The holidays are an important time for family to spend time together, even if only for short and meaningful visits. For divorced parents, scheduling holiday parental visits is not just compliant with your Denver divorce mediation agreement, it’s important for your children. Statistics have proven that children need both their parents. This maintains their sense of stability. Having a good relationship with each parent supports a positive view of themselves as half of that parent, and likely to resemble them in the future. At Split Simple, we know that every family situation is different, but children emotionally need support from those who have raise them, especially around the holidays. No matter what the emotional context of your relationships may be, it’s important that children spend time with parents, guardians, and lifetime caregivers who have provided their sense of identity and security while growing up. As long as all parental visitation is safe and loving, families can and should work together to make them possible. But you don’t have to figure it out solo. There are several models of parental visitation that work and may fit your family’s schedule, situation, and needs.     Holiday Parental Visitation Parental visitation is traditionally and often legally mandated time that a parent can spend with their child, whether they have custody or not. Split custody often also includes split holiday plans, but parental visitation can take a different form, where one parent spends just a few hours with the children as their guardian or as a guest in the children’s permanent home.  Limited Time vs Limited Access It’s also important to differentiate between limited time and limited access. Most co-parents have limited time during parental visitation, but going out to dinner, an adventure, or staying the weekend are all perfectly fine. The children may have a second holiday with their visiting parent, share a long outing, or host them at the children’s home. This is also true with split custody where one parent cedes most of the holiday, but has time for a shorter visitation with the children due to their own schedule. With limited access, there are some parents that need supervision when with their children. They may be medically unwell and therefore not an able guardian or someone prone to erratic behavior. Parental time is still important, but these situations may call for hosted-only visits. Co-Parents, Grandparents, and Guardians One should also consider all of a child’s lifelong caretakers. While statistics favor children who have a strong relationship with both parents, the parental roles are not always both birth parents. A child raised by their grandparents, foster parents, aunt, or older cousin will still form a parental bond with the person who raises them. A strong and long-standing bond with the child should be considered when making holiday visitation plans.  Going Out for Dinner The most traditional way to schedule a short holiday visitation is a dinner outing. With or without supervision, the visiting parent can take their children out to a restaurant and… --- ### Things To Do When Going Through a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/things-to-do-when-going-through-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2022-11-09 - **Modified:** 2022-11-28 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 11 things you should do when going through the divorce mediation process from the divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple in Denver **Content:** Going through a divorce can be quite a challenging time. You may not be sure what you should and shouldn’t do. You don’t want to do anything that could slow your divorce down. For this reason, you have to be careful about how you act while your Denver divorce mediation is still in process.  So, what should you be doing when you are going through a divorce?  Find the Right Lawyer.  You should never go through a divorce without a Denver divorce attorney by your side. He or she will fight for you and make sure that you are happy with your settlement offer. When you are ready to give in and just sign the papers, he or she will help you get through this difficult time. Your Denver divorce attorney will fight to make sure that you get what is fair.  Consult a Financial Planner.  Many people come out of divorce with a different financial situation than they had before. It doesn’t hurt to talk to a professional to get yourself back on track. He or she may even be able to help while you are going through the Denver divorce mediation process to make sure that you are in a good spot when your divorce becomes final. If not, your financial planner can find a way to improve your situation as quickly as possible.  Spend Time With Family and Friends.  You also shouldn’t be alone outside the courtroom. You need to be able to find some family and friends that you trust. While you may want to keep the details private, it helps to have some people that you are able to relax around. Make sure that you go out to dinner and spend evenings with friends, just like you would have, if you weren’t in your situation. Talk With Other Divorcees Nowadays, most people know several people who have gone through a divorce. It often helps to talk to someone who has been where you are, and has come out on the other side a much happier person. Not only might you be able to find a Denver divorce attorney that you can trust, it often helps to have someone to vent to.  Give Yourself Time to Grieve A divorce is like a death, so you need to mourn the loss of your marriage. Take some time to cry, get angry, and feel whatever it is that you are feeling. Spend a few days in your pajamas on the couch. Eat things that aren’t healthy for you. Do whatever you need to do to mourn your marriage, and then pick yourself up and move on.  Take Care of Yourself Now is not the time to let go of yourself. Though you may spend a few days or weeks on the couch, you can’t do that forever. You need to make sure that you are eating well and getting enough sleep. Make sure that you go outside daily for some exercise, even if you just walk around the… --- ### Denver Divorce FAQ: 10 Common Divorce Questions and Useful Answers - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/denver-divorce-faq-10-common-divorce-questions-and-useful-answers/ - **Published:** 2022-10-19 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 10 frequently asked questions about divorce mediation from the divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Most people are not divorce experts when they decide to end their marriage. You probably haven’t read up on your state’s divorce laws or asset separation policies. You likely aren’t an expert on drafting legal documents and submitting them to the court. Most people come into divorce knowing what they’ve seen on television legal dramas. Divorce seems to be a dramatic battle between lawyers over every end-table and child custody weekend. But it doesn’t have to be. With a more subtle understanding of Denver family law, you can easily forge a path to a more peaceful, functional, and even mutually beneficial separation from your current spouse. You don’t have to be an expert on divorce when you can work with one.   Split Simple is a Denver divorce mediation service. We make it easy to work out all the details and reach a beneficial divorce agreement. But first, we usually field a lot of questions. Our divorce mediators often start the pre-session consultation or the first session by dispelling a few frequently asked questions and common misconceptions. Here are just a few of the common questions we hear and answers we often give to spouses seeking a Denver divorce.   1. Can We Get an Uncontested Divorce If We Have Disagreements? In Colorado, you can file a contested or uncontested divorce. A contested divorce is overseen by a judge who will make rulings on all your disagreements, and is argued by the two traditional divorce lawyers for each party. An uncontested divorce in Denver is one where the spouses submit a mutually written divorce agreement to the court for approval.  Can you submit an uncontested divorce if you have disagreements? Yes, absolutely. There’s no need to give up your power over final divorce terms if you don’t have to. Simply resolve your disagreements before drafting the final document. A Denver divorce mediator can help you resolve disputes and draft a mutual -uncontested- divorce agreement after resolutions have been found. A contested divorce is only necessary if spouses are unable to discuss or compromise. 2. Who Decides How Assets are Divided in a Colorado Divorce? First, the state laws decide. There are many rules about asset separation in a divorce because there is such a long history of how this can be done disastrously – to the ruin of one or both parties. Therefore, first your personal assets will be designated – those you owned separately before the marriage and any exclusive gifts or inheritance since then. Next, individual accounts will mostly be separated, but certain things like a marital business (even if primarily operated by one spouse) and retirement funds may need to be separated according to fair division laws. Once the law has had its say over portions and division, the two spouses and their advisor can decide exactly what is divided. For example, it’s better to keep your retirement accounts separate and balance the books with furniture or investment shares instead of opening an IRA early to split the funds.… --- ### Tips to Talk to Your Children About Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/tips-to-talk-to-your-children-about-divorce/ - **Published:** 2022-10-05 - **Modified:** 2022-11-28 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 9 Tips for speaking with your children about your divorce from the divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Making the decision to get divorced can be excruciating. However, when you have children, it can be even worse. Trying to figure out what is best for them can be difficult for most parents. Most parents don’t want to give up custody, even if it is what is right for the children. A parent who works sixty hours a week is not going to be able to care for the children during the week. It is as simple as that! Setting up visitation and figuring out who gets the children when can be terrifying. Nobody wants to lose their children! They still want to be involved in their lives, no matter how much they have to fight for that.  However, before you start worrying about child custody and what is going to happen after your divorce mediation in Denver, you have to find time to sit down and talk to them about it. Here are some tips to help.  Have the Conversation Together You both need to sit down and talk to your children about the divorce. You shouldn’t leave it on the other person, even if you are really busy at work. Instead, find the time to tell your children together.  Have a Plan Before you Start That being said, you should never go into this talk being unprepared. You need to have a plan of what you are trying to say, before you sit down in front of your children. This is not one speech that you can make up as you go. Know what you are going to say, so that you don’t blow this talk! Both of you need to talk about this conversation before you sit your children down. You need to know what you are going to say, as well as things that you shouldn’t say.  Don’t Blame Each Other Too many parents pit their children against each other. However, if you want your children to have a good relationship with both of you, you need to find a way to stop blaming each other. This is essential when giving the talk. You can’t blame each other for the divorce. Even if you are really angry at your spouse, you can’t let your children know that.  Keep it Simple Your children don’t need to know the whole story. Even if your children are a little older and realize that something is going on, keep it simple. You are simply going through the Denver divorce mediation process because you don’t get along anymore. You can’t live in the same house together anymore. They don’t really need to know anything more than that about your relationship. In fact, you shouldn’t involve them any more than that.  Keep it Age-Appropriate When your children are really little, a simple we don’t get along well anymore is enough. If your children are a little older, and see what is going on, you may need to talk to them a little more. Listen to your children to see how much… --- ### Who You Need to Talk To About Your Divorce (and What to Say) - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/who-you-need-to-talk-to-about-your-divorce-and-what-to-say/ - **Published:** 2022-09-21 - **Modified:** 2022-12-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Here are tips on who to tell about your divorce and what to say to them. Our divorce mediation attorneys in Denver can help you navigate 720-501-4600 **Content:** When you decide to move forward with Denver divorce mediation, it can be a very challenging time, one where you may need to lean on others in your life. That being said, it can be very hard to figure out who you can really talk to. Some people will want to shout it from the rooftops, while others won’t want to tell anyone (because they feel like they have failed).  It can be a really personal thing, to decide who you want to talk to about your divorce. Here are the people that you need to tell about your divorce.  So, who do you tell about your divorce? Your children.  Your children need to hear about the divorce from you. You don’t want them to hear about it from anyone else. For this reason, they should be one of the first people that you tell. The best way to do this is by sitting them down together and just letting them know that you are getting a divorce. Then, you can talk about what is going to change in their lives.  Your parents and family.  You are also going to want to tell your parents and family right away. You are going to need to be able to lean on them in the following months, so it is a good idea to tell them before they hear it from someone else. They may need to help you get through Denver divorce mediation and as you start to move on with your life. They may even step up and help with the children as you figure out your new life.  Your friends.  Your friends are probably equally important to you as your family, so you are going to want to talk to them right away also. Hopefully, they will stand by you and help you as you start this next chapter of your life.  Your co-workers.  Many people see their co-workers more than they see their family. Depending on your job, you may feel pretty close to your co-workers and consider them good friends. However, it can be hard to figure out if you need to tell them about your divorce. You should definitely tell your boss, since it may affect your job over the next few months. You may need more time off to go to your Denver divorce attorneys. You may need more time to spend with your children as they too are going through this difficult time.  As for your co-workers, you can pick and choose who you tell. That being said, word will get around and others may be hurt that you didn’t feel the need to tell them. A quick “I’m getting divorced” could be enough to satisfy your co-workers.  Other people in your life.  You can pick and choose who you feel the need to tell. You may want to let people know when it comes to your children. Their teachers and coaches may need to know, so that they can be on the lookout… --- ### Things Not To Do When Going Through a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/things-not-to-do-when-going-through-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2022-09-07 - **Modified:** 2022-11-28 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Here are 8 things you should avoid doing when going through a divorce from the divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** It can be quite confusing to go through a divorce. You might have some freedom, more than you ever wanted or imagined. That being said, you can’t just go out and do whatever you want. You don’t want to do anything to ruin or stall your divorce process.  Here are some things that you can NOT do when going through divorce mediation in Denver.  Don’t Wait.  Once you have decided that it is time to get a divorce, you shouldn’t wait. Too many people wait until the holidays are over, or their children have left the house. However, if your marriage is that bad, should you really suffer for another few months (or even years)? The truth is that the divorce is going to hurt, no matter when you decide to file and get started.  Don’t Forget to Hire a Divorce Attorney. You should never go through this process alone. You need someone to guide you through and fight for you. That being said, you need to hire the best Denver divorce attorney that you can afford. He or she will work with you and your ex to make sure that both of you can be happy with the settlement that is made.  Don’t Forget to Consider Divorce Mediation. If your divorce is pretty simple, you may want to consider going through divorce mediation in Denver. Not only is this a cheaper option, but it is also often quicker so that both of you can move on with your life sooner.  Don’t Give Up. Too many people want out of their marriage as soon as possible, meaning that they will sign anything if it makes that happen. However, you really need to fight for what you want and need in court. You shouldn’t just give up, and find yourself in financial trouble, simply because you couldn’t wait to get out! Instead, you should get a fair settlement.  Don’t Forget About the Children. If you have children, it can often be hard to figure out what is best for them. However, you need to take a step back and figure out what they need. If you barely have time for them during the week due to work, you shouldn’t be the one who has them during the week. If you are the one who usually does school drop-offs and pickups, it would probably be in their best interest for you to continue to do so.  Be fair when it comes to child custody. Though you may not want to give your money away to your ex, the truth is that money should be used for your children. If they are used to getting new clothes before the school year starts, they should continue to be able to do so. If they play sports, you should continue to allow them to do so by helping with the added expenses.  Don’t Put Them in the Middle.  Your children are going to need your support as their entire lives change. You shouldn’t put them… --- ### My Denver Divorce Attorney Won't Let Me Seek Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/my-denver-divorce-attorney-wont-let-me-seek-mediation/ - **Published:** 2022-08-24 - **Modified:** 2025-01-03 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** If your Denver Divorce Attorney won't let you seek Divorce Mediation, contact Split Simple's divorce attorneys for advice on how to proceed 720-501-4600 **Content:** There is an inherent conflict between the interests of certain types of Denver divorce attorneys and the Denver divorce mediation process. Why? It’s about how you use (and pay for) your time when preparing for a divorce. The goal of a Denver divorce mediator is to help both spouses find mutually agreeable solutions in the shortest amount of time. A mediator will help spouses work out disagreements, sort finances with the most practical and fair methods, and make sure your divorce agreement allows both spouses to build an independent life after separation. If there are children involved, a divorce mediator can help parents work through the highly emotional matter of child custody to build a plan that can grow with the family and facilitate co-parenting. Why Divorce Lawyers and Divorce Mediators Work Differently The traditional divorce lawyer system and divorce mediation technically work on two different priorities. Denver divorce attorneys are obligated to prioritize the needs of just one client, each spouse, in a divorce. They have to fight for their client’s best interest – and some interpret that as fighting to the exclusion of all other considerations. What a Denver divorce mediator wants is to see both spouses and all involved children or pets living happy, healthy lives after the divorce , which means working fast and working well together. Divorce attorneys have also typically discouraged spouses from talking to each other for fear that agreements may arise that are not 100% aligned with the look-out-for-one approach.. This is also why traditional Denver divorce attorneys may discourage you from seeking divorce mediation – which considers the needs of both separating spouse – as opposed to the two-lawyer approach where each lawyer represents only one spouse Why Some Lawyers Prevent You from Negotiating Without Them In a long history of potentially vicious divorces, perhaps we can understand why many Denver divorce lawyers often actively discourage their clients from speaking to each other – that is – discourage spouses from talking once they are both represented by a lawyer. But this approach can prevent you from other practical conversation, like continuing to co-parent or manage the logistics of separation without two contentious lawyers present. Some divorces really do need two separate and dedicated lawyers. If one spouse needs to be protected from the other, or in cases where spouses really can’t work together, two lawyers can get more done just by being emotionally removed and following the prescribed process. They will fight for spouses who want to do combat in the courtroom, and they will defend a spouse who may need devoted representation apart from the other.  They can even facilitate divorces between spouses who just can’t match schedules for live meetings. However, for any spouses who can have a few quick, civil conversations and work out the terms of a practical departure, your priorities align exactly with that of a Denver divorce mediator. In fact, we encourage spouses to prepare paperwork and reach practical prior agreements before coming in so… --- ### Positive Effects of Divorce \| Denver Divorce Attorneys - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/positive-effects-of-divorce-denver-divorce-attorneys/ - **Published:** 2022-08-10 - **Modified:** 2022-11-24 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** The negative connotations of divorce don't outweigh the positive effects divorce can have on your family. Contact our Denver Divorce Mediation Attorneys today **Content:** When people hear the word divorce, they often think negative thoughts. For those who are going through a divorce (or have been through one), it may feel like a failure. They had a planned future and nothing is going to end up how they thought. Many feel like failures, since their marriages didn’t work out.  For those who have not been through a divorce, they may also think of a divorce as a failure. They may not understand how someone could choose to get divorced, no matter how bad the marriage is. They may think that divorce isn’t an option, at least not for them.  That being said, there are some positives when it comes to Denver divorce mediation. Here are some of the positive effects that you may see (even if it takes you awhile to notice them).  There Is Less Tension When marriages are in trouble, there is often a lot of tension in the air. Both parties feel wound up when they are with the other. This can be stressful for both parties. That being said, it can also be difficult for the children. Even young children can feel the tension in the air. Teenagers, though they may spend most of their time in their bedrooms, can also feel it.  Your Children Will Be Happier Tension in a home can be hard on children. Some children may misbehave. Your younger children may start fighting amongst themselves. Older children may get in fights at school. They may struggle in school, due to the stress of the household. Their grades may drop significantly.  Children of all ages may quit listening to you, and you may have a problem on your hand. Younger children may become disrespectful and break things. They may be hard to control, due to the craziness of their life. Older children may find themselves in the wrong crowd. They may turn to drugs in order to deal with their feelings.  Build a Better Relationship With Your Children Being a single parent may feel like the hardest thing that you ever did, but it might be the best thing to happen to your relationship with your children. Now that you don’t have to put your spouse’s feelings first, you can focus on your children. Together, you can work through your feelings and may find yourself bonding as you all heal. You may all be dealing with grief, sadness, and anger together. This can only bring you closer.  You also have more time with your children. You will be able to do the things that they want to do. If they enjoy painting, you may want to take some painting classes together. If they enjoy going to the park, make sure that you spend plenty of time at the park.  Both Parties May Find Themselves Healthier Living with long-term stress can be hard on a person. Many people become overweight due to the stress. They don’t take good care of their body, feeding it right and making sure… --- ### How to Achieve a Highly Affordable Divorce in Denver - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-achieve-a-highly-affordable-divorce-in-denver/ - **Published:** 2022-07-20 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Split Simple is Denver's leading divorce mediation firm, with Divorce attorneys in Denver qualified to help you achieve an amicable divorce 720-501-4600 **Content:** Everyone wants a more affordable divorce. It’s not about quality of service or the value of a functional separation document. It’s about how much is left for both spouses to separate with when the Denver divorce mediation is done. The more costly your divorce, the more financial stress your family will experience when the divorce is through. The more affordable the divorce, the more you will have to launch two household with successfully. It’s a simple calculation, but the path to a high-quality and highly affordable divorce is not always clear. First, you don’t have to DIY to save on a divorce. What you need is to become aware of where divorce expenses come from and conquer them one-by-one with a practical plan and a checklist in hand. The Five Ways to Make Your Divorce More Affordable By understanding these five essential ways to reduce the expense of your divorce, you can build a personal strategy out of these pieces that will keep your divorce needs as low-cost as possible without sacrificing the quality of divorce services or the final document that will soon define the next chapter of your life.   Separate Practically:   Minimize moving costs Accurately assign and separate personal items Keep spending reasonable Get Good at Virtual Family Meetings Minimize Your Hours Being Consulted   Skip the introduction speech Pre-compile your paperwork Reach all the easy agreements Seek Consult that Matches Your Priorities Get a Good Deal on Anything You Sell Put Together Several Pre-Divorce Checklists There are tons of pre-divorce checklists available on how to prepare before meeting with a Denver divorce attorney and before deciding on moving forward with the Denver divorce mediation process. You can also find lists that help you check off all the little things that need doing when separating two households, finances, and even checklists on preparing your children for a divorce. Compile several of your favorites after skimming a few and turn them into a master-checklist. Or you can separate tasks into checklists by goal so they feel easier to approach. Then, start checking items off. the more you can complete on your own without paid guidance and the more problems you can solve with minimal spending, the more affordable your Denver divorce mediation will be. Compile All Your Relevant Paperwork The first step is to use those checklists to put together every scrap of paperwork that could be useful – electronic, printed, and mailed. Go through old desk drawers, home office closets, and attic boxes for everything back through the history of your marriage and perhaps before. This is also a good reason to get started inventorying the rarely-disturbed family storage in your home – and digitize any important documents and photos. Comb through your online documents, including old email archives, bank transactions, tax returns, contracts signed, purchase histories, personal folders, work folders, calendars, and so on. Don’t be afraid to screenshot and/or download data from apps and activity histories as well. Sort everything by category and priority, keeping a single… --- ### FAQs: Denver Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/faqs-denver-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2022-07-06 - **Modified:** 2022-11-28 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Here are frequently asked questions from our Denver Divorce Mediators located in Denver. Our Divorce Attorneys can answer your questions 720-501-4600 **Content:** What is divorce mediation? In the state of Colorado, divorce mediation is a process used to create settlements between spouses looking to separate or divorce.  There are many advantages to using Denver divorce mediation. Many couples decide they don’t want to go through the costly and stressful court process where a lot of decisions are out of their hands.  The process is less stressful Conventional divorce proceedings are strife with court appearances, attorney meetings, and multiple, often uncomfortable confrontations. Mediation encourages cooperation between soon-to-be exes.  Divorce can be stressful on the entire family and their inner circle. Working through a divorce is a distraction and makes you less efficient. Reduced stress alone is a major benefit of going with mediation. The mediator helps develop agreements over divorce terms. But they also remove emotion and volatility, ease tension, and promote amicable behavior. It is less expensive Achieving an uncontested divorce with Denver divorce mediation is not as high-priced. Often, they are court-appointed pros, trained in simplifying negotiations and helping all parties keep a cool head. Compared to full-blown divorces, mediation is significantly less expensive. The final cost will depend on the complexity behind splitting assets, determining child visitation and/or custody plan, and other concerns. Divorce is expensive. And frustrating when you hire Denver divorce attorneys and utilize the court. It’s surprising how many unhappy couples stay together to avoid the expense and trouble. If you want to save and both spouses are ready to ease the process, meditation is a sound solution for an uncontested divorce in Denver. How does the process work? The separating spouses meet with the mediator for far fewer sessions than they would lawyers or judges. The group discusses all issues on the table that impact themselves and the children.  The divorce mediator lets the couple control the narrative, stepping in with a reasonable head that guides and facilitates the negotiation. Their job is to let the couple take responsibility for everything from dividing assets to what happens to the dog. While a mediator is well versed in Denver’s divorce laws, they are not lawyers here. They do not offer legal advice or make decisions. They are facilitators, helping couples decide what’s best for their circumstances. Once every issue comes to an agreed conclusion, a document is written detailing the couple’s decisions. Is mediation a sure thing?  When it comes to divorce, there is no sure thing. Even the best-intentioned couples find themselves at odds during the process and end up hiring lawyers anyway. You can voluntarily go into mediation and it’s quite likely a judge will order divorce mediation before taking a case to trial. That’s because mediation allows resolution without interference. The process is also confidential which means, unlike a divorce, there will be no public record. The most critical aspect of the mediation process is communication. It’s the mediator’s job to keep communication channels open and productive. As long you have that and the couple wants to avoid conflict (or at least effectively mediate… --- ### 8 Tips to Stay Sane During Your Denver Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/8-tips-to-stay-sane-during-your-denver-divorce/ - **Published:** 2022-06-22 - **Modified:** 2024-12-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 8 Tips from the Divorce Mediators at Split Simple for keeping your cool during your divorce. Reach an amicable divorce with our Divorce Attorneys in Denver **Content:** A divorce is a big time in anyone’s life. It’s a huge change in your routine, your legal and financial status, and the entire shape of your future. This can feel like a whole lot of stress and chaos in the moment. Divorces have a way of making you reflect on everything that’s come before, and often, a divorcee will start to feel the ground shift under them. Fortunately, this shift doesn’t have to be a house-crashing earthquake. you can ride that tectonic plate change to a new life and a new sense of stability if you can hold onto your sanity during the most chaotic part of this life transition. The best way to stay sane during your Denver divorce mediation is to know the kind of roller coaster you’re about to get on (or are already riding) and how to handle each bump as it comes. That’s why today, Split Simple is talking about methods you can use to keep your perspective, mental clarity, and personal forward momentum during the divorce process and as you adapt to your new solo life. 1. Build a New Routine Marriage has a way of creating a routine. Maybe it wasn’t a great routine, maybe it had some flaws, but it was “normal” for you. Breaking up that routine first by separating from your spouse and then by actually building a life separate from them can feel like the ground slipping out from under you. Your “normal” will be gone and many divorcees report feeling somewhere between adrift and deeply disturbed by not knowing what to do with themselves in the evening or even just waking up somewhere new. Here’s the trick: Your know your life is going to change and you’re changing it by design. So face this challenge like you would face a new job or the simple task of moving to a new house: build a new routine.  Start getting up at a different time in the morning, and doing different things with your after-work hours. Add new recipes to your daily roster  – perhaps with flavors and aromas your ex didn’t like – and build yourself an enjoyable new bedtime routine with luxurious self-care or watching an episode of your favorite show. Do things in a new way, make it your routine, and you’ll forget your old routine sooner than you realize. 2. Talk It Out with Someone Who Can Listen Find someone who can listen when you need to talk it out. This may be a good friend, a counselor, or a relative who’se known you your entire life. It’s not what you say, but your ability to get it all out. Denver divorce mediation generates a lot of emotions and thoughts -Some thoughts you want to keep, and many that you won’t. Talking it out helps you sort out the chaos in your own mind by organizing it into words and examining each thought as it is spoken. Your friend and confidant can also help you… --- ### What Not to Do When You're Getting a Divorce: Six Must-Remember Tips - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-not-to-do-when-youre-getting-a-divorce-six-must-remember-tips/ - **Published:** 2022-06-08 - **Modified:** 2025-01-04 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 6 Tips for what not to do during your divorce from the Divorce Mediators at Split Simple. Our Divorce Attorneys in Denver can advise you 720-501-4600 **Content:** If you’re getting ready for a divorce, no doubt you’ve read a million friendly tip lists on what to do. How to prepare your paperwork, who to talk to, and how to keep taking good care of yourself are all great tips. There are helpful strategies and warm words of encouragement to help you get though this tough time. But we also know that divorce is a chaotic and emotional time. A lot of crazy ideas can pop into your head for how to react to the situation, how to feel better, and how to feel nicely in control of the situation. So before you find yourself doing anything expensive, loud, or drastic, Remember these six essential things not to do when you’re in the process of Denver divorce mediation – no matter how good an idea they may seem like at the time. Don’t Sell Everything on eBay (or burn it down) and Move to the Coast Your marriage, your home, and all the stuff inside your home feel pretty synonymous sometimes. It’s not uncommon to have the desire to sell everything you own and just walk away clean -financially and emotionally. You may also have the urge to sell all your ex’s stuff and purge them from your life. You may also know that eBay auctions can be extremely fun, if that’s your kind of recreation. This can make a very dangerous combination and we absolutely advise that you Do Not impulsively (or methodically) sell all your possessions (or all your ex’s possessions)  – or that you spontaneously cut all ties and move to the coast if you’re feeling some pressure right now.  This is partly because any drastic actions regarding the family finances or assets can cause account friezes designed to protect spouses from vindictive divorce spending and other harmful actions that can be done right before separating shared finances. If you don’t want to get flagged as the vindictive party, hold off on those eBay auctions and beach house tours until the Denver divorce mediation is complete. Don’t Take Yourself on a Lavish Vacation (just yet) When you’ve been through a harrowing personal experience and feel you’re ready to emotionally come out on the other side, going on vacation can be a good idea. However, remember that financial hold policy. If a divorcing spouse is even suspected of being about to spend all the shared money before it can be split, accounts freeze and other negative consequences ensue.  Don’t risk it. For that emotional catharsis, take yourself to local spa instead or travel just far enough to feel ‘away’ for a few days without throwing up any big-spender red flags. You can take yourself on that lavish vacation and/or personal spa bonanza when the divorce is locked in and a little luxury is no one’s business but your own. Don’t Buy Yourself a Ferrari, Boat, or Ski Resort (before the divorce) Times of stress can also result in impulse spending, on large and small ticket items.… --- ### How Denver Divorce Mediators Can Make Your Divorce Easier - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-denver-divorce-mediators-can-make-your-divorce-easier/ - **Published:** 2022-05-25 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for advice from Denver's Divorce Mediators at Split Simple. Our Divorce Attorneys located in Denver can help you reach an amicable divorce **Content:** Divorces are never easy. Nobody gets married to get a divorce. However, divorce may be the only way out when you cannot patch up your differences. The best way forward is to make the divorce as painless as possible. A Denver divorce lawyer can help make the divorce less messy, especially if you both have children. An uncontested divorce is a way to go if you and your spouse have agreed to the divorce, property division, and children-time sharing. Denver divorce mediators can come in handy if you both want to avoid court hearings. A mediated divorce involves an attorney acting as a neutral third party. The divorce attorney facilitates the settlement negotiations according to their understanding of the state laws. It would help if you remembered some things before you entered into mediation: Mediation is a Discussion   Mediation aims at resolving disputes by reaching compromises or mutual agreements. It is not a debate or a win-lose situation. Each party must cooperate for the best outcomes, and it should not turn into a shouting match with the other party. Keep the matter conversational and aim to solve the issue at hand.   A Mediator Remains Neutral Do not try to get the mediator to take your side. A mediator does not place blame or take sides. The mediator’s job is to stay neutral, help the couple manage the dispute, and come to a compromise. The mediator establishes some meeting rules and keeps the parties in check. The mediator also allows both parties to identify and solve their issues.   A Mediator is Not a Judge At the end of the mediation process, a mediator does not make a judgment on the dispute. If the couple cannot come up with agreeable terms, the matter moves to court. In an ideal mediation, the parties agree, and the mediator drafts the paperwork detailing their wishes. The mediator does not give orders or make decisions for you and acts as a peacekeeper during the negotiations.   Mediation Takes an Open Mind and Tact Mediation is not a situation where you go in with demands and expect your spouse to meet them. Mediation means listening and respecting your spouse’s point of view, being tactfully honest, and being willing to compromise. It would help if you kept an open mind when walking into mediation. What Happens After Divorce Mediation? Mediation is much easier than litigation. After some additional steps, a couple working together to draft a separation agreement finds it much easier and faster to finalize the divorce. The two of you can mutually agree on the divorce details during the mediation. If you both agree and declare that the divorce grounds are the irretrievable marriage breakdown, all you need to do is filling some forms and file them in court. You will both get a final review hearing. You can file a motion through your Denver divorce attorney to waive your final hearing attendance. The judge may or may not grant the waiver. The hearing is short, and… --- ### Denver Family Law Attorney: FAQs About Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/denver-family-law-attorney-faqs-about-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2022-05-11 - **Modified:** 2022-06-08 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Divorce Mediation FAQ. Click Here for the questions the divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple receive about divorce mediation in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Choosing to get a divorce is often one of the most difficult decisions you will have to make, and it can leave you confused about what steps you need to take moving forward. This is particularly true if you have children you will be co-parenting with your former partner, as you may find yourself looking for a way to move forward without the drama of a court battle. If this is the case, then you may want to consider choosing divorce mediation. Denver divorce mediation allows couples to work together to find a path forward that is mutually agreeable and will allow them to achieve closure quickly and with as little hassle as possible. Yet, if you are unfamiliar with divorce mediation, you may find yourself wondering what exactly divorce mediation is and what the benefits are of choosing this option when dissolving your marriage. To help you decide if mediation may be right for you as you move forward with your divorce, here is a look at the most frequently asked questions we receive about divorce mediation in Denver.   What is Divorce Mediation? The first thing you may find yourself wondering is what exactly is divorce mediation? Denver divorce mediation is a non-adversarial alternative to courtroom litigation that allows couples to work together and reach their own agreements when filing for an uncontested divorce. During divorce mediation, couples meet privately with a neutral third-party mediator (who is often a divorce attorney) to help them negotiate mutually beneficial agreements regarding property settlement, spousal support, child support, and custody. Denver divorce mediation attorneys are specially trained to help couples resolve disputes and can help couples dissolve their marriage without the hassle of having to go to court. Once all terms have been agreed upon, a Denver divorce mediator can then assist the parties in filing all papers with the court. This process then helps couples to avoid having to appear for lengthy court proceedings.      What is Decided During The Divorce Mediation Process? During the process of filing an uncontested divorce, a mediator plays a key role by helping facilitate communication between parties so that they can reach an agreeable solution regarding the dissolution of their marriage. Yet, this may lead you to wonder what issues are decided upon during the mediation process. While each marriage is unique and presents its own challenges that must be addressed during the process of getting a divorce, a mediator will likely help you make decisions regarding: Parenting Issues A mediator can prove instrumental in helping couples determine how they plan to move forward as co-parents following their divorce. This can include making decisions regarding legal and residential custody of a child, parenting/visitation time, and developing a co-parenting plan that both parties agree to abide by. Division of Assets --- ### Who You Should Listen To When Planning Your Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/who-you-should-listen-to-when-planning-your-divorce/ - **Published:** 2022-04-20 - **Modified:** 2022-04-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 7 experts you should be listening to if you're in the beginning stages of your divorce. Contact Split Simple in Denver today for expert divorce mediation advice **Content:** Getting divorced is one of those situations where it helps to have perspective. So you talk it out with people you know and trust. Maybe you have a heart-to-heart with your mother about the course of the relationship. Perhaps you sit down with your counselor or religious leader. You might have a close friend you trust with your personal feelings or a loving if pushy relative who has plenty of advice to give. The question is: whose advice should you listen to? Talk to enough people about your divorce and you’re sure to get contradicting tips on how to cope, strategies to try, and what to expect. It’s important to know who to listen to when planning your Denver divorce mediation. These decisions can influence the rest of your life.   Who Not to Listen To on Your Divorce The first step is to eliminate the obvious list of people you shouldn’t listen to – no matter how well meaning or how much they love you. Sometimes the depth of their love for you is blinding to a fair and balanced perspective. Sometimes, the other person’s motivations are so blatant that they can’t be trusted.    Your Emotional Friends Your Opinionated Family Members Your Boss Your Psychic Your Spouse’s Divorce Lawyer Those you shouldn’t listen to on practical divorce planning include your most emotional friends and relatives – who are great at providing emotional support but not so much on unbiased opinions. They’re on your side 100% without consideration for any other factors you might need to consider. Watch out if your coworkers – and especially if your boss – starts to dispense divorce advice. This is often a harmless attempt to relate experiences, but sometimes family advice from work can have other motivations at play. Finally, you should no more listen to your spouse’s divorce lawyer than you should get divorce advice from a phone psychic. Opposing divorce lawyers are – by contract – working for your spouse and not for you. So who should you listen to when planning your divorce? Yourself First and foremost, listen to yourself. This may sound corny at first, until you look at the situation from a more distant perspective. This divorce is about separating two adult lives and what comes next should factor heavily in your plans. What do you want? What kind of life do you want to lead as a newly single person? How do you feel about working with your ex on a mutually beneficial divorce, or do you need more space than that? Throughout your Denver divorce mediation, regularly “check back” with yourself. Ask yourself how you, as a solo person, really feel about the situation and what you want to see happen next. Let this bee your compass as you plan your own future. Your Financial Advisor Always check with your financial advisor before getting a divorce. Don’t have a financial advisor? Check with your bank about consulting on your accounts, both private and shared. Talk to someone who… --- ### 9 Situations Where a Denver Family Law Attorney Can Help You - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/9-situations-where-a-denver-family-law-attorney-can-help-you/ - **Published:** 2022-04-06 - **Modified:** 2022-04-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** If you're considering a divorce in Denver and are concerned about the affect on your children, contact the Family Law Attorneys at Split Simple in Denver today **Content:** When do you call a family lawyer? Family and personal concerns that cross into legal action are what family law was built for. Family law is the branch of legal practice that concerns families and personal lives. While everyone knows that a family law attorney is needed for divorces and custody agreements, family law truly covers a wide range of needs ranging from wills and estates to adoptions and emancipation.  The right time to call a Denver family law attorneys isn’t just in times of crisis, you may also benefit from family law during any time of family transition where legal action will smooth the way for your family’s intended future. Let’s dive into the 12 unique circumstances where a family lawyer is the right person to have on your team to achieve your goals, defend your rights, or build a better future.   The Big Three Most people know that family law attorneys can help with a divorce. Divorce is a branch of family law, meaning it concerns civil matters relating to the legal family status. A divorce is the severance of a marriage contract, the redistribution of wealth, the determiner of child custody, and itself a contract that must be honored by the separated spouses. So here are the “Big Three” reasons why you might call a family attorney for Denver divorce mediation: 1. When You’re Planning Divorce or Legal Separation When a divorce or legal separation is in your future, always consult a family lawyer. They will help you outline your options and how your divorce is likely to go. When you’re ready to get started, a Denver family law attorneys can help you build a strong divorce, mediate a divorce agreement, and/or defend you during adversarial divorce negotiations. Ultimately, your family law attorney will help you draw up the right divorce at the end of the process. 2. When Your Need to Re-Negotiate a Custody Agreement Your initial divorce may include a custody agreement, but circumstances change over time. If you need to re-negotiate that agreement because of changes with you, your ex, or even your growing children, that’s all perfectly normal. Reach out to a family lawyer to conduct the necessary changes to your divorce contract and custody agreement. This creates a new legally binding custody agreement under the new terms, better adapted to your new circumstances. 3. When a Divorce or Custody Agreement is Not Being Honored If your ex is not honoring the divorce or custody agreement in a way that is causing problems, seek legal help. A Denver family law attorneys can help you hold your ex to account, exact penalties, extract support payments, or rework the agreement so their rights offer less of an opportunity to hurt you by defying the terms of your divorce agreement. When Else to Call a Family Law Attorney Of course, divorce isn’t the only branch of family law. There are many circumstances where a family law attorney is the only person who can help you complete… --- ### Considering Denver Divorce Mediation and Family Law - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/considering-denver-divorce-mediation-and-family-law/ - **Published:** 2022-03-23 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** If you're located in the Denver Area and considering a divorce, you need to consider Divorce Mediation in Denver from the Family Law experts at Split Simple **Content:** In Denver, there are two kinds of divorce: contested and uncontested. A contested divorce, or litigious divorce, is one where the two spouses cannot agree on terms for a divorce contract and the court must step in. They each arm up with lawyers and demand what they believe to be a fair or punishing share. Ultimately, the fight goes to the courtroom where a judge must make the final decisions. This process is traditional, but also notoriously costly, stressful, and traumatic for families during and after the split.   It’s no surprise that most spouses look into alternatives. An uncontested divorce is one where the divorce contract is completed, signed, and submitted to the court without any necessary intervention. Any path used to reach this final agreement, provided the terms are fair and legal, and are acceptable for more peacefully (and affordably) ending a marriage.  Divorce mediation in Denver is among the most popular alternatives to a litigious divorce.   What is Divorce Mediation? In divorce mediation, both spouses share one mediator who provides legal and financial advice in building the divorce agreement. The goal of Denver divorce mediation is to write a divorce agreement that works best for both spouses and all other related family members. An ideal divorce agreement helps both spouses launch separately and creates a balanced, flexible co-parenting framework that adapts as the children grow up. The mediator helps spouses deal with differences – with an eye toward fast, practical resolutions. They will also help you avoid “rookie mistakes” in divorce terms, ensuring that your terms are legally sound and won’t set you up for accidental pitfalls in the future (like keeping the house without income for the mortgage). Whether you agree on separation terms or you expect a fight, divorce mediation can help reduce the conflict and costs of your divorce while increasing the practical stability of your final agreement. How Divorce Mediation Works You, Spouse, and Mediator You sit down with your spouse and mediator for a straightforward conference to hammer out your divorce terms. Prepare Your Records and Paperwork We tell you which documents to bring to save you time and money on billable hours. You come prepared and we help you take a practical approach to splitting your assets and dealing with any special circumstances. Two-Hour Mediation Sessions We meet for focused two-hour sessions. We find most spouses can conclude a mutual divorce in one to three two-hour sessions. The sessions also allow you to prepare for session efficiency between meetings. Check Terms Off the List Our goal is to build a solid divorce agreement. We’ll check off the necessary and desired terms one by one, you’ll see results within the first session. Sign the Completed Divorce Contract When all the terms are agreed on, we’ll write a complete legal document, ensuring that it is legally compliant, fair, and agreeable for both spouses. File Your Divorce with the Court Once your document is filed with the court, it will be processed and you’ll be… --- ### 6 Things To Consider When Going Through A Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/6-things-to-consider-when-going-through-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2022-03-09 - **Modified:** 2023-04-07 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Getting a divorce can really change your life. Not only that, it can change your children's lives. For this reason, you should do everything that you can to finalize your divorce as quickly as possible. One way to do this is by going through mediation, instead of the court system. It allows you and your ex to sit down and hammer out the issues with your lawyers instead of fighting it out in court. **Content:** Getting a divorce can really change your life. Not only that, it can change your children’s lives. For this reason, you should do everything that you can to finalize your divorce as quickly as possible. One way to do this is by going through mediation, instead of the court system. It allows you and your ex to sit down and hammer out the issues with your lawyers instead of fighting it out in court. So, what things do you need to talk about when going through mediation? Here are some of the most common concerns and things that you need to figure out how to split up. How to handle the situation until the divorce is finalized. Many couples live together while they are going through a divorce. Others choose to have one person move out of the home until everything gets settled. However, paying for two homes can become expensive, while you are trying to get through the divorce. You should create a budget together so that everyone has a place to live and money to spend while mediation is going on. Your children. One of the hardest things about divorce is deciding what to do about the children. You need to figure out who should have the children and when. You also need to discuss visitation with other family members, including grandparents. You can’t forget to talk about holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. Will you split holidays or do your best to celebrate them together? It is also important to talk about how you are going to handle things that come up pertaining to the children. Will one parent get to make most of the decisions or should all decisions be made together? As you figure out child custody, you need to talk about child support. If one person has the children more than the other, child support should be a part of the conversation. Even if it is not, you need to discuss how you are going to split bills when it comes to them. Is one of you going to buy clothing? What about health insurance and medical bills? What about college? These things should be discussed and written down, so there is no confusion in the future. Spousal support. You are going to need to decide whether or not one person deserves spousal support. If one decided to stay home with the children, you may want to support her as she adjusts to being a single parent and having to go back to work to help support her family. If one person supported the other during the marriage (such as one going to school while the other worked), spousal support should be discussed. Then, if one person is entitled to get some help, you need to talk about how much support that person needs, as well as how long you should do it. You may just feel like the one person should be supported for a few months while he or she adjusts to a… --- ### 10 Questions to Ask Your Denver Divorce Attorney About Family Law - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/10-questions-to-ask-your-denver-divorce-attorney-about-family-law/ - **Published:** 2022-02-16 - **Modified:** 2024-12-19 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 10 Questions you should ask your Denver Divorce Mediation Attorney about family law. Our Denver Divorce Mediators can help your family navigate divorce **Content:** When getting divorced, it’s important to find the right legal professional to help with the process. You will need your documents checked, disagreements settled, and assistance with financial splitting. You will also need someone to give you good advice and shares an understanding of your values. When you start touring Denver family law attorneys for a divorce lawyer, you will want to make sure you’re a good fit. It is absolutely vital to find a divorce lawyer that understands you and will help pursue the divorce in a way that works for you. Not to mention that hiring legal services can often be a maze of financial baffles that hide the final price. For these reasons, it’s important to ask a few essential questions of your divorce attorney before you start your lawyer-client relationship and entrust them with your divorce. 1. “How many years of family law have you practiced? Are divorces your specialty or part of your body of work?” First, it’s always a good idea to ask about experience. Discover if you’re dealing with someone who’s new and fresh in the game or an old hat who knows all the tricks. A Denver family law attorney may have seen their way around the legal domestic block a few times. Someone who has done a lot of family law has extra experience in things like custody, prenups, restraining orders, and juvenile misbehavior. Someone who has specialized primarily in divorces will have everything you need smooth and ready to go. 2. “Can you handle my business/property/assets in the divorce?” It’s important to find a divorce lawyer who understands the challenges of your finances. This is one of the leading reasons that people need a divorce lawyer; to unsnarl shared assets into a mutually fair settlement. You have good reason to ask the family law attorney if they have experience managing your specific types of assets. This is especially true if your shared assets are complex, like a family business, investments, and trusts. 3. “Do you practice collaborative divorce or mediation?” Collaborative divorce takes the conflict out of the divorce process. Not all Denver divorce lawyers can accommodate you if you want a conflict-free divorce agreement. Many stick to the tradition of two-spouses, two-lawyers, and both sides compete to come out on top. For a more peaceful divorce experience, you can seek a divorce mediator or a Denver family law attorney who can handle collaborative divorce proceedings. 4. “How can I estimate your costs to complete my divorce?” Cost is always an important concern in a divorce. The last thing you want is to come out of the separation with all your reserve money spent on unexpected legal fees. The more straightforward a family law attorney is, the more likely they will stick to a fair price. Ask to see quotes, costs by the hours, and roughly what to expect from your divorce prospects. Many great divorce legal services offer standard packages and flat fees or an easy-to-understand session system without… --- ### When, in the Process of Divorce, Should You Speak to a Denver Family Law Attorney? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/when-in-the-process-of-divorce-should-you-speak-to-a-denver-family-law-attorney/ - **Published:** 2022-02-02 - **Modified:** 2022-03-09 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for when to speak to a family law attorney during the process of your divorce in Denver. Our Denver divorce mediation attorneys can help your family **Content:** Family law deals in many areas where the law intersects with family and home life. A Denver family law attorney is someone who has practiced in adoptions, name changes, delinquent teen cases, and more than a few divorces. A family law attorney is who you want to see if you are planning a divorce and want to make sure you make the right moves every step of the way. They will help you build strong policies and a good foundation for your separated future. But when is the best time to consult a Denver family law attorney about your divorce? Some people can almost completely DIY the paperwork and visit a legal service just to have their documents reviewed and notarized before turning them in to the court. Others are dealing with thorny issues that require regular coaching and counseling while hammering out the important mutual fears like shared child custody. With each thorny issue, you may need a dedicated consultation with your family law attorney. So when should you speak to your family law attorney on your divorce? When You’re Considering Your Options The first time most people tend to seek divorce legal advice is when determining their options. This can happen after or long before your separation starts in earnest. You may need to know where your finances will stand after the divorce and what kind of life you can build. You may be concerned about splitting a shared business, property, or accounts. It’s important to know everything when you’re about to make a major life decision. A divorce is a big cluster of major life decisions, each defined by the laws of your state and the terms of your divorce agreement. A Denver family law attorney can give you the perspective and information you need to make the right decisions moving forward. When You Are Securing Your Personal Possessions and Assets Often, the easiest way to avoid losing personal items in a divorce is to secure them before you start sorting shared assets. Working with a family law attorney can help you determine exactly what is legally yours and yours alone. Generally, this includes items and assets that belonged to you before the divorce along with gifts given personally to you. So your childhood collections and your inherited family heirlooms can be secured before you start dividing the house, cars, and all shared assets. However, be careful. It’s smart to consult with a lawyer over dividing assets as you start dividing just in case something you want to take is officially a shared asset. The last thing you want is for accounts and assets to be frozen because your spouse is afraid you’re emptying the house. If You Are Concerned About Safety Not all divorces are peaceful. Some are angry. Some are extremely emotional in other ways. You may need the help of a divorce legal professional if you are worried about safety – yours, your children’s, or even the safety of your spouse. See a lawyer… --- ### Benefits of Divorce Mediation in Denver - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/benefits-of-divorce-mediation-in-denver/ - **Published:** 2022-01-20 - **Modified:** 2022-03-09 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the benefits of contacting a divorce mediation attorney in Denver rather than the courtroom divorce approach to reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** When going through a divorce, you may not realize that there are different options that are available to you. While many try to do it on their own, others go straight for the courtroom. They are ready to fight for everything that they want to get out of this difficult time. They may be prepared to duke it out in court, no matter how long it takes. That being said, there are other options. In fact, Denver divorce mediation might be your best option.  Here are some reasons why you should consider going through mediation.  You need someone to help you get through this If you are able to agree on everything, you might be able to get a divorce by yourself. However, that is rarely the case. Most divorces aren’t that simple. You may have children to consider, and it might be too hard to decide who should get them (and when). Figuring out child support can also be complicated. Even if you don’t have children, you might be struggling over dividing your assets. You may want to stay in the home that you bought together, and aren’t sure how to do that. Denver divorce mediation lawyers will help you get through the complicated and help you work together to come up with a settlement that works for both of you.  You get to make the decisions, along with your ex.  When divorces go through the court system, a judge is going to be the one who decides how to divide everything up, including what is going to happen with your children. The judge isn’t going to know you or your ex, so he or she might not be the best person to decide on the divorce settlement.  Instead, when you use mediation, you can work together to come up with a settlement that you can both live with. You can both decide what is best for your children. The judge may not realize that one parent does most of the care, so he or she should have the children the majority of the time.  Your divorce will be resolved faster.  When you go to the court system to get divorced, you may find yourself stuck in limbo for months. In really tricky situations where both sides won’t give in at all, it could take years to end the marriage. However, when you go through Denver divorce mediation, it is done at your pace. If you have a simple divorce where you already know who is getting what, your marriage could be over rather quickly. If you need extra time, you can move at your own pace. You can take one thing at a time, until you have found the settlement that you both can live with.  It is cheaper than going through the court system.  Divorces can really add up, especially if you can’t come to an agreement about something like child custody and support. Every hour your lawyer is fighting for you, it is going to cost… --- ### The Importance of Family Law in a Denver Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-importance-of-family-law-in-a-denver-divorce/ - **Published:** 2022-01-06 - **Modified:** 2022-03-09 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the importance of the experience and expertise of a Family Law attorney when exploring Divorce Mediation services in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** How do you choose your divorce services? In Denver, there are a dozen different ways to go about a divorce. You can hire two opposing lawyers and take each other to court, like in the movies, or you can try to DIY your divorce with downloaded paperwork and hope for the best.  Most people, however, benefit from the help of a Denver family law attorney or a legal service that often works with the many complex aspects of family law. If your divorce is not worksheet-simple, family law is where the nuances of a well-written divorce come into play. Complex issues like child custody and co-parenting plans, splitting shared property, and all the little details in between are the purview of the family law branch of the legal practice. While other types of legal service and attorney may be able to help you, a family law expert is where you will find the experience and guidance needed to navigate the rocky waters of writing a beneficial divorce agreement. What Does a Family Law Attorney Do? Name Changes Child Custody Agreements Guardianships Paternity Marriage Separations and Divorces Pre and Post Nuptials Protective Orders Juvenile Matters Emancipation Family law relates directly to domestic matters; legal concerns as they involve family and the home. Family law can help you change a name or assign guardianship to an elderly parent. Family law oversees most juvenile matters including child custody agreements, teenage emancipation, youth delinquency, and overseeing teen marriages with parental permission.  Naturally, family law also relates to marriage and divorce. A Denver family law attorney might draft you a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. They can also handle drafting a separation agreement and divorce documents – which often encompass some or all of the other aspects of family law. Most people go to a family law attorney when planning a divorce, and those that have practiced beyond divorce services Why Family Law Expertise Matters in Divorce Divorces are rarely neat and tidy separations. Often, there are complex issues that require a delicate touch when extricating two separate people from married life. Here is where experience in family law really pays off. A good divorce agreement doesn’t just declare separation, it can be used to set up a better starting-point for both separated spouses and the families they are still connected to. Children and Child Custody If you have children, you want family law on your side. An experienced family law professional will know how to help you build a functional and flexible child custody agreement. Today, child custody has far more options than it did 20 years ago. Equal split custody and shared co-parenting are far more common. Many parents are choosing to keep the kids in the house and take turns living with them. Kids also grow up,  so their needs and schedules will change over time. A smart Denver family law attorney will know how to balance these elements into a custody and co-parenting plan that works well for everyone. Juvenile Matters For… --- ### 10 Smart Ways to Minimize the Cost of Your Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/10-smart-ways-to-minimize-the-cost-of-your-divorce/ - **Published:** 2021-12-13 - **Modified:** 2025-07-24 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 10 Ways to minimize the cost of your divorce. Click Here for tips from the divorce mediators at Split Simple located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** How much does a divorce cost? Some ex-spouses can take care of the entire procedure for less than $5,000 while others have found themselves astounded at a bill of over $100,000. What’s the difference? What did the first couple do right or the second couple do wrong to create such an enormous cost difference between divorces? While the number of assets and divorce-term complexity can contribute to your final cost, the real difference is whether you approach your divorce in a smart way that saves money or an emotional way that spends money. We know that most Illinois couples would rather have those thousands to split as assets instead of draining the funds into a costly divorce. So we’re here to share the top ten smart ways to minimize your divorce costs while still getting the quality and detailed divorce process that you need.  Avoid Court and Trial Divorce It is a practical fact that the costliest divorces are those taken to the court room. Two lawyers worth of attorney fees, court fees, and constant document filing fees will quickly drain your divorce funds. The more a couple wants to fight, the more billable hours they work with their lawyers. This is how a modest divorce can start moving toward the $100,000 range. If you want to keep your divorce costs low and maintain control of the final terms, then keep your divorce out of the courts. Do not opt for a trial divorce and don’t let a lawyer talk you into one. Trial divorces are usually only truly necessary when one spouse is engaged in criminal behavior that must be curbed by the courts and the other spouse protected. Set Realistic Goals Few people get everything they want out of a divorce.  Those that are fully satisfied have accurately assessed their assets and have set realistic expectations. For example, these days very few spouses are granted alimony payments, now called spousal support.  Alimony or palimony is reserved for those who really can’t work and support themselves. When it is granted, usually it is temporary until the supported spouse can finish school or job training. Expect to get about 50% of assets. It’s also unlikely that any emotional scores can be evened with the divorce terms, so a practical approach is your best possible choice. Get Your Finances and Paperwork Ready Lawyers and divorce consultants tend to bill by the hour.  That means the more hours of help you need, the more costly your divorce will be. Fortunately, you can reverse that logic to save yourself a significant amount. Instead of asking a lawyer to guide you through arranging your finances and personal documents, take care of that on your own. Online divorce guides can tell you which documents to gather. You may also seek a consultation from your bank or financial advisor as you prepare your finances for divorce. Being together and ready for the legal process allows you to spend the least possible time, thus money, on completing… --- ### Resolving Property and Financial Disputes with Denver Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/resolving-property-and-financial-disputes-with-denver-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2021-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-01-03 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for help resolving your property and financial disputes during your divorce. The divorce mediators at Split Simple located in Denver can help you! **Content:** There are two ways to deal with a conflict in a divorce. The first is to hire two lawyers to rip each other to shreds. If you have the spare funds and you want a fight, this might be your favored option. Of course, if you’re like most people, even the bitterest disagreements in a divorce over things like finances and shared custody, you’re still thinking practically about solutions. The second way to deal with conflict in a divorce is Denver divorce mediation. This doesn’t mean you have to get along, merely that you and your spouse and mediator will work together to come to reasonable agreements about each of the disputed issues. Your mediator will help you stay grounded on what is normal and mathematically even, no matter where your headspace is during these important decision-making steps. Most importantly, you are preparing for two separate lives. By resolving your conflicts with mediation instead of lawyers, you can save the funds and build strong divorce terms for a better life in the near future. Outside of personal and family matters, the most disputed issues in divorce are the division of finances and properties. Together, your shared assets must be fairly separated with the most benefit and least hassle or cost for both parties. In Denver divorce mediation, we know that separating is hard but with careful planning and mediation, your life after divorce doesn’t have to be.   Financial Division The most difficult thing for most people to separate during a divorce is their finances. Building a life together often means completely shared assets including houses, cars, businesses, and investments. Even if you have kept your finances relatively separate, the law may require you to split assets you were not prepared to split, like retirement accounts, if the balance is too uneven. Whether your dispute is about who gets the house or how to properly divide the household assets, Denver divorce mediation can help settle issues and reach a fair, legal, and supportive solution. Bank Accounts Family bank accounts are often the touchiest part of a divorce. The reason it’s tough is that you will likely keep sharing these accounts, often tied to household payments, even as you separate. It’s very common to want to do some pre-divorce spending to either comfort yourself or deny funds to the other person. Separate bank accounts are also disputed over, as one spouse have more tucked away than the other. Your Denver divorce mediator will help you fairly assess shared and private accounts and find a legally fair way to divide them, cover bills, and avoid reckless spending together. Investments Investments are assets owned by both spouses that are currently accruing interest or generating income. Often, investments are sold and the liquid funds divided fairly but if you want to keep investments like, for example, valuable stocks. Your Denver divorce mediator can help you decide the right course of action to maintain the value of your investments and fairly split that value between spouses.… --- ### Why Divorce Mediation is a Good Choice When Children are Involved - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/why-divorce-mediation-is-a-good-choice-when-children-are-involved/ - **Published:** 2021-11-18 - **Modified:** 2022-01-13 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click here for more about how divorce mediation in Denver from the Denver Divorce mediators at Split Simple is a good decision for couples with children **Content:** Getting divorced can really change your entire life. There are many options. Though most people think about court and the nasty battles, the truth is that there is a better option. Denver divorce mediation involves lawyers, but not through the court system. In fact, when mediation is used, the divorce can be settled a lot easier, without the fighting.  When you have children involved, you are going to want everything to go smoothly, which is why mediation may be a good choice. Here are some other reasons why you should choose mediation.  You can settle out of the courtroom, without a nasty battle.  Like most people think, some divorces can become very nasty (and quickly). Both sides fight and fight, until there is nothing left to give. Both parties come out on the other side, broken and angry. It can take a long time to get over those feelings and move on.  Your children deserve better than this. You don’t want (or need) them to get involved. They shouldn’t have to take sides. They shouldn’t have to deal with parents who are too angry at each other that they don’t have anything to give their children. In fact, many of these children will end up dealing with these issues for years to come. It is just not healthy for them! They may have emotional scars to bear for the rest of their lives. No parent should want that for their children.  It is much more cost-effective to use mediation.  Parents can spend tens of thousands of dollars on divorce, especially when they get dragged out for months or even years. This money has to come from somewhere, so some parents will end up taking all of their savings, plus the savings of their children just to pay for the divorce.  Denver divorce mediation is much less expensive.  This is because one neutral person is used to help couples divide up their assets. With mediation, the parents can continue to save up for their future and the future of their children. They may even use this money that they saved to go through counseling to help them move on with their new life.  It also takes less time.  When a divorce mediator is used, the divorce can be settled in a few months, instead of taking a year or more. Once it is settled, all the parties involved can start to heal and move on. The parents can find themselves settled in new homes, and they can focus on starting their new life. A custody agreement will be hammered out so that the children will know where they are going to be and when. Child support will also be determined, so that both parents can take a long look at their finances to get ready for their new future. Life won’t be in limbo for a long period of time, which is hard and unhealthy for everyone involved.  Mediation doesn’t ask the children to choose between their parents.  Too many custody… --- ### Practical Tips for Handling Winter Holidays During a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/practical-tips-for-handling-winter-holidays-during-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2021-11-04 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click here for practical tips for navigating winter holidays and family gatherings during your divorce from the divorce mediators at Split Simple located in Denver **Content:** Most divorced spouses have a rough holiday season after the initial separation. But most of the tips out there are for people who are recently divorced; how to get through that first year without the previous nuclear family structures. There are tons of tips on how to stay cheerful, handle co-parenting, and ideas for fresh New Years Resolutions. There aren’t so many tips on how to handle the holidays if you’re in the process of getting divorced. Here at Split Simple, however, that’s what we deal with every day.  Denver divorce mediation is all about finding the most practical answers for thorny financial and emotional matters – like how to handle the holidays. Divorces also don’t happen instantly, which makes it all the more possible that you might be right in the middle of separating and negotiating when it comes time to stuff the stockings and play Santa for the kids. So how do you handle the holidays in the middle of a divorce? We’ve thought about it, we’ve dealt with it before, and we have a few practical tips for anyone asking themselves these important questions this holiday season. Build a Practical Holiday Budget If your finances are still combined, the best strategy is to mutually decide how much of that reserve will be spend on the holidays. This will help both parties avoid anything that will be seen as excessive or revenge spending and keep your finances stable for post-divorce success. Decide What You Will Spend on the Kids If you have children, this is the most important financial decision of the season. Decide, together, how much you will spend on gifts for them and split it evenly. Get your kids separate gifts or, if you decide it’s best, go in together on something big like a laptop or a ten-speed. Decide how much you’ll spend on stocking stuffers and any other “Playing Santa” traditions that focus mainly on the kids. Set Fair Budgets for Family Gifts and Home Decorations Next, set fair separate budgets for gift-shopping and home decoration. Each of you still has a right to get gifts for your mothers and cousins, and to deck the halls a little. Just be sure neither goes overboard from the shared account. This is also a good way to avoid impulse spending from private accounts that often accompanies both holidays and divorces. Get a Head Start on Post-Divorce Holiday Traditions If you are already separated in the process of divorcing – but your divorce isn’t final yet – now is the time to start building those post-divorce holiday traditions. Make plans to spend more time with your families of origin, or your separate close personal friends. It’s time to talk about whether it’s OK to stay in touch or send gifts to the in-laws, and how to handle mutual friends during a separated holiday season. New traditions are especially important if you have children. Determine who gets Christmas Night vs Christmas day – whether New Years is more… --- ### 5 Signs Denver Divorce Mediation May be Right for You - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/5-signs-denver-divorce-mediation-may-be-right-for-you/ - **Published:** 2021-10-27 - **Modified:** 2021-11-18 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Contact Split Simple today to see if our divorce mediation attorneys are the right fit for you and your spouse to reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** Divorce is often a difficult process that can be stressful and emotional for all parties involved. If you are currently in the process of getting divorced, one of the biggest causes of your stress may be a worry that there will be a long, expensive court battle. However, divorce does not have to be a bitter and contentious process. In fact, in some cases, couples may be able to avoid going to court altogether.  If you and your spouse are still amicable, you may be able to avoid court by using Denver divorce mediation to help you work out any disagreements and reach a fair settlement. With mediation, you and your spouse can take control of the divorce process and work together with a neutral mediator to reach a settlement that works best for both of you. While divorce is never easy, mediation can help to make this process as simple, affordable, and stress-free as possible.  Yet, mediation is not the right option for every couple. To help you decide whether you and your spouse may be able to settle your divorce outside of court, here are a few signs indicating that Denver divorce mediation may be right for you. Split Simple provides Denver divorce mediation for couples experiencing any of these issues in their marriage, and many others. Contact Split Simple today to see if we’re the right fit to help you reach an uncontested divorce in Denver. You Have Simply Grown Apart There is often a misconception that all divorces are contentious and that most spouses despise each other by the end of their marriage; however, this is not always the case. Oftentimes, couples will simply grow apart over time and realize that they no longer feel a romantic connection. In this situation, going to court may not be necessary, as you will likely be able to reach a settlement amicably.  In many cases like these, a couple can work with a mediator to quickly find a solution without the stress and hassle of a court battle. You and your spouse can then take control of the situation rather than doing everything according to the court’s agenda, which can help the process to move much quicker than it would have otherwise. This makes Denver divorce mediation a great option if you and your spouse still have a friendly relationship. You Can Still Work Together  One of the most important factors you will have to consider when trying to decide if mediation is the right way to go for your divorce is how well you and your spouse work together. In order for mediation to work, both parties must be willing to listen to one another and work together to reach decisions that will be mutually beneficial. Mediation then likely will not work if your marriage has devolved into screaming matches, and you are no longer able to communicate peacefully. However, even if you and your spouse have a strained relationship, Denver divorce mediation may work if you are… --- ### Identifying COVID Cabin Fever in Your Divorce Plans - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/identifying-covid-cabin-fever-in-your-divorce-plans/ - **Published:** 2021-10-13 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Is it COVID cabin fever or are you in need of a divorce? Contact the Divorce mediators at Split Simple located in Denver today 720-501-4600 **Content:** 2020 was a crazy year of lock-downs and cabin-fever. We stuck it out, we worked at home, we held it together for months. During this time, we knew everyone was going to go a little nuts. Stuck at indoors with your entire family for days and weeks is enough to rattle anyone’s nerves, no matter how much you love your family. Couples who both wound up working at home have faced the greatest challenge, learning not only to live with your spouse but to work next to them as well. Believe it or not, it’s perfectly normal to suddenly hate the way your spouse types, the pens they leave scattered on the kitchen table, or the sound of their throat-clearing across the hall. It’s normal to suddenly find their jokes less funny or even find the fire in your marriage fading after years of healthy smolder. With the Delta variant sending spouses back to working at home, frustrations are at a peak. Here at Split Simple, we focus on finding the best solutions for every Denver couple considering divorce. One thing we have noticed in the recent months is that many couples contemplate divorce as a response to COVID lock-down frustrations, whether this is a case of cabin fever or stress-revealed matters that require a swift and permanent separation. COVID Divorces are On the Rise If you’re thinking about divorce right now, you’re not alone. COVID introduced a new level of stress, access, and closeness that can put pressure on any marriage. In some situations, that stress revealed real relationship severing flaws in the relationship. In others, stress alone has been enough to create a rift between spouses. The kind of stress we’ve all health with can amplify any troubles, whether they are boredom or dishonesty. However, if your primary motivation for divorce is that you can’t stand each other anymore, it might be cabin fever. This is a common symptom of two people, even loving people, locked in a house for too long. Is it over, or COVID cabin fever? In the process of planning for divorce, it’s often a good idea to take some personal alone-time to figure out your feelings and plans. In this time, many have found that their need is to return to a normal level of intimacy – with some time alone as well as time with your partner. Here are some of the leading reasons why COVID lock-down conditions have been causing marital rifts: You Weren’t Meant to Be Co-Workers So many loving couples love to spend their free time together – but make terrible co-workers. Enjoying each other’s humor and taste in movies is not the same thing as having the same work style. Millions have no idea about how their spouse works, if they tap a pen or pace around or shout on the phone. You might be offended, bothered, or just plain maddened by working in the same place as your spouse. When you’re not distracting each other, you find… --- ### What to Do Before You Call a Denver Divorce Attorney - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-to-do-before-you-call-a-denver-divorce-attorney/ - **Published:** 2021-09-29 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Here are some steps you can take before contacting a divorce attorney. Call divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** When you’re considering the big decision of divorce, it’s important to have someone you can talk to about the issue. But that someone doesn’t need to be your divorce attorney. Often, spouses will seek out an attorney for consultation early in the divorce process, and it’s good to know your options. But this can also get the legal process involved far sooner than necessary, at some expense in billable hours.  Your lawyer is going to ask you for paperwork or offer to compile it for you. They will suggest you take certain emotional and logical steps to prepare for the divorce, and Denver divorce mediators often spend some time as counselors along the way. You can save a bundle in billable hours by taking care of all these steps before you speak to a Denver divorce attorney and get the legal ball rolling. Let’s dive into the smart steps anyone can take before calling the divorce attorney to streamline the process, reducing both costs and stress.   Build a Dossier on Yourself You are about to change your legal status from married to single. Your taxes will change, your residence may change, even your name might change. You’re also about to build a solo life from the ground up. The effort to put together all your financial, medical, legal, and career documents in one place is going to be pretty enormous. The fun approach is to consider it a spy’s dossier on yourself. Go through the necessary steps to put together the ultimate file on you, anything you might need to divorce, move, buy a house, get a new doctor, or enroll your kids in school should be included. It’ll save you time looking for everything later on. Get a Full View of Your Finances Divorce and finances are always closely woven together. Many spouses share banking accounts, household accounts, or credit cards as part of running a shared household. Separating these accounts can be complicated, especially if they remain active (to continue paying bills) through the divorce.  Determine your personal finances, accounts and cards only in your name, and the shape they’re in. Then assess the shared finances and decide whether there’s a risk of stress or revenge spending. It is often necessary to freeze shared accounts when a divorce is in progress. Then get a view of your spouse’s finances and determine if they have any assets or debts you were unaware of. This will better prepare you for the financial stage of the divorce process. Talk It Out With a Personal Confidant It’s common to open up to your divorce lawyer when talking about the painful and deeply personal topic of divorce. But any time with your lawyer is billable hours, which means many pay attorney prices for counselor services. Instead, talk it out with a friend or counselor before you schedule a divorce attorney consultation. Hash out your feelings. Get past the crying or yelling that’s pent up inside and go through the existential question-asking that always… --- ### How Your Kids Can Be Heard in Divorce Mediation in Denver - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-your-kids-can-be-heard-in-divorce-mediation-in-denver/ - **Published:** 2021-09-15 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Our family law attorneys located in Denver at Split Simple can help with child custody agreements during your divorce mediation sessions **Content:** Most of the time, we try to keep children out of divorce proceedings. Kids don’t need to see volatile emotions or the specifics of your split finances. They don’t need to hear the honest things you’ll say while getting to the heart of more practical divorce matters. But sometimes, kids do need to be or feel involved when their entire world is changing or is subject to change because of the divorce. Some children want to stay out of the divorce, want to hear as little about it as possible. Some are even wise enough to wish you and your ex happier lives apart. But some children experience serious anxiety or even have very real concerns that need to be addressed as you hammer out your divorce agreement. When this happens, it’s important to have a path to involve your child or children without exposing them to anything that might be emotionally painful.  Denver divorce mediation creates a safe and solution-focused environment where even your children can be heard, if necessary. When Kids Need to Be Involved in a Divorce It would be great if your kids could always be kept out of the divorce proceedings. But what do you do if your seven year old can’t stop crying because they are so worried about the future, or when your teen has serious concerns about how your custody plan will impact their future as young adults. In these circumstances, you may need to have a long, serious conversation with your child about the divorce, maybe many conversations, even if you would have liked to keep the entire process more isolated from family life. In situations where your child’s concerns go beyond what can be talked out at home, divorce mediation makes it possible for them to join the conversation and voice their concerns to your mediating advisor in a safe environment. Talk to Your Children Gently but  Honestly About the Divorce The first step is always private conversation. IF your child is overly concerned or involved in your divorce, or just very upset about it, sit down for a talk. Small children should be assured that both parents still love them dearly and that change isn’t scary. Hugs and plenty of time with both parents is important, but your child may still want a seat at the table when it comes to who they will live with and the methods you use to split custody. Teens may need to talk realistically about where they will live, what school they will go to, and what they need to stay sane. Many teens know they are stressing out about the divorce and are more upset than they’re willing to admit. Often, teens develop extremely strong opinions about your divorce in response to these emotions and often their points are valid and worth talking about before you lock their future in stone with your divorce terms. Invite Your Children to Write Down Their Divorce Concerns Your kids might not need to join in… --- ### Discover How A Denver Family Law Attorney Can Be A Compassionate Resolution Post COVID - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/discover-how-a-denver-family-law-attorney-can-be-a-compassionate-resolution-post-covid/ - **Published:** 2021-08-25 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** The family law attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver help can help you reach an uncontested divorce post COVID with divorce mediation **Content:** A divorce can be a very temperamental time for everyone involved. Dissolving a marriage can have a lasting emotional and financial impact on your family especially children. In fact, research suggests, “kids of all ages also suffer the emotional impact of divorce.” Mediation is a compassionate resolution compared to traditional divorce, and it’s an opportunity to focus on rebuilding your new life.  At Split Simple, we focus on an amicable solution for Denver residents seeking an uncontested divorce in Denver. Keep reading more details below to discover how mediation flourished during the pandemic and why it’s here to stay.  The Pandemic: Mediation Becomes A Favored Divorce Option While some people used the quarantine as a chance to bond, others used it as a time to admit having irreconcilable differences. Quarantine was a time many couples decided they didn’t want to stay in their marriage. For others, the pandemic was a time to be alright with living a life independent of their partner. Leslie A. Soley, blogger for Business Journal online writes, “mediation is an amicable way to work through a divorce during a pandemic.” She also discussed the fundamentals of divorce during COVID-19 as a result of a loss of income and prolonged unemployment, homeschooling, and the increased burden of taking care of the family. Soley notes, “each couple has different reasons for divorcing during the pandemic, but mostly all of them have been related to personal differences spouses were unable to ignore during the pandemic.” “Forced togetherness has  resulted in 34% of Americans getting divorced,” says host, Charlie Kirk of 1280 AM KIT News Talk radio. Many people fear airing their grievances out in a courtroom. The idea of facing a judge can be intimidating for people getting a divorce for the first time. A Denver family law attorney has the compassionate expertise to help couples work through a divorce post COVID. Check out the benefits of mediation for a divorce post pandemic below.  5 Benefits Of Divorce Mediation Post Pandemic 1. Avoid Crowded Courts A courtroom can be an uncomfortable place for anybody. It can make you feel forced to appear in front of people you don’t know. Most people are intimidated by discussing their personal business in open court. Mediation is a personalized setting. The mediator takes a compassionate approach to your divorce. You’re given a personal conference room that accommodates social distancing practices and each party can bring their own legal counsel or save money by simply utilizing the mediator as a guide through their divorce. 2. Hidden Treasure For Uncontested Divorce If you and your partner have the personal, financial, property, and custodial matters of your divorce settled, there’s nothing left to settle. Your next step is getting an official decree. There’s no need to stand in front of a judge because a Denver divorce mediator specializes in drafting a divorce settlement that’s submitted to the court on your behalf. More importantly, mediation is a personal way to work out the differences you have been… --- ### Breaking Down the Cost to File for Divorce in Denver - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/breaking-down-the-cost-to-file-for-divorce-in-denver/ - **Published:** 2021-08-11 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the cost of divorce mediation from Split Simple located in Denver our divorce attorneys help couples reach uncontested divorce **Content:** The average Colorado divorce costs about $15,000 in a range that dips as low as $4,000. If you came for a quick answer, this is where your reasonable costs lie. For the most part, the cost of your divorce reflects the amount of time required to hash it out with experts. Attorney time for both spouses, court time, court filing fees, sheriff serving fees, and mandatory classes, and peripheral services all wrap up into your final cost. Most divorcing spouses are looking to start a new chapter, not lose a well of resources on ending the marriage. The best strategy is to find the lowest price for the work-hours needed on your divorce.  Elements of Divorce Cost Court fees Filing and response fees Transcript fees Attorney consult and drafting fees. Mandatory class fees Sheriff serving fee Peripheral Costs of Divorce Childcare Household Separation Travel Financial Division Court Fees Filing Divorce Papers ~ $230 +  $116 The cost of filing completed divorce documents with the court is at (or near) $350. This cost may vary with minor policy changes but should be calculated at around this amount. The cost of responding legally to filed divorce documents is at or near $116.  Transcript Fees ~ $50 To be given printed transcripts of your divorce proceedings, you will need to pay at or around $50 for the copy. This may be necessary each time you appear in court to conduct your divorce. Courtroom Divorce ~ $20,000 Taking the time of court officials and booking a courtroom for your divorce is accompanied by fees. There may be filing fees, courtroom fees, and transcript fees among others to worry about if you pursue a courtroom divorce. The average cost of a court divorce that goes to trial is closer to $20 thousand. Divorce Legal Services Divorce documents should be prepared by a pro, usually an attorney who handles divorce cases. To do this, they need to understand your assets, investments, children, preferences, and disagreements, then draw up fair and thoughtful conditions in legally binding terms. This takes some amount of dedicated time and expertise, which is why most spouses invest in divorce attorneys or Denver divorce mediation services. Divorce Attorney Hours – $250-$350 /hr/spouse ~ $4,000 – $13,000 average In an adversarial divorce, both spouses hire a lawyer who requires an average of $250 to $350 an hour, per spouse. This means all or most legal costs are doubled, and both lawyers are present at negotiations until the final papers are drawn. Lawyer fees are the primary reason why divorce costs tend to inflate over time. The more time you need to consult, conflict, and negotiate, the more costly your divorce will be. Divorce Mediation ~ $1,200 – $3,000 /spouse Denver divorce mediation is a different approach to divorce that accomplishes the same goal – a complete and balanced divorce document. In divorce mediation, you and your spouse share a legal professional who listens to your case and finds the best terms for all involved… --- ### 6 Things Most Denver Divorce Attorneys Aren't Mentioning - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/6-things-most-denver-divorce-attorneys-arent-mentioning/ - **Published:** 2021-06-23 - **Modified:** 2021-08-17 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 6 things divorce attorneys aren't telling you during your divorce. Contact the divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple today 720-501-4600 **Content:** The first thing that most people do when planning a divorce is to consult with a divorce attorney. Here in Denver, divorce attorneys are ready to advise, offer perspective, and get spouses ready for a long battle over divorce terms. This is how the typical divorce industry works and divorcees are obliged to trust their attorneys. After all, the attorneys are the ones with the legal expertise to draw up your Denver divorce mediation agreement and submit it to the court. You consult with them about your goals and they tell you what to expect from the process. But your typical divorce attorney tends to leave a few details out. There are more than a few insights into the divorce process that don’t fit into the typical lawyer-vs-lawyer approach. For Denver spouses looking to streamline the divorce process instead of battling over every couch and ottoman, these insights could save you months of time and thousands of dollars. So what won’t a typical divorce attorney tell you that you need to know? 1. You Don’t Want to See a Court Room In the movies, divorces are dramatic courtroom productions. The wronged spouse accuses the wronging spouse. The accused defends themselves, both throw around a lot of evidence: This is not where you want to end up. Court divorces are longer, more expensive, and have numerous other downsides. The most important being that control is out of your hands. Once your divorce goes into the courtroom, the judge gets to decide on your final terms – not you. Most divorces can be taken care of by ‘settling’, or finalizing terms and submitting the divorce without court intervention. There’s probably no need for a big combative court case and even if you want to fight about terms, keep it out of the courtroom so it stays in your control. 2. You Probably Won’t Get Everything You Want Be wary of a lawyer who promises too much satisfaction. Divorces are rarely fully satisfying and usually, both spouses compromise to achieve the mutual goal of functional separation. You can’t “get it all”, often because the actual laws of the nation and state prevent usurious divorce terms. A divorce that is too imbalanced without purpose is very likely to be rejected by the court – even if your spouse agrees to the asset split. You may not get sole custody if your spouse is a fit parent. You may have to choose between the house, car, and bulk of the cash. But with fair negotiations, you can likely get everything you need and many of the things you personally care about by compromising with your spouse. 3. The Long-Term Consequences of What You Want Divorcing spouses often don’t know what’s really the best way to split their assets, custody, etc. What seems like the right choice might have long-term consequences that are less than satisfying. For example “Getting the house” also means taking on the mortgage, property taxes, and bills and covering those costs solo,… --- ### 8 People You Should Talk To Before Getting a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/8-people-you-should-talk-to-before-getting-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2021-06-09 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 8 people you should speak to before filing for divorce. Split Simple located in Denver provides divorce mediation services 720-501-4600 **Content:** So you’ve decided to get a divorce. Now what? For many, simply making the decision is solemn it leaves you unsure where to go after that moment. You’ll need to get your finances and personal items in order. You may be planning a move. You may be charting child custody calendars in your mind. Or you might find yourself staring out into nothing, overwhelmed by the profound changes going on in your life. Fortunately, Denver divorce mediation is something you don’t face alone. Divorce is a sequence of steps that you are supposed to face with help along the way. Friends and family offer emotional support while you work with a number of professionals to prepare your assets for the divorce itself. Here are the eight people every person contemplating divorce should talk to before officially starting the legal process. 1) A Trusted Friend or Family Member When it comes to a big decision like Denver divorce mediation, it’s always best to run your thoughts by a trusted friend. Choose a close relative or friend who will lend you their ear for an evening. Talk out the situation, your reasoning, and your idea of the future after divorcing. Having a friend to talk to helps to frame your thoughts and solidify your plans. If you’re not ready to talk it out yet, start with a journal and frame your thoughts in writing first. This can also help you get ready for a real heart-to-heart as you prepare for the gauntlet of divorce logistics. 2) Your Real Estate Agent If you own property with your spouse, talk to your real estate agent and your mortgage loan agent.  You don’t have to make a choice on the house immediately. But you do want a clear perspective on the property value, hanging debt, and it’s selling potential. Get an outline of the process for splitting the title (leaving the property with one spouse), and what to expect from selling the house. Talk about how to pay off your mortgage with a home sale or how to refinance in just one name. 3) Your Bank and Financial Managers This leads you to your finances and investments. Get an overview of your finances. Determine how much is in checking, savings, retirement accounts, and investments. If you have private accounts, don’t make drastic changes but start planning for the future. If you have a joint account, proceed with caution. Depending on the nature of your Denver divorce mediation, the right move might to be to freeze shared assets or work together on smart divorce management. Talk to your bank, your insurance agent, your financial manager, your investments broker, your mortgage lender, and anyone else you have a financial account with. Get the whole picture, get copies or digital links to everything. Make sure it’s available when it comes time to split everything fairly down the middle. 4) A Professional Confidant & Advisor It’s been found that having a counselor can be essential during the Denver divorce… --- ### How to Suggest Divorce Mediation to Your Soon-to-be-Ex Spouse - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-suggest-divorce-mediation-to-your-soon-to-be-ex-spouse/ - **Published:** 2021-05-26 - **Modified:** 2021-08-17 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for tips on how you can suggest divorce mediation to your spouse from the divorce mediators at Split Simple located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Here in Denver and across the country, most people think of divorce as an adversarial thing that happens with separate lawyers and a courtroom. We’ve seen the television divorces and maybe heard about a few friends’ difficult separations. However, most divorces in Cook County are much quieter than this. Instead of a courtroom battle, you can choose Denver divorce mediation and then file an uncontested divorce. This offers a more stable, respectful, and lower-cost option than traditional divorce methods. It also places more control in your hands, as negotiations happen in private between the spouses and mediator and aren’t ruled by a judge with the final word. But how do you broach the subject of divorce mediation with your spouse, especially if they’re already prepped for a fight? How do you escape the tradition of hiring opposing lawyers to fight over assets? The good news is that most people are willing to consider a more peaceful option, especially when that option costs less and makes life easier. Let’s talk about how to start that conversation and approach Denver divorce mediation as an option with your soon-to-be-ex spouse. Say You Don’t Want to Fight Divorce is often a difficult time that evokes both anger and defensiveness. Sometimes the best way to approach your spouse is with the white flag. While you will stand firm on your beliefs and on a fair split, you don’t want to be their adversary or to fight viciously about little stuff that doesn’t matter. Open your conversation by saying that you’re not against them.  Make it clear that your not ‘out to get them’ with divorce terms – and that you’d like to keep it that way. So maybe there’s no need to bring opposing lawyers trained for vicious fighting into your divorce. Saying you’re not an opponent can take the wind out of their sails if your spouse was ready to fight defensively every step of the way. Talk About a Mutually Beneficial Divorce Introduce the idea of a mutually beneficial divorce. The document doesn’t have to be ‘you vs them’ with every clause. Instead, you could work together to build a divorce agreement that leaves each with more resources and less baggage. Ideally, your split of assets and divorce terms will help to launch both of your new independent lives. If your spouse is willing to listen and likes the idea of a beneficial divorce, then you are on the path to an uncontested divorce filing. Denver divorce mediation starts with two divorcing spouses who both want their divorce to be well-designed more than they want to ‘Win’ by scoring points off their ex. Introduce a Solution to Divorce Finances If you and your spouse talk about the costs of divorce, introduce divorce mediation as a cost-saving measure. Mediation brings both parties together with a professional divorce mediator to hash out the terms. The mediator helps each pair determine what really matters and draw up a reasonable agreement that cleanly splits assets and responsibilities.… --- ### Things to Consider When Choosing a Divorce Mediator in Denver - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/things-to-consider-when-choosing-a-divorce-mediator-in-denver/ - **Published:** 2021-05-12 - **Modified:** 2021-08-17 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for things you should consider when choosing a divorce mediator in Denver. Split Simple provides uncontested divorce mediation 720-501-4600 **Content:** Once you have come to the decision that the differences between you and your spouse are irrevocable, and it is time to get a divorce, you will have to decide how you want to go about dissolving the marriage. When a divorce is uncontested, many people find mediation to be the best option as it can save time and money compared to litigation. However, once you decide that Denver divorce mediation is the right option for settling your divorce, it is important that you take some time to find the right mediator to meet your needs. The fact is that your mediator will play a key role in helping you through this complex and difficult time, making it important that you find a mediator that you and your spouse feel comfortable working with. Yet, choosing a mediator can often feel like an overwhelming process. To help get you started, here is a look at 6 things you should consider when choosing a divorce mediator.  Make Sure That They Specialize in Mediation When choosing a mediator, it is critical that you choose one who specializes solely in Denver divorce mediation. Some attorneys will primarily handle divorce litigation and will do mediation on the side. However, it is critical that you find someone who does Denver divorce mediation full-time, as there is a completely different set of skills and experience one needs to successfully mediate a divorce. Divorce mediators need to be skilled at conflict resolution and breaching divides, as their ultimate goal is to help couples find a middle ground and reach a mutually beneficial solution. However, attorneys who primarily handle divorce litigation are used to helping their clients win, and they may not have the subtle skills needed to find the solution that best meets your family’s needs. It is then important that you make sure to ask a potential mediator what percent of their work involves divorce mediation.      Find Out About Their Experience Due to the pivotal role your mediator will play in ensuring that your divorce goes as smoothly as possible, you will want to find a mediator with the proper experience and qualifications to handle your case. While almost anyone can call themselves a mediator, this does not necessarily mean that they are trained to handle complex divorce negotiations.  As you begin researching mediators, make sure to ask questions of potential mediators you are considering working with. Find out how long they have been in mediation, how many cases they have handled, and ask if they have handled divorces similar to yours before. You will also want to make sure that they have the proper training, as mediators will often have a certificate in Denver divorce mediation or an advanced degree in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Finding a mediator who has the proper training and experience will be crucial in ensuring negotiations between you are your spouse are successful.   Do They Draft The Judgment for You? You will also want to find out if the divorce mediator… --- ### How to Prepare for a Denver Divorce Mediation Session - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-denver-divorce-mediation-session/ - **Published:** 2021-04-21 - **Modified:** 2025-01-03 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for tips on how to prepare for divorce mediation in Denver from the uncontested divorce mediation experts at Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** Preparing for divorce can be a challenge that mediation simplifies. By working with a Denver divorce mediator, you can offload most of the aspects of divorce that are difficult to manage or understand. Your divorce mediator can help you hash out the finances to fairly and simply split assets. They can help you work out a functional child custody and joint parenting plan. Your divorce mediator can even referee a few passionate disagreements to help find the right compromise solution. Of course, signing up for Denver divorce mediation is not quite the same as going through the sessions. It’s perfectly normal to be a little anxious before your first mediation session. Many people find themselves wondering what to expect. This article will help you prepare mentally and logically for your first divorce mediation meeting. Whether you’re focused on having all your paperwork or are experiencing before-session nerves, we fully understand and are here to help in the best way we can: With information. What to Expect from the Mediation Session Divorce mediation is a predictable process that you can absolutely prepare for. You can expect to share a room or a video call with your mediator and your spouse. The three of you will sit down together to hash out the terms of your divorce. You will share your viewpoint and priorities, then your spouse will share theirs (or vice versa). The mediator will listen and propose ideas that the two of you can decide to agree with or debate. Usually, it takes less than one session to get everyone on the same page and ready to run down a list of assets, property, finances, and family decisions. You will then take one to three sessions (on average) to resolve the facts of your divorce. Finally, your mediator will draft and submit our divorce documents. You can expect a calm, meeting-like environment where respect and decision efficiency are the top priorities. How to Prepare for a Divorce Mediation Session During the day or week leading up to your first Denver divorce mediation session, it’s important to know what you’re preparing for. A few smart steps now can really improve your efficiency during mediation sessions. Other things you can do will help prepare yourself mentally to negotiate with a focus and clear-mindedness. Let’s dive into the eight smart steps to take to prepare for your first divorce mediation session. 1) Write Down Your Goals When approaching any negotiation, it always helps to write down your goals. What do you want to get from this mediation and from the divorce terms? Write down both your personal goals, like keeping a cool head during the mediation, and your specific goals like keeping the dresser you personally refinished. Write down your financial goals and your child custody goals. Make a list of the assets you want to keep – and a list of the assets you don’t really care about.  Organize your list into top priorities on down and keep this list with you… --- ### The Benefits of Choosing Divorce Mediation in Denver During Covid-19 - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-benefits-of-choosing-divorce-mediation-in-denver-during-covid-19/ - **Published:** 2021-04-07 - **Modified:** 2021-08-17 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Split Simple located in Denver offers virtual divorce mediation services to ensure the safety of our divorce attorneys and clients during the COVID pandemic **Content:** Choosing to get a divorce is one of the most difficult decisions a person will have to make. Unfortunately, while the process of getting a divorce can already be confusing and complex, divorces have been made even more difficult by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the effect this has had on legal proceedings. Thankfully, for Denver couples who are seeking an uncontested divorce, mediation may be the best option. Denver divorce mediation allows couples to settle their divorce without lengthy, expensive, and stressful court proceedings. Furthermore, in a time of uncertainty created by the ongoing health crisis, remote divorce mediation gives couples the option to finalize their divorce while staying safe and maintaining social distancing. If you are currently going through a divorce, here is a look at a few of the ways Denver divorce mediation could prove beneficial to you during COVID-19. Save Money One of the main benefits of choosing Denver divorce mediation during COVID-19 is that it can help to save you money. As you are likely already aware, divorce tends to be costly; however, choosing mediation can help to cut back on these costs, as you will not have to pay for the expenses associated with going to court. Mediation is particularly cost-effective during COVID times, as remote mediation can be performed from wherever you are. This can help to reduce the costs associated with traveling to mediation appointments such as paying for gas, parking, and a babysitter, as you can handle mediation sessions from the comfort of your home.   Save Time Another reason to consider Denver divorce mediation is that it can help to speed up divorce proceedings. In fact, one of the main reasons couples choose mediation when going through a divorce is to save time, as traditional court proceedings have been known to drag on. With COVID-19 causing backlogs in courts and causing significant delays in the divorce litigation process, mediation presents a better option than ever for couples seeking an uncontested divorce. You and your spouse will likely be able to secure an appointment with a mediator in a matter of days, and the timeframe for making decisions will be on you as there will be no need to wait for court appearances. Remote mediation can further help to save time by making it easier to schedule appointments that work for everyone, as it is often easier to set aside time for an appointment that can be conducted from wherever you are.    Reduce Risks Remote mediation has been particularly popular throughout the pandemic as it provides a safer alternative to traditional divorce proceedings. As states and local jurisdictions continue to enforce social distancing measures, many mediators have shifted to an almost entirely remote mediation format. This reduces the risk of transmitting COVID-19, as the mediator, you, and your spouse can all be in different locations during meetings. Even in areas where in-person meetings are available, many couples may feel more comfortable choosing remote mediation if they are particularly at risk of contracting… --- ### What Divorce Mediation Offers for Spouses who Already Agree on Terms - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-divorce-mediation-offers-for-spouses-who-already-agree-on-terms/ - **Published:** 2021-03-24 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Already agree on the terms of your divorce? Here is why you should still consult a divorce mediator at Split Simple located in Denver today 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce is a unique experience for everyone. While conflict divorces are highly televised, many people split quietly and agreeably with their ex. It didn’t work out, the fire is gone, or you have irrevocable differences that simply don’t result in screaming and fighting over assets. Maybe you have a reasonable prenup that both of you plan to stick to. Maybe you sat down and simply talked out all the practical issues of separating and agree on all or most potential divorce terms. In these cases, it’s pretty clear that you don’t really need two divorce lawyers to ‘fight for you’ against each other. But you’re also not personally a legal professional with training to tackle the court-side aspect of getting divorced. This is one of the many unique circumstances where Denver divorce mediation is your best option. Why do you need a mediator if you already agree? Aren’t mediators for spouses who are arguing and need a neutral tie-breaker? Not necessarily. A divorce mediator is effectively one legal professional working for both spouses toward the same goal. A divorce mediator is there to help you build a divorce that is fair, legal, and benefits both parties in the long-term. When two spouses agree on how they want to split assets, child custody, and everything else, a divorce mediator is there to fill in the gap between good intentions and a finalized, well-written divorce agreement. Join us as we walk through the ways that a divorce mediator can improve your already amicable agreement to everyone’s long-term benefit. Clarify Your Divorce Plan Many amicable divorce plans actually overlook a great deal. It’s easy to get caught up in what you agree on and with no major disagreements, there’s also no one going through your planned divorce policies with a fine-tooth comb. Your divorce mediator i there to make sure you cover all your bases by filling out your choices on divorce details that you may have not yet discussed with your ex. They will also help both parties confirm that the terms discussed are really the terms preferred, ensuring that no pressure or coercion has led to your existing agreements. In other words, your mediator will do an all-points check to build a complete and fair divorce agreement from the choices you and your ex have already made. Cover Your Legal Bases It’s one thing to sketch out your agreements and asset split in a divorce. It’s another to arrange this in a way that is legally acceptable in the eyes of local laws and legally binding in a submitted divorce document. You don’t have to be a lawyer to achieve an agreeable divorce because your divorce mediator can take care of the legal considerations for you. They will analyze your finances, assets, child situation, and the agreements you have planned to make – then ensure that your finalized terms fall within legal boundaries and will be accepted by the court when submitted. Answer Questions and Clarify Misunderstandings If you have any… --- ### Why Divorce Mediation In Denver Is Essentially Best for You Post COVID - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/why-divorce-mediation-in-denver-is-essentially-best-for-you-post-covid/ - **Published:** 2021-03-17 - **Modified:** 2021-08-17 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more on why Denver Divorce Mediation from divorce mediators at Split Simple is the best course of action for your divorce post-COVID. **Content:** Ending a marriage can be very emotional and have financial complications. It can be one of the hardest challenges you’ll face in life depending on the circumstances. According to 2018 statistics, “there were 782, 032 divorces or annulments in the United States.”  A divorce can be challenging, but Denver divorce mediation is available to reduce the long-term emotional impact and to offset the huge financial costs. Traditional divorce takes place in a courtroom in front of a judge, but mediation is a great way to also legally dissolve your marriage. Keep reading more details below to find out how mediation is a better alternative to court.  The Challenges of Divorce  A divorce can have quite a few challenges including child custody, financial support, and disagreements over property to name a few. In fact, things can get tough if it’s your first divorce or if you have a lot of assets. The most complicated divorces occur because one or both parties are contesting parts of the divorce.  If both parties can’t get beyond their differences, they’ll go before a judge to make a decision on those discrepancies. Once the judge makes a ruling on your divorce, it’s called a divorce decree. Then the divorce and the conditions of the divorce become legally binding. But, do you really want the court’s to decide and dissolve your marriage?  How Mediation Can Simplify The Divorce Process  1. Financial Costs  The costs of a divorce is based on many factors including the state of residency. In Denver, the average divorce costs $15,000. If there’s shared finances or property, the price can be significantly higher.  Mediation has the same legal binding discretion as the court and costs far less. Mediation is an alternative to court and is an opportunity to utilize a third party to help initiate a compromise on any contested areas of the divorce.  2. Time Compatible  A typical court date can disrupt your life and have bad timing. Denver divorce mediation allows you and the other party to choose the best time to mediate a divorce. You can schedule a date and time that’s compatible with your daily activities (i.e. work, doctor’s appointment, etc.). Once you or your attorney arrange mediation, a date is set, and both parties are notified prior to the mediation date to ensure all parties will be present. In fact, unlike a court date, you can also reschedule mediation without penalties. A mediator can also save you time and money by handling additional paperwork that’s needed for the court.  Note: Divorce mediation with Split Simple resolves nearly 100% of all cases. 3. Confidential Instead of pouring your heart out in open court, mediation gives you a private setting for both parties. You have the opportunity to contest delicate matters like who gets custody of the children in a closed door setting. Confidentiality can make it easier for both parties to discuss the sensitive matters of the divorce and come to an amicable agreement.  4. Legal Expertise  A mediator has… --- ### When is the Right Time to Contact a Divorce Mediator in Denver? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/when-is-the-right-time-to-contact-a-divorce-mediator-in-denver/ - **Published:** 2021-03-10 - **Modified:** 2025-07-24 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** When should you contact a divorce mediator? Click Here for more on how our Denver Divorce Mediators can help you reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** Getting divorced is never as fast as it looks in the movies. The process has a lot more paperwork, compromise, and waiting than most people expect. You also have more options than the adversarial divorces popularized in dramas. Spouses often separate in agreement about how to move forward, and while you may need one legal professional to shape and draft the divorce, you don’t actually need two. Denver divorce mediation is a popular choice for couples who know what they want from their divorce. A divorce mediation process involves both parties meeting with a neutral mediator. They work together to hear both sides and suggest functional compromises. They advise on the smartest ways to split your assets for mutual survival and low-hassle separation. Your mediator can help build a lifestyle-adapted custody plan and ensure that the terms of your divorce promote survival and growth for both parties after separation. As a legal professional, they will lastly ensure your divorce is legal, properly written, and submitted for assured approval by the court. But when should you reach out to a divorce mediator? There are many examples of “when to call a lawyer”,  but when should you get in contact with a mediator? Every divorce is unique, so the right time will depend on where you are in your divorce and how a mediator can help. When You Have Decided to Divorce Many people reach out to divorce lawyers early in their process. It’s also a good idea to talk to a financial advisor about your financial options if you divorce. Denver divorce mediation, however, starts when you’re ready to come to the table. You can call for a consultation early or late in your process, but the mediation starts when both parties arrive to talk about terms.  In many ways, divorce mediation is a streamlined method of divorcing, skipping much of the ‘messy stuff’ in the middle. As soon as you and your spouse have decided to divorce, the next step can be reaching out to your divorce mediator. Your mediator will help you prepare paperwork, solidify what both parties agree on, then come to the table ready to hash out the final details into a well-built divorce agreement. Instead of Retaining a Divorce Lawyer About the time you might otherwise hire a divorce lawyer, you can contact Denver divorce mediators instead. With the traditional approach, you are required by legal ethics to have two separate divorce lawyers, each obligated to vehemently defend their client. This creates slow, hostile divorces. Mediation is an alternate approach where the mediator represents both clients equally and is ethically required to make fair and legal suggestions. Instead of hiring two ethically vehement divorce lawyers, you can hire one mediator whose goal is to streamline fair negotiations and draft your final terms for submission to the court. When Your Ex is On-Board The ideal time to call your divorce mediator is when your soon-to-be-ex spouse is ready to join the discussion. Many divorces open with hostilities… --- ### 11 Practical Tips for Helping Children Wear Masks When Visiting - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/help-kids-wear-mask/ - **Published:** 2021-02-24 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 11 tips to help your kids wear masks when visiting your ex-spouse as outlined in your divorce agreement from the Denver Divorce Mediators at Split Simple **Content:** Visitation is an essential element of child custody agreements in Denver divorce mediation, and of co-parenting in general. Visitation allows for a growing parent-child relationship no matter where a child primarily lives.  Even 50/50 custody splits include visitation when a child lives for long periods of time with one parent or the other. Likewise, relatives and family friends will visit and nurture relationships with children, and children will visit those who watch them when parents are occupied. This used to be a natural part of life, but since the pandemic, every visit is something to carefully consider. From your ex to grandparents to visiting childcare, now viral safety must be considered for the entire household. While children rarely show symptoms, they can also be carriers for visitors with at-risk household members. However, co-parents, relatives, and childcare are all essential to a working child custody system after Denver divorce mediation – Both for practical childcare and nurturing parent-child relationships despite closed household bubbles. So today, we’re dedicating an article to an all-important parent concern when visiting or being visited by relatives this season: Helping your kids to wear masks. The safest way to visit, both in-home and out-of-home visits determined by your Denver divorce mediation agreement, is for everyone to wear masks when sharing space. So whether you’re walking down the street or visiting grandma, it can be a struggle get kids to safely and comfortably wear their masks. Here are a few tips we’ve learned along the way: Willing Mask Participation Tips We’ll start with a few ways to help your kids actually want to put on the masks – or at least cooperate without complaining too loudly. Younger kids can get involved as a shared family activity while older kids will usually respond best to some real-talk about why, how, and what they get out of participating. 1. Decorative Masks are More  Fun to Wear Kids can often get into wearing any accessory they view as “fun”. This can mean stylish, cool, sparkly, or featuring a favorite cartoon character. You know what turns junk into treasure for your kid, so find some masks that meet that theme. Your teen might be into skull-jaw masks while younger kids may be more into super hero styles.  2. Family Mask-Up and Pose-Off Make masking-up a family activity and focus on fun. Show off your masks and how they match an outfit. Have a cool or stylish pose-off at the front-hall mirror (install a front-hall mirror) before leaving the house. This makes masking up a fun time and creates an excuse to play for a moment before visitors arrive or you leave to visit. Admire Visitors’ Masks as a Greeting (Invite Compliments Back) Make mask admiration a thing. When you meet someone, compliment their mask as part of your “hello” and invite others to do the same. This puts more positive focus on masks and brings a chance for your child to collect compliments. 3. Older Kids: Have a Real-Talk For older children,… --- ### How to Minimize the Value of Your Must-Have Divorce Assets - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-minimize-the-value-of-your-must-have-divorce-assets/ - **Published:** 2021-02-17 - **Modified:** 2021-08-17 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for help on how to minimize the value of your must-have assets in your divorce from the Denver Divorce Mediators at Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** Splitting up assets in a divorce is about more than who “gets” the house or car. Often, spouses get caught up in the idea of maintaining the pre-marriage lifestyle or getting stuff that makes their ex jealous of the split. Television drama divorces lead us to make these assumptions but in reality, “getting the house” is usually a bigger burden than it’s worth on a single income and spouses can find themselves weighed down with the majority of the physical divorce assets. The 50/50 Split: Physical vs Financial Divorce Assets In most divorces, the split of marital (acquired after marriage) assets is about 50/50. The spouse who keeps the most high-value physical assets also gives up an equal portion of the financial assets. Keeping the house subtracts its equity from your share of the 50/50 monetary split. Keeping the car, likewise, subtracts the amount that the car’s loan is paid off. Keeping the furniture subtracts a few hundred dollars per piece, and even an extensive personal wardrobe can be calculated in your divorce asset value split The financial assets are the bank accounts, savings, stocks, and retirement funds. Yes, your retirement funds can be split to balance divorce finances. These are used to ensure each spouse receives about 50% of the total divorce assets. In divorces where one spouse keeps the house and physical possessions of the marriage, the other spouse will keep an equally valued portion of the marital money. Minimizing for Negotiation Leverage What this comes down to is leverage in negotiations. The person with the lower-value list of must-haves also attains the greatest room to negotiate. You can choose who gets the nice couch and even potentially avoid disturbing your respective retirement accounts. A minimal must-have list allows you to simplify the financial split – using whatever account divisions are most convenient instead of dividing each bundle. The less you’re negotiating to defend, the more you can ask for in non-material terms as well — by putting your ex’s priorities on the table without losing ground. Both amicable and conflict divorces can be conducted more smoothly when one or both spouses has minimized their list of must-have assets. Strategies to Reduce the Monetary Value of Your Must-Haves 1. Remove High-Value Items with No Sentimental Value Furniture Appliances Fancy Clothing The first and best way to reduce your must-haves list is to reassess what you consider necessary. Your pre-marital assets and any personal gifts from a third party are all automatically yours. They are not included in the 50/50. After that, consider each asset with two values: monetary and sentimental. Consider using a list and/or colored post-it notes to mark items as you consider them. Cut out everything that has no real sentimental value and a high monetary value. For example, expensive furniture you wouldn’t miss can become great “ballast” when dividing assets in a fair divorce negotiation. Throw in the solid chestnut dresser for an extra few hundred dollars in financial balance, and get a light-weight modern… --- ### 8 Signs That Your Divorce Needs New Mediated Terms - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/your-divorce-needs-new-mediated-terms/ - **Published:** 2021-02-03 - **Modified:** 2025-01-04 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Here are 8 signs your divorce may need new mediated terms from the Denver divorce mediation experts at Split Simple located in Denver CO 720-501-4600 **Content:** During Denver divorce mediation, we try to write up a divorce agreement that will work for both parties indefinitely. Ideally, divorce finalizes an emotional and logistical separation of two lives. The terms you set up at that moment depended on the income, potential, and lifestyle you had at the time. But times change, and so do people and our circumstances. The terms of your divorce agreement may be legally binding, but they’re also not set in stone. If your divorce is built on circumstances that are no longer relevant, then it can’t help you or your ex live healthy lives separate from each other. Sometimes, a divorce must be updated because one ex-spouse is acting poorly but often, it’s just that the situation has changed. The two people once supported or, at least, returned back-to-normal by the divorce agreement may suddenly be hemmed in by it. Anyone considering a divorce renegotiation can also consider Denver divorce mediation. With a mediator, you have the best chance of making new divorce terms that will be supportive, useful, and ideally ignorable for further decades into the future. Let’s dive into the leasing reasons to renegotiate your Denver divorce mediation agreement terms. 1) Your Schedules No Longer Match Divorce Terms Divorces are often built around a schedule, especially if child custody is involved. The days of the week and keeping track of weekends is important for parenting so that you stay on schedule with your kids. But again, lifestyles and schedules change You may pick up a Wednesday night meeting. Your ex may start going out on Friday nights without making plans. Your kids may join or leave any number of extracurricular activities that drastically change their schedules. When this happens, a weekday-based divorce schedule simply may not work. You may need to rearrange the schedule for new demands or come up with a better method to meet the old schedule. We strongly advise refusing your Denver divorce mediation agreement to best reflect 2) Significant Changes in Income Up or Down Another very serious consideration is income. COVID and the related market shake-ups left a lot of people in a new role professionally – for many that became temporary unemployment. New remote jobs may be on a different pay grade and are likely with new employers. Both exes in this scenario have a high potential for recent financial disruptions. If there is any money moving between you in the form of alimony, palimony, or child custody payments, then these must be rethought. It’s not reasonable to ask too much from someone who has lost their job or to give to a parent who is now the co-parenting bread-winner. 3) Ex Becomes Hostile About Routine Tasks The best reasons to renegotiate a divorce are logistical, but the worst reasons are emotional. Sometimes, an ex will create trouble and the terms of your Denver divorce mediation agreement are not respected. A divorce is a binding contract separation that allows two people to build their lives separately… --- ### Why Should Divorce be Simple? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/why-should-divorce-be-simple/ - **Published:** 2021-01-26 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here to reach an uncontested divorce in Aurora and Denver with the help of our expert divorce mediators at Split Simple or call today at 855-665-9920 **Content:** The life changing event of divorce is not easy. No one decides to divorce in an instant. Just the path to the “divorce decision” is filled with pain, fear, lost hopes and remorse. The financial and emotional turmoil associated with an actual divorce is life altering. Divorce ranks second to only the death of a loved one in terms of the most difficult life events. The legal aspects of the divorce process should not take even more from a person’s pocketbook or soul than the emotional and financial pain that the divorce itself will bring. At Split Simple, your Colorado Divorce Mediation Experts, we offer a more straightforward path through the legal aspects of your divorce. Many years ago, most states required the finding of “fault” for the granting of a divorce. Although some states retain this archaic concept, Colorado divorce laws have done away with this requirement for a divorce. Requiring a finding of fault (i.e. who “caused” the divorce) did make the divorce process more expensive, but it did not create more rewarding marriages or promote the personal and relationship healing necessary after a divorce. Divorce Mediation Helps Keep Divorce Simple For some couples, the start of a divorce means that “the gloves come off” – it is time to say those things to your partner you have always wanted to say, “You never thanked me for one dinner I made for this family”, “I hate your parents, why do they have to keep butting into our lives”, and the dagger…”I fell out of love with you a long time ago.” Many attorney ads and websites in the divorce industry capitalize on these raw emotions and promise some level of satisfaction, revenge and payback through the litigated divorce process. Even in no fault divorce states like Colorado, this mud slinging can become part of the divorce dialogue escalating emotional and financial costs. But talk to those who have walked that path – the feelings of revenge and payback promised by those ads never seem to overcome the true underlying feelings of sadness and heartache. Ultimately when you speak to people who have walked that path of the litigated divorce, they will tell you that the cost many times far outweighs the gain. The pain of the life event of a divorce cannot be dulled by this litigious divorce process. While representation may be necessary for some couples, the majority of Colorado divorcing spouses seek resolution of their divorce without an attorney. Rather than creating further conflict and emotional pain, these couples choose the path of healing and moving forward. At Split Simple, our attorney mediators provide clients with the direction, tools and information necessary to resolve their divorce. This process allows clients to focus on how to move forward with their lives and heal their soul, rather than losing the financial and emotional capital so often associated with the litigated divorce. Our straightforward process and fixed pricing plan removes the drama and focuses on the solution. You will… --- ### Divorce Tax Planning Why are the next 40 days are so important? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-tax-planning-why-are-the-next-40-days-so-important/ - **Published:** 2021-01-26 - **Modified:** 2021-08-17 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more about the tax implications of divorce. Contact the divorce mediators at Split Simple to reach an uncontested divorce in Denver today! **Content:** Because the Internal Revenue Service will determine your marital and filing status for the entire year based upon your marital status as of December 31 of the relevant year, time is running out if you would like to have a choice in, and possible financial benefit from, your 2015 Colorado and federal income tax filing. It may seem odd, but even if the Colorado Divorce Court grants your divorce or legal separation in December 2015 (or at any other time in the year 2015!), the Internal Revenue Service will consider you divorced for tax filing purposes for all of tax year 2015. That means that despite all of your tax planning and employment withholdings, your 2015 tax bill may look significantly different from your expected liability or refund. This issue is particularly relevant during this time of the year because (as discussed in a prior post), a court must wait a minimum of 91 days from the joint filing of your Petition before entering your Colorado divorce or legal separation. As a result, all couples who file for a divorce or legal separation on or after October 1, 2015 will receive their Decree after January 1, 2016 and must file as “married” taxpayers for the tax year 2015. However, in the event that you and your spouse file for divorce or legal separation in Colorado prior to October 1, 2015, and you reach an Agreement on all issues, you may be able to elect whether the Court finalizes your divorce or legal separation in the year 2015 or 2016. Depending on your financial status and divorce agreement, including the allocation of deductions, parenting time and the tax impact of spousal support, you may have significant tax advantages for filing separate 2015 tax returns. Conversely, in some circumstances it makes greater financial sense to reach an Agreement on all issues but request that the Court enter your Decree the following year so that you and your spouse can file as married spouses. Other issues should also be considered regarding a shared or separate filing including, income from investments, retirement account withdrawals, estimated taxes paid (or not!) as well as significant charitable contributions. Despite joint tax planning by the couple for these issues, failing to recognize and address them in the divorce can have serious financial consequences for one or both spouses. Ultimately the most important issue is being cognizant of your choices and options. In this case, ignorance is not bliss but can be quite costly! This is also another benefit of mediation for divorcing couples – you can choose when the divorce is finalized rather than throwing that decision into the hands of the Judge. At Split Simple, your Colorado divorce mediator will not only utilize his experience but also nationally recognized divorce tax analysis software known as “Family Law Software” to help you evaluate the most financially advantageous filing status and select the options that are the most beneficial to you. You may then strategically consult with your tax… --- ### Dividing Retirement Accounts at Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/dividing-retirement-accounts-at-divorce/ - **Published:** 2021-01-26 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more information on how your retirement accounts get divided at the time of your divorce. Our divorce mediation attorneys in Aurora can help **Content:** Many divorcing couples in Colorado falsely believe that in order to divide retirement accounts at a divorce, one must liquidate that account, incur the associated taxes and penalties, then transfer the remaining proceeds to their spouse. However, by obtaining strong guidance from a Split Simple mediator and following the proper procedures in your divorce, you can avoid these negative tax consequences and make smart choices in your division of property. The reality is that retirement accounts may be divided between spouses at a divorce without requiring one party to liquidate the account and transfer the resulting proceeds to the other spouse. However, the type of retirement plan will dictate the options for division: 1. Non qualified plans such as IRA’s and Roth IRA’s do not ordinarily require specialized retirement division orders. Instead, these plans typically will rely upon the terms of the Separation Agreement, the Divorce Decree and a subsequent “letter of instruction” in order to divide the associated account. 2. However, “qualified plans” such as 401(k)’s and 403(b)’s as well as defined benefit (pension) plans ordinarily require a document commonly referred to as a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (a “QDRO”) in order to divide. Government plans such as Colorado’s PERA as well as the Federal Government’s Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and “FERS” have their own type of Orders that perform a similar function but are not referred to as “QDRO’s”. The QDRO will reflect the terms contained in the Separation Agreement signed by the parties. In the event of an IRA or 401(k) type plan (a defined contribution plan) division, the retirement funds may be transferred from one retirement account to another, avoiding any tax consequences. Further, in the case of a qualified defined contribution plan like a 401(k) or TSP, the dividing order can allow for the transfer of “pre tax” funds (rather than a rollover) directly to the other spouse. This type of transfer allows the receiving spouse to obtain actual cash (rather than a retirement rollover) after the payment of income taxes associated with the transfer. The key difference here is that the receiving spouse avoids the 10% tax penalty associated with a withdrawal by the spouse holding the retirement account. This underutilized option allows many clients to obtain necessary funds at a divorce to facilitate a house downpayment or eliminate credit card debts. In the division of a pension plan (a “defined benefit” plan) it is crucial that you determine such issues as whether the plan is “severable” (i.e. can be divided into two separate pension plans), whether the benefit has a cost of living adjustment, how the “marital fraction” (the method for division of pension plans in Colorado) will impact the division of the benefit as well as the issues surrounding survivor benefits. Your Split Simple mediator will walk you and your spouse through all of these issues and help you arrive at a solution that will work best for your family. Give us a call at Split Simple today and we will be… --- ### Telling the kids, "We are getting divorced." - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/telling-the-kids-we-are-getting-divorced/ - **Published:** 2021-01-26 - **Modified:** 2023-04-07 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** How to tell your kids you're getting a divorce from the divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple. Contact us today for an uncontested divorce in Denver **Content:** Over the course of several posts, we will provide some tips for talking with your children about your divorce, as this is one of the questions most asked of our attorney mediators. The first tip universally recommended by experts is to work with your co-parent in order to establish an agreed upon approach and united front regarding the story behind the divorce to tell to your children. In other words, it is important for children to hear a mutual and consistent story regarding how their parents split up, rather than two conflicting, blame ridden accounts of the breakup. In most divorces, arriving at an agreed upon account of the divorce can seem difficult, if not impossible given the emotional backdrop of the divorce, but it is important to take this step for the benefit of your children. Ultimately you and your co-parent will have many mutual experiences around your children – athletic events, recitals, graduations, weddings, grand children – and you want your children to be comfortable in celebrating life’s milestones with both of you. Competing stories about one’s parents can force children to choose an allegiance with one camp over the other and the exclusion of a parent from the life of a child can lead to difficulties in the development of that child. Every divorce story has at least two (if not more) sides – life is complex and never black and white. That is reality in the adult world and as adults, we understand that reality resides in areas of gray. But kids see things differently, most children see life has having only one truth. Without the ability to mesh the complexities of life, many children will feel compelled to choose one story and find fault with the other parent for causing the divorce. This places children in the vulnerable position of choosing one parent’s version of events over the other parent’s version. This choice of one parent to the exclusion of the other is not ordinarily helpful to assisting in their long term development and establishing an important bond with both parents. In working to develop this mutual story, parents should: – focus on a mutuality of the decision regarding the divorce – make a basic statement regarding the reasons for the divorce (spare the details) – position not as a break up of the family but a re-organization across two households – children should feel comfortable to continue their relationship with both parents In addition, it helps to utilize a non blaming approach for the story: “We do not make each other happy like married couples should.” “We have grown apart.” “We will feel happier apart, the fighting will stop and we’ll be better parents.” “We both still love you and will continue to be involved in your lives.” Ultimately they are your children and you will need to choose the approach that will work best for your situation. However, talking together with the children, as well as developing a joint and consistent approach to… --- ### Three Things To Expect After Filing For Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/three-things-to-expect-after-filing-for-divorce/ - **Published:** 2021-01-26 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the 3 things you can expect after filing for divorce in Denver. For help with divorce mediation to reach an uncontested divorce, contact us! **Content:** In a previous blog post we described the general process for starting your Divorce or Legal Separation in Colorado.  This post describes the process once you have filed your Petition for Divorce or Legal Separation.  Again, you may find the Petition and Case Information Sheet on the Forms section of our website. 1. The Automatic Temporary Injunction Once you have filed your Petition in Colorado as Co-Petitioners, an “Automatic Temporary Injunction” applies to both parties.  You will find the terms of this Automatic Temporary Injunction on pages 3 and 4 of the Petition. Essentially the Injunction keeps the “big picture status quo” in place (regarding such items as bills, assets, insurance, etc.) until parties reach an agreement or the Court issues additional orders.  Specifically this Injunction restricts either party from: Transferring assets or increasing debt “except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life”; “Molesting or disturbing the peace” of the other parent or the minor children; Removing the minor children from Colorado; Canceling, modifying, terminating insurance coverage or allowing any insurance coverage to lapse. Again – these restrictions only apply in the event that the parties cannot otherwise agree and reaching a comprehensive Agreement in mediation is the most time and cost effective way to begin moving forward on all of these issues. 2. The Case Management Order Also, after filing your Petition, the District Court Clerk will provide you with an important document known generally as the “Case Management Order”.  This document describes court expectations, discovery and divorce requirements in your county.  Although the document contains a great deal of crucial information, you should pay particular attention to two items: The Initial Status Conference – This meeting with the Court is typically held six weeks after filing of the Petition.  The purpose of this meeting is essentially a check in with the court to ensure that the divorce process is moving forward, including the exchange of your Sworn Financial Statement and documents required to be exchanged by the so-called Discovery Compliance Certificate (available from the Forms section of our website).  Some counties allow for parties to avoid this Initial Status Conference in the event that all court required final documents are submitted prior to this scheduled meeting.  One county in Colorado actually allows a meeting with a Magistrate at the Initial Status Conference to accept evidence for the finalizing of your Divorce.  Your Split Simple mediator will be able to guide you through this part of the process and assist with submitting necessary documents to avoid this meeting or make this your only meeting with the Court. For Couples with Minor Children Together – You will need to attend the specific parenting after divorce class required by your filing county.  Each county has their own list of approved classes so check in your case management order to determine the appropriate class for your county. Most counties allow for a 45 to 60 day period to take this class. 3. Your Timeline A Colorado court… --- ### Three Steps to File for Divorce or Legal Separation in Colorado - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/three-steps-to-file-for-divorce-or-legal-separation-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2021-01-26 - **Modified:** 2021-08-17 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Starting your divorce may seem daunting, but really it is simple and straightforward. Here are 3 steps to start your divorce or legal separation in Denver **Content:** Starting your divorce may seem daunting, but in reality it is simple and straightforward. Here are the three steps necessary to begin your Divorce or Legal Separation in Colorado Filing for Divorce in Colorado Step One Select How You Would Like to File: Many couples in Colorado elect to file their Divorce or Legal Separation as “Co-Petitioners”. Filing as “Co-Petitioners” requires each spouse to sign the Petition in front of a notary – you may use separate notaries, at separate times or you may sign the Petition in front of the Courthouse clerk, but you must sign the same Petition in front of a notary or clerk. Filing as Co-Petitioners does not mean that you and your spouse agree on all issues but it allows you to avoid having one party “served” by a sheriff and allows you to save on some additional filing fees. You will pay the filing fee for Co-Petitioners of $230 to the District Court County Clerk at the time of filing. Filing for Divorce in Colorado Step Two Select the Correct Documents to File: As long as you and your spouse file your Colorado Divorce or Legal Separation as “Co-Petitioners”, the only two documents required to file are the Petition and Case Information Sheet (both are available on the free Colorado Divorce forms section of our website). The Petition requires information about your family (names, dates of birth, addresses), length of time residing in Colorado, any relevant court proceedings, as well as election of the issues for the Court to resolve if you and your spouse are otherwise unable to do so. The accompanying Case Information Sheet, lists current contact information like the Petition, but also requires social security numbers of both parties. Only one person must sign the case information sheet (no notary required). Step Three for Filing for Divorce in Colorado Pay Attention to the Automatic Temporary Injunction and Your Case Management Order: At the time you file your Petition, your actions will be subject to the terms of the “Automatic Temporary Injunction” listed on page four of the Petition. Make sure that you are familiar with those requirements prior to filing your Petition. In addition, at the time of filing the Court will provide you with a Case Management Order. You must pay attention to the many important provisions and directives contained in your Case Management Order. As part of our Split Simple Process we decipher this document for our clients and provide them with the information and documentation necessary to minimize the stress in the Court system. Split Simple Helps You Start the Divorce Process During your first session at Split Simple, your mediator will guide you through the Case Information Sheet and the Petition, answering any questions you may have about these documents as well as the ensuing court process. Although most of our clients wait until after their first mediation session to file for Divorce or Legal Separation, you may elect to file prior to or after your first… --- ### What is the Difference Between Legal Separation and Divorce in Colorado? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-legal-separation-and-divorce-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2021-01-26 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the differences between legal separation and divorce in Colorado. Contact Split Simple today to reach an uncontested divorce in Denver **Content:** The short answer is: Not as much as you might think! Colorado Divorce Law Myth:  “In Colorado you must file for a Legal Separation prior to filing for a Divorce.”  Fact: Although a person may elect to file for a Legal Separation prior to Divorce, this is not required and ultimately you should have a clear reason for electing to file for a Legal Separation rather than a Divorce. Before discussing the differences between Legal Separation and Divorce in Colorado, it might be helpful to understand the similarities between these procedures. Filing Forms – The Colorado court forms utilized to file for a Legal Separation or a Divorce (the Petition and Case Information Sheet) are exactly the same, the difference lies in the the type of Decree requested: Legal Separation or Dissolution of Marriage (a “Divorce”). Documents – The documents that your Split Simple mediator will prepare for you in your Colorado Divorce or Legal Separation will be very similar because both processes address and resolve issues of property division, parenting and support. Procedure – The procedure for obtaining a Colorado Divorce or Legal Separation is almost identical.  Specifically, assuming that you reach an Agreement, the Court will grant the Decree, making your Separation Agreement a court order, approximately ninety one days after filing your Petition for Divorce or Legal Separation. Tax Status – The Internal Revenue Service views a Legal Separation or Divorce as having the same effect: you and your spouse will file as separate tax filers for the year in which the Court grants your Legal Separation or Divorce.  In other words, you will not file “married” but instead “single” or “head of household” depending on your situation. Despite these similarities, there are some important differences. Marital Status – Perhaps the most important difference, of course, is that once a Court enters a Divorce, you are no longer married and are free to enter a new marriage with a different person.  In contrast, when a Court enters a Decree of Legal Separation you remain married to your spouse and under Colorado divorce law you may not enter into a new marriage while legally separated.  Furthermore, once a Court enters your Decree of Legal Separation, your status as “legally separated” remains in place for a minimum of six months.  After that six month period, either person may file the simple paperwork to convert the Decree of Legal Separation into a Decree of Dissolution (a “Divorce”).  Parties will not review or revisit any terms of the original Agreement and Decree as part of this decree conversion and the Divorce will be approved by the Judge in less than thirty days.  If neither party takes any affirmative action, you remain “legally separated”. Inheritance and Estate – An additional difference between these procedures is that in the event of a Decree of Legal Separation, you remain married for inheritance or estate purposes, whereas in the event of a Divorce you are no longer considered married to your then ex spouse.  In… --- ### Custody Plans and Divorce \| What's Best for Children - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/custody-plans-and-divorce-whats-best-for-children/ - **Published:** 2021-01-26 - **Modified:** 2021-08-17 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for help with custody plans as you finalize your divorce, and tips on how to make the uncontested divorce process in Denver easier for children **Content:** In a recent study, “Fifty Moves a Year”, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, researchers found evidence that  teenaged children of divorced families who lived in “shared custody arrangements” (living equally with both parents), encountered fewer psychosomatic problems than those teenagers who lived mostly or only with one parent. This study consisted of results derived from a national survey of 150,000 children in Sweden ages twelve to fifteen years old, comparing children in so called “joint physical custody arrangements” (those living with their mother and father an approximately equal amount of time) and those children living mostly or only with one parent.  The children residing in joint physical custody arrangements suffered fewer instances of problems with sleeping, headaches, sadness and concentration, when compared those children living primarily or only with one parent.  Specifically, both boys and girls residing in primary / only living arrangements experienced more sleep difficulties than children in joint physical custody arrangements.  Also, when compared with children in joint physical custody arrangements, girls living in primary / only living arrangements had more issues with sadness and headaches than their female peers and boys in such arrangements had more difficulty with concentration than boys in joint physical custody arrangements. Equal Time With Parents Help Children Thrive Although many parents believe the transition between households places more stress on children and therefore insist that children live primarily in one home, this study found that there are lower risks for psychosomatic symptoms for those teenaged children who live an approximately equal amount time with both parents.  Prior studies have been consistent in reporting that although children may complain about some of the difficulties in living in two separate homes, the importance to these children of a close relationship with both parents, outweighs the day to day difficulties in switching between homes.  In fact, the researchers of the Fifty Moves a Year study concluded that that children living with only one parent or living mostly with one parent were less satisfied with their parental relationships than those children who lived with both parents for an approximately equal amount of time. Does this mean that joint physical custody in Colorado (i.e. an equal timesharing plan) is always the right choice? Absolutely not. The communication and cooperation between parents is crucial for children’s adaptation following a divorce and this study was unable to examine that issue.  In addition, different parenting plans make sense for different age groups and this study focused only on children 12 to 15 years old.  Finally, each child has his or her own individual temperament and disposition and those factors must ultimately be respected in arriving upon any Colorado parenting plan. Divorce Mediation Can Help Parents Create a Clear Path Forward Ultimately however, many other studies have shown the importance of joint parental contact and involvement in the lives of children following a divorce, as being one of the strongest indicators for healthy adaptation by children following a divorce.  One of the factors consistently associated with… --- ### Your Time is Valuable  - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/your-time-is-valuable/ - **Published:** 2021-01-26 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** We believe our client's time is valuable & we make the most of it with our divorce mediation services. Click Here to reach an uncontested divorce in Denver **Content:** There not many divorce professionals who possess this viewpoint of your time.  Ordinarily, Colorado divorce mediators and attorneys charge you by the hour for their time but they forget the value of your time spent on a divorce and away from work, family and fun. Split Simple Respects your Time During Divorce Mediation Meetings with divorce attorneys and mediators as well as court hearings take time, and it is not just the face to face time but also the preparation and “recovery time” after such meetings that steals moments from the more enjoyable parts of your life outside of your Colorado divorce. For many people, spending time on their divorce is much like sitting in the dentist’s chair – and the less time you spend in that chair, the better. Moreover, given the hourly billing model of a divorce, where is the motivation for a divorce mediator or attorney to be efficient with your time and costs?  In other words, the more time they spend on your case, the more money that will be billed to you.  Doesn’t it make you feel just a bit uneasy knowing you will pay more for a service when your service provider is not efficient with your time? Until recently you had no choice as a consumer in this arena as there are no quality fixed fee divorce services in Colorado, just stand alone “do it yourself” options.  Split Simple is here to change that model and that is why we developed our unique fixed fee pricing plan. Years of experience and thousands of cases have helped me to refine a solution focused mediation process that incorporates technology while harnessing the knowledge and intelligence of our customers.  The result is that Split Simple has a proven model allowing us to offer customers a flat fee for divorce mediation in Colorado. How Will Your Divorce Mediators Work for You? As you interview potential divorce mediators or lawyers, ask them whether they offer a flat fee – the best answer you will likely receive is a general range of potential costs.  Our mediation model is directive and intelligent, allowing you provide the mediator with necessary information and in return you obtain the information and direction needed from the mediator. You will likely speak with mediators (many who are not attorneys) who charge a low hourly rate.  Remember to ask these divorce mediators how many hours they anticipate spending with you in mediation and remember how many hours this takes away from your otherwise busy life.  Split Simple customers typically resolve all issues one or two mediation sessions.  Other mediators will require more than three mediation sessions and more mediation means more time away from the rest of your life and more time until you begin to move forward with your life.  The Split Simple flat fee pricing program places a premium our effectively using your time because let’s face it, no one really enjoys seeing their divorce mediator in the first place! Contact Split Simple for… --- ### Preparing For Mediation When You Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/mediation-preparation/ - **Published:** 2021-01-26 - **Modified:** 2021-08-17 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** You're ready to begin divorce mediation in Denver, how do you get started? Click Here for tips from the Denver divorce mediation experts at Split Simple **Content:** Where do you even begin to start preparing for your first divorce mediation in Colorado?  There is so much information you could bring in for your divorce mediator, but how do you know what is important. At Split Simple, your Colorado Divorce Mediation Experts, we focus upon putting control in your hands and providing you with the tools and information necessary to make smart decisions during your divorce. The Split Simple model differs from other mediation services because of the directed preparation we provide to our clients before the first the mediation session.  Specifically, our Critical Mediation Checklist provides an outline of mediation topics and helpful documents while our Financial Questionnaire allows you to provide us with information about your estate prior to the session – reducing your total time and cost. Critical Mediation Checklist Once you have made your mediation appointment with Split Simple (or at any time upon request), we will provide you with our Critical Mediation Checklist.  This valuable tool provides an outline of the topics you will address during your divorce mediation as well as the underlying documents that will facilitate your mediation.  To the extent you and your spouse discuss the items on this checklist and collect the relevant documents, you will save yourself significant time during the actual mediation.  Even in the event that you and your spouse do not discuss these issues before your mediation session, your individual review of these items will prepare you for the first divorce mediation session. Financial Questionnaire In addition to the Mediation Checklist, Split Simple provides its own online Financial Questionnaire.  No other Denver divorce mediators provide this option.  Specifically this questionnaire provides your mediator, information regarding your assets and debts prior to your first mediation session.  Your mediator will in turn load this information into the Split Simple financial analysis software.  For many cases this can save up to an hour of time (and money) in mediation.  Allowing you and your spouse to focus on the difficult issues in your case or simply resolve all issues sooner. Get Started With Divorce Mediation Today Split Simple’s pre-mediation preparation allows you more control over your divorce process and cost.  All the more reason why Split Simple is the smarter divorce. Send us an email or give us a call at Split Simple today.  For no obligation, we are happy to provide you with a copy of our Mediation Critical Checklist so that you may begin your preparation for  mediation today. Split Simple 1624 Market Street #202 Denver, CO 80202 720-501-4600 --- ### We've Decided to Divorce, What Do I Do Now? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-do-i-do-now/ - **Published:** 2021-01-26 - **Modified:** 2021-01-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here if you've decided to file for divorce and want to know what the next steps are. Our uncontested divorce mediators located in Denver can help **Content:** You and your spouse have decided to divorce in Colorado. It’s been a long time coming – not a decision that you reached overnight and not one that you are even sure is the right decision. But the decision has been made and you want things to be different in your divorce than all of those nightmare divorces that you read and hear so much about. So what now? Your friend tells you there is this fantastic Colorado divorce attorney that he or she used and the first thing you should do is call him. Your relatives tell you that cousin Sally is a divorce attorney in California and before you do anything you should give her a call. You spend hours and hours on the internet searching for answers about Colorado divorce law with plenty of people telling you that your issues are either hopeless or offering “do it yourself” alternatives. You have multitudes of friends a.k.a. “team free advice” who never went to law school but are telling you their opinion about what will happen in your divorce and what you should do now. You and your spouse argue endlessly about who is right regarding the reasons for the divorce as well as the likely outcomes. Or, you and your spouse may not argue at all but it is difficult, if not impossible, to talk with each about the next steps to move forward with your divorce. So there you sit with many so choices, so many voices in your ear, but little direction and an enormous amount of fear. You might begin to look at the on line Colorado divorce forms but there are so many to complete and how do you know what to ask from the Judge? How do you complete the Sworn Financial Statement, or calculate support obligations? What will your cash flow look like after the divorce? Can you keep the house? Can you divide a retirement account in a divorce without negative tax consequences and what in the world is a “QDRO”? What parenting plan is appropriate for your children given their ages and temperaments? How long must you carry your spouse on health insurance? When should you begin dividing bank accounts? When should you separate your residences? How do you make sure that you do not overlook something? And perhaps most important: how do you maintain control of your life during this crazy time? You always have the option of hiring your own divorce attorney in Colorado, but what about the cost and acrimony? You always have the option to “do it yourself”, but how many times have you been through a divorce? You need clear direction and a path forward. Take the opportunity now to contact us at Split Simple for intelligence and guidance in the divorce process. As your attorney trained Colorado divorce mediator we will answer your questions and give you and your spouse a path forward. As you mediator we provide you and your spouse with the… --- ### Why DIY Divorce Documents are Rejected by the Court - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/diy-divorce/ - **Published:** 2021-01-20 - **Modified:** 2024-12-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** DIY Divorce documents are often rejected by courts in Denver. If you're ready to divorce, contact the Denver Divorce Mediators at Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** Filing for divorce is something that many want to streamline. If your conflicts aren’t serious and you agree on most terms with your spouse, then it should be easy to simply DIY an uncontested divorce agreement for the court. There are dozens of books and guides and online sources of paperwork to fill out. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as it sounds. The reason most people hire at least one lawyer to oversee the divorce is because any number of minor mistakes or misunderstandings of the system can result in your divorce agreement being rejected by the court. DIY divorces are conducted by individuals or separating spouses that want a quick and affordable process. You may even have some experience with the court and legal documents. However, few beginners fully understand the order of operations or how to prepare the documents exactly so the court will accept them. Much less prepare accepted documents that then provide well-balanced divorce policies in the years to come. If you have already filed a DIY divorce or are thinking about doing so, we’re about to share a quick run-down of the most common reasons why hand-drawn divorces are often rejected by the court once filed. Take these reasons and use them to improve on your current divorce document or as inspiration to seek out a professional to look over your agreement before filing. 1) Inconsistent Data The number one killer of DIY divorce documents is inconsistency. You may check a box requesting no spousal support, then write in a number for spousal support on another page. You may write the marital address on one page, then forget and write the new separated home addresses on another. A single typo or mis-written form section can disqualify the entire filing. This is one of the reasons even brief legal service is useful – to make use of a trained and detail-oriented eye on your paperwork. 2) Unconscionability The second most common reason is “Unconscionable” divorce agreements. What this means is that the terms offend the conscience of the court without giving good reason. An example might be a split in marital property that leaves one spouse wealthy and the other destitute. Another unconscionable agreement might deny one spouse access to their children without cause.  In many cases, the agreement was not meant to be unconscionable but for miscalculated numbers or amateurly written divorce terms. With a few slight alterations, most agreeable DIY divorces can be remedies of unconscionability. 3) Missing “Optional” Forms Several of a divorce’s standard forms are labeled “optional”, but it doesn’t mean you can automatically skip them. Optional pages mean that there are known exceptions. But it’s best not to assume that your divorce is automatically granted any of these exceptions. If there are optional forms in your paperwork packet, determine whether you are exempt or would need to apply for an exemption to skip them. A divorce missing expected ‘optional’ pages will be rejected by the court. 4) Incorrect or Unpaid Fee… --- ### I've Decided to Get Divorced, What Are My Next Steps Moving Forward? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/first-steps-of-divorce/ - **Published:** 2021-01-13 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Decided to Divorce? Click Here for the first steps of Divorce and what to expect from the Denver divorce mediators at Split Simple in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Deciding that it is time to get divorced is one of the most difficult decisions that you will have to make. The fact is that when you get married, you assume that it will last forever, so it can be hard to accept that your marriage is over. Yet, if after a lot of reflection and consideration you have decided that seeking a divorce is the best option for you, it is important to consider what steps you will take as you move forward with the process of getting divorced. Since getting divorced can be a complicated and confusing process, it is important that you take some time to prepare before you file for divorce in order to ensure that your interests are protected, Here is a look at the steps that you should take moving forward upon deciding that it is time to get a divorce. Gather Financial Information Once you have decided to get a divorce, the first thing that you should do is start gathering important financial documents. Many jurisdictions require both parties in a divorce to file a financial affidavit disclosing a variety of information such as their income, insurance information, and expected inheritances. Unfortunately, during a divorce, you may find yourself overwhelmed and unsure where to find these documents, or an angry spouse may even try to hide certain financial records. Gathering all of this information now, and making copies for yourself, will ensure that you have everything you need when you go to file for divorce. Documents that you should make copies of include your last 3 years of tax returns, recent pay stubs, insurance policies, household bills, financial/retirement account statements, and mortgage documents.     Educate Yourself Once you have all of your documentation in line, the next thing that you should do is take some time to research the Denver divorce mediation process. The fact is that getting a divorce can be a complicated and lengthy process, and what this process entails will vary greatly depending on the jurisdiction in which you live. You should then take some time to look into how the divorce process works in your state including what paperwork will need to be filled out, what will be expected of you, and how long this process will take. Once you start the divorce process, you may find yourself overwhelmed by emotions and lost in complicated paperwork, so doing your research now can help you to go into this process feeling as prepared as possible.  Think About How You Will Break The News In many cases, couples come to a mutual agreement that getting a divorce is in their best interest. However, if you have not talked to your spouse about divorce, and/or you don’t know how they feel about your relationship, it may come as a surprise to them that you want to get divorced. It is then important that you take some time to think about how you will break the news to your spouse that you want a… --- ### The Important Difference Between an Uncontested Child Support Case with Mediation and a Contested One - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/uncontested-child-support-vs-contested-child-support/ - **Published:** 2021-01-06 - **Modified:** 2025-04-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the difference between child support in an uncontested divorce and child support in a contested divorce from the Denver divorce mediators **Content:** Divorce is hard on children universally, and it’s also hard on that child’s parents. It’s difficult in terms of the conflict it creates, and the extra fees that come about as a result. When it comes to the issue of child support payments, which is an important thing to figure out, there are definitely differences in outcomes and experience between the different ways of settling the issue. Here’s some information on how it all works out for each method. Courtroom Divorce The method that often happens the most is settling child support issues in court when you and your previous partner can’t decide how to settle the issue and have serious disagreements. It’s more likely to settle something for child support upfront when other issues have also been decided, like custody and visitation rights. Those making payments are overwhelmingly men to the tune of 8 or 9 out of 10. All of this is to say that many men fight the process hard and you have to track them down to even get them to go to court. Additionally, depending on what area you’re in and what court you need to use, some may even force your children to testify. This can be extremely difficult on your children and can certainly lead to psychological trauma depending on the situation. On top of that, the costs for a contested court case often start at thousands of dollars, often averaging around $5,000 and going up to $20,000 or more depending on just how contested it becomes and how long it drags on. Overall, contested courtroom divorces are not the best way to arrive at a fair figure for child support while minimizing the unpleasantness and cost of it all. Even just the court case itself can have permanent financial and psychological effects on all parties involved. Uncontested Divorce with Divorce Mediation When it comes to uncontested divorces, the costs are definitely much lower oftentimes. This is because you just have to pay the basic fees for everything rather than hiring lawyers to make cases over many months to fight outcomes. If you chose to make the process even easier through professional Denver divorce mediation services that will help everyone reach the best mutual outcome, you can often get reduced rates from the courts, depending on where you are. In Florida, for example, this is often the case, and the rate is based on you and your former partner’s combined incomes. Many issues are figured out through mediation including the following: Support Payments Exactly how much child support payments will be something that can be figured out between the two parties and their Denver divorce mediation partners. This includes figuring out if this is going to be arranged between the parties or whether you will just go with the statutes from the state where you reside, which would be through the Florida Statute in Florida, for example. Insurance Other issues related to support but not through pure cash may include who will help… --- ### Divorce in the Age of Corona: What are the New Considerations? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-in-the-age-of-corona-what-are-the-new-considerations/ - **Published:** 2020-12-18 - **Modified:** 2026-07-08 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** What should you to take into consideration while filing for divorce during COVID-19? Our Aurora Divorce Mediation experts can help you today 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce is one of those things that happens no matter what else the world is doing. For a few months in 2020, the world stood still. People isolated at home, worked at home, and events across the globe were cancelled or postponed. During the pandemic, most separating couples agreed to put their divorce progress on hold for a time. But that time is over. COVID isn’t going anywhere, so it’s time for the divorce standards to build a “New Normal” with everyone else. What has changed about conducting Aurora divorce mediation? What methods should be used to get divorced in virus-safety? What new divorce terms are necessary for a post-COVID separation? Divorce in the time of Corona can be handled in a way that is safe and beneficial for everyone when everyone is working toward the same ends. Today, we’d like to lead the conversation on how getting divorced has (or should) change in light of the recent circumstantial changes. Divorcing Remotely and Online The first and clearest choice is to favor online Aurora divorce mediation services. Meeting in-person with lawyers and mediators is less practical now that in-person meetings should be limited for public safety. Fortunately, handling your divorce can be handled through a Zoom call almost as easily as it can sharing a room with your divorce advisors. Zooming Your Divorce Professionals Meet with your Aurora divorce mediation professionals through video meetings. You can get the same benefit as an in-person meeting by talking over the phone or through a video call. Meet face-to-face, as your questions, and get the guidance you need from a person you can trust – without actually sharing physical airspace. Choose a Cloud Document Manager Each divorcee is free to choose their tools, from to-do lists to excel sheets, but we strongly recommend a document manager. Being able to legally sign and store documents online is essential for conducting a remote Aurora divorce mediation session. A cloud document manager ensures all your documents are available, sharable, and signable at any time.  Remote Notarization and Printer-to-Court Services There are also specialized remote services that can come in extreme handy about now. For example, you don’t need to meet a notary to get a document notarized – there are now online notarization services. For documents that must be submitted in printed form, sign everything digitally and use a service that transports your documents directly from the printer to the correct court clerk or inbox. Collaboration Over Conflict in Divorce We strongly advise against conflict-based divorces in the post-COVID environment. Conflict leads to long negotiations and often courtroom divorces. In a time when courtrooms are not necessarily safe, taking your divorce to a judge is not a wise decision. Only divorcees who need the legal protection of the court in a truly hostile divorce should take this risk. Even separating couples who disagree on most points now have more to gain from divorce mediation than from a combative divorce. You will need to work together in… --- ### Practical Tips for Handling Marital Assets During Separation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/practical-tips-for-handling-marital-assets-during-separation/ - **Published:** 2020-12-11 - **Modified:** 2022-03-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** When you file for divorce, the court puts an automatic restraining order on assets. This rule was established to protect spouses from the other draining accounts or selling property before marital assets can be split. Of course, this isn't a problem for all separating spouses and many find the rule more inconvenient than protective. **Content:** When you file for divorce, the court puts an automatic restraining order on assets. This rule was established to protect spouses from the other draining accounts or selling property before marital assets can be split. Of course, this isn’t a problem for all separating spouses and many find the rule more inconvenient than protective. The good news is that the restraining order is not an account freeze – you can still pay bills and make financial decisions during Denver divorce mediation. But separating or personally claiming marital property is trickier. Especially if you’re planning to separate. Moving out means establishing a whole new household – which will need furniture and supplies. With the financial restraining order on, can you take property out of the house? Can you claim furniture, kitchen utensils, and other items before your assets are legally split? For spouses separating amicably, the answer is yes. You can separate, moving out with marital assets, as long as you’re careful to adhere to the purpose of the financial restraining order. Can You Move Out with Marital Assets? Spouses who are not in conflict about asset separation can separate households before the Denver divorce mediation is finalized. The court order is only necessary to prevent reckless or retaliatory spending, buying, and selling. The order may also be considered to prevent stealing from the marital assets before they can be assayed.  But if you agree on how the household items should separate (or don’t care beyond practicality), then yes. You can move out with marital assets, even when accounts are restrained. The reason for this is simple. If you are not fighting, it’s assumed any furniture or kitchen gear taken to the new house are still available to be assessed and re-distributed between spouses if necessary. Document the Household Contents & Furniture Before you start packing the fine china, remember to document the marital assets. Take a thorough photo-tour of your house and tag or label each photo with the assets it features. Take pictures of all the furniture, drapes, and decor. Be sure to shoot pictures of any costly items like jewelry or power tools, as these are also essential in how assets are split. Walk around with your camera and snap photos of the house, documenting all the furniture and personal items. This will help to accurately redistribute furniture later when the final marital assets terms are settled. Quickly Determine Personal (Pre-Marital) Assets In your asset documenting, be sure to note anything that came with each person before the marriage. Personal inheritance may also be considered separate. So any antique family furniture or even just your pre-marital card tables can safely leave the house when household separation begins.  So take the time to actually document which assets are personal or marital. This can seriously simplify your household separation, depending on how much furniture and other items came into the marriage instead of being purchased during.  It’s important to document personal items so that they don’t accidentally get wrapped up… --- ### 9 Tips to Resolve Divorce Disputes Without Meeting in Person - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/9-tips-to-resolve-divorce-disputes-without-meeting-in-person/ - **Published:** 2020-12-03 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 9 Tips to resolve your divorce disputes without meeting in person. This pandemic has changed our lives, and the divorce mediators at Split Simple get that! **Content:** Spouses seeking Denver divorce mediation today are facing a little more challenge than usual. The post-pandemic world has made it difficult to keep appointments or to meet up for coffee and compromise. In fact, you probably shouldn’t even meet with mediators or counselors to help the divorce along Lockdown has made it nearly impossible for newly divorcing couples to separate and for already separated couples to meet. All-said, those who achieved separation before or during the pandemic have got one of the hardest steps behind you.But conflicts in reaching terms can make it nearly impossible to finalize your divorce without those in-person meetings. Or so it seems. Avoiding Courtroom Divorces in the Post-Pandemic Conflict in Denver divorce mediation can be a huge problem when one or both parties don’t want to compromise. Often, the only solution is firm mediation or an adversarial process. Today, during pandemic conditions, a courtroom divorce is not a good option.  Courtrooms are not only a gathering place where illness can be spread, but courtroom divorces also take the control out of your hands. These proceedings are only necessary when the court truly needs to step in on a divorce – like when one spouse needs legal and physical protection from the other. If your divorce disputes are primarily focused on finances and custody, then you can choose to avoid the court this year. Instead, it’s time to make plans to resolve your disputes remotely. As long as both parties want the divorce to take place, you can find middle-ground and eventually settle on an acceptable divorce agreement. Today, we’re here to help by providing a few key insights on how to divorce remotely and resolve any existing disputes without meeting in person. Write Down Your Disputes and Counter-Arguments The first step is to codify what you really disagree on. Divorcing couples can get stuck in the dispute phase where everything becomes an argument. So while you are living separately and contact is limited, each separately write down your real arguments.  Write down: The terms you want. Why your spouse would or does object. How you suggest making the Denver divorce mediation fair with the terms you want. Writing can give you some perspective on what you are asking for and how to approach the dispute. Some realize the finances can’t be balanced without selling the house or one of the cars. Some realize they could be asking for more, or that there are negotiation points to offer to get what they want. A little forethought and codifying your needs can go a long way to settling disputes without lawyer intervention. Choose a Video Meeting Platform & Do Test Calls You will need to meet and discuss things with your spouse and with Denver divorce mediation professionals to settle the terms of your divorce. To do this, you will need a video meeting platform. Choose one that is common and easy to access so that you can meet with a variety of people through the one… --- ### 8 Tips to Work From Home without Ending Your Marriage - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/8-tips-to-work-from-home-without-ending-your-marriage/ - **Published:** 2020-11-19 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** 8 Tips to Work From Home without Ending in Divorce \| The divorce mediators at Split Simple can help you get through the quarantine without ending in divorce **Content:** Six months ago, most married couples would swear that a month-long vacation alone together would be heaven. If the vacation were truly a break from life and reality, that might be true. However, COVID quarantine and work-from-some changes have put the whole thing into a new perspective. Millions of couples across the nation have suddenly transitioned from being apart during the day to spending all-day everyday together. Cabin fever would be challenging enough – going crazy from isolation together is all the rage these days. But many marriages also aren’t prepared for the stress of working together in close proximity. Maybe you want to spend too much time together, or maybe you’re driving each other up the wall. For many couples, you alternate between the two. It’s very common to harbor thoughts of divorce when your partner has been tapping their pen in thought for 3 solid hours and lunch dishes aren’t clean before you’re ready for dinner. But is this really the end of your marriage? Any couple thinking about Denver divorce mediation during work-at-home quarantine should try these tips – just in case this blip in your affection is cabin fever and not an eclipse of the heart. 1. Create Separate Home-Office Space Couples working at home together tend to step on each others toes. There may not feel like enough room for both of you, or you might not be able to stop talking. Even in best-case scenarios where you’re having a great time alone with the spouse, all that fun can detract from both of your abilities to focus on work.  Set your work offices up in separate rooms or, if you share the larger space, designate separate office-space with furniture, tape, and decor. Create a psychological distance so you both have a chance of focusing instead of bonding or bickering. 2. Work-Time is Work-Time Working at home is difficult. This is the space where you’re used to relaxing, and used to seeking time with your partner. You may be on different schedules or working in parallel. It’s all too common for couples working at home to interfere with each other’s ability to focus on work. One partner always seems to be getting a snack or ready to talk when the other is head-down, or you partner might be having too good a time while you’re holed up with a tough project. Or you might be the one wishing for fun company while your partner is tied up in a backlog of work. The most functional compromise is to respect work-time as scheduled.  Ask your partner to respect your work hours – even at home – and give them the some courtesy for scheduled hours. 3. Couple-Time is Couple-Time Likewise, it’s important to maintain a healthy attitude toward your romance together. Between work stress and constant at-home familiarity, it can be easy to take your love for granted. Couples becomes casual and stop doing those considerate after-work things to keep the tenderness alive. Just because you’re… --- ### How Child Support Legal Services Can Help Both Co-Parents - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-child-support-legal-services-can-help-both-co-parents/ - **Published:** 2020-11-12 - **Modified:** 2021-08-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for how child support legal services can help co-parents. The Denver Divorce Mediators at Split Simple can help you create a co-parenting plan **Content:** Child support is an essential part of the modern Denver divorce mediation. Not all separating couples with children need child support, but those who do need the agreement to be fair and enforced to take good care of their children. In this situation, a lawyer who understands the inner workings of a child support agreement can make the difference between financial peace and post-divorce conflict. Most importantly, a lawyer and mediator experienced in child custody and support matters can help you build and defend a child support plan that will work for everyone after the divorce is complete. The right lawyer or legal mediation services will work for your needs, the needs of your children, your ex, and the long-term stability of a practical child support plan. Let’s take a closer look at what a  family law service can do for you, whether you are the supported or supporting spouse. Child Support Legal Services for Supported Parents 1) Calculate the Amount of Child Support You Need The parent who takes the role of primary caregiver after Denver divorce mediation often needs a little extra funds to balance the financial load. You and your children need a certain amount to maintain a healthy family lifestyle, and your ex needs a certain remainder to live alone successfully. Your legal service, like mediation, will help you work out the right amount to ask for so that everyone gets what they need. 2) Defend Your Right to Child Support Payments In many cases, the potentially paying spouse will argue that you (and your children) don’t need the additional income. A family law attorney will help you build a strong case for why you need child support and for how much. Even in the face of an aggressive anti-support case from your spouse. 3) Ensure Child Support is Included in Your Final Divorce Agreement Divorces often involve a great deal of negotiation. What terms go in, the numbers involved, how assets are split; it’s all on the table. Your child support mediation service will ensure that payments of the needed amount are a deal-breaker inclusion in the final agreement and will write a legal divorce contract to that end. 4) Warn or Sue Your Ex for Missed Child Support When your spouse misses a payment, your lawyer is on your side. They will send warning letters for you on a legal letterhead and, if it comes to it, they will help you sue your spouse for back payments. Your ex does not have the legal option to simply stop paying to support their children. 5) Renegotiate Child Support When Circumstances Change And if your expenses rise (or fall) as the child grows up, your lawyer will renegotiate for new child support terms. As children grow, their lives can change significantly, as well as their expenses. Your child may fall ill, or they make dive into sports and extracurricular activities. When costs change, a lawyer can help you rebuild child support to make it work. Child… --- ### How to Have a Real Discussion About Divorce Finances with Your Ex - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-have-a-real-discussion-about-divorce-finances-with-your-ex/ - **Published:** 2020-11-05 - **Modified:** 2020-12-22 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** How To discuss your divorce finances with your ex. Here are tips from the Denver divorce mediators at Split Simple located in Denver call today 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorces are hard, and so is talking about personal finances. Between the two concepts, our culture practically requires most people to simply stop talking. No one wants to dig up issues relating to their marriage, and no one wants to talk about the potential for future money problems. However, spouses planning a divorce need to have that very serious conversation (likely several conversations) about finances and their shared-to-separate futures. How will dividing the income impact your separate households? How should you separate the assets so that everything is fair for both finances and sentiment? How will you resolve financial or sentimental conflicts when it comes to this monetary part of the divorce? These questions need answering. The answers will turn into terms in your final Denver divorce mediation agreement. So how do you broach this difficult conversation and have a real discussion with your ex? As professional Denver divorce mediators, we can offer a few tips on how to start and hold this conversation, and what to bring to the mediation table for the best possible final terms.  Meet Just to Talk about Finances Start by agreeing with your ex to meet just to talk finances. Agree that it’s an important subject and that all other issues fall by the wayside until you can come to some important conclusions. You need to talk about your divorce budget, as that will impact both of your finances after the Denver divorce mediation. You should discuss the cost of living separately, your separated incomes, and the expectations ahead. Talk about splitting assets, dividing those items that mean the most and then using the rest as a value-buffer to make the deal fair. Or agree to an uneven split for other negotiation points.  The purpose is to meet and stay focused. When you agree to focus, it becomes easier to have a real discussion. You will be more free to explore financial possibilities because you will be less distracted by other factors, ideally. Prepare: Bring Numbers and Notes to the Meeting Before the meeting, get your facts together and encourage your spouse to do the same. Collect notes on how much things cost, what your personal finances look like, and the numbers on some of your proposed plans or ideas for a fair split of assets. Take notes and bring them to the meeting so you’re sharing accurate numbers to make your points. Compare those notes with your spouse so that both of you are working with the most possible information that is useful and relevant. When negotiating or discussing financial issues, having the facts on-hand will help you make the best informed decision. Talk About the Real Cost of Divorce Divorces are not free. Some divorces cost $5,000 or less. Some cost over a $100,000. The whys related to this difference matter, and so do your savings. Couples who minimize their lawyer time, do their own research, and settle the paperwork through a Denver divorce mediator can seriously cut the cost of divorcing.… --- ### Involving Children in Your Divorce - When and How to Do It Right - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/involving-children-in-your-divorce-when-and-how-to-do-it-right/ - **Published:** 2020-10-22 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for tips from the Denver divorce mediators at Split Simple about whether your kids should get involved in the divorce mediation 720-501-4600 **Content:** Most people would say that children should be kept out of the divorce proceedings and, most of the time, they’d be right. Denver divorce mediation is a personal experience between a separating married couple, and children usually benefit psychologically when they are clear of any negative feelings or interactions. But sometimes a divorce isn’t that clear-cut. There are many situations where children must share their opinions for the fairest settlement to be made. There are others where children strongly want to say their piece or have their preferences respected in the terms of the divorce. In situations where children get involved with a divorce, parents must think carefully about how to minimize any negative experience.  In some cases, the kids get involved to share their preferences, sometimes they are very vocal about being heard when they know Denver divorce mediation is coming. Children and teenagers with strong opinions deserve to be heard when parents are planning to rebuild their homelives, and it’s important that they have a safe venue to speak. In many other situations, children may need to share their experiences with each parent to clarify issues of custody or even parental truthfulness. Likewise, you want your children to feel safe even when they need to speak on legal matters regarding the divorce. So how do you make sure children involved in Denver divorce mediation are protected and the negativity minimized? We’re about to examine each strategy that compassionate divorcing parents can use. Continue to Keep Children Separate from Disagreements Everyone knows that divorces are tough and usually involve a lot of disagreement between separating spouses. Most parents know to keep these disagreements out of sight and hearing of the children – as much as is possible in the home environment. Even if your kids are involved in divorce proceedings, keep this rule in place. Don’t argue in front of the children or ask them to take sides – follow your standard handbook for good parenting during Denver divorce mediation. Stick to the Fact If children are involved in a dispute, even a serious custody matter on which you have strong opinions, keep emotion out of it. Don’t ask them to make opinions or value judgments that might favor one parent over the other. Instead, stick to the facts. If a child must answer questions, only ask what they saw, heard, or experienced. They can embellish with emotion or opinion if they want to, but avoid pushing children to answer in a specific way or with emotional context. Ask where they went, what they noticed, and what they understood to be going on. Keep the questions and your tone of voice neutral without any apparent agenda. Children are sensitive to what adults around them want, so the most honest and clarifying answers come when the kids don’t feel a strong motivation for their answers to be one way or the other. For this reason, it’s often best if a neutral third party like a divorce mediator or counselor asks… --- ### 8 Tips to Make Virtual Parenting Time Really Work - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/8-tips-to-make-virtual-parenting-time-really-work/ - **Published:** 2020-10-15 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 8 Ways to make virtual parenting work during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Co-parenting is hard, our Divorce Mediators in Denver can help **Content:** The recent pandemic situation has brought an existing child custody issue into the spotlight: What do co-parents do when it’s impossible to get your quality parenting time in person? Traditionally, this is an issue of distance and time. Children may not be able to travel between parent homes rapidly enough to get regular time with both parents. Even if you are trading fair long-duration stretches of custody, parents still need to maintain their relationship with children by speaking daily and weekly as time permits. Fortunately, today we are surrounded by technology that makes contact at a distance easy. With a little practice, it can almost feel like you’re in the same room together. Virtual parenting through a video call can be fulfilling, but it can also be a ball of stress and technical failures. Today, we’re here to share a few smart tips on how to manage virtual co-parenting and video-chat quality time in a way that’s actually relaxing for everyone involved. 1) Set Up Both Home Networks Start by preventing a few technical difficulties. Set up the wifi network in both parent homes so that there is full, strong-signal coverage. Make sure your internet plan is up to video calls (not all plans are) and then configure your wireless router to provide a reliable wifi signal for mobile devices. Next, make sure all computers and mobile devices to be used for video meetings are set up. Install the app, log into the appropriate account, and configure your camera, microphone, and speakers. Make a few test-calls between in-house devices and then between parent houses to ensure it’s all working correctly to start with.  There will be technical difficulties from here, but at least you know the basic structure is there. 2) Private Co-Parent Meetings vs Quality-Time Meetings Next, define the difference between parent-meetings between adults, co-parenting family meetings, and parent-child quality time meetings. Children, especially, get confused as to when it’s their turn to talk to a parent on the tablet. By defining the difference, your child (and both co-parents) will learn how to have these important separate meetings. The video call does allow distant co-parents to have important conversations face-to-face, or not if you prefer. You can also establish the occasional both-parents family meeting for issues requiring a group discussion or a united parenting front. 3) Make the Video-Meeting Tablet a Fixture To help the distant co-parent become a more integral part of family life, make the tablet a fixture. Build customs that make it normal for a digital parental face to be part of the conversation. Have conversational breakfast calls, or tune the co-parent in during board game nights and move the pieces for them on request. The more casually children learn to treat the tablet, the more personal connection they can make through video calls. 4) FaceTime Casually During the Day – During Work and Homework Hours One of the best ways to turn video parenting into a warm experience is to leave the camera running, even… --- ### SplitSimple.com Announces 2020 Winner of $500 Social Work Scholarship - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/splitsimple-com-announces-2020-winner-of-500-social-work-scholarship/ - **Published:** 2020-10-08 - **Modified:** 2020-10-12 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Denver, CO – SplitSimple.com, an organization focused on assisting Denver based individuals with uncontested divorce mediation, announced Emily Townsend as the winner of their $500 scholarship contest. Emily is currently pursuing a Masters in Clinical Social Work at Western Michigan University with a focus in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children and families who have sustained trauma. **Content:** Denver, CO – SplitSimple.com, an organization focused on assisting Denver based individuals with uncontested divorce mediation, announced Emily Townsend as the winner of their $500 scholarship contest. Emily is currently pursuing a Masters in Clinical Social Work at Western Michigan University with a focus in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children and families who have sustained trauma. “As I prepare to work with children from the most vulnerable populations, I am learning about narrative therapy techniques, how to help children tell their stories without shame or fear, but instead by recognizing the strengths they possess,” writes Townsend in her moving essay. Her essay chronicles key events in her life that have led her to choosing social work as her life’s passion, including her own journey – and the lack of support networks and services specific to Trauma Based Therapy (TBT). In discussing the events that inspired her to become a social worker, Townsend wrote: “Since my time with TBT, I have known that I wanted to work in a setting where I helped people tell their stories and gain strength from it. I have known that to create a more socially just world we must start with the wellness of our minds. My route to social work has been winding and cyclical. I grew up in a tight knit neighborhood in downtown Lansing, Michigan. In my neighborhood, I learned that rights and social equity must be hard fought for by the oppressed and their allies. I witnessed systemic discrimination, gender inequity, and the prison pipeline system keeping my neighbors from living well.” SplitSimple founder Chris Griffith created the scholarship opportunity as a way to help make college expenses more affordable for those who have chosen to help others by becoming social workers. Griffith and his panel of scholarship judges selected Emily Townsend as the recipient of the $500 scholarship based on the quality of her essay and her demonstrable desire to help others.  She won out over dozens of other applicants. Participants in the scholarship contest were required to hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher, as well as submit a letter of recommendation and unofficial transcript of their grades along with a 500-1000 word essay answering the question, “What Inspired Me to Study Social Work?” --- ### Divorce Mediation: Ensuring Fairness for Husbands & Fathers - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-mediation-ensuring-fairness-for-husbands-fathers/ - **Published:** 2020-09-17 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click here for more about how our Denver Divorce Mediators take steps to ensure fairness for fathers and husbands in Divorce located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Denver divorce mediation provides an ideal approach to achieve the fairest of divorce outcomes for all parties involved. Depending on a number of factors, the traditional system of relying solely on two lawyers on opposite sides often fosters outcomes that are less fair, especially for husbands and Fathers. When considering what is most fair, it’s important to consider the crucial benefits that come along with the mediation process. Fair Expressions When divorcing couples communicate, they tend to devolve into a pattern of argumentation. Yet, from emotions to responsibilities, the opportunity for each party to equally express themselves is vital to creating positive outcomes. Oftentimes, men are accustomed to minimal communication practices, and may therefore not adequately express their interests until the opportunity to do so is provided. Emotional Expression As a result of social-conditioning, many men may have been taught dramatically fewer words than women to emotionally express themselves to others. Underneath the two primary default reactions of anger and sadness, husbands may also be dealing with loneliness, frustration, confusion, and apathy. Within one session of mediation, husbands often find themselves much more aware and capable of communicating their emotions, which is essential for communicating the divorce outcomes they want. Expression of Best Interests The dynamics of best interests involve many factors, and what may be traditionally considered the best interests of the children, for example, may not in reality be in their best interests. Denver divorce mediation provides Fathers with the opportunity to express their perspectives on the best interests of their children, from school choices and residential location to custodial schedules. Expression of Responsibility Divorce often creates an offensive stance. For example, instead of thinking that Fathers want to provide for their children or Mothers want to sell the house, people start to assume that the bad EX is out to get them. Denver divorce mediation gives both parties the opportunity to express how and what they already plan to take responsibility for and want to provide. Fair Platform When you enter a courtroom, you are entering the domain and platform of the judge. While judges are usually chosen to be the most ethical and fair, they still come from a particular perspective and may be widely recognized, for example, as a conservative or liberal judge. The fairness of a courtroom is, at minimum, restricted by rules, regulations, and time constraints. In other words, you can freely discuss a lot more via mediation than under oath. Reduced Bias Mediators are trained to come from a non-biased perspective, and they don’t come with generations of courtroom decisions based on, for example, Mothers obtaining primary custody of children. Social change occurs slowly, and when it enters large legal institutions, it must be accompanied by compelling proof and information. The fair platform of Denver divorce mediation ensures that husbands and Fathers are on even playing fields with their spouses and all pertinent information is brought to the legal table. Parental In the Denver divorce mediation room, each party is viewed as… --- ### The Stages of Conflict & Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-stages-of-conflict-divorce/ - **Published:** 2020-08-27 - **Modified:** 2021-08-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the stages of conflict in divorce from the Divorce Mediation Experts at Split Simple located in Denver! Contact us today at 720-501-4600 **Content:** Just like when someone dies and people go through the stages of grief, divorce has stages of both grief and conflict that most couples experience. Divorce is considered one of the most profound psychological stressors because it changes so many aspects of life. Even the most amicable divorces have significant stressors and consequences, and even divorces filled with the most conflict can turnout mutually beneficial in the end. Blame & Bad Communication When a marriage gets to the point of divorce, each person is usually consumed by hurt and pain, which often gets expressed regularly through blame and anger. Relationships that have gone bad tend to have bad communication loops, where the same accusatory, reactive, defensive tactics and words are used over and over. These loops only worsen when the threat of divorce becomes all too real. Couples will find themselves: Rarely speaking in first person, such as starting sentence with I feel or I think, unless it’s something negative like, I can’t stand you. Rarely communicating how they really feel, and instead, saying hateful things to cover-up what they’re feeling, especially when it’s fear of losing the other person. Becoming defensive immediately, even when something is said by the other person that doesn’t have ill intent or an accusation. Accusing and verbally attacking the other person before they can be accused and verbally attacked. Justifying behaviors and emotions related to underlying conflicts in order to not feel like the one who is responsible for the pending divorce. Reacting to the other person’s comments negatively, no matter what is being said. While all of this bad communication is rather normal for a divorcing couple, it’s also very unhealthy, and it doesn’t help toward creating an agreement during the divorce. All the Dirt One of the first areas of conflict that emerges when Denver divorce mediation is on the table is all the dirt two people have on one another. Even in relationships that were never really functional or positive, married people still tend to know a great deal about the other person: the good, the bad, and the ugly, oftentimes from childhood until the present moment. It’s also likely that at one point your spouse was your friend, perhaps even your best-friend. He or she was the person you told everything. If you’ve been together for years, your spouse has also likely seen you at your worst, your angriest, and your most vulnerable. Everyone does things they regret and are not proud of, but once partners know the end of the relationship is near, they often start trying to use those things against one another. These things may be used as constant jabs, for justifying divorce, or worse, threatening the other person with a contested divorce. While there are cases of spousal and child abuse and neglect that warrant action, many times couples will find that both parties have done bad things that neither one of them want dredged-up in a courtroom setting or in front of their children. The… --- ### Handling Your Mortgage During a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/handling-your-mortgage-during-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2020-08-20 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for tips on how to handle your mortgage during divorce from the divorce mediation experts located in Denver at Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** Many of our clients come to us with mortgages. This makes perfect sense, of course- married couples live together, and many of them choose to buy a home. However, this does present certain complications, and one of the most common questions we receive is, “What are we going to do with the mortgage?” Well, Money Magazine has tackled that question in a useful story on their website. Their story does a good job of running down the financial issues associated with bringing a mortgage into a divorce, and offers some possible solutions to that dilemma. The Money piece offers some of the following advice: The easiest solution is to simply sell the house and split the profits If the mortgage is underwater and selling isn’t an option, you can agree to a short sale or try and rent the house If one spouse wants to keep living in the house, it’s a good idea to re-finance the mortgage into the sole name of the party keeping the home – otherwise, the spouse who isn’t living there will still be considered responsible for payments by the lending company (including an impact on credit for missed payments) As part of Split Simple’s uncontested divorce process, we will help you find the right solution to your mortgage problems. We’ll evaluate the state of both parties’ incomes and provide direction regarding how to address all mortgage related issues (including tax related mortgage interest and property tax deductions in a divorce). If you live in Denver or any other Colorado community and you want to learn more about our uncontested divorce process, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Ways to Politely Avoid Talking About Your Divorce with Friends & Coworkers - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/ways-to-politely-avoid-talking-about-your-divorce-with-friends-coworkers/ - **Published:** 2020-08-13 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for help politely avoiding discussing your divorce with family & friends with these tips from Aurora Divorce Mediation experts at Split Simple **Content:** No one likes to go around having to explain their divorce. Whether you’re still in the process of separating or the Aurora divorce mediation is complete, there will always be a few people you need to update about your relationship/social/marital/household status. While you have probably already had the important talk with your closest family and best friends, what about all the people who play a tertiary role in your life? Acquaintances, coworkers, neighbors, and people you socialize with casually sometimes need a quick update that you are now flying solo sans other-half. But you also don’t want to field a lot of sympathy or answer any follow-up questions. People who are just being polite don’t realize they’re prying, and you don’t want the conversation to turn negative, so what do you do?  One of the best tools for a new divorcee is a collection of polite blow-off ways to explain your Aurora divorce mediation without opening yourself up for conversation. You’re looking for the equivalent of “I’m fine, how are you?” to cover the necessary details and brush the subject aside clearly, so the other person knows not to pick it back up.   1. New Routine: “It’s just me now.” Every time you go somewhere or meet someone where you are normally seen with your spouse, use this golden fallback. When someone politely asks where your ex is, asks if your ex is sick, or if they couldn’t make it; smile really big. The smile is key. Then say, “Oh, it’s just me now.” If they ask follow-up questions you don’t want to answer, don’t. Just keep saying, “It’s just me now.” and “You’ll only be seeing me now.” and possibly even “Oh yeah. We’re divorced. So it’ll just be me from now on.”  Keep smiling, this helps to brush off poorly timed sympathy. “It’s just me now,” very politely tells everyone to adapt to the new reality. You are not to be expected with someone else; it’s just you now. And you’re quite satisfied with this arrangement. 2. Minimize sympathy: “We’re not married anymore. It’ been pretty good.” When you need to quickly inform someone that you are divorced without inviting sympathy, don’t use the word divorce. When people hear divorce, they are reflexively sympathetic. Instead, deliver the news like it’s casual good news. Use a tone of voice as though you’re talking about moving to a new apartment and say, “Oh, we’re not married anymore.” This conveys that the relationship is over, personally and legally, without announcing a tragedy. It minimizes the break-up response from friends and acquaintances. If you’re looking to drive home the idea that you’re fine, add “It’s been pretty good” or something equally mild and positive. This indicates clearly that you’re having a good time and don’t need divorce-related sympathy. 3. Reassure: “That’s in the past, don’t even worry about it.” Some people are driven to provide sympathy if they hear about a divorce. It doesn’t matter how long ago the Aurora divorce mediation… --- ### Rebuilding Your Co-Parenting Plan for The "New Normal" - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/rebuilding-your-co-parenting-plan-for-the-new-normal/ - **Published:** 2020-08-06 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click here for help updating your co-parenting plan during the COVID19 pandemic with help from Denver Divorce Mediation experts at Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** The recent pandemic turned a lot of Denver divorce mediation agreements on their heads, especially when it comes to child custody. Who has the kids suddenly became “Who’s locking down with the kids?”. Traveling to trade custody became risky-to-impossible. Not to mention the huge career/financial impact felt by parents across the country. Co-parenting has never required more teamwork and cooperation.  When it came time to shelter-in-place, we sheltered and let custody agreements slide for family safety. But now, months into the pandemic, it’s time to start building the “new normal”. It’s time to update our custody agreements for-the-duration, building new post-COVID policies to ensure that kids get an equal and safe amount of time with each parent.   Today, we’re here to help you dive into the new considerations for new-normal custody. Whether you are still finalizing your Denver divorce mediation terms or updating an existing contract, your co-parenting success depends on adapting to the new circumstances and we can help.   The COVID-Safe Custody Hand-Off Mixing households is the primary risk of passing illness from one person to another. So handing off the kids between co-parent households embodies this risk. This is why everyone should work hard to maintain personal air-space safety in-between so that neither parent is at-risk when they take the kids into their own households. During the hand-off, everyone should wear masks, especially if you meet in a public space. For older kids, consider arrangements where parents do not meet. For example, arrange to drop the kids off, where your co-parent is visible from the front door or garage but you never share personal space. A More Practical Schedule Swapping frequently for weekends may no longer be practical, especially when frequent trades create a higher risk. However, because so many parents are working from home now, it’s also more practical to trade the kids for longer intervals. Two weeks is likely to become the new standard due to quarantine rules, which we’ll discuss more completely in the next point. Rebuild the custody schedule with your co-parent so that each of you is sharing fair time with the kids while lengthening the amount of time between hand-offs. The Quarantine Method If both parents can work from home and mostly get deliveries for all necessities, then you can use the safest possible custody method. COVID-19 runs its course in 2 weeks, and isolating for 14 days is enough to ensure that someone is no longer contagious. Especially if there are no symptoms. So if co-parents both agree to 2-week intervals and both isolate (with and without the kids) during that time, then you can conduct a mask-free trade without worry and your kids will be safe moving from household to household. This is not, of course, possible for everyone. If you need to work or do errands outside the house, take extra precautions like always wearing a mask and maintaining awareness of the surfaces you touch. Income and Child Support Changes Be understanding and communicate about how COVID has impacted… --- ### How to Price a Home for Sale After or During Divorce - Pt 2 - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-price-a-home-for-sale-after-or-during-divorce-pt-2/ - **Published:** 2020-07-23 - **Modified:** 2025-07-24 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more about pricing your home for sale during divorce or after a divorce. The Aurora divorce mediators at Split Simple can help 720-501-4600 **Content:** [Continued from Part 1]  Make Improvements That Influence Value Repaint, don’t remodel Inspection and maintenance repairs New appliances Most homeowners make some small improvements to a home as they prepare it for sale. Inspections and routine maintenance are a must. But beyond that, it’s up to your discretion. Some homeowners simply repaint and move forward. Some make drastic home improvements. Don’t overspend on home improvements. Instead, prioritize the improvements that matter. New appliances or a new roof can make a bigger impact than remodeling the kitchen. Make the home pristinely clean, repaint and refinish, and touch up the landscaping. These changes can influence an appraisal, a home inspection, and capture the hearts of buyers without over-investing in construction. From here, increase your estimated price increases based on objective value, not how happy you are with the changes. Which takes us to the next point.   Objective vs Subjective Value One important step to pricing your home is to remove your subjective idea of value. Whatever customization you’ve done will not feel as personal and perfect to the next buyer. Whatever value you’ve invested has likely depreciated in the years since. Most of the time, home improvements return 50%-70% value in the final home sale price. No matter what you’ve loved about the house, it has an objective value while your personal feelings may be subjective. The best thing you can do is remove your subjective perspective and think about the value of your home based on objective pricing. Track the Housing Market Trend During your research, one useful insight to have is the local housing market trends. Are prices going up or down in the last year? In the last five years? The general trend and momentary fluctuations can give you some perspective on how buyers and real estate agents will be making decisions in your local housing market. This trend can also influence who will be buying, whether you’ll see more local families or out-of-town investment buyers investigating the neighborhood. Check a few different online tools to get a nice view of your local housing market. Many online tool sets include stats you wouldn’t have thought of, but are interesting to know about real estate and home values in your area.  Use Strategic Price Points One trick of the trade learned by most salesmen is that big round numbers are less tempting than uneven price points. Ever wonder why something is sold for 6.95 instead of 7.00? It’s not the five-cent savings passed on to the customers. It’s the fact that a 6.95 item looks like it costs significantly less than a 7.00 item at a glance. This kind of strategic pricing is a psychological trick that catches attention. A home listed for 248,500 seems more tempting than a home priced at 250,000. In fact, the 500 makes it seem even smaller than it is, which is attractive to buyers who are already involved in an emotional quest for their next dream home. Accept Feedback and Respond to the Market… --- ### Understanding Child Support in Three Scenarios: Courtroom Divorce, Uncontested, and Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/understanding-child-support-in-three-scenarios-courtroom-divorce-uncontested-and-mediation/ - **Published:** 2020-07-16 - **Modified:** 2025-04-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more about child support whether you go through a courtroom divorce, an uncontested divorce or through Denver divorce mediation 720-501-4600 **Content:** Changes in a family dynamic affect every member involved. When it comes to navigating a divorce, maintaining a sense of normalcy and consistency is paramount. Establishing a parenting plan that fits seamlessly into a routine is key when it comes to ensuring the best interests of any minor children are being considered foremost. An adjustment in households need not be a disruptive event for families, but rather an opportunity to successfully co-parent. Of course, co-parenting is not simply a matter of agreeing to a routine. Part of providing the best possible life for our children is taking care of their financial needs. We understand that money is the part everyone dreads talking about! No need to break out the calculators or reach for the migraine relief quite yet. The great news about navigating child support is that you have options.  Let’s take a brief look at child support in three scenarios – a traditional courtroom divorce, an uncontested divorce, and the Denver divorce mediation approach.   Courtroom Divorce There are three main factors that impact a child support determination; the income of each party, their respective parenting time as calculated by annual parenting days, and which party provides health insurance for the children. It is fairly self explanatory that the parent whose gross annual income is highest will be expected to contribute the most. Other factors are less clear, such as the amount of time spent in either parents custody. A good rule of thumb is that any parent who cares for their children at least 40% of the time is considered to have equal parenting time. This does not, however, necessarily mean child support will be waived. Income disparity goes a long way in determining what is fair and necessary for both parties to be able to raise a child. In addition, health insurance is considered against the total determination. The number of children can, of course, increase or decrease the amount deemed reasonable as well.  Allowing the court to determine child support is commonly thought of as the default route. As we’ve discussed in previous articles, a traditional courtroom divorce involves either party retaining attorneys (or representing themselves) and advocating for their case. Litigation is typically the more aggressive route, wherein the judge will ultimately issue Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law once each party has had the opportunity to present his or her case. Findings are definitive and do not leave room for further negotiation. This means both parties agree to adhere to the court’s ruling on the matter of child support. Depending on the state, child support calculations may also be submitted to the Child Support Enforcement Division for determination. Either way, once a decision is made, the obligor may end up paying the set amount for a very long time with limited options for appeal and redetermination in the event of a significant change of circumstance. Uncontested Divorce While traditional litigation may be the option most parties think of first, it’s not the only way… --- ### Split Simple COVID-19 Safety Guidelines - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/covid-19-safety-guidelines/ - **Published:** 2020-07-13 - **Modified:** 2024-12-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the safety guidelines our Denver Divorce Mediators are implementing to keep our staff and our clients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. **Content:** We are committed to providing couples in Denver and Aurora with divorce mediation services, and we are continuing to hold mediation sessions during this pandemic. In order to provide the safest experience and continued service during the pandemic, Split Simple continues to provide its entire divorce process in a virtual setting.  There’s no need to add additional stress to an already stressful life event by meeting in person.  Remote, web-based, mediation is the standard in the current pandemic setting.  We’ve used this extensively in the past with excellent results when couples were unable to meet in person, but today it’s the standard approach to avoid unnecessary contact and to keep everyone involved safe. We are able to provide the same high level of product delivery and our clients have expressed how it is much more convenient and comfortable than in person meetings at this time. If you have any questions about how our Denver divorce mediators are managing our mediation services during this pandemic, please give us a call at 720-501-4600 to schedule your mediation services. If you would like more information on how our Aurora divorce mediators are managing our mediation services during this pandemic, please contact us at 720-501-4600 to schedule your mediation session. --- ### Child Custody and Coronavirus Lockdown Safety: Questions Answered - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/child-custody-and-coronavirus-lockdown-safety-questions-answered/ - **Published:** 2020-07-09 - **Modified:** 2024-12-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more on how you can manage child custody during COVID-19 according to the Denver divorce mediator experts at Split Simple located in Denver! **Content:** Child custody is already a complicated agreement between separated and divorced parents, and this coronavirus situation is not making things easier. First, travel was restricted so that parents in two different cities have a harder time trading custody. Then we were all ordered to shelter-in-place and avoid contact with anyone who is not currently living in your house. But what does that mean for parents and children who need to continue their child custody schedule? Is it fair to kids or parents for children to be locked-down in only one household? Is it legal? Today, we’re here to answer your burning questions about how the coronavirus lockdown will influence your child custody agreement. Whether you are already divorced or starting Denver divorce mediation and worried about the future, we hope we can shine a little light on the situation.  What’s Best for the Children: Absolute Virus Safety Whatever your divorce agreement says, whatever you want to do, whatever you think is safe, and whatever your children ask for; safety is the number one concern. Consider, first and foremost, the safety of your children and the safety of you and your co-parent. Children rarely see serious symptoms from this illness but even healthy adults are at risk of severe symptoms and death. So before we get started with options based on viral containment, remember never to take a risk that could get your child sick or leave them without a parent.  Now to those questions we promised: Can My Spouse Keep the Kids Because of the COVID-19 Lockdown? If your children are not currently with you during the lockdown, the most burning question in your mind is likely whether your ex-spouse can lawfully keep the kids during the entire duration of this pandemic, however long it lasts. Legally, the answer is that they can’t deny you access and may be obligated to release care to you. However, it is likely that enforcement courts will overlook this oversight, even if your ex does not have primary or physical custody, because viral safety is paramount. Your ex and kids together in a home make one virally contained household. If it does not become safe for your children to traverse into your household, they will need to stay where they are. If you’re worried about their environment or supplies, we strongly suggest you work with your ex to ensure the children have everything they need. Up to and including a little teamwork and non-mandated child support to make it all work for the kids. I Have the Kids, How Can I Give My Co-Parent Their Custody Time Safely? What if you’re on the other side of this equation? Most exes are not vindictive and are working together to co-parent. You may know that your custody time is almost up (or already lapsed) during the lockdown, but are unsure if it’s safe to send the children back to your ex. Your ex may be asking insistently, or you both might be debating the safety right… --- ### Divorce and In-Home Separation Tips During the COVID-19 Lockdown - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-and-in-home-separation-tips-during-the-covid-19-lockdown/ - **Published:** 2020-05-08 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for how Split Simple located in Denver is handling divorce mediation sessions during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Call today 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce is always a serious business. Maybe one day you’ll be able to look back and laugh at all the stress and decisions and logistical hoop-jumping required but in the moment, nothing could be more deadly serious than the need to separate from an unpleasant relationship. And nothing brings that more into focus than an enforced stay-at-home lockdown. Right now, there are thousands of couples stuck sharing a home who would rather be divorced than sheltering in place together. This can be an incredibly challenging situation. Divorcing couples who have not yet moved apart often survive through distance and through leaving the house. Your time at work, with friends, and eating dinner away from each other is essential to keeping the peace. So the coronavirus stay-at-home conditions are more than a little problematic.  Here at Split Simple, we understand the challenges you’re going through and are here to help. Believe it or not, both of you can continue to take the necessary steps for separation and sanity during this trying time, and we’ve put together a few tips to help you along that path. 1) Your Side – My Side: Sign a Peace Treaty The first and best thing you can do is become allies in your enmity.  What this means is that you agree to disagree, and to do everything you can to give each other space. You may be ready for a divorce, but current conditions have taken the situation of out both of your hands. It’s not your fault or theirs, so you might as well work together to achieve what you both want: peace away from each other. It helps to agree (and shake or sign) on certain terms. If you have split the house, make it official. You agree not to enter their current bedroom or bathroom, they agree not to enter yours. If there’s been some “I have to grab…” back-and-forth, finish that sorting to keep things separate. Agree to share meals, or to cook separately while leaving the other’s ingredients alone. Agree to share TV time at opposite ends of the room or to schedule who watches what when. Agree not to sing show-tunes loudly in the shower if they agree to stop whistling television theme songs in the kitchen. Then stick to those agreements to keep the peace. 2) Split Your Schedule to Create Alone-Time You both need time alone, it’s probably a major part of your plan to get divorced. So do your best to give each other that time by building a schedule. A schedule can help you stop bumping into each other and getting on each other’s nerves. They may need the living room space for a daily workout, for example, and you can use that time in your bedroom or in the backyard doing something completely else. You may need the kitchen to prep a week of ingredients, and a schedule ensures your ex knows when to secure snacks early and stay out. 3) How to Safely Leave… --- ### How to Price a Home for Sale After or During Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-price-a-home-for-sale-after-or-during-divorce/ - **Published:** 2020-04-15 - **Modified:** 2025-04-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for tips on pricing your home for sale after your divorce from the uncontested divorce mediators located in Denver at Split Simple **Content:** When a couple owns a home jointly and then decided to move forward with Denver divorce mediation, there is some important decision-making ahead. Will one person keep the house, along with the mortgage and maintenance costs, or will you sell the house and split the proceeds? Often, the simplest and most beneficial answer is to sell. However, conflict can arise again when it comes time to price the home. While it’s smart to seek the best price you can get, pricing the home initially is an important first step to attracting buyers and winning bids. But how do you correctly price your home for sale? Today, we’re branching out of our comfort zone of divorce law to share a few helpful divorce-finance tips on house selling. Selling a home, there are dozens of best practices for a seller to follow. Inspections, repairs, touch-ups and staging are all essential to the process. Getting good photographs and building an inspiring listing are important. But the most important choice you will make is pricing the home for listing.  The price you ask for will influence who shops for and sees the home, who considers your home an opportunity, and how well your home competes with the local market. But how do you price the home? What is the best number to inspire buyers without missing out on value? This article will help you break down the elements of pricing a home so you can find that number and the range in which you could reasonably negotiate. Get an Appraisal Banks have their own concrete way of defining a home’s value. They look at the appearance, condition, and features of the home while often excluding an estimation of location and sensational value. Appraisals will usually come in low, especially first-appraisals before you’ve made all your improvements, but they will give you an excellent number to start with. Consider getting an appraisal as your initial move for estimating the home’s market value. An appraisal also has two additional impacts. First, it influences how much banks will give to your buyers for a mortgage. Which leads to the second purpose: cluing you in on improvements to make before listing the home on the market.  The Essentials Now that you have a starting number, it’s time to collect some information. The value of your home will be based largely on a few key stats. Of all the things about your home, location is the most important.  Location Location is the single most influential factor of your home cost. The amount that other homes have sold for in your neighborhood and possibly even on your side of the street will influence how much your home can sell for. The home prices in your state, your city, your neighborhood, and your street will set the range. The more you know about home prices in your location, the better. Rooms Number of rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms influences the price of the home as well. Number of bedrooms, in particular, is… --- ### The Top Signs That You Should Consider Getting a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-top-signs-that-you-should-consider-getting-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2020-02-26 - **Modified:** 2025-01-29 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the top signs you should get a divorce. Our Divorce Mediation experts in Aurora can help you and your spouse reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** Marriage is a commitment that most people take seriously, which is why it can be extremely difficult to admit when the relationship has come to an end. However, recognizing that it may be time to get a divorce can be important in order to ensure you and your spouse’s happiness. Furthermore, ending things sooner than later can help to minimize feelings of resentment and anger that can build if you try to hang on to a marriage that isn’t working rather than cutting your losses and walking away. Yet, if you have been struggling to keep your marriage afloat in recent years, you may be wondering how you will know when it is time to move on to the next chapter of your life by filing for a divorce. While this answer will be different for each individual, there are a few signs indicating that it may be time to consider getting a divorce.  You Are No Longer Happy Perhaps the clearest sign that it is time to consider Denver divorce mediation is if you are no longer happy in your marriage. Some people convince themselves to stay in a marriage longer than they should by saying that no one is happy all the time. While it is true that even healthy relationships have their ups and downs, the fact is that you should not be miserable in your marriage. If you are rarely, if ever, happy in your marriage, this may be a sign that your relationship has run its course. In particular, if you are tired, angry, sad, or just emotionally and mentally exhausted most of the time, these are clear signs of an unhealthy marriage.    You’re Only Staying Together for The Kids One of the biggest mistakes that couples make is staying together, even though they know deep down that their marriage is over, simply for the sake of the kids, as they believe that it will be better for the family if they stay together. If the only thing that is currently keeping you from thinking about Denver divorce mediation is your children, this is a clear sign that you should, in fact, get a divorce.  The fact is that kids are smarter and more perceptive than many adults give them credit for, and it is likely that your kids can already sense the problems between you and your spouse. In fact, problems in your marriage can actually trickle down to your kids and negatively affect their emotional health, particularly if they sense your anger, frustration, or sadness. In most cases, it is actually healthier for everyone in the family, including your children, if you get a divorce if you were only staying together to protect your kids. In the long-run, they will be happier if you are happy.  You Live Like Roommates It can happen slowly over time, but one day you may realize that you and your spouse live more like roommates than partners. Maybe you sleep in one room and they sleep in… --- ### Things to Consider in Divorce for Women/Mothers: Don't Allow Guilt to Affect Your Decisions - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/things-to-consider-in-divorce-for-women-mothers/ - **Published:** 2020-02-19 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** What women and mothers should consider when filing for divorce in Aurora Our divorce mediation experts help couples reach an uncontested divorce in Aurora **Content:** Whether we walk down the aisle at a $20,000 church wedding or whisk off to Vegas for a quick but romantic ceremony, most of us do not take our marriage vows lightly.  Notably, at a time when people wait a little longer to get married, we don’t just marry for animal attraction, but friendship and companionship. Often, we  marry our best friend. And, though divorce rates continue to decline in recent years, it does happen. Divorce represents a time of difficulty and sadness for everyone. If the breakup also involves children, it becomes even more complicated and painful. Why do women get divorced? Not that long ago, most divorces took place due to abusive or dramatic circumstances. Judges would usually grant divorces for infidelity, severe substance abuse, or physical mistreatment. Four or five decades ago, it was rare to get a divorce granted for irreconcilable differences. Today, most divorces take place because couples grow apart. The person you married may become an entirely different person in the way of motivation or ideology. Or, perhaps you evolved, and they didn’t.  The stereotypical scenario of middle-aged men leaving their wives for younger women, does, of course, happen, but it represents a small sliver of why divorces occur. Today, women initiate nearly 70% of divorces. And, they don’t file for divorce due to infidelity or substance abuse. Usually, in an unsatisfying marriage, the china plates aren’t flying; in fact, arguing of any kind may not take place. Women want to divorce due to unhappiness. Some of the reasons women feel dissatisfied include the following: Though significant progress continues, gender equality remains unrealized. As with their careers, women don’t always feel like an equal partner in marriage. Many women seek independence to pursue their interests and goals.  The younger generation of women demand more, but many wives filing for divorce today still experience an unequal division of labor when it comes to household chores and responsibilities. This unfair situation involving errands, cleaning, and possibly child rearing takes place even though the woman may also bring home the proverbial bacon. So, though statistics show that men more often end non-marital relationships, women initiate the start of most divorces. And, though divorced women experience more happiness and contentment than divorced men, that happiness comes with complications along the way. Women and guilt associated with divorce: Both parties may experience guilt when facing divorce. A husband content with the status quo may blame himself for his shortcomings. But, the initiator of the breakup undergoes the bulk of the guilt. Guilt represents a destructive emotion from the heart. It can affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally. In the case of divorce, even though we think or even know separation makes the most sense, guilt makes us feel like we become a bad person. Ingrained in us since childhood, often through religion, feelings of guilt may continue due to the unsolicited opinions of parents, in-laws, siblings, and possibly some friends. We start to worry that we may experience regret… --- ### Checklist of Smart Tasks Before Bringing Up Divorce to Your Spouse - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/checklist-of-smart-tasks-before-bringing-up-divorce-to-your-spouse/ - **Published:** 2020-02-12 - **Modified:** 2025-04-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for a checklist of tasks before brining up divorce to your spouse from the uncontested divorce mediators in Denver at Split Simple **Content:** There is a big difference between thinking about getting a divorce and opening the subject with your spouse. Thinking about a divorce is a process of soul-searching and self-preparation. Actually opening that can of worms with your spouse can kick off a sequence of events that you want to be prepared for. Maybe your spouse will be calm and accepting, maybe they’ve felt this coming like you have and are ready to move forward. But there’s also a good chance they will blow up or begin taking wild actions (positive or negative) in response to the consideration of divorce. So before you cross that bridge, there are a few things that it’s smart to take care of first. 1) Think of the Divorce Like a Business Transaction Start by getting your head around the idea of divorce as a non-emotional process. It will be emotional. You will hurt, your spouse will hurt. You will probably fight a few times. But the decisions you make need to be made on a practical level, not an emotional one. Who gets the house, how you split the money, and your custody schedule need to be crafted with a stable future in mind. So start thinking of your Denver divorce mediation as a calm and practical business transaction. You’re splitting a once-shared enterprise into two separate household entities. The emotional implications should take a back-seat to smart decision-making, so prepare yourself to act with that in mind. 2) Quietly Collect Your Financial Documents It’s a sad fact that many spouses go on a spending-spree or even begin stealing from shared accounts when divorce is on the table. Sometimes they overspend vindictively. Sometimes, they overspend trying to win you back with vacations and romance. Either way, you want a snapshot of your finances before anything changes. Later, when you enter Denver divorce mediation, having a copy of all financial records including checkbooks and investment accounts can serve as proof of your finances and any negative financial impact your spouse might have in the near future. Don’t say anything, just quietly collect these records and store digital copies in a personal cloud server. 3) Inventory Your Home and Decide What Matters to You If you’ve ever inventoried your home for insurance purposes, do the same thing now. Take a photo of everything you own, including old boxes that you haven’t opened in a while. Label the photos and think carefully about all the possessions you share with your spouse. For most people, a little consideration will reveal that you don’t actually care about most of it. The dishes, the furniture, most of your household items could disappear tomorrow and you’d only care because they’d need to be functionally replaced. In this light, decide on the few things that really matter to you when it comes time to split up assets. Now may be a good time to pack up any truly personal items like old yearbooks and journals and store them with a friend or relative.… --- ### Advantages of Divorce Mediation for Fathers: Becoming an Ex-husband doesn't Make You an Ex-father - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/advantages-of-divorce-mediation-for-fathers-becoming-an-ex-husband-doesnt-make-you-an-ex-father/ - **Published:** 2020-01-30 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for advantages of divorce mediation for fathers in Aurora. Our divorce lawyers can help you reach an uncontested divorce in Aurora 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce represents a difficult and challenging time for everyone involved. When the divorcing couple also needs to deal with the well-being of minor children, that, of course, makes the situation even more complicated. Especially when the custody and support of children need addressing, men find Aurora divorce mediation more difficult and stressful than their female counterparts. Some of the reasons men find divorce, especially painful, include the following: Divorced men suffer from an increased health risk, especially when it comes to long-term or chronic conditions. Additionally, men do not take their health as seriously as women do, which may result in serious health problems.  Since women usually still receive primary custody after a divorce, men end up taking on the role of second-string or weekend parent. This part-time parent status, along with that of an ex-husband, leads many men to experience an identity crisis. Women initiate seventy percent of divorces. Most divorces don’t stem from dramatic scenarios such as infidelity or abuse but people growing apart and changing their goals. Often, men experience surprise or shock when presented with divorce leaving them off guard and even broken-hearted. Financial struggles may affect men more. Paying for lawyers, litigation, and child support often drains the ex-husband to a point where instead of living in a suburban rambler, he ends up in a two-bedroom apartment.  Societal roles continue to change: For years, men and women fell into their assigned roles as providers and nurturers, respectively. Men possessed the job of going out to work and paying the bills. The less assertive, but more expressive woman took care of the kids and the household.  After women started going back to the workforce, the financial burden for men lessened. But, for many years, household and childcare responsibilities fell mostly on the woman. But, the role of fathers continues to change swiftly. Not only do men participate more with household chores and errands, but the time they spend with their kids doubled between 1995 and 2003. Both the women’s rights movement and the attention to men’s right’s regarding Aurora divorce mediation and custody contribute to the roles of men and women in parenting becoming more similar. Today’s father takes his place in the delivery room and continues his co-parent role throughout childhood. So, if a divorce happens, it sets the father up to maintain a meaningful relationship with the child. In the event of a divorce, a man who already takes a significant part in their child’s life will often become a better father. An improved father and child relationship may happen because of the stress of a challenging marriage no longer exists. After the initial pain of divorce subsides, the divorced father may become happier.  Additionally, children who grow up with the regular presence of a father experience less anxiety, possess more self-esteem, and not surprisingly, do better in school. Mediation doesn’t play favorites: Many men spend more time raising their children. Some of them even serve as primary caregivers as their wives go off… --- ### College Expenses After a Costly Divorce: What Can Financial Aid Cover? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/college-expenses-after-a-costly-divorce-what-can-financial-aid-cover/ - **Published:** 2020-01-16 - **Modified:** 2025-07-28 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** What Financial Aid can cover for your kids to alleviate your financial burden after a costly divorce. Contact us for divorce mediation today 720-501-4600 **Content:** For many families, college plans take a big hit when parents divorce. Separated finances and the cost of the Aurora divorce mediation itself reduce family savings, but also often increase motivation to learn and grow. Not only do divorcing parents have teen futures to think about, but a divorce can also be an inspiration to go back to school and rebuild your career. With money as the only snag, financial aid becomes a matter of great interest. How much financial aid can you or your children receive, and what of the total college expenses can it cover? Scholarships, grants, and government loans can all make it easier for divorcees to afford education for their teens and themselves as long as you know how to apply for funds and then apply the funds you receive in every way possible. Here at Split Simple, we are dedicated to helping families succeed financially during and after Aurora divorce mediation. Reduce your divorce expenses with mediation instead of litigation, build a smart financial balance into your divorce agreement, and plan for your future by accessing financial aid for your teens or your own return to college. Let’s take a closer look at the many college expenses that financial aid can be applied to so that post-divorce college is within your reach. Tuition When financial aid is limited, students often pour the majority of their financial aid into covering the costs of tuition, which continue to rise. The cost of simply attending school has always been considerable as tuition is the primary income source for schools. In schools where tuition is a flat rate, students paying for tuition with financial aid try to take as many classes as possible to make the most of their aid. In schools where tuition is class-by-class, many dedicated students try to calculate the most affordable path through their degrees or need to spread their learning time to make it possible to cover other expenses as well.  On-Campus Housing The second primary use of tuition is on-campus room and board. Students can choose to live in many ways, on and off campus, but those who rely on financial aid must live in the dorms or in alternate on-campus student housing in order to pay for housing with their aid funds. The challenge, of course, is that often there are not enough dorms for all the attending students so students with financial aid work hard to qualify each year by applying early for their dorm rooms or becoming RAs to secure themselves a spot. Campus Meal Plans Campus meals are another financial aid essential and when financial aid falls short, often students short themselves on food to pay for everything else. Those who have managed to cover their tuition and on-campus housing with enough left can invest in a meal plan. On-campus meal plans are often the most efficient way for students to afford an entire semester of food because they are crafted with semester-long nutrition in mind, but bought all… --- ### 4 Things Women Need to Consider During a Divorce in Denver - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/4-things-women-need-to-consider-during-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2020-01-02 - **Modified:** 2025-01-30 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the things every woman should be aware of during their divorce mediation in Denver. Split Simple can help you reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** As a woman, you have a unique perspective during a divorce–and you want to make sure that all of your needs and your children’s needs are taken care of when the divorce is final. You don’t just want to consider the immediate division of assets or custody. You must also consider a few important factors.  1. How could your education or previous income impact the resolution of your divorce? Some judges buy into the stereotype that a woman who has been a stay-at-home mom throughout much of her life doesn’t have the means to fully support her children. If you’ve been a stay-at-home mom for a long time, especially if you lack the certifications or experience you need to easily return to the workforce, a judge may give more weight to your former spouse in custody concerns due to your spouse’s ability to provide for your children. Make sure, as you’re planning your divorce, that you take your education, certifications, and job history into account–and that you have a plan prepared that will help you deal with any issues that arise following your Denver divorce mediation. Consider: Do you need to return to school or get a new certification before heading back to the workforce? How long will it take for you to make yourself employable? For example, if you need a four-year degree, your education and training might take longer than if you can go back to the workforce with a two-year degree or an additional certification.  What is your plan for providing for your children while you receive that training? How will you handle childcare? What about paying for the things you need? Having a solid plan in place can make you appear more favorable.  2. Carefully consider whether you can afford the family home. Many women, especially women with children, are eager to keep the house during a divorce. In fact, it might be at the top of your list of considerations when you’re planning before your Denver divorce mediation. It’s your home, and the place where your children are most comfortable. You might even feel that you’ve contributed more to maintaining and decorating that home than your former spouse. Before you decide that you definitely want the house in your divorce settlement, however, carefully consider whether you can actually afford it. Does your income allow you to finish paying off the house? Also consider: Home maintenance tasks The potential cost of repairs Homeowner’s insurance The cost (including time cost) of yard upkeep Many women find that, when they actually run the numbers, their family home is less affordable on a single income than they thought. Downsizing might add another layer of emotional strain during an already-difficult time, but it may also significantly decrease the strain on your finances later. 3. What’s the best option for your kids when it comes to custody? During the Denver divorce mediation, it’s critical that you keep your kids’ best interests at heart–even if it doesn’t necessarily match what you, personally,… --- ### Conflict and Divorce: How to Handle Conflict When Kids are Involved - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/conflict-and-divorce-how-to-handle-conflict-when-kids-are-involved/ - **Published:** 2019-12-19 - **Modified:** 2025-07-21 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for tips on how to resolve conflicts in your divorce when the kids are involved. Our Divorce Mediators in Aurora can help you today 720-501-4600 **Content:** Not too many people enter into matrimony with the thought of one day calling it quits. But, divorce does happen, and when it does, it represents a difficult time for all parties involved. Sometimes, dramatic events such as domestic violence, unchecked substance abuse, or infidelity bring about the end of a marriage. But, more often than not, divorce comes about because people grow apart, and their interests, goals, and even ideologies no longer work in harmony.  Often, uncontested divorce in Aurora becomes the best and most logical solution for both partners involved. But, when children also make up part of the equation, it becomes considerably more difficult and complicated. Divorce doesn’t have to be hateful: The process of divorcing represents a stressful one. Especially when young children make up part of the picture, it takes a lot of soul-searching to decide to separate. Many couples ask themselves if they should remain together because of the children. Well, if you can’t find a way to live happily, divorcing may represent the best option for everyone involved. Even though you may divorce, you’re not divorcing your kids. Showing respect for each other and keeping the disagreements civil will set the stage for co-parenting. Unless extreme situations exist involving domestic violence, criminal activity, or substance abuse, the ideal situation for the kids consists of the participation of both parents. Some points to remember to successfully co-parent include the following: When both parents stay involved in child-rearing, the child maintains better mental and emotional health. Resolve financial issues, including child support and other expenses. Maintain an amicable relationship with each other and communicate respectfully. When logistical or other problems arise, ask rather than demanding help from the other parent. Set aside your hurt and blame for the good of the children. Don’t overreact when things go wrong. Practice excellent listening skills. Discuss divorce with your kids appropriate for their age: The age of your children and how much conflict they witnessed in your stressed relationship will determine their reaction to your decision to separate. If they attend school, no doubt they know classmates with divorced parents. Regardless of their age and degree of awareness, many children will come up with questions you need to prepare to answer. Some of the most heartbreaking questions include those such as, “Is it my fault?” “Why don’t you love each other anymore?” and, “Doesn’t Daddy or Mommy love me?” When dealing with your children’s questions and reactions you and your ex need to follow some guidelines to reassure them you both still love them and want the best for them: Choose your words carefully. This time of change isn’t a time to point out faults or disappointments, but to explain that you and the other parent decided the best decision was separation. Tell the truth. Telling the truth doesn’t mean you need to bother a child with unnecessary or unpleasant details, but don’t leave them with the thought that it’s a temporary situation if that’s not the case.… --- ### Court Rulings vs Mediation: Which is Better for Settling Divorce Conflicts? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/court-rulings-vs-mediation-which-is-better-for-settling-divorce-conflicts/ - **Published:** 2019-12-12 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Which is best for divorce - court rulings or mediation? Click Here for uncontested divorce advice from our divorce mediators located in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Fighting your spouse during a divorce is par for the course. Many spouses divorce because they can’t stop fighting, and it’s only natural for that conflict to continue into the terms of your divorce. Splitting marital assets, finances, and child custody often result in vicious and deeply personal disagreements.  Courtroom Divorce vs Divorce Mediation Often, spouses will feel that a courtroom divorce is more likely to swing wildly in their favor compared to a negotiated or divorce mediation in Denver. This leads couples to dispute their marital grievances and financial claims before a judge who ultimately has power over how your divorce is written. While it’s true that some amount of bias might be shown in the final ruling, courtroom divorces provide the least control over the terms of your divorce. Divorce mediation in Denver, on the other hand, provides divorces that are decided through a collaborative effort. Even if you are conflicting with your spouse, a divorce mediator will try to find terms that are fair and productive for the future. A mediated divorce also provides time to fully explore or produce evidence for relevant circumstances, where a courtroom divorce often limits time for your perspective to minimal presentations and statements. Conflict in Divorce When you and your spouse are conflicting over divorce terms, often there is a desire to eschew the terms drastically in your favor. This may be due to past grievances, an imbalance in income status, or a dispute over personal property. When a hurt spouse has one overwhelming goal, like keeping the house or getting full custody, they can make decisions only based on that cause. It’s important not to dive into divorce proceedings with tunnel-vision. Often, the best divorce outcome results from careful and measured choices, even when there is ongoing conflict. Separating Property Separating personal property is a delicate procedure in a divorce. Your possessions have been blended for so long that there are normal disputes of ownership, shared value, and total value division. It’s important to take care of keepsakes and meaningful items first, then discuss money. This requires more personal control  Court Divorce Court rulings in a divorce are notorious for clumsy property division. The court doesn’t see itself as there to safeguard personal feelings in property or money division. They are seeking the fastest mathematically equal solution possible, and a couple may not have a choice once the court is involved. It can result in lost financial opportunities and lost property-related memories. Mediated Divorce Mediated property division does include nuance for personal sentiment and lifestyles. Preserving the house might be essential to your divorce plan or you might plan to sell, and mediation will help you find the right solution. Mediation will consider how each spouse will live and how the property division will affect you after the divorce mediation in Denver is finalized. Dividing the Marital Finances The way finances are separated in a divorce is decided based on wealth, potential to work, and some elements of fairness. But… --- ### 7 Types of Personal Property that are Not Split in a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/7-types-of-personal-property-that-are-not-split-in-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-12-05 - **Modified:** 2026-06-21 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the 7 Types of Personal Property Not Split in a Divorce. Contact Split Simple today for divorce mediation located in Aurora 720-501-4600 **Content:** In a divorce, one thing that spouses often worry about is splitting the finances and personal property. It’s become increasingly well-known that things like personal retirement accounts and savings funds are not protected, they will be split evenly or in a way the court deems fair. Investment accounts, marital property, and even things you might call personal belongings of value are all game for financial splitting. But there are a few specific categories where your personal property is protected from divorce division. If you are worried that your spouse will lay claim to your personal property in the Aurora divorce mediation process or that your property is at risk of being sold to split the value, it’s important to know what of your property is protected. There are seven categories of personal property that cannot be claimed or split during the divorce, remaining the sole property of the original owning spouse. Let’s take a look. 1. Personal Gifts Gifts given to the family are considered in value when separating divorce finances, but personal gifts are not. If, for example, your parents give you a car at the beginning of your marriage, but the car is in your name only and never used by your spouse, then this is a protected personal gift. If you were gifted real estate, expensive jewelry, or a kitchen full of appliances, who the gift was addressed to will matter. In many cases, gifts from your spouse will also be considered personal property, not marital property. However, anything you bought for yourself with marital funds will be calculated in the value separation. 2. Inheritance Your spouse cannot lay any claim to your familial (or non-familial) inheritance. If someone left you something in a will or in a trust that was left to you and not to your marriage-unit or family, then that inheritance is entirely yours. Your spouse might have influenced how you spent or invested it if you were still partners, but they do not have any legal claim to inheritance. This includes a home you might have inherited, a lump sum, an investment account, or specific heirloom family items. Even if you inherit from someone you are not related to or have never met, the inheritance value is excluded from Aurora divorce mediation considerations. 3. Pre-Marital Property – Property Owned Before the Marriage The next category is property you owned before you and your spouse got married. If you bought a house in your name before the marriage and then lived there with your spouse, the house is still yours legally with no requirement to split or compensate the value. However, if you bought a house in just your name while married, it’s more likely that the home will be considered marital property, even if you are not joint-owners in the most common arrangement. Pre-marital property includes homes, cars, and personal possessions. Anything you owned before the marriage is yours to keep. This also means that your jewelry, appliances, keepsakes, and other items of… --- ### Why Work With a Divorce Mediator When You Already Agree on Everything - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/why-work-with-a-divorce-mediator-when-you-already-agree-on-everything/ - **Published:** 2019-11-21 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here to learn more about our divorce mediators located in Aurora and how we can help you through divorce even if you agree on everything 720-501-4600 **Content:** Television has prepared us for every divorce to be messy and angry. But not all couples split in a big dramatic courtroom battle. In fact, some are still basically friends, even as the marriage falls apart. You still share the same basic values you did when you got together. You are still holding the same careers, you are even still friendly with each other, but the love is gone. Maybe an event or life change came between you. Maybe you simply drifted apart and are ready to move on as two separate people. But the truly surreal part of it all (compared to television) is that you basically agree on everything about the divorce. When You’re Divorcing But Agree on Everything You and your partner sat down like logical people when finally discussing the topic of divorce. They said thoughtfully, “We should probably sell the house and split the proceeds. You think about it for a moment and nod. That would be best. You ask if it’s okay if you keep the dog, you were always closer. They think about it for a moment and agree, then say maybe they’ll get a cat for their new place. Some divorces are like this. In fact, more divorces are completely amicable and logical than you might think. But the real surprise is that the most agreeable divorces are often those that run into serious accidental blunders. Not because you’re too busy fighting, but because you’re more likely to try and print up a boilerplate divorce and edit yourselves. After all, you don’t need lawyers because you don’t want to fight about anything. Right? Not necessarily. Covering Your Bases in an Amicable Divorce Couples who are intent on fighting about every last possession and penny are actually more likely to be thorough in assessing their finances and assets. They are also more likely to seek the advice of two separate (and potentially costly) lawyers to help them cover all the necessary financial and logistical bases then draw up the proper paperwork. Spouses who agree to divorce and have no trouble meeting each other’s terms across the dining room table are actually less likely to seek professional advice and, oddly enough, more likely to make a mistake. You may forget about the fact that retirement funds earned during marriage are split, or about your change in tax status after you are no longer a married couple. Couples who fight are guided by their separate lawyers to fight down to the last detail, which ironically means these details do get covered. Couples who don’t fight are far more likely to make DIY and boilerplate-divorce mistakes that can be surprisingly costly in the long run. This is exactly why Divorce mediation in Aurora is the ideal answer for couples who want to divorce agreeably, even if you don’t feel that you need mediation. What a Divorce Mediator Can Do for Agreeable Separating Spouses Everyone knows divorce lawyers are expensive, and they have a reputation for making… --- ### How to Talk to Your Family About the Upcoming Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-family-about-the-upcoming-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-11-14 - **Modified:** 2025-01-03 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for tips on how to tell your family that you're getting a divorce. Our divorce mediation attorneys help couples with divorce mediation in Denver **Content:** Deciding to divorce is a tough choice for anyone, but a choice you make with confidence when it’s the right decision for you. Divorces are full of emotional difficulty but often the hardest thing to deal with is actually telling your family and friends that the marriage they were once familiar with is now over. Parents often have almost as extreme a response as their child who is getting divorce. Anyone who spent a lot of time with you as a couple and may have been invested in your relations may have an emotional reaction and need to process through the idea of you being separate once again. If you’re agonizing over how to tell your nearest and dearest about your upcoming Denver divorce mediation, it’s okay to take it slow. Start by approaching the people in your life who will most likely help you break the news to everyone else and help you get through your own emotions during this trying time. Tell Your Most Supportive Family Members First When breaking the news of your family, it’s best to start with those who are most supportive of what is best for you. Whether this is your mother, a sibling, a favorite cousin, talk to the person who will care about your journey and support your decision instead of getting caught up in what your divorce means to them. This person, or perhaps small group of relatives, will become your partner in breaking the news to everyone else. They will support you through this trying time and will help influence those who have their own extreme reactions and those who may try to pressure you against the Denver divorce mediation process for their own reasons. The first people you tell will help to shape how the rest of the family responds to the news. And they will support you in case anyone else reacts badly. Sit Down with Close Family Members Who May be Upset by the News Next, schedule several hours to sit down and tell the members of your family members that need to know but might take the news hard. Your parents, a sibling who was invested in you as part of a couple, or an aunt or uncle who were a big part of your wedding. Anyone might react badly, give them time to process their reaction in the course of your conversation. Tell them gently and make it clear that you are making an important decision in the best interest of both you and your spouse. Kindly frame the situation and the kind of relationship you expect to have with your spouse after the divorce. If they say they need time to think about it, give them space to process. Everyone who was invested in your marriage will have their own reaction. Parents often can’t help but feel they have failed in some way. If this seems to be the case, assure your parents that they have been wonderful, but your life has changed as… --- ### How to Keep Your Dignity Intact and Aim for an Uncontested Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-keep-your-dignity-intact-and-aim-for-an-uncontested-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-11-07 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for advice on keeping your dignity intact while going through divorce. Our Divorce mediators help couples reach an uncontested divorce in Aurora **Content:** Regardless of how long a marriage lasts, ending it is always uncomfortable and complicated. Hurt feelings and bruised egos lead to mud-slinging and conflict that can have a lasting, negative impact on otherwise upstanding individuals. If you’re going through a divorce, the best-case scenario for you and your spouse is to work out the issues before the court does it for you. The more you can agree on, the better off you’ll both be. But it’s not easy, and it will require a lot of self-discipline. Get a grip of yourself as early on in the process as possible. Use the following tips to help guide you through your ordeal, keep your dignity intact, and end up with an uncontested divorce in Aurora: Practice Self-Care If you don’t focus, your divorce will be on your mind 24/7, and you’ll turn into an angry, bitter person who is always ready for a fight. To keep yourself level-headed and in control of your emotions, you need to make sure that you take care of yourself. You don’t have to spend hours in a gym to clear your brain. You simply have to find the time to do activities that you enjoy and will help get your mind off of your issues: Relax over a cup of coffee with a colleague. Take a walk with a close friend or family member. Put aside a few minutes a day to meditate. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you think of something positive that will divert your attention away from what’s going on and will make you feel good. Set aside whatever “me time” you choose in your daily schedule to ensure that you keep to it. Otherwise, you’ll get caught up in your day, and you won’t remember to take care of yourself. Avoid Negativity Going at it with your soon-to-be-ex is never a good idea. Negativity brings out the worst in people and adds fuel to the fire. Even if your spouse deals with you negatively, the best way to respond is by being polite and civil. Hopefully, setting a good example with your actions will help calm things down so cooler heads can prevail. Civility is especially crucial if children are in the picture. If you end up with joint custody, you’ll have to deal with your spouse for years after the divorce. While it’s tempting to initiate or respond to a verbal attack, focus on the endgame. Remember that the person you’re fighting with is your children’s parent, and you’ll need to be on good terms at some point for the sake of their emotional well-being. Avoid Gossiping with Outsiders It might not be easy, but you’ll be better off taking the high road by not gossiping with your friends and colleagues about the details of your divorce mediation in Aurora. If your spouse finds out you’re discussing the dispute with your acquaintances, they’ll respond in kind by talking to their people. Once your fight becomes everybody’s business,… --- ### How to Deal With Major Life Changes During a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-major-life-changes-during-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-10-24 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for help dealing with major life changes after divorce. Divorce mediators at Split Simple can help you reach an uncontested divorce in Aurora **Content:** Divorcing is a big decision for anyone. No matter how you were living before or the state of your relationship, separating two people who are financially and personally intertwined is a complex process. Many people walk carefully through their divorce, checking with a legal consultant and measuring their actions with every step. You need to separate your finances, work out a fair and flexible custody schedule, and make sure both exes are set up to live productive and separate lives. Divorce is a lot like going on a road trip. You plan carefully, you use the resources available to make the trip as not-unpleasant as possible, and one major setback can throw off the whole thing.  Unplanned Life Changes During a Divorce During a divorce, you know it’s best to keep all other aspects of your life as stable as possible. But life events often happen without your permission or planning. Couples have to deal with major life changes while in the middle of a divorce all the time, but every journey is different. You may lose your job or be transferred far away by your employer. Your child may become sick, or they may win a contest that means a state-level finalist competition right in the middle of divorce proceedings. Your teen may decide they want to live with the other parent, your house might experience a major maintenance problem, or your soon-to-be ex might be going through something unexpected and serious. When this happens, the best thing a separating couple can do is to keep the channels of communication open and begin adapting to the situation with help from Aurora divorce mediators.  Take a Breath and Consider Your Options The first step is to take a breath. Chances are that this life event is not as catastrophic as it may feel at first. Take some time at the end of your day to think about what has just happened. Consider the realistic impact on your life, your ex, your kids, your finances, and your divorce proceedings. Consider all the possible outcomes and different ways you could handle the situation based on your various goals. Write down how you could minimize the impact on your finances, on your schedule, or on the life of your kids. Consult With Your Mediator and/or Lawyer How you are handling your divorce already will determine what will change based on this unexpected event. However, you don’t necessarily have to experience a setback with proper and informed planning. This is why it’s best to run the entire issue by the Aurora divorce mediators you are working with. Talking it out can give you the answers you need before making any rash decisions. If you are working with a Aurora divorce mediator, sit down with them and your spouse to explain the major change in your life. A mediator is there to solve divorce problems and help both parties reach the best possible result. They can help you work through the changes and adapt your… --- ### I've Decided to Get a Divorce, What Should My Next Steps Be? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/ive-decided-to-get-a-divorce-what-should-my-next-steps-be/ - **Published:** 2019-10-17 - **Modified:** 2021-08-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** So you've decided on divorce what should your next steps be? Click here for how you can reach an uncontested divorce in Denver with the help of Split Simple **Content:** Deciding that it is time to get a divorce can be one of the most difficult, and emotional, decisions you will ever make. However, if you have decided that it is time to get a divorce, it is likely that this decision did not come out of the blue as you have likely been debating doing this for months, or even years, but have finally realized that the time has come. While going through a divorce is never easy, for some people it can also feel freeing to know that they have finally come to a decision that will help them move forward with their lives. Yet, realizing that you want a divorce may also leave you feeling uncertain of what your next steps should be; what is the best way to prepare for the divorce process that is to come? To help get you started, here are a few steps that you can take to prepare for a divorce. Prepare Yourself Mentally Before you begin thinking about the divorce process and the things you will need to take care of in the coming weeks, the first thing you will want to do is prepare yourself mentally and make sure that you have your emotions under control. While the emotional nature of divorce can make this seem like an impossible task, it is critical that you try to keep your emotions in check as much as possible as you will likely have tough decisions to make, and you will want to be able to think logically so that you do not make any impulsive or rash decisions in the heat of the moment. You should also prepare yourself mentally for a possible negative reaction from your spouse, and potentially even some backlash, as they may not be prepared for your decision and may also struggle to keep their emotions in check. You will want to be ready for this so that you do not make the situation worse by responding emotionally.   Think About How You Will Tell Your Spouse Unless the decision to get a divorce was a collaborative decision you and your spouse both reached together, you will need to take some time to think about how you will break the news to them. If the relationship has been deteriorating for some time and you both seem unhappy, then the news may not come as that much of a surprise. However, in some cases, your spouse may think that everything is fine, and the thought of divorce may have never entered their mind. You should then take some time to think about how it will be best to go about breaking the news to them. Think through your reasoning, and try to keep the conversation as calm and considerate as possible. If you are afraid that your spouse may have a violent reaction to the news, you may want to consider making arrangements to have somewhere else to live before breaking the news to them, and you may want… --- ### Divorce 101: Uncontested Divorce vs. Courtroom Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-101-uncontested-divorce-vs-courtroom-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-10-10 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for differences between a courtroom divorce and reaching an uncontested divorce in Aurora with the experienced divorce mediators at Split Simple **Content:** When a couple takes their vows and says; “I do,” it’s meant to last a lifetime. No couple ever anticipates that finances, infidelity, lack of attention/communication, or irreconcilable differences will get in the way of their marriage. After all, the marriage is suppose to endure sickness and health or until death does you part, right?  According to the American Psychological Association, “40 to 50 percent of married couples in America divorce.” A divorce is when a couple terminates or dissolves their marriage by court authority (state jurisdiction). The question is are you seeking an uncontested divorce in Aurora or courtroom divorce and what are the differences?  Uncontested Divorce  An uncontested divorce is chosen by couples that agree on the terms of their divorce. For example, they’re in agreement with their finances, custody of the kids, etc., they can pursue an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce in Aurora is known as one of the most basic kind of divorces. It must be initiated by one party for the process to begin. This is known as one of the most amicable divorce proceedings for married couples and the courts.  What you can expect from an uncontested divorce:   Once you’ve reached an agreement on all of the matters concerning the divorce including:  custody agreement  child support/alimony (i.e. amount/duration)  property division  debt arrangements  …an uncontested divorce can proceed.  Once everyone involved has reached an agreement, file the necessary court paperwork to have the divorce finalized, and a judge will approve the divorce. unless If appears there’s circumstances surrounding the agreement that aren’t feasible for either party, a hearing may be scheduled. If you prefer, an attorney can look over the settlement agreement for any legal discrepancies that may exist.  Courtroom Divorce  A courtroom divorce is the main divorce proceedings most couples are familiar with when it comes to dissolving their marriage. You’ll be advised to try to handle your divorce without standing before a judge, but if you can’t, a courtroom divorce hearing is scheduled to finalized the most important details. Ironically, when one of the parties refuse to adhere to the divorce agreement, it’s also necessary to move forward with a courtroom divorce. In fact, a disagreement can be a result of one party not agreeing to the divorce.  When you and your spouse can’t resolve all of your issues, a courtroom divorce becomes your best option. For example, if your spouse won’t pay the court-ordered child support, divorce court is a great way to ensure that you can get a court order against your spouse. Ironically, if you’re pursuing a courtroom divorce, it’s always wise to have legal representation to ensure all of your issues are presented before the court. In a courtroom divorce, a judgment is entered that both parties must adhere to or risk being sanctioned, fined, or jailed.  What Are The Differences Between An Uncontested Divorce And A Courtroom Divorce  Ironically, there are differences between an uncontested and courtroom divorce. An uncontested divorce in Aurora is easier because all… --- ### Split Simple Announces 2019 Winner of $500 Social Work Scholarship - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/split-simple-announces-2019-winner-of-500-social-work-scholarship/ - **Published:** 2019-10-01 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more information about the recipient of a $500 Social Work Scholarship as presented by Split Simple, divorce mediators located in Aurora **Content:** Aurora, Colorado– October 1, 2019- Split Simple, an organization focused on assisting Aurora and Denver based individuals with uncontested divorce mediation, announced the winner of their $500 scholarship contest held over the summer. Ashley Bline, enrolled at Western Oregon University, studying sociology with the goal of getting a masters degree in social work, impressed the panel of judges with her commitment to serving military families. We appreciate that mission.. “I hope to become a Clinical Social Worker and focus my practice on working with children whose parents are actively in the military or who are military veterans,” writes Bline in her moving essay, which chronicles key events in her life that have led her to choosing social work as her life’s passion, including her parents’ deployments and the lack of support networks and services specific to military families. In discussing the events that inspired her to become a social worker, Bline wrote: “Growing up I have experienced several instances when one of my parents were deployed for extended periods of time. My mother was deployed for 9 months when I was just a toddler and though I do not remember much about this time due to my young age, I have been told that I experienced a lot of anxiety and stress as did both of my parents throughout the deployment.  My father has been deployed many times but in 2010, when I was 10 years old, he was deployed for an entire year. This was a very difficult and stressful time for my family and I. I would have liked to have seen a therapist or have attended a support group with other kids who understood the situation my family and I were in and what I was feeling. Split Simple founder Chris Griffith created the scholarship opportunity as a way to help make college expenses more affordable for those who have chosen to help others by becoming social workers. Griffith and his panel of scholarship judges selected Bline as the recipient of the $500 scholarship based on the quality of her essay and her demonstrable desire to help others.  She won out over dozens of other applicants. Participants in the scholarship contest were required to hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher, as well as submit a letter of recommendation and unofficial transcript of their grades along with a 500-1000 word essay answering the question, “What Inspired Me to Study Social Work?” For more information, Contact Split Simple today. Split Simple  6105 S Main St #200, Aurora, CO 80016 --- ### Help! My Divorce Documents Were Rejected – Now What? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/help-my-divorce-documents-were-rejected-now-what/ - **Published:** 2019-09-12 - **Modified:** 2025-07-23 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Divorce can be stressful in any scenario. If you decide to handle your divorce pro se (without an attorney) if can be even more stressful. **Content:** Divorce can be stressful in any scenario. If you decide to handle your divorce pro se (without an attorney) if can be even more stressful.  In addition to making sure property and assets are being fairly distributed, you may also be dealing with child custody and visitation issues. In the best scenario, you and your soon to be ex-spouse are agreeable and are working together to resolve all issues amicably. Having said that, even when all your issues have been resolved and all parties are satisfied with the settlements, you still have to present your divorce and supporting documents to the Court for approval in order to proceed. Don’t allow rejected documents to delay the finalization of your divorce. CONSIDER MEDIATION Divorce mediation in Aurora can be a helpful tool for couples looking to divorce who need a little guidance and direction. You both may know what you want but are having a hard time putting it into words or you are anxious that all the bases are not being covered and you are leaving yourself or your children vulnerable. At Split Simple, we have experienced, dedicated attorneys on staff who act as mediators in divorce situations. Since they are well-versed in the local and state laws regarding divorce, child support, custody, and property distribution, they are highly qualified to assist you with your issues and concerns. Aurora divorce mediators are impartial and simply act in a facilitator capacity to help you and your spouse both get what you need from the divorce with minimal fuss. OUR PROCESS Split Simple has created a streamlined process to get you through your divorce negotiations as quickly as possible while minimizing stress on all parties involved. We schedule an initial consultation by phone free of charge where you will be advised of the pricing plan rate for your case. In-person consultations will be scheduled and at that time, both spouses will be provided with checklists to assist in keeping the process moving smoothly. Questionnaires will also be distributed that deal with finances, etc. so that the Aurora divorce mediator has all the tools necessary to assist with property distribution, child custody, alimony, and any other issues up for negotiations. After the consultations, both spouses will receive easy to understand review documents laying out what has been agreed upon so that each party can review everything and make sure they are comfortable and in agreement with the finalized terms. The mediator will also furnish all the court documents required so that they may be filed with the court when both parties are ready to proceed. NAVIGATING THE COURTS When submitting court documents as a pro se party to a divorce, you need to make sure that you have met all the requirements the court has set forth in order to have your settlement agreement approved by a judge and have him/her sign off and grant your divorce. If you are missing supporting documents or have sent in incomplete forms, your divorce will not be… --- ### 7 Reasons for a Mediated Divorce Even When You are Very Angry - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/7-reasons-for-a-mediated-divorce-even-when-you-are-very-angry/ - **Published:** 2019-09-05 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 7 reasons you should seek Denver divorce mediation when you're angry to reach an uncontested divorce with Split Simple in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Whatever they did to you, and however justified your anger may be, the smartest thing you can do now is to seek divorce mediation in Denver. Don’t try to ream them for everything they’re worth. Don’t try to smear their name through court, take all their money, and deny them 100% access to your kids. At least not right away. Why? Because TV has led you wrong about the right way to handle betrayal, anger, and divorce. If you want the best possible outcome for you, and your kids if you have any, a Denver divorce mediator is actually better equipped to do that than two opposing lawyers or a courtroom judge. The reasons why come in seven definitive answers. 1) Courtroom Divorces Take the Control Out of Your Hands If you take your divorce to the courtroom, you are putting the final decision-making power into the judge’s hands. Not your own. The judge you are assigned is the person who will make the decisions about your finances, your property, and custody of your children. You do not want your divorce to wind up handled in a courtroom unless you really truly need law enforcement to protect you in addition to arranging a divorce. Otherwise, the loss of control in all the most important decisions simply isn’t worth it. This is why most couples, even fighting couples, opt for an uncontested divorce in Denver where the terms are worked out and approved by lawyers before the divorce is submitted to the court for finalization. Because if you ask a judge to make decisions, they might just rule against you. Which leads us to our next point. 2) Your Anger Can be Used Against in Adversarial Negotiations and Courtrooms When you are very angry about your spouse’s behavior, this is a bad time to make your first impression in front of a courtroom judge. Not only might the judge rule more fairly in your spouses favor than you might like, but your spouse could all-too-easily spin your rage at them into the idea that you are a reckless, angry, or even abusive person all the time. Going to divorce court angry is a good way to lose the sympathy of the judge even if you are the person who was wronged in the marriage. Being seen as an angry, uncontrolled person can lose your credibility in negotiating for your business holdings and properties and, most importantly, for custody of your children. 3) Your Anger Can Blind You During Lawyer vs Lawyer Negotiations Then there are lawyer-versus-lawyer negotiations. In a traditional uncontested divorce in Denver, the conflict happens before the courtroom where both spouse’s lawyers negotiate for the best interests of their clients. This can be vicious, elongated, expensive, and your anger may still be used against you. Not in the same way, but you may ask for too much of one thing while forgetting to protect yourself in other critical ways in the negotiation. And your lawyer may allow this to… --- ### Getting the House: Financial Considerations When Negotiating Divorce Terms - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/getting-the-house-financial-considerations-when-negotiating-divorce-terms/ - **Published:** 2019-08-29 - **Modified:** 2021-06-30 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for financial aspects you should consider when negotiating the terms of your Denver uncontested divorce including who should get the home and why **Content:** If you’ve been thinking about ways to get the house in your uncontested divorce in Denver or worried that your spouse might get the house, this article is here to outline the details of what that actually means. And why so many couples wind up amicably selling the house and splitting the profits instead. The Emotional Battle Let’s start where most divorcing spouses start, at the emotional battle. Initially, many couples fight over who “gets the house” because it feels like a major victory that you can win. Really, this is a serious logistical and financial consideration that must be decided carefully. But your emotions tell you that the house is personal. You Want “The Big Thing” For spouses that are separating angrily, as so many do, it’s easy to see being granted homeownership as the biggest thing you can take from the other because it is the largest thing the two of you owned jointly. You’d like to claim it as yours and cackle victoriously from the rooftop as your uncontested divorce in Denver finalizes. We get it. Your Kids Grew Up There (Or Live There Now) Getting the house can also feel like the first step in the upcoming custody battle. After all, wouldn’t the judge want to leave the kids in their family home with whoever stays in the house? Not necessarily. It may feel that way, but having the home is not a guaranteed custody win. Who Moves Out? Then there’s that who-kicks-out-who battle. No one wants to feel like the person who was “put out” even if they initiated the divorce. Expenses That Come With “Getting the House” However, take it from experienced Denver divorce mediators getting the house is not always a walk in the park. In fact, victory is seldom as sweet as you imagine when it comes time to first buy your spouse out of the mortgage, then take over all the bills, expenses, fees, and taxes associated with homeownership on a single income. Mortgage Payments When you get the house, you also get full responsibility for the mortgage. On the bright side, this might be your chance to renegotiate for a better interest rate, but that mortgage is still all yours. Including the newly non-shared debt load on your credit score. Property Taxes Property taxes are all-too-easy to forget, but they are based on the value of your home. So if you have a nice house, property taxes monthly or annually can be a hefty cost to consider. HOA Fees If your home is in an HOA, as so many are, that’s an additional annual fee for the privilege of using the sidewalks and playgrounds. Bills & Maintenance All monthly utility bills and all the maintenance from the air filters to the new roof the home needs next year are now on you, the sole homeowner. Considerations for a Single Parent Keeping the House Next. take the time to consider what it will really be like with the divorce terms you’re… --- ### Your Reasons for Divorce May Not Fit the Norm - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/your-reasons-for-divorce-may-not-fit-the-norm/ - **Published:** 2019-08-22 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for common ways reaching an uncontested divorce in Denver is different for many couples. Split Simple can help you work through divorce mediation **Content:** When you’re in a marriage or long-term relationship that feels broken, there are many emotions. Among others, there are the feelings of sadness, relief, fear about the future, anxiety about resolving conflicts, and hope for a different kind of life. We know that resolving to obtain a divorce can be tough. It’s important to consider your reasons for this major life change. You have your own reasons for divorce, and they may not align with the reasons that other friends and relatives have cited for their own breakups. Common reasons for divorce mediation in Denver include infidelity, substance abuse, domestic abuse, marrying too young, and incompatibility. However, not all marriages fit this list. In this post, we examine the reality that some people end a marriage because things have changed, and they can reference no crisis or impetus for their decision.  People Grow and Change Over Time, Together or Apart Some people grow apart over time because they spend less time together. One study found the most common reasons for divorce among people who had enrolled in a mandatory parenting course were “growing apart” and “not being able to talk together.” The same couples who might have had a strong marriage in the past found this to be true and decided to end their marriage. Again, you and your spouse may not be able to point to a particular event or issue as a driving force behind separation and divorce mediation in Denver. What’s more, in this stage of life, you may both have different preferences for activities and financial management that seem incompatible. These differences may create a wedge that is harder to ignore, especially if you have “fallen out of love.” Accepting differences is easier to do in a relationship that is still strengthened by love and commitment.  Where Is Your Life Going Now? When considering divorce, you are making a huge decision that will have long-term repercussions for your finances and emotional well-being and for the children who lived in the household during the marriage. If you’ve fallen out of love and had enough time to think through this situation, then you may feel repairing the relationship is impossible. You are ready to move on. Regardless of your reasons for divorce mediation in Denver, they will indicate the need for a legal process, which includes separating all legal ties, including joint property and assets, and defining financial arrangements and parenting plans. These steps are not easy to take; they can create much stress in your home. Before agreeing to any terms of the divorce or a parenting plan, you need to map out your minimum acceptable conditions for the future, including the level of financial support you might require to continue in your household and the best parenting schedule for the kids. If you try to rush the divorce settlement, you could agree to terms that will not be sustainable in the future. Then, you will be stuck dealing with lasting effects on your own. Finally, it… --- ### When is it Appropriate to Change Child's Last Name? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/when-is-it-appropriate-to-change-childs-last-name/ - **Published:** 2019-08-15 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the top 5 situations where it is appropriate to change your child's last name after reaching an uncontested divorce in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Changing a child’s last name is a big step for any family, and there are a lot of reasons why you might choose to do so. Of course, almost all of them have at least something to do with child custody. A child’s last name is supposed to indicate who their direct guardians and relatives are, primarily their own parents. The tradition of the mother taking on the father’s name and then the children also having the now-shared family name keeps families unified and easy to define both legally and bureaucratically (in all paperwork). As many families have incidentally experienced, a child with a different last name from their immediate caretakers is subject to a lot more hassle and confusion. “That can’t be your mom, she has a different last name” is something these children hear all the time, even if the woman in question is their real mother who returned to her maiden name after the divorce. The last name structure is so strong in our society it can even get in the way of perfectly normal custody arrangements like grandparents, aunts, and uncles, or foster parents caring for a child when the parents are gone or unavailable. But the question you’ve likely come to have answered is whether it’s right and possible to change the last name of a child under your care. Because every family situation is unique, we can’t answer this question outright with a definite ‘yes’ or ‘no’ without an in-depth consultation, but we can give you some ideas and examples of when a name change is appropriate. 1) Father Signs Away His Parental Right Traditionally and practically in most hospitals where babies are named, the child will be given the name of the father. However, if the father of your child signs away their legal parental rights and declares no interest in their offspring, it is no longer appropriate for them to bear his name. If the birth certificate already has the fathers name, you request for a name change is very likely to be accepted because the child has no existing identity with the previous name and there is no conflict with the father. Children whose fathers sign away their rights later in life can then reasonably take on the name of their current primary caretakers. This could be their mother’s maiden name, the name of a new well-loved step-parent, or the name of their new guardians if neither parent is present. 2) Part of Your Divorce Agreement Of course, signing away parental rights is not necessary for a name change; it simply makes the process easier because it removes a vector of conflict. It’s not uncommon for mothers to petition to change their children’s names after an uncontested divorce in Denver, particularly if there was abuse and she is changing back to her maiden name. However, involved divorced fathers have a say and can argue against the name change as part of their parental right. From here, the court will judge primarily… --- ### 5 Reasons for Trial Separation Before Starting Your Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/5-reasons-for-trial-separation-before-starting-your-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-08-08 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 5 ways a trial separation can help you reach an uncontested divorce in Aurora. Our divorce mediation experts can help you today 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce is a big step when you have built your life with someone and thought it was forever. It’s best to take some time to think about whether you’re seriously pursuing a divorce or if the relationship can (or should) be salvaged.  Up until 2016, the Illinois legislature required couples to wait for two years or six months in order to have an uncontested or no-fault divorce approved by the court. This was usually used as a trial separation period, forcing couples to consider their irrevocable differences before allowing them to divorce. Fortunately, the new laws in 2016 have changed that requirement and a waiting period is no longer necessary for an uncontested divorce in Aurora. But you should consider a trial separation before moving forward nonetheless. This change in the legislature takes the courts out of your personal separation process, which is a good thing. Ultimately, the change in legislature gives you more freedom to separate in whatever way is best. But there is also a great deal for couples to learn through trial separation that can be beneficial to each person individually, it can smartly inform your final divorce terms, and it can give you a strong basis for your relationship in the future. Whether that future is together, separate, or co-parenting peacefully. Today, we’re here to highlight five very good reasons why Aurora pre-divorce couples should consider trial separation before seeking a divorce even though it is no longer legally required by the state.  1) A Preview of Separating Your Living Expenses Of all the emotional and lifestyle implications of a trial separation, by far the most useful thing you will experience is the financial preview. So many couples are taken by surprise at how expensive it is to live alone, or how much trouble it is to build a second household after separating your original shared life.  The expenses for establishing a new home alone are staggering if you don’t expect them. New dishes, silverware, and kitchen essentials. New chairs and tables, a new bed frame, or a new home office setup may only be the beginning of truly separating your lives. And it’s best to deal with these things while you can still shake out the kinks and freely share resources if needed. Not to mention the ongoing cost of two sets of rent and bills. A trial separation will give you a sample experience of what your future divorce will be like financially in many direct and practical ways. 2) Separate Your Belongings Before the Asset Divide Divorces, even uncontested divorces in Aurora, often degenerate into a fight the worth of assets versus “your stuff” and “my stuff”. Each separating spouse will naturally want the furniture they came with, any precious personal keepsakes, and items they bought for themselves or primarily used. Trial separation gives you the chance to let these things shake out naturally. As one spouse moves out, they can discuss the items the expect to take and the items they’d like… --- ### What Happens After Divorce? Caring for Children - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-happens-after-divorce-caring-for-children/ - **Published:** 2019-07-31 - **Modified:** 2025-07-23 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for simple ways you can care for your children during the divorce mediation process, and after your uncontested divorce is finalized in Aurora. **Content:** When two people decide to divorce, the well-being of their children has to be a crucial focus on the process. Aurora divorce mediators and courts agree: the welfare of children comes first in a divorce. Sometimes, however, divorcing couples can lose sight of what’s best for the children. Divorce can cause painful feelings of rejection, abandonment, jealousy, and fear. You may worry that your children will become more distant than you’d like, or be raised with values you don’t agree with. You may fear not having any choice feedback into the important decisions that surround raising children, such as education or religion. You may worry that the divorce process itself will be a negative experience for your children, affecting family relations for years to come. In addition, of course, responsible parents can differ about what the needs of children are. Coming to an agreement can be difficult in these circumstances even without negative emotions. The process of uncontested divorce, however, can work toward parental agreement in the best interests of the child without triggering negative emotions or differences that are hard to reconcile. A Aurora divorce mediator works to ensure that sessions in an uncontested divorce find productive solutions the parents can live with that will help children flourish. While a court process and judgments can lead to recrimination, an uncontested divorce allows each parent to reach a reasonable and calm agreement. Reason and calm promote the children’s welfare. If you’re contemplating a divorce in Aurora but want to discuss child issues in an uncontested divorce, please call Split Simple today at 720-501-4600. Here is how family law works in an uncontested divorce in Aurora. Parenting Plans A divorce settlement in Illinois is required by law to include a parenting plan if children are involved. A parenting plan is thus one of the most important documents in a divorce. In a parenting plan under an uncontested divorce, both parents, with the guidance of a Aurora divorce mediator, agree on a plan that comprehensively lays forth guidelines for all the major decisions to be made raising the children, such as education, healthcare and medical issues, religion, and other primary areas that affect the lives of the children, such as vacation. A parenting plan is required to cover: Who will have custody of the child (now termed, under Illinois law, “allocation of parental responsibilities”) What the visitation rights are for the parent who does not have custody Guidelines for major decisions, as discussed above Method for resolving any future disputes The plan must also include addresses and contact information for both parents. The approved parenting plan is then submitted for a judge’s approval. Parenting plans can be modified if it becomes necessary, but it’s a good idea to develop a plan that will need little modification. Custody of Children The terms “child custody” and “visitation” were official removed from Illinois law three years ago, and were replaced with the terms “parental responsibilities” and “parenting time.” We realize that many people are more… --- ### 5 Reasons Why Non-Celebrity Couples Sign Prenup Agreements - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/5-reasons-why-non-celebrity-couples-sign-prenup-agreements/ - **Published:** 2019-07-24 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 5 reasons why you should sign a prenup before getting married. The divorce mediation attorneys in Aurora can help with your prenup today! **Content:** When you’re thinking about divorce mediation in Aurora, the topic of prenuptial agreements often floats to the surface. Whether you and your spouse have one, or should have had one, can become a hot topic of discussion. In the past, prenuptial agreements have been seen as either a hostile beginning to a marriage or something for the very rich. In reality, they’re just another practical contract. A prenup doesn’t have to address a celebrity’s millions of pre-marriage dollars or spell out penalties for fault-based divorces. When a couple decides to sign a prenup before marriage, the agreement can be built to serve their very personal and specific purposes. Prenuptial agreements are complex and highly customizable. Our state doesn’t have a standard prenup agreement and does not require couples to conform to one. Instead, each prenup is individually deemed to be equitable and enforceable before the court signs-off on it. This allows couples to craft whatever kind of fair contract they desire to suit their unique preferences and circumstances. Today, we’re going to explore five different reasons why couples choose to build a prenup that has nothing to do with being an insanely wealthy celebrity or paranoid about divorce.  1) Going Into Business Together Are you and your soon-to-be spouse planning on going into business together? Perhaps you already have a business together and need to navigate its management in relation to your marriage. Spouses as business partners have been a tradition for longer than there have been business licenses. For centuries, it has been normal to find a man and wife running a shop together. But just as business has become much more involved and complex, so has business management when spouses are co-founders. The division of expenses and assets when going into business with your spouse can get complicated. Especially if one day you decide to divorce. It may seem possible today, but it’s important to build yourself a practical safety net when there’s no way to know what the future holds. Good or bad. Even if a divorce between business partners is amicable, a prenup relating to your business can save a lot of grief and complicated legal questions in the future. 2) Questions of Inheritance Assets inherited before the marriage are usually protected as pre-marital wealth. However, assets inherited after the marital union are usually considered to belong to both spouses equally. If one spouse expects to inherit something special or significant after the marriage, they may want to protect ownership using a prenuptial agreement. This isn’t necessarily a hostile or withholding action, but one’s right to sentimental property. Let’s say one spouse expects to inherit the home they grew up in. The home has far more sentimental value to them than it would to their spouse, and it would destroy a lineage tradition if it had to be sold to “split down the middle” during an uncontested divorce in Aurora. It would make sense, then, to write a prenup that establishes sole ownership of the home… --- ### The 5 Golden Rules to Avoid Conflict in Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-5-golden-rules-to-avoid-conflict-in-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-07-17 - **Modified:** 2025-07-23 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** You and your spouse are planning a divorce, an event that will be different from anything else you have ever planned. Chances are that feelings are hurt and you're having to completely reassess what you want out of life. This is a time of high emotion and conflict is so terribly common in divorce that it's become stereotypical to assume a husband and wife divorcing will naturally fight like alley cats given any opportunity. **Content:** You and your spouse are planning a divorce, an event that will be different from anything else you have ever planned. Chances are that feelings are hurt and you’re having to completely reassess what you want out of life. This is a time of high emotion and conflict is so terribly common in divorce that it’s become stereotypical to assume a husband and wife divorcing will naturally fight like alley cats given any opportunity. But you are also a sane, responsible adult and your spouse probably is too, deep down. And you know that a peaceful uncontested divorce in Aurora is less costly and ultimately more beneficial for you, your spouse, and any children you may have. If you can make it. The key, of course, to a well-planned uncontested divorce is to avoid the conflict that so often pits exes against each other and takes the divorce to a costly and arbitrarily decided courtroom. If you want the best results for your divorce, despite how you may feel right now, then follow the five golden rules to avoid conflict in divorce. These five simple guidelines can help you keep your cool and negotiate like someone thinking about the future instead of dwelling on the past or getting caught up in the emotional turmoil of the present. Here are the five golden rules of conflict-free divorce: 1) Don’t Start Dating (New People or Each Other) The first golden rule sounds like a no-brainer but it is one that many divorcing couples struggle with. The allure of someone new who thinks you’re attractive or even the temptation to experience a hot, emotionally-laden “breakup fling” with your soon-to-be ex can be too much for many to resist. You may be dying for a little self-esteem boost while closing the book on your marriage. Or you may find that divorce has suddenly spiked your physical attraction to your ex even though your heart and brain are in agreement about separation. These things are so common that it’s okay not to feel embarrassed by the urge. But don’t act on it. If you want to keep unnecessary emotional turmoil out of the divorce negotiation room… delay that physical gratification. Don’t start looking for new people just yet. And resist the urge to hook up with your ex one last time unless you’re genuinely considering reconciliation instead. 2) Set Rules and Boundaries, Then Follow Them Uncontested divorces in Aurora often work best when the separating couple outlines a few rock-solid agreements and then sticks to them. Agreeing not to date or backslide is an important first step. It’s important to maintain your new separated boundaries so that both of you can grow as independent people, and so that new-found independence won’t bother the other when they see you moving forward. Consider making practical agreements with your spouse, writing them down, and both following your own guidelines. This is a good time to establish a ‘call first’ rule about visiting each other’s now-separate homes. This is… --- ### Tips to Deal with Your Finances After Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/tips-to-deal-with-your-finances-after-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-07-03 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 5 Tips to Handling Finances After Divorce from the divorce mediation lawyers located in Aurora helping couples reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** Divorce can be a scary time in your life, no matter how long you have been married. You have gotten used to sharing your life with someone. Many couples also share their finances. They combine their income and work together to pay off their expenses. Some even decide to live off of one income, especially when their children are young. Because many are used to living off of a combined income (or even staying home to care for the children while the other partner works), your financial future can also be unsettling after reaching an uncontested divorce in Aurora. However, it doesn’t have to be that way.   Here are some tips for dealing with your finances after divorce. It is important to remember that, no matter what, your finances are going to be different after your divorce. No matter where you stand in life, you are going to have to make some changes after you get divorced. You aren’t going to be living on two incomes anymore, so there are going to be some things that you are going to have to cut back on. If you stayed home, you might not have that luxury anymore. Even if you get alimony and child support, you may have to find a job in order to make ends meet. If you end up paying alimony or child support, you may not be able to afford to go out to eat as much as you used to. Advocate for your financial future. During the process of divorce mediation in Aurora, there are going to be times when both parties want to just give up because they just want it to be over with. They will agree to almost anything in order for the divorce to be finalized. However, that is never the answer. If your spouse supported you during the marriage, he or she should continue to do so afterward. You should advocate for some alimony, especially if you are furthering your education by going to school or staying home with your children. You have also worked hard during the marriage, and you should be able to finish your schooling or take care of your children. If you have children and have primary physical custody of them, it is important that you advocate for child support. This money is not for you (even if your spouse believes it is). It is money to help raise the children that you had together. Your spouse should help you pay for food, shelter, and clothing for them. They are used to living a certain way and don’t deserve to have to change everything because the two of you can’t get along. Don’t be afraid to sell your house. After deciding child custody, trying to decide who keeps the house can be one of the hardest decisions to make during the process of divorce mediation in Aurora. However, no matter how much you want to keep it, there are times when it is best to sell it.… --- ### The New Tax Laws Are Changing Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-new-tax-laws-are-changing-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-06-27 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** How are the new tax laws affecting divorces in Denver? Contact our divorce mediation attorneys in Denver today for help reaching an uncontested divorce **Content:** The laws surrounding alimony payments have remained unchanged in the U.S. for over half a century. However, spousal support payments of the future are altering the traditional rules of divorce court. In 2017, President Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, making big changes to the way alimony payments are taxed beginning in 2019. Alimony payments are spousal support payments made to allow both spouses to maintain the standard of living they are accustomed to. During a marriage, it’s common for one spouse to stay at home and care for children while the other spouse gains further education and establishes a career. Alimony payments work to eliminate a situation where one spouse makes sacrifices that may leave them destitute in the event of a divorce. After an uncontested divorce in Denver, it’s common for the spouse with a higher income to make monthly support payments to the spouse earning less income. In the past, this usually meant a husband paid support to a wife who stayed home to raise a family. However, this standard is shifting as traditional parenting/work roles change. New Tax Laws Until recently, alimony payments were tax deductible for the payer and considered taxable income for the receiving spouse. While making monthly payments to support your ex isn’t likely something to ever be gladly accepted, the tax credit encouraged larger payments with the promise of a return when tax time rolled around. Since the payments were tax deductible, this meant the receiving spouse was required to pay taxes on them. However, this arrangement still worked to produce bigger payments overall since the receiving spouse is typically in a lower income bracket, therefore, paying fewer taxes. Under the new tax laws, alimony payments are no longer eligible for a tax deduction. Since the payer no longer receives a deduction, the recipient collects these payments as non-taxable income. This means the taxes are now paid by the spouse earning the most income (in a higher tax bracket). The result is less money to go around. In fact, this change alone is expected to generate billions of dollars of income tax revenue within the next decade. How Tax Changes Affect Divorce in 2019 Divorce is always a situation filled with emotion. Resentment surrounding the elements that dissolved the marriage often enter debates concerning the division of assets. In the courtroom, tensions are often elevated and final solutions decided by a judge may not be perfect for either spouse. The new tax laws make these decisions more confusing than ever. On the surface, the new laws seem to directly benefit the receiving spouse. After all, collecting additional income without paying taxes has to be a good thing … Right? Not necessarily. In the past, when alimony payments were taxable income, these payments could be added to an individual retirement account (IRA). Since the receiving spouse will no longer be paying taxes on these payments, s/he may not be eligible for a retirement fund. When you add this fact to… --- ### What Are the Differences Between an Uncontested Divorce and a Courtroom Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-are-the-differences-between-an-uncontested-divorce-and-a-courtroom-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-06-20 - **Modified:** 2021-08-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** What are the differences between a courtroom divorce and an uncontested divorce in Denver? Our divorce mediation attorneys in Denver can help you today! **Content:** The word “divorce” evokes a courtroom scene for many people. Whether it comes from movies, television, or books, many people think that a divorce must involve a judge and lawyers. Divorces can include these elements, but they can also simply involve both spouses and a mediator. That is known as an uncontested divorce. Both spouses work with a mediator to arrive at a solution that takes the needs of both into account, and that both regard as fair. “Uncontested” means that there is no contestation of the results – that is, no opposing sides that lawyers have to argue and the judge has to decide upon. You and your spouse comes to a mutual agreement, not a court decree. That isn’t to say that an uncontested divorce in Denver is simple or even always amicable. Divorces can be stressful, because the emotions can be high and the stakes can be large. But agreements arrived at with mediation and assistance can help resolve emotions and settle stakes in a manner that both sides agree upon. That said, there are key differences between an uncontested divorce and a courtroom divorce. Here’s a review of them. 1. Amount and degree of stress The decisions made in divorces have a major and lasting impact. They can affect your finances, your place of residence (both your housing and the state of residence), and your relationships with your children. In fact, divorces affect entire families, including aunts, uncles, grandparents, and grandchildren, for generations. For this reason, divorces can also end up affecting your health and well-being. As a result, going through a divorce can be highly stressful. Both sides may worry that the decision reached will affect them or their loved ones negatively. Unpredictability adds to stress, and the ruling of a court can be unpredictable. Because an uncontested divorce in Denver is arrived at through mediation, they create much less stress. Both spouses are expected to work together to reach a mutually agreeable solution. Neither party has to worry about an unacceptable solution being handed down from on high. During divorce mediation in Denver, you meet with your spouse and a mediator to discuss the primary issues, such as division of financial assets, real estate, any spousal alimony, and custody of children. Split Simple has all the documentation needed to arrive at an agreement. Once you and your spouse have agreed, these documents are finalized and provided to the court, who rules to finalize an official divorce agreement. 2. Speed Court divorces can be lengthy, because lawyer and court schedules both must be taken into account. Court schedules can be booked months in advance, so a court divorce can simply be a matter of waiting to even get a court date. In addition, they are assigned without regard to your own schedule, such as travel for work. Appointments with a divorce mediator are much faster to arrive at, and can be scheduled with your convenience in mind. Many mediators can offer preliminary paperwork, such as… --- ### How Long After a Divorce Before You Can Remarry in CO? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-long-after-a-divorce-before-you-can-remarry-in-co/ - **Published:** 2019-06-12 - **Modified:** 2025-04-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more about remarrying in Colorado after your divorce! Our divorce mediation attorneys in Denver can help with your uncontested divorce today! **Content:** If you are getting a divorce, then sooner or later you will be thinking about moving on. While some divorcees have been “burned” and avoid future relationships, others are likely to go “on the market” quickly. Some states have legal minimum waiting periods. Colorado is not one of those states. In fact, Colorado has pretty lax laws about getting a marriage license. However, your divorce has to be finalized and you will need to provide a certified copy of your decree. Technically, though, you can pretty much go from the court to the altar. It might be a good idea to talk to your Denver divorce mediation attorney about the precise circumstances. Whether this is a good idea depends on other considerations: Alimony If you have been granted periodic alimony (that is to say, monthly payments), then that alimony ends automatically when you remarry unless there is a specific agreement otherwise. The assumption is that the new marriage will be supporting you. Lump sum alimony or transfer of property (for example, when the supported spouse gets the house) is not affected by remarriage. In other words, if your new spouse cannot support you it might be worth thinking of waiting. This is for the state of Colorado – if you are not in Colorado, you should check the laws for your own state. Cohabitation does not automatically impact alimony unless and until it becomes a common law marriage. If your new partner is supporting you, then your ex may be able to apply to have alimony reduced or eliminated. Remarriage This does not affect child support in Colorado. Having more children also does not reduce child support, which can sometimes cause problems for blended families. If you find yourself paying child support you should consider this in all of your financial decisions, including remarriage. Remarriage also will not affect child custody, but if things between you and your ex are particularly bad then they might try to claim that there has been a substantial change in circumstances and custody should be looked at again. Appeals In some cases your ex might file an appeal of the divorce order. This might cause the judgment to be modified. Appeals are more common if there are children involved. Usually, the appeal will fail if both spouses agreed to the terms. This is a good reason to go for Denver divorce mediation, so that everything is straightened out before you go to court in the first place. If you and your ex are on bad terms and you either want to appeal part of the order yourself or fear that they will do so, it might be a good idea to wait on formal remarriage until everything has been resolved. Emotional Considerations Divorce is difficult and trying, even if it is obvious to anyone that the marriage has reached an end. You should consider whether you are emotionally ready to move on before dating again, let alone before entering into another marriage, even if… --- ### Finances of Divorce: Equitable Distribution - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/finances-of-divorce-equitable-distribution/ - **Published:** 2019-06-05 - **Modified:** 2025-07-25 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more about equitable distribution of assets in an uncontested divorce in Aurora! Our divorce mediator attorneys can help you 720-501-4600 **Content:** When you decide to file for an uncontested divorce in Aurora, the court does not award half of the assets and debts to each spouse. Instead, the court equitably divides the property. Some property is considered “non-marital.” This means that either spouse solely owns that property. That property is set aside before the court looks at dividing the marital property. Non-Marital Property Non-marital property is any property a spouse held prior to the marriage that was not co-mingled after the marriage. If one spouse owns a home that was purchased prior to the marriage, but still owed on the home and used funds earned during the marriage to pay the mortgage, the property becomes marital property. If the sole owner is able to show that funds earned during the marriage were solely owned by himself or herself, the property may remain designated as non-marital property. Other non-marital property includes gifts to one spouse and an inheritance to one spouse. Determining Equitable Distribution The court uses standards dictated by statute to determine equitable distribution. The standards include: The value of the property each spouse receives, including non-marital property. The length of the marriage. How the distribution will affect each spouse once the property is distributed. The court will make the economic circumstances of each party as close as possible. Whether one spouse has primary residence of the children when it decides who gets the marital home. Obligations and rights from a preceding marriage. Prenuptial and/or postnuptial agreements signed by the parties. Each party’s health, age, occupation, sources of income, amount of income, employability, liabilities, station, estate and the needs of each party. Custodial provisions for the minor children or adult children who cannot live on their own because of a medical issue. Spousal maintenance, often referred to as alimony, and whether alimony is being requested, the type of spousal maintenance and whether part of maintenance will be in the form of property. The opportunity each spouse has to further a career and/or earn more money. How the distribution affects the taxes of each party. The contributions of each party to the marriage, including child care, home maintenance and whether one spouse worked while the other furthered his or her station in life with education, such as a medical degree. Each one of these factors affects one or more of the other factors. The court will look at all of the factors as a whole to make equitable distribution as fair as possible throughout your uncontested divorce in Aurora. Distribution of Stock and Pensions Stock and pensions are valued at the time of the entry of the final judgment. If stock or a pension was acquired during the marriage, it will be considered marital property. Stock or a pension acquired prior to the marriage may also be considered marital property if you use marital funds to maintain your portfolio or increase your pension account balance. If the pension funds or stock was given to you as a gift; an exchange for other… --- ### The Not-So-Hidden Costs of Conflict in Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-not-so-hidden-costs-of-conflict-in-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-05-29 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click here for the not so hidden costs of conflicts in divorces in Aurora. Our divorce mediators in Aurora can help you reach an uncontested divorce today **Content:** In Illinois, there are two ways to get a divorce. You can take it to a judge and fight over every detail, known as a “Contested Divorce”. Or you can take it to a mediator and work out everything before the paperwork sees a courthouse, known as an “Uncontested Divorce”. Uncontested divorces in Aurora are easier and often faster, but they only work if the separating couple is willing to reach an agreement on all points. A contested divorce, on the other hand, is what we’ve come to expect from television dramas. Any time a couple wants to fight about whether they are getting divorced, how assets are separated, or child-related terms, then the divorce must go to court and each item decided on by a judge. This involves months of lawyers fighting over numbers and details, months of court dates and public fighting. Needless to say, contested divorces also come with a not-so-hidden stack of costs. Some you may have considered or experienced already, and some that may surprise you. Lawyer Time The most obvious cost from months fighting over legal terms is lawyer fees. When a couple fights over a divorce, each ex must hire their own lawyer to represent their interests. The lawyers then alternate between trying to write terms with their clients and taking it to the mat in the courtroom. Every hour spend consulting, fighting, or filing your paperwork is a billable hour, and those costs can stack up. If one ex does not have independent funds, the court may also require the couple to ‘share’ the total cost of lawyer fees. Court Fees If you’re taking issues into the courtroom to debate, you can also expect a handful of court fees to appear on your list of expenses. Running the courthouse is not free, and court fees are designed almost like a sales tax for using the court facilities. This is done through filing fees, meaning the more documents you need to file, the the more court fees will be paid. These fees apply whether you are filing paperwork to strengthen your own case or asking the court to force your ex to cooperate. Lost Asset Value While divorcees argue about terms, their property may be losing value. Particularly if there is a home sitting vacant, ready to sell but unsold, or a vehicle parked in an unprotected space. Stocks and investments rise and fall completely independent of a separating couple. But by fighting over who gets what and the percentage of each, you may miss your ideal moment to sell assets for the greater benefit of both parties. Lost asset value is not something that happens in every protracted divorce, but there have been a number of cases where a home was damaged or a stock dropped in price that might have been sold for more if the couple was not fighting in court. Individual Therapy Therapy is seldom considered part of divorce costs, but it should Be. If your children are caught… --- ### 8 Tips for Handling the Post-Divorce Financial Transition - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/8-tips-for-handling-the-post-divorce-financial-transition/ - **Published:** 2019-05-22 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for tips on how to handle post divorce financial transitions. Our divorce mediators located in Aurora can help you reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** Getting divorced is a huge transition in anyone’s life, no matter how long you were married or how much household there is to divide. You may have braced yourself for the emotional impact of divorce but many divorcees falter during the financial transition from married to single and separate. The financial difference between paying expenses as a couple and living alone is profound. Even those prepared for it may still find themselves struggling to rebuild their lifestyle with new expectations. Fortunately, this is something that millions like you have gone through before and there are more than a few tricks ‘in the book’ for handling post-divorce lifestyle changes. This article will share some of the tricks we have learned along the way for making this part of your life both more enjoyable and easier to budget for. 1) Take the ‘Fresh Start’ Perspective The finalization of your uncontested divorce in Aurora is the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Instead of thinking about what is behind you, look at your new lifestyle like the beginning of a movie with the hero looking hopeful holding nothing but a single suitcase. This is a time to rebuild your life from the ground up philosophically. Look at your budget like an opportunity, instead of a step-down. Figure out what you and afford and get excited about real opportunities available to you right now. You’ll still do a lot of thinking about the past, but starting fresh is a good way to help yourself to be ambitious and appreciative of what you can now build as a single person free from your previous relationship. Believe it or not, this will help you spend smarter, with less impulse spending due to sadness. 2) Prepare to Pay Taxes as a Single Professional The single biggest financial difference for divorcees is the tax burden. When married couples file jointly, they save the government some paperwork and create a statistical sense of national stability. So a tax cut is the reward. Filing as a single professional, you will need to pay the standard income tax for your state. It’s best to never be surprised by taxes. So before your uncontested divorce in Aurora is even finalized (or as soon as you think of it), review an analysis of your new tax reality. This way, you’ll know exactly how your single professional taxes factor into your new annual budget. 3) Work Your Budget Backward Most people think of their budgets starting with discretionary spending. Instead, work your budget backward to find your limits. Start with rent, utilities, car payments, commute gas, and insurance. These might be reduced with planning but are immutable month-to-month. Leave yourself some cushion for rent if you’re planning on moving soon. Then calculate your grocery budget, which should include restaurants spending as well. Most divorcees find a way to reduce their grocery bills as a way to cushion the post-divorce transition. If… --- ### Ready to Move On? What Aurora Couples Often Ask About Uncontested Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/ready-to-move-on-what-aurora-couples-often-ask-about-uncontested-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-05-15 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for frequently asked questions we receive from Aurora residents about reaching an uncontested divorce without the use of courtrooms in Aurora **Content:** You and your spouse grew apart, and you’ve decided it’s time to separate all things financial and distribute joint properties and assets. When some residents of Illinois give thought to this process, they imagine a protracted legal battle. They don’t want to hurt each other or their children with expensive litigation, which benefits the lawyers involved when it takes a long time to conclude. Instead, couples may decide to choose a more open process in order to part amicably and to minimize the damage to all parties. If this is the way you and your spouse are leaning now, you could be good candidates for an uncontested divorce in Aurora. At Split Simple, we might be able to help. We invite you to review these informal questions: Distribute Assets Acquired During the Marriage Equally You and your spouse should have a good idea what you owned prior to marriage and what you acquired together. You need to collect information on all types of assets and liabilities so they can be divided. Assets have a monetary value, while liabilities are debts owed to a third party. Debts that occurred before the marriage might not be your responsibility.  Avoid High Litigation Costs Divorce lawyers practice a specialized form of the law, but they earn more when the separating spouses get tied up in extensive negotiations. A streamlined process minimizes costs while ensuring all paperwork is completed. Move Through the Process Quickly and Efficiently Many divorcing spouses feel this is imperative for their own closure and for helping children, friends, and family members to adjust to the end of the union. When a divorce drags on, people in your social circle often feel like they must choose a side. However, if you want this partnership to dissolve with minimal expense and there are no sticking points, you could try the uncontested divorce in Aurora. Even couples with only a few issues can solve those in a single mediation and begin rebuilding their lives. Our goal is to help readers understand the thought process behind the unconflicted divorce so they can begin to move forward at their earliest convenience. What Uncontested Divorce Means It’s important for divorcing couples to realize the laws governing divorce vary from state to state. You need to get over the initial hurdles, and it could be possible to avoid huge legal expenses. An uncontested divorce in Aurora means the spouses agree on the divorce-related issues. You must meet the criteria specific for uncontested divorce in Illinois. To qualify for this type of divorce, you can conceive of this legal agreement as an all-or-nothing concept. If you file for this kind of divorce, you cannot go back later and say that something needs to be changed. The court grants special permission to proceed with this type of filing because you have already discussed it. You and your spouse agree on the division of property, assets, child support, child time sharing or custody, and alimony. Aspects of Uncontested Divorces You can… --- ### The Top 7 Reasons for Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-top-7-reasons-for-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-04-25 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the most common reasons for divorce. Our divorce mediators located in Aurora can help you reach an uncontested divorce today 720-501-4600 **Content:** When people get married, they often believe that their marriage will last forever. However, the fact is that nearly half of all marriages will end in separation or uncontested divorce in Aurora, making divorce a fairly common occurrence. Even though these numbers are well-known, it often takes people by surprise when they find out that a loved one is going through a divorce, or that their spouse wants a divorce, which can leave them wondering how things got to this point. While divorce is rarely caused by one thing and is instead usually the result of a variety of culminating factors that arise over a period of months or years, there are certain common reasons people cite for getting divorced including: Getting Married for the Wrong Reasons While many people going through a divorce may ask themselves why their relationship fell apart, some may find themselves asking why they got married in the first place. While marriage should be about love and commitment, some people may come to realize that they got married for the wrong reasons. Without that base of love and commitment to one another, marriage is almost doomed to fail from the beginning, and people who get into marriage for the wrong reasons are much more likely to get a divorce. Common reasons for getting married that lead to divorce include marrying for money, getting married because it was expected of you, or getting married to someone you have been with for years because you think it is the right thing to do. Many times when a marriage ends, all you have to do is look at why the marriage began to understand why a couple is getting divorced.     Loss of Individual Identity While it is important for married couples to spend time together and have similar interests that they can share, it is not good for people to become codependent and lose their individuality in their relationship. The fact is that it is not healthy for couples to spend 100% of their time together, as this can cause one or both parties to feel as if they do not recognize themselves anymore. If you can’t remember when you last did something alone, had a girl’s night, or spent time with people who used to be your closest friends, then you may have lost yourself at some point during the relationship. This is a common cause for divorce as it can leave one or both parties feeling suffocated by the relationship, and they may even begin to resent their partner for distancing them from the people and places they once loved. Substance Abuse Another common reason cited for divorce is alcohol and/or drug use. The fact is that even when you love your spouse, addiction can make relationships difficult as their substance abuse problem may turn them into a completely different person. Although there are programs to help people recover from addiction, not everyone wants help or is even willing to admit when they have a problem.… --- ### 3 Life Changes Your Divorce Agreement Should Be Prepared to Handle - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/3-life-changes-your-divorce-agreement-should-be-prepared-to-handle/ - **Published:** 2019-04-17 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** When a divorce agreement is drawn up, usually the ex-spouses are thinking about how to settle their lives -right now-. You're thinking about how to split today's finances, but not what will happen when finances change in the future. You're thinking about how to split custody with the children at their current ages, not the custody complications of teen years. You're thinking about taking those first steps forward after your divorce, but not what will happen in a few months or years when each ex finds someone new. **Content:** When a divorce agreement is drawn up, usually the ex-spouses are thinking about how to settle their lives -right now-. You’re thinking about how to split today’s finances, but not what will happen when finances change in the future. You’re thinking about how to split custody with the children at their current ages, not the custody complications of teen years. You’re thinking about taking those first steps forward after your divorce, but not what will happen in a few months or years when each ex finds someone new. However, forgetting these things when designing your divorce can spell disaster in the future. One of the major benefits of uncontested divorce in Aurora is that you get the chance to cover these bases. Working with a mediator who can tell you what to prepare for, you can draw up reasonable and equally agreeable terms for how to handle these changes if or when they occur. Today, Split Simple is here to take a look at the top three most common post-divorce life changes that your divorce settlement should be prepared to handle. This way, you won’t have to renegotiate terms or take your new divorce terms back to court should circumstances change in a predictable way. New Romantic Partners The whole point of divorce is to free up both exes to find happiness elsewhere. Usually, with someone else. Eventually, you, your ex, or both of you will find new romantic partners and begin to build new separate family lives. This is all well and good, but the natural process of moving on can also impact the practicality of your divorce agreements. You’ll want a few clauses in place to clearly define when and how a new partner changes the terms of your divorce. Alimony If one ex makes significantly more than the other, there may be a few years of alimony on the line. In some rare cases, indefinite alimony. However, the responsibility of spousal support is removed if the supported ex chooses to build a life with someone new. Every state defines the termination lines of alimony differently. Here in Illinois, if the person receiving alimony either remarries or cohabits with a new partner, the duty to pay spousal support is canceled. You can keep this eventuality cordial by writing the terms clearly in your agreement for uncontested divorce in Aurora. This way, both spouses know exactly when alimony will stop, and there doesn’t need to be additional court dates, conflict, or investigations to settle the issue. Child Support In most situations, a new partner or spouse of either ex has no impact on child support. Neither does taking on responsibility for step-children. However, if your partner or your ex’s partner starts contributing to your children’s home or lifestyle, the income of your spouse may be considered to be modified. In other words, if a new partner starts taking care of your kids, the child support equation may change. Parenting Time The final concern is one that blindsides many but… --- ### 7 Benefits of Filing an Uncontested Divorce Agreement - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/7-benefits-of-filing-an-uncontested-divorce-agreement/ - **Published:** 2019-04-10 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 7 benefits of filing for an uncontested divorce in Denver! The divorce mediators at Split Simple can help you reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** In the United States, there are two primary ways to conduct your divorce. You can take your ex to court and bicker about every detail or you can sit down with a mediator and draw up an uncontested divorce agreement. Of course, the divorces that make the news and are mimicked in television shows are usually the big, angry, messy ones where spouses fight across the court room for months before a final agreement is reached. But for your peace of mind and ability to move on with your life after the end of this relationship, most practical people would far and away prefer the process of an uncontested divorce in Denver. Unfortunately, not everyone getting a divorce knows that an uncontested agreement is an option. You may have gotten the impression from television, your ex, or your lawyer that ‘going to court’ is the only option to get your divorce or your only chance to see terms in your favor. This simply isn’t true. By sitting down with a mediator, even if your ex is hostile, it can become possible to draw up an agreement that works for everyone. Let’s take a look at the top seven benefits of building and filing an uncontested divorce agreement instead of taking your ex to court. 1) Ending Your Marriage Quickly and Efficiently We know that for most people seeking a divorce, the desire is to get out of the relationship and move forward as quickly as possible. You know the relationship is over, and you don’t want to spend months in court still legally tied to your ex while fighting them tooth and nail for favorable final divorce terms.  Drawing up an uncontested divorce in Denver is the only way to get your divorce finalized without prolonged delays. Through mediation, you and your ex can draw up the most practical terms of divorce. Then, because those terms are ‘uncontested’ meaning the court doesn’t have to enact any tie-breakers or settle disputes, your divorce can be approved and finalized almost immediately and you can move on with your life as a newly unmarried person. 2) A Chance to Cover All Your Bases When a divorce is handled in court, the terms are defined by the issues brought up in court, entertained by the judge, and ultimately ruled on. Exes often don’t have a chance to bring in their laundry list of personal concerns about divorce terms to have these heard and considered. Either your lawyer manages to slip your most important terms in or they don’t. In uncontested divorce mediation, you can bring every one of your concerns to the table and have them addressed, along with your ex’s concerns, as a single final divorce agreement is drafted. This is your chance to make sure your heirlooms wind up with you, that their debts leave the marriage with them, and any little details you want to cover get the full attention and inclusion in the negotiations that they deserve. This is a… --- ### 10 Things to Do Before You File for Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/10-things-to-do-before-you-file-for-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-03-21 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the 10 things you should do before filing for divorce in Denver. Our divorce mediators can help you reach an uncontested divorce in Denver **Content:** It is never an easy decision to divorce, but you should know that you are not alone in it. Every day someone sees the final block of their marriage crumble and divorce is their only path. Yet, for as difficult as it can be, uncontested divorce in Denver is a new beginning for everyone involved. Your marriage didn’t work out, and it will be the same for roughly 50 percent of all marriages. However, that doesn’t mean that you and your spouse can’t find happiness elsewhere. If you have made the decision that it is finally time for the divorce that you have been moving towards all this time, you have the benefit of being able to prepare for it. There is no such thing as an easy divorce, but you can make it easier on yourself by making these preparations before you file. Create Copies of Financial Records Divorce is an emotional event, but the most complicated part of it is dividing up the assets and finances. This becomes further complicated if your spouse tries to hide those finances from you. Before filing, gather up all financial documentation and make copies of them. You may not have as easy access to these finances later if your spouse fights back. Consider making copies of the following: Bank statements Tax records Loan and debt information Pension, retirement, and investment accounts Document and Understand Marital and Non-Marital Assets For those married for a very long time, non-marital assets, or assets gained before marriage, will not be as important. When you have assets that you gained before a marriage, those assets are considered yours alone. However, martial assets need to be split. The house, the cars, the vacation home – all will need to be split among the divorcing couple. It is best to make a list of everything that you have and note specific assets that may be considered non-marital property. Understand Your Debt In some jointly owned debt, the company is not bound by a divorce decree. As such, if your ex-spouse doesn’t pay, they can go after you for satisfaction. Before divorce, it may be worthwhile to put off filing in order to get any jointly owned debt under control. Most commonly, this means paying off credit cards. Other debts, such as loans or mortgages, can be negotiated in the divorce itself. Make Practical Preparations There are quite a few practical preparations that one needs to make before and during an uncontested divorce in Denver. After all, you are transitioning to a single lifestyle. These preparations can include: Opening a Post Office box Removing paychecks from direct deposit Opening your own bank accounts (though not moving money from a marital account into it) Changing estate plans Know What You Are Willing to Give Up All divorce is a negotiation. In fact, if you want to save a lot of time and money, successful mediation for divorce keeps costs low and the whole situation out of the courtroom. When heading into… --- ### How the New Tax Law May Affect Your Alimony Deductions - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-the-new-tax-law-may-affect-your-alimony-deductions/ - **Published:** 2019-03-14 - **Modified:** 2025-03-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click here for more from our divorce mediators in Denver on how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will affect your divorce if it was finalized after January 1, 2019 **Content:** If you and your spouse have been considering filing for divorce, it’s important to know about recent changes made to tax law that affect alimony payments. It is common for one ex-spouse to become legally obligated to make payments to the other ex-spouse as part of a divorce settlement. These payments, which are called alimony, are court-ordered to ensure that the spouse who was not the breadwinner in the marriage is able to maintain his or her quality of life in the aftermath of the divorce. In the past, alimony payments could always be deducted by the payer for federal income tax purposes, and recipients of alimony payments were always required to report the payments as taxable income. However, the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) eliminates deductions for alimony payments required by all divorce agreements made after December 31, 2018. This means that not only will recipients of post-2018 alimony payments not have to include them in taxable income, but that payers will also no longer be able to use alimony as a tax deduction. This is a dramatic change from the old tax law, and can seriously affect the amount you will owe to the IRS. If your divorce agreement was finalized prior to this date, nothing will change for you and your former spouse, unless any modifications specifically regarding alimony payments were made to your divorce paperwork in the new year. Changes for Divorces Finalized After January 1, 2019 If you and your former spouse finalized a divorce on or after January 1, 2019, there are several things to know about the TCJA treatment of alimony and how it will affect you. For starters, this new law severely impacts the substantial tax savings that the alimony payer used to receive from being able to deduct it from his or her taxable income. However, this only pertains to divorce-related payments that qualify as alimony. Other types of court-ordered payments from one ex-spouse to another, such as child support or payments to divide marital assets, are not subject to the TCJA treatment of alimony, and are still fully tax deductible to the payer and tax-free income for the recipient. Deductible Alimony Requirements In order to determine whether payments required by divorce agreements filed prior to 2019 qualify as tax-deductible alimony, it’s essential for your tax specialist to review the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations to see if your payments fall under the official IRS definition of alimony. All of the following requirements must be met for a required payment made as a result of a divorce agreement filed before 2019 to qualify as deductible alimony. Written instrument requirement- The payment must be made in accordance with a written divorce or separation instrument., such as a divorce decree, separate maintenance decree, or legal separation instruments. Payment must be to or on behalf of former spouse- In order to qualify as deductible alimony, a payment must be made directly to or on behalf of an ex-spouse. Payments to third… --- ### How Will a Divorce Affect Your Taxes? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-will-a-divorce-affect-your-taxes/ - **Published:** 2019-02-28 - **Modified:** 2021-06-30 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click here for more on how divorce will affect your taxes from the divorce mediation experts in Denver. We can help you reach an uncontested divorce today **Content:** Are you getting ready to file your taxes for the first time since your divorce? You likely have some questions about how divorce mediation in Denver is going to affect the way that you file your taxes and how much you’ll pay. What will your tax status be this time? Who gets to claim credit for your dependent children? And are there any deductions that could help you save on your tax bill? In contested divorces, taxes can become more complicated and expensive due to the negotiations around splitting assets and arranging parenting orders. Uncontested divorces, often completed through mediation services can work through many tax questions before the divorce is final. This may make the filing process a little easier on both parties. You will likely choose to retain the help of an accountant to ensure you are completing your paperwork correctly. There are some things that you can do on your own, however, to help better prepare to file your first post-divorce tax return. That includes doing some research as well as taking care of some big decisions before your divorce is final. Determining Your Status It’s one of the first questions on your tax form. For the recently divorced, it’s also one of the trickiest. Are you married and filing jointly, married and filing separately, or filing as an individual person? Your marital status on December 31st of the previous year will determine your tax status. If you were still married but separated, then you will still file as married. If you finalized your divorce before December 31st, then the federal government will consider you divorced for the entire tax year. You will file as a single individual. If you separated and didn’t finalize the divorce by the end of the year, you and your spouse will have a couple of options. You can choose to file either as married but filing separately or married and filing together. It’s worth a discussion with an accountant to determine which option will be better for your personal situation. TurboTax suggests that if you are filing independently, check to see if you meet the requirements as “head of household”: A dependent lived with you more than half of the tax year You paid for more than half of the costs of running your household If you qualify, you’ll get a bigger standard deduction on your taxes, which could result in a bigger return.  Who Gets the Credit for Dependents? The next major consideration to take into account is who will claim credit for any dependent children on the tax return. Claiming dependent gives you a pretty big tax credit, currently $2,000 per minor dependent. Nerd Wallet notes that you qualify for this tax credit if you make under $200,000 a year filing as a single person and $400,000 a year filing as married. The tax credit lowers your total tax obligation and could help you avoid paying anything extra. But since the law only allows one person to claim the… --- ### I've Decided to Divorce, So What's Next? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/ive-decided-to-divorce-so-whats-next/ - **Published:** 2019-02-07 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for help getting started with the process of divorce mediation in Aurora. Our experts can help you reach an uncontested divorce with mediation **Content:** When you’re considering the divorce process, the details can be mind-boggling. You know that you will have to find new living patterns and to divide up the assets and belongings acquired during the marriage. Every step in the divorce process has the potential to be emotional. However, some couples are fortunate in the sense that they have grown apart and recognize that divorce is best for them both. In some cases, they have already begun to live apart and/or to pursue separate romantic relationships. The spouses may not feel an urgency to divorce, but there is an understanding that the time for commencing the legal proceedings is near. Then, there are the couples on the other end of the spectrum who know every major decision is going to be a potential battle, and this will become even more difficult if they have minor children. In this post, we explain the early stages in the divorce process, which readers should review before preparing for a divorce mediation in Aurora. The Background If divorce is something that you have thought about and talked about for years, you may have a road map in your head of what it will look like. There is a lot of anxiety to address in the early stages of divorce for people who are unfamiliar with the process. Kudos to you and your partner if you believe you have an uncontested divorce in Aurora. Loosely taken, this term refers to the idea that the spouses won’t try to stop the process from moving forward and they must work to resolve the legal issues. Common Stages for Beginning an Uncontested Divorce  Two early stages are crucial to complete before scheduling divorce mediation in Aurora — filing a petition and filing an answer. Filing a Petition There must be one partner in the marriage who will take the first step. You will go down to the courthouse, so to speak, or go online and file your petition for a dissolution of marriage. If you take this first step, you become the court’s client. You are the person requesting the proceedings, and then the court has the obligation to move your case through the family law system. Some divorces will begin as uncontested, but then they will change because one or both spouses secure conflicting legal advice from their attorneys. They think they agree on everything, but the sticking points change the process into something more complicated. Therefore, consider that there is an advantage to being the spouse who files the initial petition. Filing an Answer  The petition for a dissolution of marriage must be served on your spouse. Then, state law will give your spouse a fixed number of days to file a response to the petition. In the first petition, it is common to include details such as the grounds for the divorce, temporary arrangements for child support and alimony, and child time-sharing schedules. Your spouse will definitely be at a disadvantage throughout the court proceedings if he… --- ### What Aurora Residents Don't Know about Uncontested Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-aurora-residents-dont-know-about-uncontested-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-01-30 - **Modified:** 2025-07-23 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more information about no-fault divorces in Aurora, divorce mediation and reaching an uncontested divorce in Aurora from Split Simple **Content:** Realizing that your marriage is no longer working for you or your spouse is heartbreaking, in most cases, and a difficult situation with which to be faced in almost all cases. Understanding the Aurora divorce mediator laws particular to those who live in Illinois is crucial for the married parties. In many cases, a partner did not see the writing on the wall. Most couples enter into the state of matrimony believing that their union is strong. Very few think it is necessary to know the ins and outs of Illinois divorce legislation. Allow us to assist you with an overview of the Illinois laws concerning an uncontested divorce. Legal Actions for an Uncontested Divorce in Aurora Unlike those who live in different states, Auroraans use the term irreconcilable differences, while other jurisdictions call an uncontested divorce in Aurora” a no-fault divorce. When there is an irretrievable breakdown of a marriage, and the court finds that all efforts at reconciliation have occurred, to no avail, the requirement for irreconcilable differences is established. Additionally, the couple must agree that future attempts at reconciliation are impractical, and not in the best interest of the family. Other conditions that apply to the uncontested divorce in Aurora” include: When partners live apart and separate for at least six months before they file for divorce, it is assumed that the requirement of irreconcilable differences is in place. A judgment will not take place until the court considers, approves, reserves, or makes provision for the administration of parental duties, the support of any children of the marriage who are entitled to support; the necessary maintenance of either spouse and the disposition of property. The court will enter a judgment, concerning the divorce, that includes the following reservations –  Agreements between spouses  A motion by either party  A court finding that the circumstances within the dissolution are appropriate In Illinois, the process of dissolving a marital union begins with the filing of a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, or an appeal for a divorce. Notification arrives for the respondent in the form of a Summons, to which a written response to the court is required. Illinois is a No-Fault divorce state but defines no fault as irreconcilable differences. Usually, No-Fault divorces are less expensive and move through the courts more rapidly. If the dissolution is a contested one, the parties can obtain a divorce if the two live apart with no cohabitation for two years (6 months if neither spouse challenges the dissolution of the marriage). Illinois does not require a waiting period between the filing of a divorce petition and the granting of the divorce. Financial Actions for an Uncontested Divorce in Aurora To ascertain how much the allotment for maintenance for both spouses will be, the court must establish factors which include: The income and property of both parties The requirements of both parties Each party’s present and future earning power Any impairments to future or present earning power (i.e., domestic duties, preceding education, preceding… --- ### 6 Ways to Financially Prepare for Your Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/6-ways-to-financially-prepare-for-your-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-01-23 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 6 ways you can financially prepare for your divorce. If you're ready to file, contact our uncontested divorce mediators located in Denver **Content:** You think that the biggest impact a divorce will have on your life is living without your spouse. And that will definitely be a profound difference. You will be making decisions on your own, living on your own, and experiencing all the freedom that comes with being one person instead of a pair. But in practical terms, the biggest life impact is going to be money. A divorce can change everything about your now separate finances. Your accounts will need to change. Your taxes will change. Your insurance will change. But there’s no need to let all these financial changes hit you like a freight train right after your divorce is finalized. For anyone experiencing the divorce lead-up, especially if you are mediating an uncontested divorce in Denver, it is very possible to get most of your financial changes sorted out well ahead of time. Let’s take a look at six different ways you can prepare your finances to transition smoothly into two separate financial lives after the divorce. Find Individual Insurance Coverage Most married couples are on each other’s insurance policies. As beneficiaries on health insurance, as household drivers on car insurance, and as co-account holders for things like home and business insurance. Needless to say, you’re going to need separate insurance coverage in the near future and there’s no reason to put off this task until the divorce. You can easily use the time leading up to your uncontested divorce in Denver to shop around for individual policies that will neatly halve and replace any insurance policies you shared with your spouse. If you’re on decent terms, you should also consider working together to split your insurance to make sure all bases are covered by the new policies on both sides of the line. Open a Personal Bank Account http://www.johnwphotography.com/Images/financialplanning.jpg Joint checking and savings makes sense when you are sharing a life and household with someone. But now that you’re building separate lives, it’s also time for separate bank accounts. You don’t have to wait for your divorce to get started; if you and your spouse have similar incomes, work with your spouse early in the process to determine a fair way to divide expenses so that you can each establish your own bank accounts. Creating reasonable, clear expectations regarding the allocation of expenses will save both of you many headaches down the road. By having your own bank account, you can start depositing your paychecks separately. And with this account, you can build up a personal reserve of money that is all yours to spend. Or, more likely, to save until all your post-divorce expenses shake out. Separating your accounts early and fairly dividing the joint account money is a great way to avoid any awkwardness about splitting up the joint account later. And having your own account is key most other steps involving building a new independent life before or after your uncontested divorce in Denver is final. Close Joint Credit Accounts Some couples have opened… --- ### Top 5 Differences Between Uncontested Divorce and Courtroom Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/5-differences-between-uncontested-divorce-courtroom-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-01-17 - **Modified:** 2025-07-21 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** The 5 differences between courtroom divorce and uncontested divorce in Denver from Split Simple the Denver divorce mediation experts Call today 720-501-4600 **Content:** The idea of an uncontested divorce in Denver sounds pretty good to most couples. Although uncontested doesn’t necessarily mean easy, simple, or even amicable, it does mean that you and your former spouse come to an agreement rather than letting the court decide.  Although we often imagine divorces playing out in court, many couples can come to an agreement together with the proper mediation and assistance, even when they’re feeling hurt or angry. There are a few key differences between uncontested and courtroom divorces that you will want to be aware of as you decide how to proceed with yours. Speed and Convenience Uncontested divorces generally proceed at a faster pace, because the couple is not at the mercy of the court’s schedule. Instead, you can meet with a Denver divorce mediator as your schedule allows and work through the process more quickly. A pre-mediation questionnaire and checklist give you an opportunity to provide valuable information to your mediator before getting together; this saves time in mediation itself. Court dates are assigned, which could mean missing work or scrambling for childcare so you can be in the courtroom at the appointed time. In an uncontested divorce, you choose an appointment that works with your schedule, on your timeline. Since you decide upon your mediation plan in advance, you know how many appointments you’ll be having, and you can schedule them all. There won’t be any unexpected meetings to attend. Cost Hourly attorney fees can mount if your courtroom divorce stretches out longer than you planned—it can go on for months or even years. Even if you “win” in court, you may end up giving your share to your lawyers. With an uncontested divorce in Denver, you can choose the pricing plan that’s right for you based on your unique needs as a couple. How much mediation you might need depends upon a variety of factors: Value and complexity of your estate Each spouse’s income Value of each spouse’s retirement plan Co-ownership of assets Children Whether or not you disagree on certain aspects of your divorce Split Simple offers an up-front pricing plan according to your needs, and it all starts with a free consultation to help you determine which plan is right for you. There are no surprises or unexpected expenses, so you can accurately budget for your divorce from the beginning. It is generally far less expensive than a contested divorce that may draw out for months.  Stress Levels Most of us don’t imagine we’ll ever end up in court, and the thought of standing in front of a judge, who is deciding your fate, can be nerve-wracking. In a courtroom divorce, decisions get made that may benefit one spouse and not the other. It may also be difficult to understand the reason behind certain decisions, and explanation is rarely offered. The decisions made in that courtroom will impact you and your family for years to come; that’s stressful enough, but continuing to wonder why it happened the way… --- ### 10 Most Common Reasons for Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/10-most-common-reasons-for-divorce/ - **Published:** 2019-01-08 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the most common reasons couples file for Divorce. If you're ready for divorce, contact us for an uncontested divorce in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Marriage is a lifetime, sincere promise we make to our spouses. It takes and it gives; it heals and hurts; it teaches and nourishes. But marriage is not all romance and intimacy. It’s not just a commitment to another person, it is a commitment to yourself. It is a commitment that can sometimes become too much for some, and ultimately can lead to uncontested divorce. Reasons For Divorce According to studies, there are a number of reasons for divorce, as well as indicators that might help identify future problems in a marriage. While the prominence of these things varied from different studies, the causes for divorce were largely the same. Namely: Lack of commitment Too much arguing Infidelity Marrying too young Unrealistic expectations Lack of equality in the relationship Abuse Communication problems Incompatibility Changed lifestyle desires Lack of Commitment Marriage is a commitment in and of itself but within the marriage, is more commitment. An article published by UCLA shows that commitment to a relationship means staying committed through the bad times just as much as the good. Experts suggest “lack of commitment” can best be defined by one or both spouses taking the other for granted and/or not feeling special in the relationship. Too Much Arguing/Conflict Although conflict is pretty much universally unavoidable in just about any relationship, constant arguing and conflict can make a marriage unbearable. Ultimately, couples who argue constantly will feel a sense of dread when it’s time to go home and will choose to avoid a combative situation. One study showed that newlywed couples who argued a lot were more likely to continue arguing throughout their marriage which suggests most relationships that start with frequent conflict, will likely continue to have that conflict. Infidelity Generally speaking, men are more likely to commit adultery than women with one exception being women from age 18 to 29 being slightly more likely to cheat. A study published by the American Psychology Association reports that extramarital affairs in the United States have ranged from 20 to 40 percent and “42 percent of all divorcees reported more than one extramarital sexual contact during the course of their marriages.” Marrying Too Young Experts suggest the best age to marry is between 28 and 32 because those who marry younger than this – particularly teenagers – have not fully developed. They are still uncertain about important life factors such as professional futures, finances, and dedication. When people are not emotionally, mentally, and/or financially mature and prepared for the commitment of a long-term relationship, this can often lead to uncontested divorce. Unrealistic Expectations Whether it’s a spouse’s expectation of themselves or expectations of the other, unrealistic expectations can wear down a couple’s collective energy and create feelings of resentment, confusion, failure, and disappointment. Expecting themselves or partners to be a certain way or do certain things the same way all of the time, is an example of unrealistic expectations. Lack of equality in the relationship When one or both partners feel as if… --- ### What Happens If A Court Does Not Accept Our Divorce Documents? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-happens-if-a-court-does-not-accept-our-divorce-documents/ - **Published:** 2019-01-04 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for help with your divorce documents. The divorce mediators at Split Simple can help you reach an uncontested divorce in Denver 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce is one of the most difficult processes you can go through, next to getting married in the first place. There is a great deal of stress involved, and the more intertwined your and your partner’s lives have become, the more difficult they are to separate. However, even under ideal circumstances, reaching an uncontested divorce in Denver (where you both want to get a divorce, you can agree to terms, you don’t have minor children or a business with assets to split between you, etc.) there are still hurdles that you will have to contend with. Such as when the court doesn’t accept your divorce documents as you’ve presented them. That’s when you should go to divorce mediation in Denver. A Process For Ensuring Everything Is Properly Handled It is totally possible to get your divorce right on your own. If you and your spouse can sit down, and hash out an agreement that is fair and equitable, with all the t’s crossed and all the i’s dotted, then you may even be able to proceed to the final stages of your uncontested divorce without even getting a hearing (depending on the state/local laws where you live and how they handle divorce), much less going through a drawn out divorce court case. Just because something is possible, though, doesn’t mean that it is the norm. And if there are any issues with your divorce documents, or the court feels there are still some wrinkles left in them after they’ve been reviewed, that’s when you and your spouse may find yourselves in need of divorce mediation in Denver in order to proceed. What is divorce mediation? Well, in the simplest possible terms divorce mediation in Denver is when you and your spouse sit down with a neutral third party who walks you through the procedure, explains everything you need to have handled in order for the court to accept your documents, and handles the paperwork once the two of you have reached the necessary agreements and gotten everything put into writing. A mediator is more costly than just filling out the paperwork yourself, but significantly less costly than both parties hiring divorce lawyers in order to hash out the details. However, even if you do have lawyers acting to protect each of your best interests, you can still go through the mediation process. It just adds a third party outside of your lawyers to act as a kind of referee and witness to what’s happening. Which, in many cases, can be exactly what you and your spouse need to come to terms. Misconceptions About Mediation If you find yourself going through divorce mediation in Denver (either because the court wouldn’t accept your documents, or as a preventative measure to make sure everything is in order before you even go to the court), you need to make sure you go in armed with the proper knowledge of what mediation is, and what it isn’t. First of all, a mediator is not someone… --- ### How Soon After Divorce Can You Remarry in Colorado? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-soon-after-divorce-can-you-remarry-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2018-12-13 - **Modified:** 2025-04-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more information about when you can remarry in Colorado after reaching an uncontested divorce. Contact our Denver divorce mediators today! **Content:** If you are getting a divorce, then sooner or later you will be thinking about moving on. While some divorcees have been “burned” and avoid future relationships, others are likely to go “on the market” quickly. Some states have legal minimum waiting periods. Colorado is not one of those states. In fact, Colorado has pretty lax laws about getting a marriage license. However, your uncontested divorce in Denver has to be finalized and you will need to provide a certified copy of your decree. Technically, though, you can pretty much go from the court to the altar. It might be a good idea to talk to your Denver divorce mediator about the precise circumstances. Whether this is a good idea depends on other considerations: Alimony If you have been granted periodic alimony (that is to say, monthly payments), then that alimony ends automatically when you remarry unless there is a specific agreement otherwise. The assumption is that the new marriage will be supporting you. Lump sum alimony or transfer of property (for example, when the supported spouse gets the house) is not affected by remarriage. In other words, if your new spouse cannot support you it might be worth thinking of waiting. This is for the state of Colorado – if you are not in Colorado, you should check the laws for your own state. Cohabitation does not automatically impact alimony unless and until it becomes a common law marriage. If your new partner is supporting you, then your ex may be able to apply to have alimony reduced or eliminated. Child Support Remarriage does not affect child support in Colorado. Having more children also does not reduce child support, which can sometimes cause problems for blended families. If you find yourself paying child support you should consider this in all of your financial decisions, including remarriage. Remarriage also will not affect child custody, but if things between you and your ex are particularly bad then they might try to claim that there has been a substantial change in circumstances and custody should be looked at again. Appeals of the Divorce Order In some cases your ex might file an appeal of the divorce order. This might cause the judgment to be modified. Appeals are more common if there are children involved. Usually, the appeal will fail if both spouses agreed to the terms. This is a good reason to go for Denver divorce mediation , so that everything is straightened out before you go to court in the first place. If you and your ex are on bad terms and you either want to appeal part of the order yourself or fear that they will do so, it might be a good idea to wait on formal remarriage until everything has been resolved. Emotional Considerations Emotional considerations. Uncontested divorce is difficult and trying, even if it is obvious to anyone that the marriage has reached an end. You should consider whether you are emotionally ready to move on before… --- ### The 5 Most Common Reasons for Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-5-most-common-reasons-for-divorce/ - **Published:** 2018-11-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the 5 most common reasons for divorce. Contact Split Simple 720-501-4600 to begin the process of reaching an uncontested divorce in Aurora **Content:** Marriage is a long-term commitment. When you looked at your partner and said, “I do,” you were both joined in a deeply profound way. However, while the vows might say, “Till death do you part,” there are times where a marriage just doesn’t work out. Whether it’s because you weren’t really right for each other to begin with, or because you became very different people over the years, divorce is a fairly common reality in the world we live in. But why does it happen? While uncontested divorce is typically the result of many different factors all working in congress with each other, there are several, stand-out reasons that couples decide to annul their partnership. The most common reasons include… Reason #1: Getting Married Young Once upon a time, getting married was a sure sign that you’d become an adult. It was a sign that you were ready to start your own life, and that you had found someone to help build that life with. However, as Your Divorce Questions points out, getting married while you’re still young is a major factor in getting divorced down the road. Why is getting married young a problem? Well, for one thing, it likely means you and your partner haven’t had the chance to get to know one another deeply and intimately. Additionally, lack of life experience can mean that marriage is not what you expected it to be, and you find that you got into a situation that really wasn’t for you. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, none of us are the same people we were when we were young. As we grow and change, we often find that our relationships have to grow and change with us. If they don’t then they become stifling, and that leads to the cliche-but-true situation of you and your spouse feeling like strangers to one another. Reason #2: Lack of Equality Marriage is a partnership, and like any partnership both members need to do their part, and pull their weight. According to MSN, as much as 44 percent of people surveyed said they felt a lack of equality in their relationship was a major factor in their divorce. Responsibility needs to be evenly distributed for a marriage to work. Decisions need to be made together, and each partner has to shoulder their share of their household’s commitments. That might be something as relatively minor as making sure you both handle your share of the household chores, or it might mean making sure you each have an equal stake in major financial decisions. Equality looks different for every couple, but it has to be there, otherwise it can put a serious strain on your partnership. Reason #3: Money Speaking of important financial decisions, as the Independent points out, one of the most common reasons for couples to break up and file for divorce is money. It’s true that money can’t buy love, but it can buy a lot of other things. It can buy food, comfort,… --- ### The Finances Involved in a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-finances-involved-in-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2018-11-21 - **Modified:** 2025-07-23 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** What are the finances of divorce? Click Here for more information on how you can reach an uncontested divorce in Aurora IL with Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** Divorce is never easy. Families are affected in so many different ways, and to say that life is not going to be the same for any family member is not an overstatement. Even uncontested and “friendly” divorces can wreak havoc to what once was a sound family unit. If children are involved, custody matters are an issue. Then there are the questions of who will get the family pet; where is each parent going to live; which partner retains the family valuables; who pays tuition, and so many other questions. Contested or not, your divorce has legal ramifications. That’s where Split Simple, the Aurora divorce mediator team comes into play. Our advocates can help couples who are looking for a way to file for divorce in a simple and less hurtful manner through divorce mediation. That means that Split Simple will act as a neutral third party and listen to each person’s wants, needs, fears, and preferences, and then review this information to reach an agreement that is best for each party and his or her children. Unraveling the Cost of Divorces The cost of dissolving a marriage varies from state to state and differs according to who you choose to represent you and at what level your emotions are topping out due to disputes between you and your spouse. Let’s take a look at the types of fees you may pay: The cost of a divorce can range from a few hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars. A contested divorce may range from $15,000 to $30,000. Other monetary matters to be considered include: Court fees, which for a two-day trial can cost as much as $25,000 Joint debt, including credit card balances Joint bank accounts Division of property Payments to a CPA for assistance Stock division Property division Child support Tax exemptions Head of household issues Attorney fees Alimony Retirement plans and distributions, and more Uncontested Divorces If a divorce is uncontested, it means this dissolution is: A divorce in which the parties do not dispute or argue over such issues as property division, child custody, and support. A divorce that does not require the court to make decisions over disputed or contested issues. This process is streamlined and requires that the two parties file a divorce petition, other related documents, and a settlement agreement with the court. And, in some states, proceedings related to child custody and support must take place in court if the parties have minor children. An uncontested divorce is often rapidly completed since there is no need of hearings or trials. But the downside of this kind of procedure is that one of the parties may agree to a settlement only because of the desire to avoid any conflict. That spouse may get less than what he or she deserves when the distribution of assets occurs. Contested Divorces If the parties cannot agree about the terms of their divorce, the court must get involved. Hearings are then scheduled and, in time, a trial… --- ### Uncontested Divorce Doesn't Mean Absence of Conflict - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/uncontested-divorce-doesnt-mean-absence-of-conflict/ - **Published:** 2018-11-14 - **Modified:** 2026-06-21 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** If you are trying to reach an uncontested divorce in Aurora, click here for more information about how that doesn't always mean a no conflict divorce. **Content:** Even when a couple agrees the best solution to their ongoing marital issues is divorce, there are still issues which cause conflict. Unfortunately, the traditional divorce process in Illinois and Colorado usually means these conflicts require intervention between two attorneys who have no vested interest in the outcome. This is one of the reasons more couples than ever are turning to divorce mediation to help avoid conflict during an uncontested divorce in Aurora. Typical Uncontested Divorce Conflicts While a couple may agree to begin the divorce process, there are still some areas which may be hotly contested. The most challenging aspects of divorce include: Child Custody and Parenting Plans Property and Debt Division Child and Spousal Support One of the most significant problems to resolving these issues is they are deeply personal for both parties. Finding a resolution can be time consuming, expensive, and could result in the future relationship between the couple and their children being harmed. Divorce mediation may be the answer. Not only is this process less time consuming, it is less expensive, and because it does not involve the courts, is often less contentious. Regardless of the reasons your marriage has broken down, or how willing you are to proceed with a divorce, you and your spouse have emotional ties to each other, your marital property, and your children. Emotional responses to problems lead to conflict which often means an otherwise amicable relationship gets destroyed in the process of resolving those conflicts. Resolving Property and Debt Division Issues Whether you are arguing over a new car which was purchased, your marital home, or there is a disagreement about retirement account divisions, these issues can often be resolved by having an unbiased third party at the table. One advantage of working with a mediator is they do not bring emotion into the discussion. We will take the time to evaluate your debt and your assets. Once we have established a comprehensive list of each asset and debt, we will begin by determining each spouse’s financial ability to maintain an asset and their ability to repay a debt. Regardless of your personal feelings, neither spouse should walk away from the table in a financial straitjacket, you need to be able to move forward with your individual lives. The goal of mediation is to find a fair and equitable settlement which both parties can agree with and present this to the courts. The process of divorce mediation provides an opportunity to understand each other’s position and find common ground. Child Custody and Parenting Plans Every divorce where there are children involved is complicated. Even in cases of an uncontested divorce, parents often disagree on what is best for their child or children. Both parents typically agree it is in the best interest of the children to have a loving relationship with both parents. This fact is typically not in dispute, but there are other matters which must be resolved. Issues like the right to make educational, religious, and medical… --- ### So, You've Filed for Divorce. What's Next? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/so-youve-filed-for-divorce-whats-next-2/ - **Published:** 2018-10-31 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** So, you've filed for divorce. What happens next? Click here for the divorce mediation process in Aurora, and for help reaching an uncontested divorce today **Content:** Going through a divorce, whether you were the one who wanted it or not, can be a scary and difficult time. It can be even worse if you have no idea what is going to happen. Because of this, it is important that you know what happens during (and after) a divorce. Here are some things that you need to know about. The Aurora Divorce Mediation Process Here at Split Simple, we start by offering a free phone consultation. During this time, we will talk to both partners to help us determine what fixed pricing plan is right for you. At this time, we will also set up your first mediation session, finding a time and place that works for everyone. Before your mediation session happens, we will provide you with some paperwork to help us prepare for our session. We will give you a checklist which includes topics that we need to discuss, along with some important documents that you will need to provide. We will also have you complete a financial questionnaire. By going through this process and filling out the paperwork, we can save you up to an hour of mediation. This also saves you money. Then, we will start the real work with mediation sessions that last around two hours. During this time, a mediator will help you divide up your assets and debts. If children are involved, you will also discuss child custody, support, and even parenting changes that will need to happen. We will also use this time to talk to you about your finances after the divorce so that you can start planning for your future. Once each session is completed, you will get a copy of what was discussed during that time. When everything is settled, you will have a “Separation Agreement” and “Parenting Plan,” if needed. We will go through all of your documents before you sign them to make them official. Alimony Alimony payments, which are also called spousal support, might be something that you have to consider when you are going through a divorce. If you earned more money than your spouse, there is a good chance that you are going to have to pay alimony. However, if you both make about the same amount of money, alimony might not be an issue. It also might not be required if your marriage was a short one. Alimony is normally paid monthly for a reasonable amount of time. This can last several years, though if there are financial changes, it might have to be revisited. If you get a better (or worse) job, retire, or one of you gets remarried, you might be able to make some changes to your alimony. Just like child support, you can take legal action if your spouse refuses to pay your alimony. Some time in jail may just show him or her that alimony is serious business and needs to be paid. Child Custody As a parent, the hardest part of getting divorced includes… --- ### Uncontested Divorce: Do You Have to Use a Mediator in Aurora? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/uncontested-divorce-do-you-have-to-use-a-mediator-in-aurora/ - **Published:** 2018-10-26 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more information about reaching an uncontested divorce in Aurora with the help of divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple 720-501-4600 **Content:** There are many choices to make once you and your partner decide to officially end your marriage. First, know that not all divorce cases are resolved in a courtroom battle. A couple can indeed divorce without each obtaining a lawyer to litigate for his/her side. Instead, spouses agree upon an uncontested divorce. You can obtain union dissolution with or without divorce mediation in Aurora. Before you choose whether or not to have a mediator, you need to know the definition of an uncontested divorce. Definition of Uncontested Divorce Both spouses must agree on all aspects of their divorce to render it uncontested. This means both parties come to a consensus regarding every issue in their case. These might include property distribution, debt settlement”, custody and support of any children and whether alimony will be paid by either spouse. Uncontested divorces are generally more private than contested cases in which filings in the court become public record. Uncontested divorces also tend to be less expensive and more speedy from start to finish than the alternative. Also, many people believe that an uncontested divorce benefits the children of the couple as it is generally more amicable than a contested divorce. One misconception regarding an uncontested dissolution is that the participants must immediately agree upon any and all aspects of the divorce. Participants in this type of divorce, instead, negotiate between themselves to make decisions. Both partners do have to commit to working together to achieve a successful outcome. This is where a mediator is often extremely helpful. Advantages of Using a Mediator A Aurora divorce mediator, who might or might not be a licensed attorney, helps facilitate communication between the parties. This is helpful because emotions are often high when a couple decides to end a relationship. A neutral party works to keep conversations reasonable and on track. He can identify and assist when a couple engages in long established patterns that hinder useful conversation. A qualified mediator knows how to identify the primary and secondary aspects involved in legally ending the union. They use their skills and education to educate and guide the laypersons through the complications of divorce. The mediator understands the law and facilitates the filing of paperwork once participants have come to terms. An experienced mediator helps propel you through a divorce in the least complicated manner possible. When you engage a Aurora divorce mediator you retain control of your situation. You and your partner make the decisions regarding assets, debts, children, pets and insurance. You get to decide on the important issues of your private life without needing a court to determine who gets what. Considerations in Uncontested Divorce Before deciding to use a mediator and participate in an uncontested divorce, you need to understand a few things. First, an uncontested divorce might not be appropriate in certain cases. For instance, when there is an unbalanced power situation between the parties. This can occur in situations where domestic abuse factored in the relationship, when one partner makes… --- ### What Happens to Your Kids in a Divorce? Who Should Get Them? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-happens-to-your-kids-in-a-divorce-who-should-get-them/ - **Published:** 2018-10-18 - **Modified:** 2025-07-23 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** What happens to your children in a divorce? Who should get custody of your children after a divorce? Contact Split Simple for divorce mediation in Aurora **Content:** Going through divorce mediation in Aurora can feel like your whole world is crumbling. It can feel like you are losing an uphill battle. Some days are going to be harder than others. The truth is that your life is going to change (a lot) and you are going to have to roll with the punches until you find a new normal. If you are a parent, it can be even worse. You don’t have to get out of bed every day for yourself; you have to do it for them. They are going to be struggling too, and they are going to need you. As you start to negotiate the terms of your divorce in Aurora, child custody can be the hardest part. In fact, many divorces go on for years simply because parents can’t decide who gets the children. So, who should get them? Here are some things to consider. When starting to determine custody, it is important that you realize that there are different types of custody that you need to think about. Physical custody is used to determine where your children get to live. You can either get sole physical custody where you are the primary caretaker or joint physical custody where both of you share your children. Joint physical custody is the healthiest for children, though you are going to have to live close to each other and want to make it work. It can be hard to work together, especially in the beginning. Then, there is legal custody. This chooses which parent is allowed to make decisions about the children. This includes their school, religion, and how they are raised. It also chooses which parent can make decisions about the children’s medical health. Joint legal custody is the most common. It means that you will have to make all of the decisions about your children with their other parent. However, there are times when this is given to one parent over the other. This is called sole legal custody. When coming up with custody, especially physical custody, it is important to really think about your children. While most child custody battles in Aurora can be brutal because neither parent wants to lose their children, the truth of the matter is that you really need to think about them. This includes asking yourself some hard questions. Who takes care of them the most? Who do they run to for help? Who has time to take care of them? Who has the better home for them? You may also want to ask them. Older children may be able to make the decision about who they want to live with. Even the courts will listen to teenagers if they feel like they have valid points. Though it may break your heart to think of your children living with their other parent, there are times when it is in their best interest to do so. You have to let them go so that they can grow into the… --- ### Who Gets the Pets in Your Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/who-gets-the-pets-in-your-divorce/ - **Published:** 2018-10-05 - **Modified:** 2025-02-01 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Who gets the pets in your divorce? Click Here and contact our divorce mediators for help reaching an uncontested divorce with divorce mediation in Denver CO **Content:** You’re in the middle of divorce mediation in Denver, and suddenly, you’ve realized something: you have no idea what’s going to happen to Fluffy. Unlike your children, chances are, you don’t want to share custody of your pets–though that’s an option you and your former spouse can consider, if you’d like. As you’re considering your divorce or going through mediation, there are several things that you should ask concerning how you’ll choose to handle your pets. Question #1: Who Gets the Pets? During your divorce mediation in Denver, you’re splitting all the rest of your assets. Your wedding china, that expensive painting you just had to have, and even your cars have been divided. Chances are, you’ve worked out every last detail of custody of your children. But have you considered who gets the pets? No one wants to let go of the family pet (unless, of course, it’s a pet that is only loved by one spouse). However, there are several key questions you should ask before deciding who gets the animals. How Many Animals Are We Talking? If you have more than one pet, the obvious solution is to simply divide them down the middle. You take one dog; your spouse takes the other. Problem solved, right? This solution, however, may not be what’s best for the animals–and it may not be what’s best for you. Your pets have been together for a long time. They rely on each other for companionship. In some cases, separating them can lead to behavior problems and even depression. If you have multiple pets, you’ll need to decide whether you want to divide them up or work to keep them together. Who Has the Space? Both of you want to keep the family dog, but one spouse is keeping the house, while the other is moving to an apartment. Who has the space to keep up with the family pet? If you have a dog that’s used to a fenced yard with room to run, keeping them in the house may be more effective. You should also consider any important rules about the apartment lease: not every complex or building allows pets, even cats. Who Has the Time? After your divorce, your schedule may change substantially. A former stay-at-home parent may have to start working again, or both partners may need to spend more time at work to make up for lost income or money spent on your divorce mediation in Denver. Who’s going to have the time to take care of the pets? While cats don’t take a lot of maintenance–food, water, and litter boxes, along with a little affection, are all they usually require–dogs may need regular walks and plenty of attention. Carefully consider whether or not you will actually have the time to take care of your animals following the divorce. Who Can Afford It? It’s tough to break down custody of a pet based on finances, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take the time to consider… --- ### What Happens After Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-happens-after-divorce/ - **Published:** 2018-09-19 - **Modified:** 2026-06-21 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** We've all heard news stories of a messy divorce, and have even witnessed it within our circle of friends and acquaintances. What prevents a divorce from becoming contentious? There are many answers, including a willingness to work together and to approach the divorce like a professional. Another key component is truly understanding, in advance, what actually happens after a divorce. Here is a rundown of some important aspects of that. **Content:** We’ve all heard news stories of a messy divorce, and have even witnessed it within our circle of friends and acquaintances. What prevents a divorce from becoming contentious? There are many answers, including a willingness to work together and to approach the divorce like a professional. Another key component is truly understanding, in advance, what actually happens after a divorce. Here is a rundown of some important aspects of that. Alimony Alimony, also known as “spousal maintenance,” is money paid by the higher-earning spouse to help the other spouse to maintain a reasonable lifestyle after the divorce. In Colorado, there is a specific formula set out to determine alimony, based on a number of factors including the supported spouse’s earning ability, the length of the marriage, the supporting spouse’s income, and the lifestyle that both spouses were accustomed to during the marriage. A rough guideline of how alimony is figured is to subtract the lower-earning spouse’s monthly gross income from 40 percent of the total combined monthly gross income of both spouses. If the number is positive, the difference will be around what the monthly maintenance amount will be. If the number is zero or negative, then no spousal maintenance will be ordered. After the divorce, you will have a set amount that you will have to pay monthly in order to help your spouse maintain a reasonable lifestyle, or you can expect to receive this amount. The amount will be based on established state guidelines, ensuring that it is fair. Child Support The law is clear that children are to receive financial support from both parents. Support received from the non-custodial parent is referred to as “child support.” Child support isn’t determined for the purpose of destroying the financial stability of either parent. It is, rather, an acknowledgement that raising children is difficult and expensive, and one that requires assistance from both parents. There are state guidelines to determine the amount of net income that each parent should contribute in order to meet the needs of the child. While the judge can set an amount different than that which is recommended in the guidelines, based on the best interests in the child, generally child support is determined in light of these guidelines. Child support is usually paid until the child reaches the age of 18, though there are conditions which may cause child support to end early, such as: emancipation, military service, or the child gets married. After the divorce, if you are a non-custodial parent, you can expect to pay 20 percent of your net income for the care of your child, and approximately 6 percent for each additional child. If you are a custodial parent, you can expect to receive this amount. The amount you pay is a percentage of your income, so the dollar amount may go up or down, depending on the amount of income you have in the future. Child Custody Often one of the hardest decisions in a divorce, and certainly the one… --- ### What is the Difference Between Divorce, Separation, and Legal Separation? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-divorce-separation-and-legal-separation/ - **Published:** 2018-09-12 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** What is the Difference Between Divorce, Separation, and Legal Separation? Click here for divorce mediation help from our divorce lawyers located in Aurora **Content:** Marriages come to an end for a lot of different reasons, and these ends are not always dramatic and television-worthy. Sometimes a relationship comes to a natural end, with both parties ready to move on though there was a time they thought that would be impossible. Others end as underlying problems are revealed, you grow apart, you start finding each other annoying, or an old hurt you thought you could get past just never heals. No two marriages that end will end in exactly the same way and each separating couple goes through the process differently. When a couple says they are “separated”, they mean that they no longer live together but haven’t actually gotten a complete divorce. However, even if religious or financial reasons make a complete divorce impossible, a legal separation can still allow you to separate assets and even manage child custody arrangements within the bounds of a still valid marriage. If you are considering the end of your marriage, knowing your options can help you to choose the correct path forward. For couples who no longer want to share their lives together, you have three workable options: Casual Separation Legal Separation Divorce Casual Separation Casual separation is when you live separately, but are still married in all legal and practical ways. Many marriages include periods of casual separation, whether or not these periods end in divorce. Sometimes it is for logistical reasons like one partner starting a job in a new city while the other stays behind to move the household. Sometimes a couple simply prefers to spend some time apart every now and again, and often casual separation is used to help mend hurt feelings after problems have arisen in the relationship. That said, almost all divorces start with casual separation in one way or another. When two people no longer want to be married to one another, it’s only natural to start separating your lives. One person may get their own apartment or start staying with a relative during a rocky period and then the couple accepts that they are happier apart. Other times, separation can happen in the same home or even without thought as two people simply grow apart and stop spending time together. It’s also completely normal to use casual separation as a hopeful option, a way to give each other space and sort out your feelings in hopes that you can come back together after a time apart. Marriages often heal if a couple can separate and then make amends after a trial period of what it’s like to be apart. If you miss each other, if you find yourself forgiving or being willing to compromise, casual separation can be the first step to either a mended relationship or a more peaceful divorce. And, of course, casual separation can be a logistical decision based on your finances and circumstances. If it’s important that you seem to still be together or need time to separate your assets, there is often no… --- ### How Kids Experience Divorce and How You Can Help - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-kids-experience-divorce-and-how-you-can-help/ - **Published:** 2018-09-08 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more information on how kids experience divorce and what you and your spouse can do to help minimize the affects. Contact Split Simple today **Content:** No one ever gets married with plans to divorce in the future so when that time comes, it causes a slew of emotions for both spouses from anger to disappointment to pain to feelings of inadequacy, and everything in between. In fact, The Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory lists divorce as the second-largest source of stress for human beings. But notice, this is “human beings” (not just those being divorced) which means children, too, experience divorce as an incredibly stressful event in their lives. It helps to understand what they are going through, too, so you can help them navigate through the process that is certainly going to be very confusing for them. Because – just as you and your spouse never imagined divorcing – your child(ren) never imagined it, either so understanding what their worlds are like through your divorce will help you to help them. The US National Library of Medicine reports that – in most cases – within two years of the initial separation, most parents have re-established themselves and the children, consequently, have adapted to their new lives and routines. Every child is as different as their parents so not every child will have exactly the same experiences but there are some things that run across the board for children who are experiencing their parents’ separation and divorce. It may feel like an impossible task when you and your spouse are going through the throes of divorce but putting your children first in divorce should be a priority. Bear in mind that how you and your spouse work together for your child(ren)’s best interest before, during and after the divorce process, has far-reaching effects on their mental and emotional well-being. Dr. Robert E. Emery has dedicated his life to focusing on family relationships – including how divorce affects children – and has published several books on the subject of children and divorce. He states that there is not any clear-cut, simple answer for what children experience through a divorce but indeed, the process increases risks of psychological and behavioral problems – particularly for troubled children. Additionally, parent-child relationships can become strained, causing more problems such as anger (more common among teens), disbelief, or sadness (more common among 8- to 10-year-olds). Many of these issues result in educational challenges for kids, especially as they age. It can be even more traumatizing for a child if one of the parents checks out of the child(ren’s life which is not uncommon in America. In fact, Pew Research reports that overall, 62 percent of fathers and 54 percent of mothers say they do not spend enough time with their children because they do not live in the home all of the time but 20 percent of fathers say “main reason they spend too little time with their children is that they don’t live with them full-time.” But Dr. Emery says the resilience of children leads to their not developing these issues, as long as the parents are able to work together for… --- ### Is it Possible to Avoid Conflict in Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/is-it-possible-to-avoid-conflict-in-divorce/ - **Published:** 2018-09-08 - **Modified:** 2026-06-21 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here to learn how you can avoid conflict in your divorce and reach an uncontested divorce with the help of the divorce mediation attorneys in Aurora **Content:** When a partnership works wonderfully, it’s a beautiful thing. A great marriage is a joy to behold. A marriage beyond hope is quite the opposite. When a couple decides to undo their wedding vows, all sorts of emotions are bound to arise. Anger, disappointment, frustration and betrayal may be felt by one or both parties. That said, is it ever possible to avoid conflict in divorce? It is, if you heed a few savvy suggestions. Nobody says “I do” to their dearly beloved with the intention that they will someday split up. Nonetheless, stats show that 40 to 50 percent of first marriages wind up in divorce, and the odds of subsequent marriages breaking up is even worse than that. Separation and divorce are rarely easy situations, but conflict can indeed be minimized. Many couples opt to split with the help of mediation in lieu of lawyers. If both parties in a divorce are open to the idea that mediation can result in a fair outcome, divorce mediation will be most beneficial. Mediators don’t work ‘for’ either side, the way an attorney would. Neutral, third-party mediation facilitates the conversation between spouses who have mutually agreed to end their marriage. At Split Simple, we handle many divorces where the parties can’t see a fair outcome without help from an attorney-mediator. Anyone who wishes to avoid conflict in divorce should consider a Aurora divorce mediator for a number of reasons: Confidential and private Mediation allows the divorcing couple to decide what’s fair Control of the situation remains with the parties involved, not the court system Mediation is typically more affordable than hiring two divorce lawyers Either party may have an attorney go to mediation with them, if they so desire Face-to-face mediation may improve communication between soon-to-be-ex-spouses. Mediation may serve to reduce future conflicts What mediation requires of you For mediation to work, both spouses must show up willing and ready to negotiate. Both parties must be open to compromise. At first, there may be problems that seem insurmountable. This is not the time to give up. Our mediation services have helped many couples resolve differences that seemed impossible, and we can help you avoid divorce conflicts, too. Divorce mediation in Aurora can help the divorcing couple make smart and fair decisions regarding property distribution, parenting time, child support, spousal support, retirement plans and taxes. Mediation can help to keep the peace. Mediation helps divorcing couples behave amicably and fairly. It keeps couples from getting off track and helps to keep primary focus on the issues at hand. At Split Simple, our goal is to assist divorcing couples in a productive and cooperative fashion. If you talk to anyone who’s been through a nasty lawyer-driven battle in divorce, they are sure to tell you that fighting it out in front of a judge in a courtroom is an experience that nobody enjoys. Whether or not there are children involved, court battles are never pretty. Split Simple provides a singular approach to uncontested… --- ### Keeping Your Child First: Key Considerations During Your Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/keeping-your-child-first-key-considerations-during-your-divorce/ - **Published:** 2018-08-08 - **Modified:** 2025-07-23 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Keep your child first in your divorce with tips from our divorce mediator attorneys located in Denver. We can help with child support & custody arrangements **Content:** When you’re in the middle of a divorce, you can find plenty of things to argue with your spouse about. Your children, however, shouldn’t be one of them! Your goal for your children should be to disrupt their lives as little as possible and to ensure that they have the things that they need. To this end, it’s important to consider several key things throughout the divorce process. Consideration #1: What Do Your Children Need, Financially Speaking? Child support: it’s a huge point of contention in many divorce cases. One spouse doesn’t want to pay the other any more than is absolutely necessary; the custodial parent wants to be sure that the other parent is paying their fair share of any bills that might come up. According to Colorado State Law, one child should receive approximately 20% of the noncustodial parent’s income; each additional child receives 10% more. This amount, however, doesn’t take into consideration the real needs of the children, and many divorcing couples find themselves bickering over expenses for their children. Carefully consider what your child really need, financially speaking–and what you are in a position to provide for them. Does your child need money to help pay for clubs and hobbies? Sports are known to be expensive–and taking care of those expenses as a single parent is often a challenge, even with child support payments coming in. If you’re the noncustodial parent, do you want to leave your child scrambling to pay for necessary equipment, uniforms, and fees, or do you want to be part of paying for those important experiences? Does your child need a car–and the gas and insurance that go along with it? Once you and your spouse split, your child may need to be more responsible than they were previously. They may need to provide more of their own transportation or even transportation for younger siblings. That means a car, insurance, and gas–and those things aren’t typically included in child support payments. How do you want to help contribute to your child’s medical care? Medical care is expensive. Even taking your child into the doctor for a minor bacterial infection can add up fast–and more serious medical expenses, like those incurred when your child has a serious illness, can be financially devastating. You don’t want your child to ever miss out on needed medical care because your spouse is unable to afford it! Are there specific education expenses that are important to you? Do you want to give your child a leg up when it comes to paying for college? What about providing them with the ability to attend a private school in the younger grades? Carefully consider how you want to contribute to your child’s education expenses. Consideration #2: Who Does Your Child Want to Live With? It’s tempting to turn the custody game into a popularity contest, especially if you have older children who are able to participate in the decision-making process. At the same time, you don’t want to buy… --- ### Financial Planning During Your Divorce- Crafting Your New Budget - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/financial-planning-during-your-divorce-crafting-your-new-budget/ - **Published:** 2018-08-07 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for help from the Divorce Mediation attorneys in Aurora, CO when it comes to crafting your new budget and financial planning in your divorce **Content:** Divorce is devastating in a number of different ways–but one of the biggest challenges many people face are in their finances. During the years of your marriage, you shared a budget with your spouse: combined income that went into paying for your lodging, your food, and your other expenses. Once you’re divorced, on the other hand, you’ll have to take a new look at your finances. Crafting a budget on your own, especially if it’s the first time in years that you’ve had to manage your own finances, can be a serious challenge. This simple guide will help walk you through the process. Step One: Take a Look at Your Actual Income What do you, personally, make each month? This includes both the amount that you actually make as your salary each month as well as important additions like tips and commissions. While the latter may be unpredictable, you’ll find that they generally average out over the course of the month. Knowing how much you can expect to come in will make it easier to shape the rest of your budget. Step Two: Consider Alimony or Child Support Whether you’re the spouse who will be receiving alimony or child support or the one who has to pay it, it’s critical that you consider this as part of your budget. Make sure that you carefully consider how this will impact your net income each month, whether you’ll be receiving it or paying out. Keep in mind how that payment is being handled: if your former spouse is known to be unreliable or being combative about these payments, it can be important to know how to shape your spending without them should payments fall behind. Step Three: Calculate Your Bills Take a look at your new residence and what you’re paying in rent–or, conversely, what you’re paying on your mortgage. Add in your gas, your insurance, and food costs (which, incidentally, will probably be lower now that you’re living on your own). Take a look at what you’ll actually need to be able to pay with your income each month. Make sure to include: Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance Taxes Cable, gym memberships, Netflix, and any other recurring service bills that you aren’t planning to cancel Your cell phone bill Any fees and dues associated with the kids’ memberships, programs, and clubs School fees or the cost of school Any expenses associated with your continuing education, if that’s something that you plan to pursue after your divorce Step Four: Check Your Entertainment Expenses Entertainment is expensive–and chances are, you’re going to need to reduce that entertainment spending for a while. Check your entertainment expenses as they stand and consider how they may need to change in the aftermath of your divorce. This might include: Eating out Going out with friends Hitting the movies Expenses related to hobbies Regular entertainment expenses, including Netflix, cable, and more Entertainment is important, and it should certainly be included as part of your budget. However, don’t fall… --- ### 7 Important Tips for Avoiding Conflict Throughout Your Divorce Proceedings - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/7-important-tips-for-avoiding-conflict-throughout-your-divorce-proceedings/ - **Published:** 2018-08-07 - **Modified:** 2026-06-21 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for 7 Tips to avoid conflict in your divorce from our divorce mediators located in Aurora! Contact our Aurora divorce mediators at 720-501-4600 **Content:** When you’re in the middle of a divorce, it’s natural for conflict to arise. Most of the time, you aren’t divorcing your spouse because you’re able to easily meet in the middle! It’s important to remember, however, that conflict in divorce doesn’t help anyone. The smoother the process goes, the more you’ll be able to avoid attorney fees–not to mention the fact that decreasing conflict can also help increase the odds that you’ll get closer to your goals when you reach a settlement. Follow these strategies from our Aurora divorce mediators to help decrease conflict throughout your divorce proceedings. Tip #1: Limit Communications Prior to your divorce, you could communicate with your spouse whenever you liked. When you’re in the middle of divorce proceedings, however, it’s not time for face-to-face communication. If you’re struggling to resolve specific issues or you’re in the middle of some uncomfortable problems, it’s best to take a step back and reduce communications. Don’t sit down and chat over unnecessary things! The more you communicate, the greater the opportunity for conflict–especially if you’re struggling to get along throughout the divorce process. Tip #2: Opt for Written Communication When Possible You can’t get away from communicating with your former spouse, especially when your kids are involved–but you can ensure that there’s a record of those communications, especially if your spouse is offering abuse or failing to follow the current terms of your separation. Use written methods to communicate with each other whenever possible. Text messages and emails serve two key benefits. First, they give you time to think things through before you hit the send key, which means that you’ll be less likely to “say” something that you’ll regret later. Second, they provide you with a record of any messages, which can be invaluable later if your spouse is trying to harass you or if you need to prove that you did, in fact, take care of things the way you were supposed to. Tip #3: Use Your Lawyer When you have to communicate difficult things with your spouse–the need to have their half of a bill paid when it’s already several days late; changing custody needs where it concerns your children–make use of your lawyers! Communicating through your lawyers will help ensure that any messages that pass between you are legitimate, necessary, and, if not kind, at least not rude, either. Tip #4: Take Advantage of Counseling If you have children together, you’re going to be interacting with your spouse for a long time. It’s particularly important to find a way to get along for the sake of small children, who may find themselves in the middle of your conflict if things go awry. Even if you’ve already given marriage counseling a shot, co-parent counseling is an excellent strategy for improving communications and ensuring that your kids don’t feel as though they’re stuck in the middle of a tug of war. Tip #5: Try Mediation First Sure, it would be nice to just throw all of… --- ### How To Proceed Through A Denver Divorce Without A Lawyer - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-to-proceed-through-a-denver-divorce-without-a-lawyer/ - **Published:** 2018-07-18 - **Modified:** 2025-01-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more about what a divorce in Denver looks like without an attorney-need help with your divorce? Contact our divorce mediators in Denver today **Content:** Hiring a Denver divorce mediator to work through your divorce case might be the easiest way to move forward. However, before you consider how you will go through your divorce without a lawyer, one should understand some of the basics of the laws surrounding divorce in the state of Colorado. What Are The Basic Laws For Divorce In Denver? To be eligible for divorce in the city of Denver (or in any part of the state of Colorado), one of the spouses in the relationship must have resided in the state of Colorado for at least 90 days (3 months) prior to filing for the divorce. When filing the divorce forms, there will be a $230.00 fee that must be paid for the paperwork to be processed. However, for people who cannot afford to make this payment, if you file a Motion to File Without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit, which if approved by the judge, may allow you to avoid having to pay to file the divorce paperwork. The only reason for divorce in Colorado is “irreversible breakdown” of the relationships and consequently the marriage. You and your spouse will have to have unresolvable conflicts in order to be able to claim sufficient grounds for a divorce. Colorado is a “no-fault” state, which means that issues like adultery or domestic violence are not a legitimate reason for a divorce to move forward. Colorado divorces will take at least 91 days (3 months) or longer to complete. However, most cases take much longer than this as things such as hearings and the need for a mediation come up in many cases. This timeline begins with the initial filing of the paperwork till the day the divorce is made official. How Can I Prepare For My Divorce Without A Lawyer? Many people will choose not to use a lawyer when they are getting a divorce. It’s important that when making this choice that you understand that divorces can be a complex procedure that more often than not get very complicated. It’s important to prepare yourself for the process of defending your own case if you choose to go without a lawyer as you move forward in your divorce case. The good news is that there are things you can do to prepare to help you better represent yourself in court when going through a separation. One of the things you can do is to take a basic education course that will help you understand the process that will go on in court and how to react to what comes up throughout your case. Take A Divorce Preparation Class: There are a variety of courses that are available for you to take that will help you prepare to represent yourself in divorce court. One such course is offered by eDiscover.com which offers courses specifically tailored to the laws of Colorado. This course costs $159.00 and will provide you with information that can help you know what to do and not do on… --- ### Meeting With a Divorce Mediator: 5 Important Questions to Ask - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/meeting-with-a-divorce-mediator-5-important-questions-to-ask/ - **Published:** 2018-06-13 - **Modified:** 2025-07-21 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Here the top 5 questions you should ask your divorce mediation attorney to make sure you are getting the most from your divorce in Aurora 720-501-4600 **Content:** When divorcing spouses sit down with a neutral third party such as a divorce attorney in order to resolve the issues in their divorce, it can be overwhelming. You may have many questions running through your mind, and need some help organizing your thoughts. Or, you may not know what to ask at all. This is where a Aurora divorce mediator comes in. It is important to remember that a divorce mediator is different than a divorce attorney in that he or she will never take sides. It is not uncommon for a couple to meet with a mediator as well as a divorce attorney. Whatever the reason for the divorce may be, you want to go into your divorce mediation session fully prepared in order to get an outcome that everyone can agree on. Below, we’ll take a look at some important questions to ask your divorce mediator so that you can have the most effective session possible. How Do We Handle The Division Of Our Investments And Retirement Assets? This is one of the most important factors to consider in a divorce, particularly when one spouse was the primary wage earner, or if one spouse earned significantly more than the other. Go into the session with the Aurora divorce mediator being educated on the stock options and other types of employee incentive plans that you or your spouse may have, and get advice on the market risk of your assessments before the mediation process. If you and your spouse have a portfolio of investments, make sure you fully understand the make-up of the assets and the background on some of the stocks and funds. Keep in mind that high-risk investments can be dangerous if the market takes a turn for the worse and that some investments can be worth very little at the present time, yet be highly lucrative in the future. Make sure you are completely comfortable with how you divide these vital investments and assets. Perhaps you’d like to speak with your divorce attorney regarding these financial issues before going into the mediation session. How Can You Make A Divorce As Fair As Possible? In a perfect world, every divorce would be easy to negotiate, and therefore as fair as possible. Couples would not need a divorce attorney or divorce mediator to intervene. Unfortunately, this is not the case. It can take a lot of discussions before reaching an agreement that everyone can agree upon. Some of the points that need to be discussed with a divorce mediator are: Alimony, maintenance, spousal support, and spousal maintenance (if applicable) Division of all marital assets as well as liabilities and determining which assets are considered either the couple’s marital property or a spouse’s individual property. During a divorce, there can be a lot of interpretation as to what is fair. Divorce mediators work with couples in a fair manner by paying close attention to the balance of power between the spouses. Keep in mind that the mediation process… --- ### How Long After A Divorce Can You Remarry In Colorado? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-long-after-a-divorce-can-you-remarry-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2018-06-13 - **Modified:** 2025-04-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here to find how long after a divorce you can remarry in Colorado. The Denver Divorce Mediators at Split Simple can help you navigate your divorce! **Content:** Most Divorces Start With A Separation (An Uncontested Separation): Many people who are going to be getting divorced start by mutually agreeing to separate their living arrangements. This is the phase where they have separated their personal lives and agreed that a permanent separation of lives is a right next step for them, yet have not gone through all the final paperwork of making the separation legally official yet. Most people in these situations will live separate lives and live in separate homes. At this stage of planning a separation is about separated as you can get without having finalized the actual separation process. Despite living separate lives in separate homes, it’s important to remember that in many states you are not “legally separated” until you go through a very specific procedure. Oftentimes, a Denver divorce mediator can help you figure out how to go through the “separation process” in accordance with the rules in your state, in this case, that state is Colorado. Separation Is Different From Divorce: Being legally separated often will require people to go through a similar process as getting an actual divorce would require. You will both have to create a settlement that a judge will have to approve for the separation to be legally binding. You will have to settle certain issues in that settlement and that will include things like: Equitable division of all of your assets Child custody Spousal Support In other words, despite many people’s thinking, getting a legal separation within the state of Colorado is no easier than filing papers for a complete separation. Moreover, legal separations are not recognized by the state in the same way as an official and legal separation would be recognized. Why Do People Choose Legal Separations? Sometimes, people will choose legal separations as it can help their unique, legal financial situation. These situations will generally include specific insurance policies or benefits plans that are part of their financial planning. If many couples actually divorce, those plans or benefits will not apply as they would if the couple were to just legally separate instead. However, if you want to get remarried in the state of Colorado, you will have to change your legally separated to “divorced” (it’s a pretty straightforward process to complete through paperwork) before you can legally marry again. Completing a Legal Separation – Alimony & Spousal Lawyers: Whether you are legally separating or divorcing, it’s a good idea to have a lawyer involved in your split as they can ensure that both parties are treated fairly and that you are each getting paid what you are owed. Diving assets equally between both parties as is dictated by the law can be a tricky process. Alimony lawyers can help guide you through that process. It will make it much easier to sort through all the tensions that are likely to exist about paying alimony or spousal support after a legal separation. Here at Split Simple, our goal is described in our name. We… --- ### Differences Between Uncontested and No Fault Divorces - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/differences-between-uncontested-and-no-fault-divorces/ - **Published:** 2018-04-09 - **Modified:** 2020-10-12 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Potential divorce clients frequently ask us, “What is the difference between an uncontested divorce and a no fault divorce?” Because we get this question so often and it is such a good one, we wanted to take a moment and address it with this blog post. **Content:** Potential divorce clients frequently ask us, “What is the difference between an uncontested divorce and a no fault divorce?” Because we get this question so often and it is such a good one, we wanted to take a moment and address it with this blog post. The simple answer is that “no fault divorce” refers specifically to a state law’s application of “fault” (i.e. the reasons for the divorce) and whether it impacts the outcome of the divorce proceedings. Years ago divorce laws in most states required one spouse to establish fault with the other spouse as part of the divorce. For example, alleging adultery or abandonment as reasons for the divorce. Typically the other spouse would then allege something similar, thus requiring a judge to determine the extent to which fault would impact the division of property and support. This requirement of a finding of fault created an inherently adversarial divorce process pitting one party against the other. Although divorce proceedings can be adversarial, requiring additional mudslinging in an already emotional process did not serve parties or court systems efficiently. As a result in the early 1970’s states began to pass “no fault divorce laws” and today all 50 states have some form of no fault laws or no fault options on the books for divorce. With that mouthful out of the way, what’s an uncontested divorce? Uncontested divorce means that both spouses have reached an agreement on all aspects of the divorce. This means they agree on the division of assets, terms of the parenting plan and support arrangements. The plan is presented to the court for approval and at Split Simple we guarantee approval of all paperwork by the Court. An uncontested divorce with Split Simple may start with great conflict and little agreement on the issues, but our experience and proven process helps divorcing couples to focus on solutions and reach an agreement for an uncontested divorce. By contrast, in a contested divorce the parties can’t agree on the relevant issues and therefore the Court must decide. It’s our opinion that relinquishing these decisions about your life and your family to the courts is matter of last resort. Parties have lost all control of the outcome if they let a judge rule on their future. Our proven process, is designed to result in an uncontested divorce. Most of our clients don’t start the process without meaningful disagreements, but by the end of the mediation both spouses are in agreement that their uncontested divorce is fair, in the best in interest of all parties, and the best result given the circumstances. Our process minimizes expense and stress. We focus on how to move forward and find solutions, not in re-living the reasons for the divorce. Interested in hearing more about our unique approach? Give us a call? --- ### Tax Reform and Alimony - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/tax-reform-and-alimony/ - **Published:** 2017-11-29 - **Modified:** 2025-01-28 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Ordinarily this time of year, many couples decide to wait until after the holidays to move forward with filing a divorce. **Content:** Ordinarily this time of year, many couples decide to wait until after the holidays to move forward with filing a divorce. However, given the tax code changes in the proposed tax bill in Congress, this is a December to pay attention and consider whether filing for a divorce in December 2017 may result in significant tax savings associated with the payment of alimony – also referred to as maintenance or spousal support. The reason for concern is that the current tax bill under consideration in Congress will eliminate the treatment of alimony as a deduction and income for tax purposes in a divorce. This change will save the federal government billions of dollars but decrease the significant tax savings for many divorced couples. Under the present law the individual who pays alimony is able to reduce his or her taxable income for the relevant year in an amount equal to the alimony paid. The individual who receives alimony must then claim the alimony payments on his or her tax returns as income during the relevant year. The net result typically provides a significant tax savings by shifting income that would be taxed at the higher earner’s rate, to the lower income tax rate of the alimony recipient. The current tax reform bill under consideration eliminates this taxable treatment of alimony or maintenance, meaning that alimony payments would neither be taxable to the recipient nor deductible by the payor. The result of this change will mean that the combined after tax incomes of both spouses will be less (i.e. a higher amount of combined taxes to be paid by the divorced couple). How this tax change will interact with the Colorado or Illinois spousal maintenance guidelines (given that those Guidelines presume maintenance is taxable) has, of course, yet to be determined. It is important to note that this change to the law would not apply to those divorces finalized in 2017 or to those cases where a divorce has been filed and a Separation Agreement has been signed by both parties prior to December 31, 2017. As a result, by moving forward and filing your divorce and then signing your Separation Agreement in December 2017 you would be able to take advantage of the current law (assuming of course that the proposed bill is passed by Congress). At Split Simple our highly skilled divorce mediators take pride in giving our customers an intelligent, straightforward path to the resolution of their divorce. A three to four week period of time is normal for most of our customers to resolve all their divorce issues and have signed paperwork. Give us a call at Split Simple today so we can explain how our solution focused approach can help you move forward during this difficult time. --- ### How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce In Colorado - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-divorce-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2017-03-24 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In almost every free Split Simple consultation, potential clients want to know: “How long does it take to get a Divorce in Colorado?” **Content:** In almost every free Split Simple consultation, potential clients want to know: “How long does it take to get a Divorce in Colorado?” As long as you and your spouse file the Petition as “Co-Petitioners” (i.e. you both sign the Petition in front a notary), a Colorado Divorce Court must wait a minimum of 91 days after the filing to enter a Decree of Dissolution or Legal Separation.  A similar rule applies in the event someone elects to have a Sheriff “serve” the other party or the other party signs a “Waiver and Acceptance of Service”, in that the 91 day “clock” begins upon such service or execution of the waiver.  It is important to understand that the 91 day waiting period is only a minimum time period and assumes the end result is an uncontested divorce. In a contested Colorado divorce case it may take months to more than a year to finalize the divorce, depending on the nature of the divorce case and backed up court dockets. However, with our Split Simple uncontested divorce process, most couples resolve all issues in about one month or less so that the Divorce or Legal Separation is final shortly after the 91 day “cooling off” period. One advantage to working with a skilled mediator is that it will allow you and your spouse to reach an Agreement in a relatively short period of time such that after filing your Petition you can sign your Separation Agreement. Once this Agreement has been signed by both parties you will begin to live under its terms, removing so much of the uncertainty that accompanies the divorce process. Give us a call at Split Simple today so we can explain how our solution focused approach can help you move forward during this difficult time. --- ### Divorce - Uncontested or No Fault? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-uncontested-or-no-fault/ - **Published:** 2017-02-01 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** At Split Simple, we have a very clear philosophy: there is no issue divorce mediation can't resolve, no matter how hopeless it might seem. We have created a process with that principle at its center, and we have seen the truth of it time and time again. **Content:** At Split Simple, we have a very clear philosophy: there is no issue divorce mediation can’t resolve, no matter how hopeless it might seem. We have created a process with that principle at its center, and we have seen the truth of it time and time again. Potential divorce clients frequently ask us, “What is the difference between an uncontested divorce and a no fault divorce?”  Because we get this question so often and it is such a good one, we wanted to take a moment and address it with this blog post. The simple answer is that “no fault divorce” refers specifically to a state law’s application of “fault” (i.e. the reasons for the divorce) and whether it impacts the outcome of the divorce proceedings.  Years ago divorce laws in most states required one spouse to establish fault with the other spouse as part of the divorce.  For example, alleging adultery or abandonment as reasons for the divorce. Typically the other spouse would then allege something similar, thus requiring a judge to determine the extent to which fault would impact the division of property and support. This requirement of a finding of fault created an inherently adversarial divorce process pitting one party against the other. Although divorce proceedings can be adversarial, requiring additional mudslinging in an already emotional process did not serve parties or court systems efficiently. As a result in the early 1970’s states began to pass “no fault divorce laws” and today all 50 states have some form of no fault laws or no fault options on the books for divorce. With that mouthful out of the way, what’s an uncontested divorce?  Uncontested divorce means that both spouses have reached an agreement on all aspects of the divorce.  This means they agree on the division of assets, terms of the parenting plan and support arrangements.  The plan is presented to the court for approval and at Split Simple we guarantee approval of all paperwork by the Court. An uncontested divorce with Split Simple may start with great conflict and little agreement on the issues, but our experience and proven process helps divorcing couples to focus on solutions and reach an agreement for an uncontested divorce. By contrast, in a contested divorce the parties can’t agree on the relevant issues and therefore the Court must decide.  It’s our opinion that relinquishing these decisions about your life and your family to the courts is matter of last resort.  Parties have lost all control of the outcome if they let a judge rule on their future. Our proven process, is designed to result in an uncontested divorce.  Most of our clients don’t start the process without meaningful disagreements, but by the end of the mediation both spouses are in agreement that their uncontested divorce is fair, in the best in interest of all parties, and the best result given the circumstances.  Our process minimizes expense and stress. We focus on how to move forward and find solutions, not in re-living… --- ### Can Mediation Resolve All The Issues in a Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/can-mediation-resolve-all-the-issues-in-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-10-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** At Split Simple, we've seen time and again that our divorce mediation process can resolve even the most challenging disputes in a divorce. Free consultation **Content:** At Split Simple, we have a very clear philosophy: there is no issue divorce mediation can’t resolve, no matter how hopeless it might seem. We have created a process with that principle at its center, and we have seen the truth of it time and time again. Put simply, our divorce mediation system can resolve any and every outstanding issue. You might think your disputes over the issues are so significant that they need to be handled in a courtroom, but we’ve heard that time and time again, and we know that if both parties are genuinely committed to finding a solution, one can be found. These include knotty, emotionally-wrought issues, such as: Alimony Child support Division of assets Child custody How do we solve these problems? We put smart, experienced attorney-mediators in a room with two spouses who want to find a solution. And we talk — professionally, unemotionally, and without bias or favor. We help you remember what’s important and we do everything we can to ensure that problems are solved equitably, in a way that leaves both parties on sound financial footing. If you live in or around the Denver, Colorado area and you have need of divorce mediation services, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/split-simple-will-help-you-with-all-court-proceedings/ - **Published:** 2016-10-27 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In this video, Chris Griffith talks about the assistance Split Simple provides with all court proceedings and explains the initial status conference. **Content:** In this video, attorney-mediator Chris Griffith talks about the assistance Split Simple provides with all court proceedings and explains an important aspect of the process — the initial status conference. Split Simple offers divorce mediation services to couples in the Denver area. If you would like to learn more about how mediation can provide you with a smarter, simpler, more cost-effective alternative to a traditional litigated divorce, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with us today. Please contact Split Simple using the form on this page or call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule your free mediation consultation. We serve clients in Denver, Aurora, Boulder and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. --- ### Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/does-split-simple-help-with-the-submission-of-court-documents/ - **Published:** 2016-10-21 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In this video, Chris Griffith discusses the ways Split Simple will assist you with the preparation and submission of divorce documents to the courts. **Content:** In the following video, Chris Griffith discusses the ways in which Split Simple will assist with submission of divorce documents to the courts. Split Simple offers divorce mediation services to couples looking for a smarter, simpler, and more cost effective alternative to a traditional litigated divorce. During your mediation session, our attorney-mediators will facilitate the amicable resolution of all issues in dispute. We will then help you prepare all necessary documents so that all you need to do is drop them off with the court. Please contact Split Simple using the form on this page or call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule your free divorce mediation consultation. We serve clients in Denver, Aurora, Boulder and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. --- ### When Does Child Support End in Colorado? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/when-does-child-support-end-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2016-10-20 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Child support in Colorado ends when the child turns 19. But there are some exceptions to this rule. Split Simple can help you navigate child support laws. **Content:** A crucial part of our work is helping our Denver-area clients with financial planning. When it comes to a divorce, this means ensuring that both parties have a clear understanding of the duration of any payments they are expected to make. Child support is arguably the biggest and most important expense to arise from a divorce, and, as such, it's important that you have a clear understanding of how long you can expect to pay child support. Here's the general rule. Under Colorado law, child support ends when the child turns 19. At that point, child support obligations cease. No new motions must be filed. Of course, there are exceptions to this general rule. If the child hasn't yet graduated from high school, child support payments may continue until the child does graduate. And in the event the child is physically or mentally incapable of caring for him or herself, child support payments will continue indefinitely. Child support may be discontinued or dramatically modified before the age of 19 if the child earns emancipation. One more thing to remember: if the parent paying child support dies, the child support obligations do not cease. That individual's estate is still expected to pay child support. If you're considering divorce in the Denver, Colorado area and want a simpler, more pleasant experience, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### 5 Tips for Creating an Effective Parenting Plan - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/5-tips-for-creating-an-effective-parenting-plan/ - **Published:** 2016-10-17 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Learn some tips to ensure your parenting plan reflects the best interests of everyone involved - you, your spouse and most importantly, your children. **Content:** When you draw up a parenting plan, it’s important to get it right. This plan will govern all important child care issues, including child custody. Split Simple recognizes the importance of parenting plans and works with all parties to ensure the best possible plan is crafted. Here are five things to keep in mind when approaching a mediation session to draw up a parenting plan: It’s important to keep calm and remember your priorities. You want what’s best for your child. You don’t want to “win.” Assemble all relevant financial information. This will make it easier to draw up child support schedules and other important provisions of the plan. Present a united front. You and your spouse might not live together any more, but you are still parents, and you need to ensure that your child knows that. Make sure you are both on the same page when it comes to disciplinary issues. Coordinate your schedules and travel arrangements so your child’s educational and extracurricular activities are covered. Stay flexible. Mediation can solve any problem, provided both parties are willing to work with our attorney-mediators and get creative to solve problems. The good news is that our attorney-mediators have years of experience with parenting plans and other child care issues. We know how to craft effective parenting plans that earn a judge’s approval and meet everyone’s needs. If you live in or around Aurora, Colorado and you want to speak to Split Simple about parenting plans and other issues that arise during a divorce,  please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Can Child Support Be Waived If Both Parties Agree? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/can-child-support-be-waived-if-both-parties-agree/ - **Published:** 2016-10-14 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In Colorado, child support can be waived if both parties agree, but the court will only approve this arrangement if it is in the best interests of the child **Content:** Child support is a common issue for Aurora-area couples seeking a divorce. It’s important that both parents do their best to provide financially for children. Although Colorado law does not allow couples to “waive” child support, mediation allows parents to find creative solutions that not only fit with their sense of fairness but also provides for the financial welfare of the children. In Colorado, child support is a function of not only time-sharing between parents but also addresses the differential between incomes. As a result, in those situations where parties share time equally with the children and have substantially similar incomes, perhaps only a minimal amount of child support is recommended. In other cases, the higher income earning parent may pay certain child related expenses directly (rather than to the other parent) and this may result in a minimal monthly child support obligation. In both of these examples, parents are not waving child support under Colorado law but there is no monthly exchange of child support.  Ultimately, under Colorado law, decisions related to child support or any other child care issues are made on the basis of the child’s best interests, not the parents’. A judge will ultimately review the parenting plan and child support  agreements in order to ensure that these arrangements are in the best interests of the child. Generally speaking, although it is not acceptable to waive child support mediation allows couples the flexibility to examine many options around this issue. Our attorney-mediators will work with both parties to find a child support solution that meets the child’s needs and leaves the parents in sound financial shape. If you live in or around Aurora, Colorado and you have questions about child support or any other divorce-related issue, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. – --- ### Divorce-Related Tax Issues Associated with Children - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-related-tax-issues-associated-with-children/ - **Published:** 2016-10-11 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In this video attorney-mediator Chris Griffith discusses the divorce-related tax issues associated with children and how Split Simple can help you with them **Content:** In this video, attorney-mediator Chris Griffith discusses the divorce-related tax issues associated with children. There are many financial matters that must be resolved during a divorce. One of the most important relates to tax issues. Split Simple's divorce mediation process uses financial mapping software to ensure that all of the appropriate tax exemptions are being leveraged properly so that you and your spouse maintain as much of your income as possible. Please contact Split Simple using the form on this page or call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule your free divorce mediation consultation. We serve clients in Denver, Aurora, Boulder and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. --- ### How to Divide the Proceeds of a PERA Account during a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/dividing-the-proceeds-of-a-pera-account-during-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-10-10 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** PERA accounts have unique rules regarding how they are split in a divorce. Split Simple can help you and your spouse divide this money fairly with mediation **Content:** Property division is one of the most important elements of any divorce. Your divorce settlement needs to account for the needs of both parties while providing for a roughly equitable division of assets if it is to earn a judge’s approval. Retirement accounts are common issues in a divorce. Finding the right way to divide a retirement account is important, and despite the common misperception that all retirement accounts must be immediately liquidated, you actually have a number of options. Public employees in Denver and throughout Colorado have Public Employee Retirement Accounts, or PERA. These accounts are unique, because unlike private retirement accounts, a PERA retirement account cannot be forcibly divided by a judge. The parties in a divorce need to come to an agreement on the division of a PERA. At Split Simple, our attorney-mediators have ample experience with PERA and other retirement accounts. We know how to craft an agreement that meets the needs of both parties. In the case of PERA, this can mean evaluating the real value of the account so that it can be taken into account for property division purposes. It can mean drafting a Qualified Domestic Relations Order to allot 50 percent of the account to the non-beneficiary party. Or it can mean holding off until the PERA recipient retires and making a decision then. Which course of action is right for you? It depends on your unique financial circumstances. You can count on our mediation sessions to find appropriate solutions for both parties. If you live in or around Denver, Colorado and you’re concerned about property division during a divorce, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Resolving Disputes over Your Child's Extracurricular Activities - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/resolving-disputes-over-your-childs-extracurricular-activities-2/ - **Published:** 2016-10-07 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Split Simple can help you and your spouse resolve disputes over your children's extracurricular activities so that your kids can keep them in their lives. **Content:** Extracurricular activities are important for your child. They’re fun, they’re compelling and they can help your child’s college admission case down the road. You absolutely want to support your child’s extracurricular activities. But the fact remains that these activities can be time consuming, and in some cases they can even be controversial. It’s not unusual for parents to disagree on the wisdom of an activity or on the proper schedule for a child. As you can see, child custody is just one of the issues that need to be resolved during a divorce mediation session. During your mediation process, you’ll need to look forward and create a system for handling potential conflicts. Split Simple’s attorney-mediators will work with both spouses to craft a parenting plan that creates such a system. The parenting plan will include schedules and details on how to handle the costs of education and other child care expenses. Perhaps most importantly, our mediation process will keep things amicable between you and your spouse, ensuring that there is a strong foundation for future conversations. This foundation will also ensure that conversations about a child’s extracurricular activities will focus on what’s right for your child. If you’re considering a divorce in the Denver, Colorado area and you’re concerned about child custody or other difficult issues, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Updating Your Insurance Policies after a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/updating-your-insurance-policies-after-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-09-30 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** One of the most important tasks to perform after a divorce is to update your insurance policies to reflect your current situation. Learn the steps to take. **Content:** At Split Simple, we make it a point to help divorcing couples with all the important and relevant financial matters. It’s a crucial element of our process – our attorney-mediators have ample experience with financial planning software, and we understand the economic factors at play. There are a lot of “little” issues that arise in the aftermath of a divorce – things that are easy to forget or overlook. One of these issues is insurance. You probably took out a number of policies during your marriage, including: Life insurance Health insurance Home owner’s insurance Auto insurance In these insurance policies, your spouse is probably listed as a beneficiary or a co-signer. This can be troublesome after a divorce, when you probably want your money to go elsewhere and you don’t want to pay for someone else on your policy. As such, updating your policies after divorce is important and can save you a lot of money. We are committed to ensuring both you and your spouse are in an economically sound position in the aftermath of your divorce, and we will advise you on how to complete this task. Some considerations to keep in mind when updating insurance policies: Life insurance – If you don’t want your ex-spouse to receive your benefits upon your death, then you should remove him or her as your beneficiary. However, when child support is involved, you may want to talk with your spouse about having the person receiving this support remain as the beneficiary on the other person’s policy to ensure your children are properly provided for in the event of an unexpected death. Health insurance – If you were on your spouse’s health insurance plan, you will need to get separate coverage following the divorce. If your spouse is on your plan, you will need to update your policy to remove him or her from it. Home owner’s insurance – Regardless of who keeps the marital home, you will need to adjust your home owner’s insurance policy to reflect the new living situation. Auto insurance – You should make sure that your auto insurance policies are updated so that your name is only listed on the policy for the vehicle you drive. When you prepare for your mediation sessions, gather as much documentation as you can, including information on the insurance policies you have purchased. The more information you have, the better equipped we will be to help you save as much money as possible. If you live in or around Denver, Colorado and you want a divorce process that protects you and your financial interests, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Slideshare Presentation - Advantage of Mediated Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/slideshare-presentation-advantage-of-mediated-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-09-29 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** If you're considering divorce, you may wonder if you should choose mediation or litigation. This presentation shows the benefits of using our attorney-mediators. Serving CO and IL. **Content:** If you and your current spouse have made the decision to get a divorce, you may have dozens of questions. The biggest of them all may be whether or not you should go through a mediator or litigate your divorce in court. At Split Simple, we have experienced attorney-mediators that can help you answer this question. In this presentation, we show all of the benefits of mediated divorce and how it can help you bring your marriage to an end swiftly, fairly, and as easily as possible:     To discuss your divorce with our mediator-attorneys, please contact Split Simple Divorce Mediation today by calling (855) 665-9920. We proudly serve clients in all of Denver and the surrounding parts of Colorado as well as Illinois.   --- ### Can I Modify a Previously Agreed Upon Parenting Plan? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/can-i-modify-a-previously-agreed-upon-parenting-plan/ - **Published:** 2016-09-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** You can modify a previously agreed upon parenting plan in Colorado, but it's not easy. Split Simple can help you get the parenting plan right the first time **Content:** Parenting plans are crucial elements of any successful divorce settlement. You and your spouse need to craft a parenting plan that addresses all of your child’s needs and provides a mechanism for resolving common issues. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for families to find themselves dissatisfied with the parenting plan, either because changed circumstances call for a new child custody arrangement or some other issue arises. It’s possible to modify a previously agreed upon parenting plan in Colorado, but it’s not easy, especially if both parties aren’t in agreement on the points in question. If at all possible, it’s best to avoid the need to modify the agreement in the first place. Split Simple’s divorce mediation process recognizes this, and we work hard to make sure your parenting plan is both effective and forward-looking. Our experienced attorney-mediators know what goes into a good parenting plan, and we know how circumstances can change. We have a proven track record of crafting fair, equitable agreements that meet all of a child’s needs and adapt to changing circumstances. The parenting plan you and your spouse agree to will resolve all of the important issues that define a child’s life. If you live in the Denver, Colorado area and want to find a divorce mediation solution that helps you craft sound parenting plans that resolve child custody and other issues, please call Split Simple today at 720-504-1105 for a free consultation. --- ### Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie Child Custody Dispute a Prime Example of a Case that would Benefit from Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/brad-pitt-angelina-jolie-child-custody-dispute-a-prime-example-of-a-case-that-would-benefit-from-mediation/ - **Published:** 2016-09-26 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Reports that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are getting divorced have captured the public's attention all week. This shocking development officially puts an end to the high profile Hollywood couple popularly known as "Brangelina" after more than a decade-long relationship. While divorce papers have been filed, there is much to be resolved before this case is finalized. In particular, the couple seems to be gearing up for a child custody battle. **Content:** Reports that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are getting divorced have captured the public’s attention all week. This shocking development officially puts an end to the high profile Hollywood couple popularly known as “Brangelina” after more than a decade-long relationship. While divorce papers have been filed, there is much to be resolved before this case is finalized. In particular, the couple seems to be gearing up for a child custody battle. In the documents filed in court by Angelina Jolie, she requested sole custody of their six children. As part of her request, Brad Pitt would be granted visitation rights. Sources speaking with People Magazine have claimed Pitt will not accept this arrangement, and he will likely fight for joint custody of the children. “Brad thinks Angelina is a great mother,” the source for People says. “But he is also a great father. There is no way he is going to be absent for any part of his kids’ lives.” Due to the fact that this child custody dispute involves one of the highest profile celebrity couples we’ve ever encountered, a protracted battle in court would likely result in all of the details being aired on every tabloid in the country. For a couple that has already released statements asking the public to respect their privacy, this appears to be an undesirable outcome. In addition, the publicity associated with this case will undoubtedly impact their six young children, who already have enough to deal with in processing the divorce of their parents. Fortunately, there is a simple solution that would keep this dispute private while the couple resolves the matter. If they opt for divorce mediation, they can work together to craft a custody agreement that is in the best interests of the children while keeping the details out of the public eye. While all of the details of their pending divorce are not yet available, it certainly seems like a situation that would be perfect for mediation for several reasons: Angelina Jolie has not requested spousal support or child support, so these issues are somewhat of a non-factor in the divorce. That significantly reduces the important issues to be resolved. Both Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have expressed a desire to keep this matter as private as possible. If they fight this battle in court, every detail will be entered into public record, ensuring a situation where the public will be hanging on every development. Choosing mediation would allow the couple to keep these details private while they amicably work out an agreement that is fair for both parties. The primary issues to be resolved are child-related. Mediation will help the couple maintain control over the process, allowing them to arrive at a custody agreement that is in the best interests of their children. In addition, research has demonstrated that children experience a smoother transition to post-divorce life when their parents resolve their differences through mediation instead of through litigation in court. The divorce has just been filed, and… --- ### What is Retroactive Child Support? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-is-retroactive-child-support/ - **Published:** 2016-09-25 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Retroactive child support is awarded to reimburse the custodial parent for expenses incurred prior to the establishment of a child support order. **Content:** For divorce cases involving young children, child support is often a significant and contentious issue. Providing for the ongoing financial support of your children is obviously a crucial component of any divorce settlement, and it's important to always keep the best interests of your children at heart when resolving these disputes. One question that gets raised occasionally relates to retroactive child support. With retroactive child support, the court orders one parent to pay child support for a period of time before a support order existed. So, for example, if a couple was unofficially separated starting on October 1 and they go to a court in mid-December, the court can issue an order for retroactive child support to cover the two and a half months in between. Retroactive child support is used to either cover past unpaid child support or to pay for support that was needed before the court issued its order. Fortunately, Split Simple's uncontested divorce process usually makes retroactive child support unnecessary. Because we have a great deal of respect for the value of your time and money, we work hard to resolve divorce disputes within one or two sessions. This means less time elapses between your decision to undergo a divorce and the actual completion of that process. Our attorney-mediators will work with both parties to ensure fair and equitable solutions are found for any outstanding problems. When it comes to your children, this means reaching an agreement that serves the best interests of the children. If you're looking for a simple, effective divorce mediation process in the Denver, Colorado area that can resolve child support concerns and other difficult issues, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Why Is it Important to Shield My Child from Arguments during Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/why-is-it-important-to-shield-my-child-from-arguments-during-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-09-23 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Dragging children into arguments with your spouse can make the divorce process more stressful on your children and place a strain on your relationship. **Content:** Divorce is hard on everyone, but it’s especially hard on children. It’s impossible to overstate just how difficult it is for a child to deal with the break-up of his or her parents’ marriage. Divorce is also an emotional time for you and your spouse, and because of these emotions, it’s easy to unintentionally drag your children into your arguments. This is a terrible mistake, and it’s one you need to avoid. The knowledge that parents are going through a divorce, and that child custody is a serious issue, is enough for a child to deal with without having to see unpleasant arguments. Witnessing these arguments can shake a child’s faith in his or her parents and undermine their authority. Even during a divorce, you need to present a unified front to your children and re-assure them that the fundamentals of their life are not falling apart. One of the benefits of divorce mediation with Split Simple is that these arguments do not dominate your lives. We ensure that your divorce is treated rationally and professionally. Our mediation sessions diffuse unpleasant emotions and keep the conversation on the right track. We know how emotional child custody issues are. But we also know you want what’s best for your children. Split Simple’s unique approach to divorce ensures you can shield your children from the worst elements of a divorce by eliminating these elements entirely. This is all possible because you and your spouse won’t be bringing the drama and bitterness that often occurs in a courtroom back home. Instead, you will work together amicably to resolve your issues at the negotiating table. If you’re living in the Denver, Colorado area and you’re looking for a divorce mediation solution that enables you and your spouse to professionally address child custody and other issues, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Four Myths about Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/four-myths-about-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2016-09-22 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** There are many misconceptions about the divorce process, and divorce mediation in particular. Learn the truth about the most common mediation myths. **Content:** Many people have a lot of pre-conceptions about divorce, ideas they’ve conjured up based on pop culture and conversations with friends and family. Sadly, these pre-conceptions are often misconceptions, and they can prevent you from finding the optimal solution to the problems facing you and your spouse. Here are four popular myths about divorce, followed by the reality. Myth #1: A courtroom divorce is the only way to get a good outcome The reality: Divorce mediation enables both parties to find fair and equitable solutions. Our unique approach to divorce ensures that both spouses are treated fairly and left on sound financial footing. Myth #2: You can’t retain a divorce lawyer if you opt for divorce mediation. The reality: Split Simple’s process can easily accommodate divorce lawyers. While attorneys are certainly not needed when you choose Split Simple, we understand you might be more comfortable with your own attorney. Myth #3: Divorce mediation just puts off problems The reality: Split Simple’s unique approach to divorce is designed to squarely confront and solve problems. We have a proven track record of helping divorcing couples work through seemingly intractable problems. Myth #4: Divorce mediation will still require hiring a lawyer to fill out complicated paperwork The reality: Split Simple employs experienced attorney-mediators to conduct your sessions. Once a divorce settlement is reached, our attorney-mediators will complete all relevant paperwork. You will not have to hire your own lawyer just to help you understand the relevant agreements. Document completion is one of our most important services, and we offer you a guarantee that your divorce settlement will earn a judge’s approval. If you have questions about divorce mediation or you’re looking for a firm in the Denver, Colorado area you can trust, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Does Split Simple Have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/does-split-simple-have-experience-helping-couples-with-parenting-plans/ - **Published:** 2016-09-20 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In this video, attorney-mediator Chris Griffith discusses his background and experience helping divorcing couples with the creation of parenting plans. **Content:** In the following video, attorney-mediator Chris Griffith discusses his background and experience helping couples going through a divorce with the creation of parenting plans. If you have young children, resolving child issues will be some of the most important matters to address in your divorce agreement. A well-crafted parenting plan can clearly define all responsibilities and obligations associated with: Child custody Child support At Split Simple, our attorney-mediators have more than two decades of experience handling these types of issues. Our mediation process will help you and your spouse work together collaboratively to create a parenting plan that meets the needs of everyone involved — you, your spouse and most importantly, your children. By creating an effective and thoughtful parenting plan, you can ensure the smoothest possible transition to divorced life for your children. Please contact Split Simple using the form on this page or call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule your free divorce mediation consultation. We serve clients in Denver, Aurora, Boulder and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. --- ### How is Child Support Determined in Colorado? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-is-child-support-determined-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2016-09-14 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Split Simple's attorney-mediators know the Colorado child support guidelines and can help you craft an agreement that's in the best interests of your child. **Content:** Child support is undeniably one of the most acrimonious issues in a divorce. Determining how child support will be structured is a difficult question, and it’s one you need to get right. At Split Simple, we know you do want to get this issue right. We know that your children are the most important things in the world to you. We know you want what’s best for them. Divorce mediation helps make that happen. In Split Simple’s divorce mediation sessions, we keep discussions focused on arriving at a fair solution that reflects every party’s best interests. When it comes to child support or any other child issues, we’ll ensure the best interests of the child are always the foremost consideration. Colorado has a number of guidelines for determining child support payments. They include: The gross income of both the custodial and the non-custodial parent Both parents’ potential income Cost of living Cost of child care and insurance Educational and travel expenses Split Simple’s attorney-mediators will combine these guidelines with sophisticated financial planning software that will take into account all relevant variables. Using these tools and our decades of experience, we will find fair and equitable solutions that set both parents and all children up for success. If you live in or around Denver, Colorado and you want to speak to an attorney-mediator about child support or other common divorce issues, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Dividing Business Assets During a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/dividing-business-assets-during-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-09-12 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Dividing business assets during a divorce is a complicated process. The attorney-mediators at Split Simple can help ensure a fair outcome through mediation. **Content:** An equitable division of assets is an indispensable element of a divorce settlement. When it comes to personal assets, the conversation can be emotional, but relatively straight-forward. But what if one spouse owns a business? How will this asset be divided during the divorce settlement? These are difficult, complicated questions, and it’s easy for emotion to get wrapped up in them. You’ve worked hard to build this business. Why should your spouse benefit from that work by receiving a share of your business in the divorce settlement? The simple answer to this is the Colorado’s equitable distribution property division laws stipulate that all assets, including businesses will be divided between each spouse in an equitable, but not necessarily equal, manner. Split Simple’s divorce mediation process makes these conversations smoother and less melodramatic for Denver-area couples considering divorce. Our attorney-mediators know the relevant laws and know how to work with both parties to ensure a fair and equitable settlement is reached. Here are some things you should know about dividing business assets during a divorce: Before anything else, the business assets in question must be fairly and comprehensively valued. This is crucial if the assets are to be divided fairly. As such, it’s important that all relevant documents are gathered as soon as possible. Find tax documents, receipts, anything having to do with the finances of the business. You need to approach this issue professionally. Take emotion out of the equation. This is a business issue, not a personal one. Honesty and transparency are crucial. Don’t try to hide assets or any relevant information. Be up-front and open about the business and its assets. These are difficult questions, but they’re answerable. There are no problems that can’t be solved with divorce mediation. Keep in mind that you will not be forced to make your ex-spouse a 50% owner of your business. You will also not be forced to sell your business and split the proceeds with your ex. Under Colorado’s equitable distribution laws, you will be entitled to keep your business and in return, your spouse will either receive: A monetary award commensurate with their share of the business Some other piece of marital property that is equivalent to their share of the business Remember, under equitable distribution laws, the value of your business won’t necessarily be split equally between you and your spouse. In general, this typically isn’t considered to be a fair and equitable way to divide this asset. Instead, our attorney-mediators will help you and your ex-spouse arrive at a fair split of the practice based on each party’s contributions to the marriage. If you own a business in the Denver, Colorado area and you want an approach to divorce that will respect your accomplishments and help you find fair solutions, divorce mediation is the right choice. Please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Tips For Handling Tough Divorce-Related Questions With Your Spouse - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/tips-for-handling-tough-divorce-related-questions-with-your-spouse/ - **Published:** 2016-09-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Learn some important tips to help make your difficult divorce-related discussions productive. Divorce mediation can facilitate more amicable negotiations. **Content:** Conversations about divorce are never easy, especially when the conversation is invariably heading toward the conclusion that ending the marriage is the right course of action. There’s no way of making that conversation pleasant. But Split Simple’s divorce mediation services can make that conversation productive, efficient and drama-free. Divorce mediation isn’t marriage counseling, but it can help Denver-area couples find the right answers – where “right” is defined as an answer that resolves the question in a fair and equitable manner. Here are some pointers for working through these tough questions in divorce mediation: Keep calm. Divorce is emotional, but the decisions you and your spouse make during mediation will have to be made based on reality and facts, not emotions. Keep blame out of it. Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, which means exactly what it sounds like: fault is irrelevant. Your final settlement will have nothing to do with who is to blame for the divorce. Stay focused. Don’t let conversations get off track and onto unproductive topics. Make sure your conversations focus on meaningful, substantive issues. The good news is that you’ll have help navigating these difficult conversations. Our experienced attorney-mediators know how to keep a mediation session on track and focused on the right issues. We maintain a pleasant, business-like atmosphere that’s conducive to solving difficult problems. If you want to learn more about the benefits of divorce mediation in Denver, Colorado, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### The Impact of Divorce on Children (Infographic) - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-impact-of-divorce-on-children-infographic/ - **Published:** 2016-09-02 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** This infographic illustrates the impact divorce can have on young children as well as how divorce mediation can make this transition easier on your kids. **Content:** Divorce impacts more than just the two people ending their marriage. If you have young children, your divorce can have both long- and short-term effects on them as well. The following infographic illustrates the impact divorce can have on young children as well as the ways in which divorce mediation can make this transition easier on your kids. Please contact Split Simple using the form on this page or call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule your free divorce mediation consultation. We serve clients in Denver, Aurora, Boulder and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. --- ### VIDEO: Split Simple Offers Flat Fee for Divorce Mediation Services - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/split-simple-offers-flat-fee-for-divorce-mediation-services/ - **Published:** 2016-08-31 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In this video, attorney-mediator Chris Griffith discusses Split Simple's unique flat fee for divorce mediation services. Free consultation. Denver, CO **Content:** In this video, attorney- mediator Chris Griffith discusses Split Simple’s unique flat fee for divorce mediation services. At Split Simple, we offer a unique fee system for our divorce mediation services. In order to ensure your costs for mediation remain both transparent and affordable, we work on a flat fee. We encourage you to read our Pricing page to learn more about our flat fee system. If you are considering divorce mediation, please contact Split Simple using the form on this page or call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule a free mediation consultation. We serve clients in Denver, Aurora, Boulder, and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. --- ### Drew Barrymore Illustrates the Benefits of Uncontested Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/drew-barrymore-illustrates-benefits-of-uncontested-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-08-24 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Drew Barrymore finalized her divorce in 3 weeks, thanks to going through an uncontested divorce process. Find out if an uncontested divorce is right for you **Content:** Celebrities obviously live rather different lives than the rest of us, and what goes on in their world can seem completely foreign to us. But in reality, what happens with celebrities can serve as rather useful object lessons for all of us. The actress Drew Barrymore is a perfect example. She recently finalized a divorce with her now ex-husband Will Kopelman. The divorce took all of three weeks, and neither party had to set foot in a courtroom. You can read all of the details here. But things moved as quickly as they did for Barrymore and Kopelman because they opted for an uncontested divorce. The two wanted a simple, efficient solution that left no hard feelings and provided sound arrangements for their two daughters. It’s a perfect illustration of the usefulness of uncontested divorce for couples who are looking for a quick, simple solution. And it’s not just for celebrities. Split Simple’s uncontested divorce process has a proven track record of working for people just like you. All you need for an uncontested divorce to work is a healthy attitude, a willingness to sit down and conduct tough conversations about important issues, and a desire to avoid the time and expense of a traditional courtroom divorce. If you live in the Denver, Colorado area and feel an uncontested divorce may be the right approach for you and your spouse, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### What Constitutes a Successful Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-constitutes-a-successful-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-08-24 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** A divorce settlement is successful when it represents the interests of both parties and provides fair solutions to the issues in dispute. Free consultation. **Content:** At Split Simple, we have a proven divorce mediation process that helps couples work through their disagreements and reach a successful settlement. But when it comes to divorce, what does “successful” mean? What is a successful divorce? Unlike traditional divorce lawyers, we don’t take a zero-sum approach to divorce. We don’t believe divorce is about winning or losing. We don’t represent one party or another. Instead, our attorney-mediators work with both parties. And that’s the key to a successful divorce. In our estimation, a divorce settlement is successful when it represents the interests of both parties and finds fair and equitable solutions to the problems that existed when the couple came to us. Furthermore, a successful divorce settlement positions both parties for success moving forward. Financial planning is a significant element of our process, and we understand the importance of making sure both parties have enough financial resources to successfully navigate their newly single life. Finally, when child issues are involved, we know that a successful divorce is one that serves the best interests of the children. Our attorney-mediators always keep that principle in mind. If you and your spouse are willing and able to work through your differences amicably at the negotiating table, then divorce mediation may be the ideal way to settle your divorce. In these situations, mediation will usually result in a fairer agreement while reducing the time, cost, and stress involved in the process. Ultimately, these are some of the key elements that constitute a successful divorce. If you live in or around Aurora, Colorado and you think traditional divorce lawyers might not be right for you, then you should consider divorce mediation. Please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### VIDEO: How do I Prepare for Divorce Mediation? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/video-how-do-i-prepare-for-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2016-08-22 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In this video, Denver attorney-mediator Chris Griffith explains the steps you should take when preparing for your first divorce mediation session. **Content:** In the following video, Split Simple attorney-mediator Chris Griffith explains the steps you should take when preparing for your first mediation session. In many instances, divorce mediation can be the most effective way to resolve a divorce. When couples are able to work out their differences in an amicable, collaborative manner at the negotiating table, it will usually produce a much fairer agreement than what you can achieve through litigation. But in order to get the most out of your mediation session, it’s important to spend some time preparing before you meet with our attorney-mediator. We encourage you to watch the video in this blog. Mr. Griffith provides several tips that will help you get the most out of divorce mediation. Please contact Split Simple using the form on this page or call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule your mediation consultation. We serve clients in Denver, Aurora, Boulder and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. --- ### Don't Let Your Emotions Influence Your Actions during Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/dont-let-your-emotions-influence-your-actions-during-mediation/ - **Published:** 2016-08-19 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Split Simple's divorce mediation process can help you and your spouse stay calm while negotiating the terms of your divorce, ensuring a fair agreement. **Content:** Let’s be honest — divorce is an emotional time. You’re ending a relationship you thought was going to last the rest of your life. Nerves are frayed, tensions are high and you’re simply not in the best frame of mind. Split Simple doesn’t deny this basic reality. We won’t pretend that you can just turn off how you feel. But divorce mediation is designed to ensure that the difficult decisions required during a divorce are made with everyone’s best interests in mind. With our uncontested divorce process, we work with you and your spouse to find solutions. This means working through problems in a productive and pleasant manner, not trying to shout each other down or assign blame. A crucial part of our job is keeping everyone calm during the divorce mediation process. In our experience, once decisions are brought back to the realm of logic and reason, answering the necessary questions becomes much simpler. During our mediation sessions, our experienced attorney-mediators ensure that discussions are kept reasonable and on-task. There will be no unpleasantness or recrimination — we won’t allow discussions to devolve into finger-pointing. We’ll make sure everyone is well-treated and everyone’s interests are considered. If you live in the Denver, Colorado area and you want to learn more about the advantages of divorce mediation, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation.   --- ### Creating a Parenting Plan When Both Parties Disagree on the Details - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/creating-a-parenting-plan-when-both-parties-disagree-on-the-details/ - **Published:** 2016-08-19 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** The Denver attorney-mediators at Split Simple can help you and your spouse resolve disputes over a parenting plan using our divorce mediation process. **Content:** At Split Simple, we have a saying: there’s no problem mediation can’t solve. We say this with confidence, because we’ve worked with countless couples who came to us convinced there was no solution for their disagreements. The subject of these disagreements is often child custody. For many Denver-area couples, child custody is one of the most controversial and divisive issues in a divorce. Both parties love their children, and in the heat of a divorce, it’s easy to convince yourselves that the best interests of your child are perfectly in line with your interests. When crafting a parenting plan, there are dozens of issues that have to be resolved. It’s far from unusual for the two parties to disagree on a number of them. How will you work through these disagreements? Split Simple’s divorce mediation process is designed to do just that. Divorce mediation is an environment in which difficult issues are hashed out through productive conversations that stay focused and on-task. Statistics show that children whose parents chose divorce mediation have better outcomes than those whose parents opted for a traditional courtroom divorce. Split Simple’s attorney-mediators will work with both parties in a fair and objective fashion. We have experience resolving disagreements and finding equitable solutions to seemingly intractable problems. If you’re considering divorce in the Denver, Colorado area and you want an attorney-mediator with experience resolving child custody disagreements, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Divorce Tax Planning: October 1 is a Critical Date - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/divorce-tax-planning-october-1-is-a-critical-date/ - **Published:** 2016-08-17 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** October 1 is a critical date if you want to file your taxes as a single person. Split Simple can walk you through the tax implications of your divorce. **Content:** At Split Simple, we go beyond a lot of Denver divorce attorneys in our attention to the financial details of your divorce. Financial planning is a big part of what our attorney-mediators do. This includes an awareness of the tax implications of your divorce. And this is a good time to talk about taxes, because we’re reaching a critical point for tax planning. Why? It has everything to do with state and federal tax procedures. First, you should understand that the IRS will determine your marital filing status based on whether you’re married on December 31 of that year. So if you are married for 364 days of 2016 but a Colorado divorce court grants your divorce on December 31, you will be able to file as single for the 2016 tax year next April. So why is this such an important time for tax purposes? Because under Colorado law, a divorce court must wait 91 days after the filing of your joint divorce petition to accept the petition and make it official. As a result, if you file your divorce after October 1, the IRS will consider you married for the 2016 tax year. What this means for you will depend on your unique circumstances. In many cases, there will be significant advantages to filing separate returns. But in other cases, it might make sense to file as a married couple, in which case you can ask the court to delay filing your divorce until the New Year. Our attorney-mediators will keep your unique circumstances in mind when working with you and your spouse. Finding a settlement that maximizes the financial advantages for both parties is our priority. If you want an experienced attorney-mediator in the Denver, Colorado area with a comprehensive knowledge of relevant tax laws, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Determining Who Keeps the Pets after a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/determining-who-keeps-the-pets-after-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-08-17 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Determining who keeps the pet after a divorce can be an emotional debate. Our attorney-mediators can help you reach an agreement that is fair for everyone. **Content:** For many animal lovers, a dog or a cat isn’t just a pet. It’s a member of the family. So you can imagine the stress and drama that ensues when two animal lovers share a pet, then get divorced. Who will keep the animal? How will you make that determination? Split Simple’s uncontested divorce process might not have been crafted with pet custody in mind, but our proven divorce mediation system is perfect for contentious issues like these. Losing a pet is tough. Having your pet given to your ex-spouse as the result of a court edict is galling. Divorce mediation through Split Simple will allow you and your spouse to sit down at a table together and work out the difficult issues, including who will keep the pet(s) after your divorce. We understand this is a significant issue, and we will treat it with the seriousness it deserves. We will work with both parties to examine ownership records and the history of the pet’s acquisition and care. Whose name is on those records? Who owned the pet first? These are important questions. But we will also go beyond the bare facts and work with both parties to find fair, equitable solutions, up to and including shared custody plans for your beloved pet. We’ll also work out cost-sharing agreements, as well as decision-making mechanisms for those tough choices you’ll have to make later in the pet’s life about the wisdom of further care. At Split Simple, we care about the issues that are important to you. If you’re looking for an experienced attorney-mediator in the Denver, Colorado area with ample experience in divorce cases and a proven track record of working through tough issues, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Tips for Creating a Joint Custody Schedule for the School Year - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/tips-for-creating-a-joint-custody-schedule-for-the-school-year/ - **Published:** 2016-08-16 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** August is back-to-school month, which is an exciting development for a number of reasons. It's a chance for your kids to return to the schoolhouse and get back to learning about the world. **Content:** August is back-to-school month, which is an exciting development for a number of reasons. It’s a chance for your kids to return to the schoolhouse and get back to learning about the world. But the school year also presents certain logistical difficulties, especially for parents in the midst of a divorce. One of your most important tasks will be to create a joint custody schedule — one that serves the best interests of your child, while meeting the demands of both parents’ busy schedules. Fortunately, you don’t have to do this alone. Split Simple’s attorney-mediators understand the intricacies of creating a joint custody schedule. Child custody is one of the most contentious issues in a divorce, but it doesn’t have to be acrimonious. Divorce mediation through Split Simple is conducive to productive discussions that stay focused on the important issues. Statistics show that children whose parents chose divorce mediation have better outcomes than those whose parents opted for a traditional courtroom divorce. We will work with both spouses to craft a parenting plan that serves your child’s educational needs. This determination will be worked out in close consultation with both spouses, so you know you’ll have a say in how this schedule is created. Nothing will be imposed on you. If you need an attorney-mediator in the Denver, Colorado area with significant experience in child custody issues, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### VIDEO: How Long does it Take to Finalize a Divorce in Colorado? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/video-how-long-does-it-take-to-finalize-a-divorce-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2016-08-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In this video, Chris Griffith explains how you can agree to a legally binding settlement and move on with your life before the court finalizes your divorce. **Content:** At Split Simple, one of the most common questions we receive during an initial consultation is, “How long will it take to finalize my divorce?” While there is a mandatory 91 day period of time between when you file your petition and when the court will finalize your divorce, it is possible to reach a legally binding agreement in a much shorter time period.  In the following video, Split Simple attorney-mediator Chris Griffith explains how you can actually agree to a legally binding settlement and start moving on with your life as soon as possible. The goal of divorce mediation is to help you and your spouse work together amicably to resolve all of the issues associated with your divorce. Our attorney-mediators serve as a neutral third party who guides you through this process in a manner that fosters collaboration, reduces acrimony, and ultimately helps you settle your divorce in the shortest time period possible. Please contact Split Simple using the form on this page or call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule your free divorce mediation consultation. We serve clients in Aurora, Denver, Boulder and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. --- ### VIDEO: How Much Alimony should be Paid in Colorado? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/video-how-much-alimony-should-be-paid-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2016-08-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In this video, Split Simple attorney-mediator Chris Griffith explains the guidelines governing spousal support in Colorado. Free mediation consultation. **Content:** Several years ago, the Colorado State Legislature enacted a statute containing updated guidelines governing how alimony (spousal support) should be determined in Colorado. This law plays a significant role in the way the court will rule during an alimony dispute as part of a divorce action. In the following video, Split Simple attorney-mediator Chris Griffith explains some of the guidelines governing spousal support in Colorado. At Split Simple, all of our attorney-mediators are licensed family law attorneys who know the state laws that apply to your case. By providing you with the guidelines used to resolve your alimony dispute, we can guide you and your spouse to an agreement that is fair for both parties and will be approved by the court. This is one of the many benefits you will experience by choosing divorce mediation instead of a traditional litigated divorce. If you would like to learn how you can achieve a smarter, simpler, and more cost effective divorce process through mediation, please contact Split Simple using the form on this page or call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule your free consultation. We serve clients in Denver, Aurora, Boulder and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. --- ### Does it Matter Who Initiates the Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/does-it-matter-who-initiates-the-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-07-25 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In general, it doesn't matter who files for divorce first. But there are some situations where you may gain legal and financial benefits from filing first. **Content:** If you are considering filing for divorce, you may be wondering whether you will gain an advantage by initiating the divorce proceeding. In general, it doesn’t really matter which spouse files for divorce first. However, in some situations you may experience some legal and financial benefits by initiating the process. Legal advantages include: You can select where your divorce case will be handled — this may be significant if you and your spouse live in different counties or even different states You may be entitled to present your case first if your divorce goes to trial Financial advantages of filing first include: You have the ability to assemble a team of divorce experts prior to initiating the divorce action, which gives you a head start on the prep work associated with your case You can collect all necessary legal documentation before filing You can ensure you still have access to all funds, assets and lines of credit prior to filing You can make it more challenging for your spouse to hide assets It’s important to remember that you should always consult an experienced divorce attorney prior to commencing a divorce action. This will ensure your rights are protected and all paperwork is filed properly. However, there are some instances when a traditional litigated divorce will not provide you with the best possible outcome. If you and your spouse are willing and able to resolve all issues in dispute in an amicable and collaborative manner, then you may want to consider divorce mediation. Divorce mediation is a process that employs a neutral third party, called a mediator, to work with you and your spouse at the negotiating table in order to resolve all aspects associated with your divorce. By opting for mediation, you can avoid a lengthy, contentious trial. Ultimately, this will reduce the amount of time associated with the divorce process, save you a significant amount of money in court costs and legal fees, and help you craft a divorce agreement that more effectively meets the needs of both parties. If you choose mediation, it won’t matter who initiates the divorce since you will be working with your spouse and the attorney-mediator to resolve all of the issues in dispute before filing any paperwork with the court. Split Simple provides divorce mediation services to couples in the Denver area. Our attorney-mediators have a background in family law and can guide you through the entire process, ensuring your final divorce agreement will be upheld by the court. Speak with one of our attorney-mediators today to find out if this option is right for you. Please contact Split Simple using the form on this page or call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule your free consultation. We serve clients in Denver, Boulder, Aurora and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. --- ### Quiz - Do You Need an Attorney-Mediator for Your Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/quiz-do-you-need-an-attorney-mediator-for-your-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-07-20 - **Modified:** 2025-01-03 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** If you and your spouse are considering a divorce, you may be wondering if you need an advocate to represent your best interests during the process. This quiz will help you determine if an attorney-mediator would be a helpful asset that can ensure that the proceedings go easily and are resolved smoothly. **Content:** If you and your spouse are considering a divorce, you may be wondering if you need an advocate to represent your best interests during the process. This quiz will help you determine if an attorney-mediator would be a helpful asset that can ensure that the proceedings go easily and are resolved smoothly. If you believe that you need an attorney-mediator to help with your divorce, please contact Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920. We proudly serve clients in Denver, Boulder, Aurora, and all Colorado areas. --- ### VIDEO: Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/video-meet-divorce-mediator-chris-griffith/ - **Published:** 2016-07-18 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In this video, Chris Griffith discusses his background and the reason he has chosen to focus his Denver area practice exclusively on divorce mediation. **Content:** If you would like to reduce the time, acrimony and costs associated with the divorce process, you may want to consider mediation as an alternative to a traditional litigated divorce. However, it is critical that you work with an experienced attorney-mediator who not only understands the Colorado laws which apply to your case, but can also help guide you and your spouse to an amicable resolution that results in a fair divorce agreement for both parties. Chris Griffith, the Denver area attorney-mediator at Split Simple, has more than two decades of experience handling family law matters, including over 13 years working exclusively on divorce mediation matters. This experience provides him with the background necessary to help you come to consensus on the issues at hand so that you can move onto the next phase of your life as quickly as possible. In the following video, Mr. Griffith discusses his background and the reason he has chosen to focus his practice exclusively on divorce mediation. Please contact Split Simple using the form on this page or call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients in Denver, Boulder, Aurora and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. --- ### Summer Travel Tips for Parents Going through a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/summer-travel-tips-for-parents-going-through-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-07-12 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** If you are going through a divorce, you may find family vacations are more stressful as a single parent. Learn some tips to help make the experience easier. **Content:** . Summer vacations with the family can be a highlight of the year, providing memories that last a lifetime. However, the experience can be much more challenging the first time you take the children on vacation by yourself. If you are in the process of going through a divorce, you may find that not having your spouse around to help out or give you a well-needed break once in awhile makes the trip more stressful. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to anticipate and alleviate some of these issues. Travel Tips If you are traveling to your destination by car, check with your children regularly to see if they need a bathroom break. Make sure to stop if you know it will be a long time before you come to another exit with bathroom facilities. Limit drinks to reduce the number of stops you make and when you do stop, let the children run around outside for 5-10 minutes to burn off some energy. In order to keep your children focused and occupied while you drive, you should keep the following items on hand: Videos (iPads and other portable video devices work great) Books Puzzles Games Downloadable audio tours and books If you are traveling by plane, the following tips will help ensure a smoother trip: Bring chewing gum to prevent your children’s ears from popping during takeoff and landing Keep a change of clothes for yourself and your children in your carry-on in order to avoid sitting in wet clothes for hours if drinks are accidentally spilled Bring airplane-appropriate toys to occupy your children’s attention If you qualify for early boarding, take advantage of this service so that you can get your children settled on the plane without rushing to accommodate a long line of passengers behind you that are waiting to board Check with the airline in advance to find out whether they offer a kid’s meal; if they don’t, make sure you bring food for your children to eat Make sure your children drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration during the flight Finding the Right Hotel When booking hotels, look for one that is child-friendly. Many hotels contain restaurants that have children’s menus. This may be extremely helpful if your child is a picky eater. In addition, there are some hotels which offer childcare services. You may find that this allows you to carve out a few well-needed hours of alone time so that you can recharge half-way through your trip. Build the Trip into Your Parenting Schedule If you are working out a temporary child custody plan with your spouse while the divorce is pending, make sure to discuss any trips you would like to take with the children well in advance. Provide your spouse or ex-spouse with an itinerary of your trip, including information on how the other parent may stay in contact with the children. This will help you devise a parenting schedule that accommodates your travel needs and also gives your… --- ### Whose Side is the Mediator On? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/whose-side-is-the-mediator-on/ - **Published:** 2016-04-29 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Our attorney-mediators are unbiased and represent the interests of both sides. Learn more in this post from Split Simple. **Content:** In the American legal system, attorneys are ethically obligated to fight for the best interests of their clients. They represent a specific client, and it is their job to use all legal and ethical means to pursue a positive outcome for that client. This is the dynamic most people are familiar with, and they tend to assume all legal matters are resolved this way- one party against another party, with lawyers on each side fighting a zero-sum battle. This is certainly how many people conceive of a divorce. No headaches at Split Simple However, that isn’t how divorce mediation works. The role of our attorney-mediators isn’t to take sides. We’re not contractually bound to one party or another- we’re bound to both, which means we work in the best interests of both. What this means in concrete terms is that we work to solve problems in a way that leaves both parties as well off as possible. We will not prioritize one party over another, and we treat you both equitably. Both parties can come to our attorney-mediators with questions or to seek clarification on a complex or complicated point. If you have questions about divorce mediation anywhere in Colorado, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### What Are The Advantages to Avoiding Divorce Court? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-are-the-advantages-to-avoiding-divorce-court/ - **Published:** 2016-04-25 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Split Simple explains the advantages of avoiding divorce court in this exclusive new post. Learn more. **Content:** Divorce court is an often unpleasant, always expensive experience, and for the longest time couples tended to assume it was one they simply had to deal with if they were going to end their marriage. But you have options, chief among them divorce mediation. The advantages of avoiding a trip to divorce court are numerous, including: Agency. At Split Simple, we don’t make decisions for you- we work with you and your spouse to find solutions that are right for you. You get to play a role in the decisions that will affect the rest of your life. Money. Our pricing is completely up-front and transparent, and we know that we’ll save you money in the long run in comparison to a lengthy trip through the divorce courts. Your children. Statistics show that children of families who divorced through mediation have better outcomes than children of parents who went through a traditional courtroom divorce. Keeping emotions in check. Our mediation system is designed to ensure that sessions are kept on-task and productive. We don’t let the raw emotions of a divorce interfere with the important decisions that have to be made. Put simply, we’re convinced that mediation can work for anyone. If you’re considering a divorce, consider mediation first. You’ll be glad you did. If you’re worried about the time and money required to go through a divorce court in the Denver, Colorado area, mediation might be right for you. Please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Panama Papers Reveal How Wealthy Hide Assets in a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/panama-papers-reveal-how-wealthy-hide-assets-in-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-04-22 - **Modified:** 2025-01-28 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Split Simple discusses some interesting revelations in the Panama Papers in this new post. **Content:** The world is currently fascinated with revelations in the so-called “Panama Papers,” which are documents that were leaked from a prominent Panamanian law firm that specializes in creating shell firms and various other devices for sheltering money belonging to some of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful people. The documents reveal how the wealthy hide their assets. Of particular interest is this story from McClatchyDC, which investigates the tactics fabulously wealthy individuals use to hide their money from divorce courts. The Panama Papers show that Russian oligarchs and other rich individuals use offshore tax havens to hide their money, making their net worth appear much less impressive than it actually is. These clients would set up shell corporations to buy art work and other high-value assets, all in an effort to keep those assets from the hands of their countries’ divorce courts. The machinations of the uber-wealthy might seem distant and of little interest to you, but they do show just how important transparency and respectful communication are during a divorce. At Split Simple, our objective attorney-mediators will pursue an equitable division of assets with an eye toward treating both parties fairly. If you’re a resident of Denver, Boulder, Aurora or any other Colorado community and you want to handle your divorce outside of the courtroom, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### A Comparison Of Split Simple's Divorce Mediation With Do-It-Yourself Divorce and Traditional Courtroom Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/a-comparison-of-split-simples-divorce-mediation-with-do-it-yourself-divorce-and-traditional-courtroom-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-04-18 - **Modified:** 2025-01-28 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** At Split Simple, we know that our unique approach to divorce works for our clients. It provides a smarter, simpler, more businesslike process that allows our clients to move through the difficult experience of undergoing a divorce and then get on with their lives. **Content:** At Split Simple, we know that our unique approach to divorce works for our clients. It provides a smarter, simpler, more businesslike process that allows our clients to move through the difficult experience of undergoing a divorce and then get on with their lives. Not the right option for you. But we know you might still have questions. And you’re a busy person, so you want to learn about what makes our process so effective as quickly as possible. To aid in this, we’ve prepared the following table comparing our system to a traditional courtroom divorce and to a do-it-yourself divorce, the latter of which is growing in popularity: Comparison of Approaches Cost Certainty Unbiased, Expert Assistance For Both Parties Professional Financial Planning A Predictable Timeline Settlement Approval Guarantee Better Outcomes for Children Split Simple’s Uncontested Divorce Process YES YES YES YES YES YES Do-It-Yourself Divorce NO NO NO NO NO NO Traditional Courtroom Divorce NO NO NO NO NO NO   If you have questions about Split Simple or the nature of our process, please call us today at 855-665-9920 to arrange a free consultation. --- ### What Does a Legal Separation Mean? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-does-a-legal-separation-mean/ - **Published:** 2016-03-31 - **Modified:** 2025-01-28 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Legal separation is an interesting concept. Learn more in this exclusive post from Split Simple. We help couples considering divorce. **Content:** Many Colorado couples are curious about legal separation. You might have heard this term and you might want to know what goes into becoming legally separated. Is it right for you? Here’s what you should take away from the concept of the legal separation- it’s not easier than a divorce. There’s no “common law separation.” You can’t live apart from your spouse for a certain period of time and thus become legally separated. Instead, you need to follow all the steps that must be followed if you go through a divorce. This means working out financial and child care issues with your spouse, forging a settlement and getting it approved by a judge. So, why do some couples choose a separation over a divorce? The deciding factor is usually financial. For those who have retirement or other benefit plans that are more generous to married couples, a legal separation might make sense for a period of time. Of course, it’s important to remember that you will still be married under the laws of the state of Colorado. If you want to re-marry, you’ll need to get an official divorce. At Split Simple, we help couples find solutions that are right for their unique situations. We’ll walk you through your options and advise you on the best course of action. If you have questions about legal separation or your other options in Colorado, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### How Should I Prepare For A Mediation Session? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-should-i-prepare-for-a-mediation-session/ - **Published:** 2016-03-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In this post, Split Simple offers advice on how you can prepare for your Colorado divorce mediation session. **Content:** A divorce mediation session can be a complicated conversation. There are a lot of difficult financial issues to discuss, and everything is tied up with the raw emotions of a divorce. That’s why preparing for your mediation session is so important. Through preparation, you can ensure you get the most out of your mediation session. You want to be able to handle anything that arises during a session. We advise all of our clients to prepare for a session by: Gathering all relevant paperwork and financial records Making a list of priorities and deciding what your goals are Put together a list of relevant property, both marital and personal in nature Make sure you’re in a place where you can keep calm during your session Of course, you won’t be alone in this. Our attorney-mediators know their work doesn’t begin or end with a session. We will help both you and your spouse prepare for your session so that it can be conducted in as comprehensive and professional a fashion as possible. With preparation, mediation doesn’t have to be an exercise in frustration And don’t be afraid to ask questions. We want to ensure that there’s no confusion when you come to a Split Simple mediation session. Our attorney-mediators will make sure everything is clear as you prepare for your session. If you’re considering divorce mediation in Denver or anywhere else in Colorado, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### What If I Live a Long Way From Your Offices? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-if-i-live-a-long-way-from-your-offices/ - **Published:** 2016-03-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** We've helped military families find the right solutions Split Simple's attorney-mediators help couples across Colorado. We have offices in Boulder and Denver, but we also work outside of the Front Range corridor- including the mountain communities of Eagle and Summit County. **Content:** We’ve helped military families find the right solutions Split Simple’s attorney-mediators help couples across Colorado. We have offices in Boulder and Denver, but we also work outside of the Front Range corridor- including the mountain communities of Eagle and Summit County. However, some couples live a great distance apart, either as a result of a trial separation or the circumstances of life, such as a work assignment or military deployment. Divorce mediation in these cases can be tricky- it’s difficult for one spouse to travel a long ways for multiple sessions. Fortunately, we offer remote mediation sessions if you’re in this situation. Using screen sharing technology, we can conduct a thorough, official mediation session with one party in the office with our attorney-mediator and another some distance away, or even in circumstances where both parties are unable to attend in person. We have done this with many couples dealing with difficult logistical circumstances, including military families where one spouse is serving overseas. These sessions are conducted in the same professional, calm manner as our in-person sessions, and they are just as legitimate under the law. If you have questions about the remote mediation process and how it can serve for an uncontested divorce, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### The Good Men Project's Advice on Helping Children Through Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/the-good-men-projects-advice-on-helping-children-through-divorce-2/ - **Published:** 2016-03-24 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Split Simple believes in prioritizing the needs of children in a divorce. Read this post to learn more about how you can do this. **Content:** At Split Simple, we know that issues involving children and their care are among the most important topics for divorcing couples to address and resolve amicably. We work collaboratively with both parents to ensure that the settlement reached is in the best interest of the children. With that in mind, we offer a link to a blog post from The Good Men Project. The post describes how parents can make divorce as easy as possible on children, and it’s some excellent advice. It does not offer a “father’s only” viewpoint or bias, but instead offers helpful information for mothers and fathers. That advice includes: Providing emotional support Keeping conflicts to a minimum Visiting and calling regularly Providing support and love Taking children out for activities and preventing isolation Providing financial support Again, this is all excellent advice, and while it’s from The Good Men Project, it can apply to both mothers and fathers. A good divorce settlement is vital to a future as co-parents, but it’s just words on paper if both parents aren’t committed to making the lives of their children as pleasant and uncomplicated as possible. Divorce doesn’t have to ruin your relationship with your children Our experienced attorney-mediators will help you craft a parenting plan that addresses all of the important issues and does so in a fair, equitable fashion. The best interests of your child will always be our top concern. If you’re looking for an experienced divorce mediation firm, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Huffington Post Publishes Useful Divorce To-Do Checklist - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/huffington-post-publishes-useful-divorce-to-do-checklist/ - **Published:** 2016-03-17 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In this post, Split Simple discusses a useful divorce to-do list published by The Huffington Post and explains the importance of preparation. **Content:** There are a lot of misconceptions about divorce out there, many of them fed by inaccurate or misleading coverage in the media. One, admittedly dramatic narrative of divorce as a hostile battle between two people who hate each other has become the norm. So it’s always refreshing to see accurate coverage and useful advice from the media. The Huffington Post recently published a divorce “to-do list” that’s full of useful, accurate information. You can read the full list here, but the items on the to-do list include: Follow the money Protect your beneficiaries Plan ahead Create a file of debts and assets All excellent advice, and these are the sorts of things we always recommend to potential clients when they discuss moving forward with divorce mediation. These sessions are much simpler and easier to navigate if there’s ample documentation for the financial issues involved. Avoid the headaches with divorce mediation The only other piece of advice we would offer is to urge you to keep calm once divorce seems likely. You want to maintain a professional approach to what is essentially an economic problem. That way, our attorney-mediators can help you find the right solutions. If you’re considering divorce in Boulder, Denver or any other Colorado community, divorce mediation might be the right choice for you. Please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### What Are The Tax Implications of Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/what-are-the-tax-implications-of-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-02-29 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** How should you file after divorce? How should your divorce be timed? This post has answers from Split Simple. **Content:** The simple reality of divorce is that it's fundamentally an economic matter. You may not be getting divorced because of money, but it would be unwise to go through our uncontested divorce process without thoroughly considering the financial implications of the result. The tax implications are particularly important. The timing of your divorce can play a significant role in determining how much money you owe- or receive from- the IRS. And in the aftermath of a divorce, this money is nothing to sneeze at. Why not maximize your savings and minimize what you pay to Uncle Sam? Under Colorado law, the state will wait a minimum of 91 days after you file your "Petition for Dissolution" to finalize your divorce (as long as you file jointly). In addition, the IRS will look at your marital status on December 31 of the relevant year in order to determine your marital status for the entire preceding year. Understanding these two important timelines can allow you to choose the best way for you and your spouse to file your taxes, especially for those couples considering a divorce in the last half of the year. Is it better for you to file as Married? Single? Head of Household? This depends on your specific circumstances, and you can bet we'll keep those circumstances in mind throughout the uncontested divorce process. We consider helping you understand these tax issues to be a crucial part of our job. We want both parties to leave on sound financial footing. Smart choices regarding your taxes and filing is an important element of this. If you have questions about our uncontested divorce process in or around Denver, Colorado, and you're concerned about the tax implications or any other financial issue, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Can Uncontested Divorce Work For Couples With Serious Disagreements? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/can-uncontested-divorce-work-for-couples-with-serious-disagreements/ - **Published:** 2016-02-19 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Can uncontested divorce work for couples with serious disagreements? Absolutely! Read for more information. **Content:** One point we hear a lot from Aurora-area couples considering divorce is the idea that their problems are too complicated for divorce mediation. You might think that you and your spouse disagree over too much to go through the uncontested divorce process. But this isn't true. "Uncontested divorce" does not mean "easy divorce" or "simple divorce." It refers only to the end of the negotiation process, once an agreement has been reached. An uncontested divorce can certainly be a tricky one. And that's often what we deal with at Split Simple- complex and difficult cases. We have helped countless couples who walked through our doors believing there was little chance of finding an agreement. They tend to think a courtroom divorce is the only way to solve the knotty problems they're facing. But Split Simple's process is designed to forge agreement even in the face of such problems. We don't gloss over or ignore disagreements. Instead, we work productively, with each party, to find solutions that work for everyone. Put simply, just about any issue in your divorce can be resolved with divorce mediation. You can trust in our uncontested divorce process and the skills and experience of our attorney-mediators. If you live in Aurora, Denver or anywhere else in Colorado and you have questions about uncontested divorce, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Will We Have To Liquidate Our Retirement Accounts? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/will-we-have-to-liquidate-our-retirement-accounts/ - **Published:** 2016-02-15 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Will you have to liquidate your retirement accounts as part of divorce mediation? Maybe not! Read this post for more. **Content:** One of the most common misconceptions related to divorce and financial matters is that retirement accounts must be completely liquidated. Many people believe that they will have to cash out their retirement accounts, then divide the money equally as part of a divorce settlement. Fortunately, this isn’t so. Liquidation might be an option, but it’s absolutely not a necessity. One of the goals of Split Simple’s divorce mediation process is to find a fair and equitable method for Denver-area clients to handle their retirement accounts. Our mediators will craft the appropriate language for your settlement agreement that will later be referenced in the actual division of the retirement account either through a qualified domestic relations order (a QDRO), or “letter of instruction”. It is extremely important that your Separation Agreement address certain retirement division issues in a very specific manner.  Our attorney mediators have extensive experience in this area and will address all important issues. You have many options. It’s possible to set up an arrangement where one party is given a certain percentage or specific amount of a retirement account upon division. And more complex set-ups are also possible. In some cases it is even possible to make distributions from retirement accounts and avoid tax penalties. The point is you have plenty of flexibility. Split Simple will work with you to find the right solution for you and your spouse. During your divorce you should not have to liquidate the retirement account you’ve worked so hard to build. Instead, work with us to determine how best to allocate these important assets. If you live in Denver, Boulder, Aurora or any other Colorado community and you’re considering divorce mediation, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### How Does Colorado Handle Alimony? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-does-colorado-handle-alimony/ - **Published:** 2016-02-11 - **Modified:** 2024-12-20 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Alimony is often a point of contention for Denver-area couples considering a divorce. It can cause a lot of strife and disagreement, and these are not conducive to a productive negotiating session. **Content:** Alimony is often a point of contention for Denver-area couples considering a divorce. It can cause a lot of strife and disagreement, and these are not conducive to a productive negotiating session. Colorado’s alimony law sets guidelines for judges to consider. These aren’t hard-and-fast rules, but they are recommendations for appropriate amounts and time periods for alimony. As such, we’ll keep these guidelines in mind when crafting an agreement. Under state law, alimony (or “spousal maintenance” in Colorado) is money paid by the higher earning spouse to help the other spouse maintain a reasonable lifestyle after the divorce. The precise amount of alimony to be paid is dependent on a number of factors, including: The supported spouse’s earning ability The length of the marriage The supporting spouse’s income The lifestyle both parties have become accustomed to during marriage Although Colorado does have a maintenance guideline formula, a quick way to calculate the recommended maintenance amount is: subtract from 40% of the total combined monthly gross income of both parties, the lower income earner’s monthly gross income. If it is a positive number, this difference will represent the recommended maintenance amount. If the result is a zero or negative number, no maintenance would be recommended. As we said above, we know these can be contentious discussions. We don’t try to avoid this reality, but we use our proven uncontested divorce process to work through the difficult issues and find equitable solutions. If you live in or around Denver, Colorado and you have questions about our process and how we handle alimony, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### 10 Signs Split Simple Is The Right Choice For You - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/10-signs-split-simple-is-the-right-choice-for-you/ - **Published:** 2016-02-01 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** How do you know Split Simple is the choice for you? Read this checklist, then call us to find out how we can help. **Content:** When you’re facing the hard reality of divorce, it’s important to stay calm and remember your options. A traditional courtroom divorce isn’t your only choice- you can choose the smarter, smoother, simpler option instead. Split Simple offers divorce mediation to couples who have decided to dissolve their marriages. We use a proven, rigorous, data-driven process that is designed to fairly and equitably resolve outstanding issues. If you live in or around Denver, Boulder or any other Colorado community and you want to learn more about Split Simple’s uncontested divorce process, please call us at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. Is Split Simple right for you? Here are 10 ways to know our experienced attorney-mediators can help you: You’re looking to keep a calm, rational approach during your divorce. A courtroom divorce isn’t really conducive to a productive relationship- it’s adversarial and zero sum. By contrast, our process is designed around calm, productive mediation sessions. You’re worried about expenses. A traditional courtroom divorce isn’t just expensive- the full cost is opaque and hard to figure. By contrast, we offer fully transparent, up-front, flat fee pricing that’s eminently reasonable for just about every couple. Experience in a mediator is important to you. At Split Simple, we use attorney-mediators who have ample experience as both family lawyers and divorce mediators. We understand all sides of the system and this experience is invaluable to your case. The best interests of your children are your highest priorities. Studies have shown that children whose parents go through divorce mediation have better outcomes than children of traditional courtroom divorces. We handle childcare issues with skill and compassion. You want a divorce mediator with a track record of earning the approval of a judge for his or her settlements. We offer a guarantee: in the unlikely event a judge demands a change in your settlement, we will make those changes free of charge. You’re not comfortable with the uncertainty associated with a do-it-yourself divorce and want to enlist the assistance of someone with meaningful experience. Financial planning is important to you. At Split Simple, our attorney-mediators are equipped with sophisticated financial planning tools. We will use these tools and work with both parties throughout the process to ensure both you and your spouse are treated fairly. You want transparency. This is the most frustrating aspect of traditional courtroom divorces- you often don’t know what’s going on. Our attorney-mediators work patiently and clearly through all the issues involved and ensure everyone is on the same page. You and your spouse want to save time. Courtroom divorces can drag on endlessly, even if everyone is trying their best to find a solution. Split Simple’s process saves you a lot of time, which, in turn, saves you money. Either you or your spouse live out-of-state or in a distant corner of your state and can’t come in for an in-person session. We offer remote mediation services using advanced video-conferencing and screen-sharing technology so that we can hold sessions with couples who… --- ### How Will Blame For The Divorce Affect The Final Settlement? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-will-blame-for-the-divorce-affect-the-final-settlement/ - **Published:** 2016-01-26 - **Modified:** 2019-11-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, which means blame is irrelevant. Read this exclusive post from Split Simple for more on the concept of no-fault divorce and how it affects your prospects. **Content:** Divorcing couples are often rather obsessed with the idea of blame. Each party believes the other party is responsible for the divorce, and they’re intent on proving this to a lawyer, mediator or judge. Here’s the thing: blame doesn’t matter. Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, which means the state’s divorce mediation laws do not take blame into account so the reasons for the end of the marriage simply do not impact property division or support. This can be difficult for some people to accept. Everyone has grievances, and many of them are legitimate. Many spouses are treated shoddily during a marriage, and it’s not unreasonable to expect some consideration of this during a divorce. But that’s not how the law works. In extreme cases, such as those involving domestic violence, child custody will obviously be affected. And if it can be shown that one spouse flagrantly wasted marital assets, that can have an effect on alimony and other financial considerations. However, these are rare circumstances. You should come to your mediation sessions prepared to talk about the future, not the sins of the past. If you’re looking for an attorney-mediator who understands Colorado’s divorce mediation laws, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Is a Judge's Approval For Our Settlement Automatic? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/is-a-judges-approval-for-our-settlement-automatic-2/ - **Published:** 2016-01-19 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Earning a judge's approval for your settlement is a specialty of Split Simple. Read this post for more information on how we do this and what you can expect from our process. **Content:** Under Colorado’s divorce mediation laws, any settlement you and your spouse reach must be approved by a judge before it’s finalized. How difficult is earning a judge’s approval? Well, it depends. If you choose Split Simple for your divorce mediation needs, the judge’s approval is almost a lock. We have a long track record of crafting legally sound divorce agreements that meet all of the state’s requirements. As such, judges look kindly on our agreements and tend to approve them without changes. We also offer you a guarantee that, in the unlikely event a judge denies the agreement we’ve crafted and demands changes, we will make those changes without any additional charge to you. Judges don’t react like this to our settlements Now, earning a judge’s approval is decidedly more difficult if you go the do-it-yourself route. Many judges are reluctant to approve such settlements. And even if the judge is not so inclined, the fact remains that divorce laws are complicated. There’s a reasonable chance that something might have been overlooked during the process of crafting your do-it-yourself agreement. Don’t take the risk. Don’t waste your time. Choose Split Simple and know your agreement is in good hands. If you need an attorney-mediator whose agreements can be counted on to meet all legal requirements, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Will We Have To Split All Assets Equally? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/will-we-have-to-split-all-assets-equally/ - **Published:** 2016-01-12 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** A popular misconception is that all assets in a divorce must be split 50/50. This post from Split Simple explains the nuances of the real situation and how we handle asset division. **Content:** Finding an equitable division of assets is a necessary part of a divorce settlement. Without a division plan that meets the “equitable” standard, the settlement will not earn a judge’s approval, which means the divorce can’t be finalized. However, the idea that all assets must be divided along a precise 50/50 line is a common misconception. In fact, our attorney-mediators have some flexibility when working to find a fair division of marital assets. The settlement must ensure that both parties are fairly treated, so the 50/50 split makes for a useful guideline. However, a mild deviation from that number will not usually raise a judge’s eyebrows. A significant inequitable division, on the other hand, must come with a very compelling explanation. Finally, there are important distinctions to be made between marital and separate property. Every family situation is unique, as are the finances associated with a marriage, so determining what qualifies as marital property and what qualifies as separate property requires significant discussion and investigation. Although “separate property” is generally excluded from division, separate property may be considered in determining what constitutes an equitable division of the “marital property”. If you live in or around Denver, Colorado and you need an attorney-mediator with ample experience in divorce cases, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Three Tips for Dealing with Debts During Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/three-tips-for-dealing-with-debts-during-divorce/ - **Published:** 2016-01-07 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In working with Colorado divorce clients, we have found three areas often neglected by attorneys, mediators and “do it yourself” folks. This post will provide you with information to avoid potentially costly mistakes surrounding debt and divorce. **Content:** In working with Colorado divorce clients, we have found three areas often neglected by attorneys, mediators and “do it yourself” folks.  This post will provide you with information to avoid potentially costly mistakes surrounding debt and divorce. Obtain Your Credit Report. Every person facing a divorce or legal separation should take a moment to run their credit report using a free service such as www.AnnualCreditReport.com (this will not negatively impact your credit score). Even if you believe that you know all of your outstanding debt obligations and your credit score, you should not overlook the value of obtaining your credit report at the time of your divorce. When reviewing the information in your report, you should pay particular attention to any debts listed jointly with your spouse. Frequently clients believe that a financial institution issued the debt only in the name of one spouse but learn from the credit report that the debt is actually in the name of both spouses.  In other cases, you may have forgotten about an account carrying a "zero balance" but still listed jointly with your spouse. Remove Debts from Joint Names. In the event that you and your spouse hold jointly titled debts, you should contact the associated financial institution regarding the most efficient way to remove the debt from joint names. In some cases you may be able to simply remove one party as an "authorized user" while in other instances, the institution may require closure of the account. Ultimately your Separation Agreement should specify the payment of any outstanding balances on these joint debts as well as a date certain for removal of the debt from joint names. This may even include the refinancing of jointly titled vehicle debts (for instance car or motorcycle liens). Real Estate Debts in Joint Names. In addition to joint debts on credit cards and vehicles, you should also make a plan to remove real estate debts from joint names. Remember that there is a difference between the deed on your home and the associated mortgage or home equity line of credit. While it can be relatively easy to remove someone from a deed, the more complex issue is removing your mortgage from joint names. You should contact your mortgage company or a mortgage broker and evaluate your options. Some lenders still allow for an "assumption" of the mortgage debt which is simply a removal of the other party from the loan. This option allows you to retain all current loan terms but simply remove the other party from the obligation. In the event that this is not an option, you will need to consider refinancing of your home in order to remove the debt from joint names. Because your Separation Agreement should contain a specific date for this to occur, you should meet with a mortgage broker prior to signing your Separation Agreement in order to determine your options, including the impact on your ability to obtain financing with consideration of support obligations or income. We… --- ### How Will Child Custody Be Determined? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/how-will-child-custody-be-determined/ - **Published:** 2016-01-05 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Child custody is an incredibly important issue our attorney-mediators handle in Denver, Boulder and throughout Colorado. Read this exclusive post from Split Simple for more information on the complexities of child support. **Content:** At Split Simple, our top priority when working with a family that has children is to find a child custody solution that serves the best interests of the child. We know that’s your priority as well. In Colorado, “the best interests of the child” is the primary determinant for child custody (called “parental responsibility” in Colorado). As such, when we work with Denver-area clients to reach a divorce settlement, we make sure the custody conversation stays focused on relevant, tangible considerations, not past resentments. Our attorney-mediators will work with both parties to craft a parenting plan that addresses child custody (among a range of other issues). When working out child custody, we will consider a number of factors, including: The child’s wishes The wishes of each parent Any history of domestic violence Convenience for the child as it relates to proximity to schools and other important institutions The physical proximity of the two residences It’s important to remember that these arrangements, like every aspect of the settlement we will work out, are not handed down by our attorney-mediators. Instead, we work collaboratively with our clients to find the right solutions. Make sure you choose an attorney-mediator who will protect your child’s best interests. If you live in or around Denver, Boulder or any other Colorado community and you’re looking for an attorney-mediator with experience in child custody issues, please call Split Simple today at 855-665-9920 for a free consultation. --- ### Children, Divorce and the Holidays, Part Two - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/children-divorce-and-the-holidays-part-two/ - **Published:** 2015-12-01 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Previously we discussed some considerations regarding children, divorce and the holidays, such as specific holiday parenting plans and focusing on the children during the holidays. Here are some additional tips to consider when dealing with divorce over the holidays. **Content:** Previously we discussed some considerations regarding children, divorce and the holidays, such as specific holiday parenting plans and focusing on the children during the holidays. Here are some additional tips to consider when dealing with divorce over the holidays. Keep the Family and Friends in Check – Time during the holidays typically brings visits with friends and extended family. For both groups, this may be the first time they can “really let you know how they felt about your ex-spouse!” Gently remind those well meaning folks it is best if these thoughts are expressed outside the presence of your children. Remember that derogatory statements about your ex spouse are not only a derogatory statement about a person who your child loves deeply but also a person with whom your child strongly identifies. Kids hear more than we give them credit for and no child should have to listen to others “bad mouth” their parent. Something Old, Something New – Holidays are filled with tradition and tradition is laden with memories, both good and bad. Following a divorce it is important to pay some attention to tradition, but it is also a time to create new traditions and new memories. Just because you have “always done it” one way, does not mean that a new approach may not offer a positive or fulfilling experience. It is a new time for your family, it is time to explore some new ways to celebrate the holidays. Time is Short – There are only so many more holiday seasons when our children will be with us – before they have their own lives and separate traditions. Keep this in mind and help make the holidays enjoyable for your children. Work to make your home a place that they will want to visit with you, not only now but also in the future. Griping about the injustices and wrongdoings of your ex spouse will not make your children happier to be spending the holidays with you. Be the supportive and enthusiastic parent who sees the holidays as an opportunity to create lasting memories of peace, love and understanding. Be Wary of Third Party Involvement – You are divorced or getting divorced. For you, perhaps, it has been a long time coming and you are ready for romantic involvement with a significant third party. However, experts recommend giving your children approximately one year after separation before they see you interacting with a significant third party (a dating interest). Moreover, forcing children into situations with significant third parties too early can sabotage the positive long term connections that your children may ultimately form with your romantic interest. As a result, especially during separations or recent divorces, you might consider holding off from spending holidays with that special person during your parenting time. Instead, consider making this holiday one where you and your children enjoy your time together without distractions from third parties. It is Up to You. You have an important role in your children’s experiences of… --- ### Children, Divorce and the Holidays - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/children-divorce-and-the-holidays/ - **Published:** 2015-11-02 - **Modified:** 2020-10-12 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Even for families who have not experienced a divorce, the holidays can bring all types of personal and emotional highs, lows and struggles. However, for families who are in the process of a divorce or dealing with the aftermath of a divorce in Colorado, this time of the year certainly brings some unique challenges. In this post as well as one that will follow, we provide some concrete ways to minimize the stress for your family and keep your focus on the welfare of your children. **Content:** Even for families who have not experienced a divorce, the holidays can bring all types of personal and emotional highs, lows and struggles. However, for families who are in the process of a divorce or dealing with the aftermath of a divorce in Colorado, this time of the year certainly brings some unique challenges. In this post as well as one that will follow, we provide some concrete ways to minimize the stress for your family and keep your focus on the welfare of your children. Agree Upon Timesharing Now – Have you and your co parent agreed upon how your children will spend the upcoming holiday season with each of you? Experts recommend that parents should agree to a specific parenting time schedule over significant holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah. Once agreed upon, this schedule ordinarily alternates each year so that both parents have the same periods of time with the children in alternating years. In crafting this holiday parenting plan you should be specific with regards to times for pickup and drop off of the children (i.e. instead of “Thanksgiving”, the Agreement should state “the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day at 6:00 p.m. until the following Sunday at 6:00 p.m.”) Also, do not forget to consider caretaking for the children during their long holiday breaks from school – who will be responsible for their supervision during this time and are parents required to share itineraries with each other for out of town trips with the children? Having a concrete plan in place beforehand regarding these issues will reduce the stress for you, your children and your extended family. If your parenting plan does not include specifics on these issues, now is the time to meet with your co parent and agree upon the specifics for this upcoming holiday season. It’s About the Children – Not spending time with our children during the holidays sucks – there is no other way to describe it. However, that does not mean that you should put your needs in front of your children’s needs during this difficult time. In most families, this means that children want to spend time with both parents during the holidays and this should be accommodated for their well being. Ultimately, your Agreement should allow for some meaningful time for your children with both parents during the holidays. In addition, your Agreement should also reference the reasonable expectations for communication between co parents as well as between children and parents during extended out of town vacations. It is important for children to know and feel the love and support they seek from both parents, especially during the holidays. Promoting and supporting open and unfettered communication between children and parents is very important during the holiday season. Absent extenuating circumstances, children should be able to communicate with an absent parent in private and in a developmentally appropriate manner. Those phone calls or facetime sessions need not be long but they should be prioritized and supported by both parents. This… --- ### Alimony and Taxes, Here's the Scoop - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/alimony-and-taxes-heres-the-scoop/ - **Published:** 2015-10-21 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** In most Colorado divorce cases involving maintenance (also called “alimony” by the Internal Revenue service): -the maintenance payer will receive a deduction from his or her gross income equal to the amount of maintenance paid; and -the maintenance receiver will be required to pay federal and state income taxes on the amount of maintenance received **Content:** In most Colorado divorce cases involving maintenance (also called “alimony” by the Internal Revenue service): -the maintenance payer will receive a deduction from his or her gross income equal to the amount of maintenance paid; and -the maintenance receiver will be required to pay federal and state income taxes on the amount of maintenance received Most people (even some accountants!) believe that this is the only way to treat alimony under the federal tax code. However, a little known fact is that the Internal Revenue Code does not require that maintenance be taxable to the recipient and a tax deduction to the payer. That is correct, parties may elect the taxable nature of alimony in a divorce. IRS Publication 504 describes many issues surrounding taxes and divorce, including alimony and it’s treatment by the Internal Revenue Code. In listing eight requirements for alimony to be considered taxable by the IRS, this publication states that “The divorce or separation instrument cannot specifically state that the payments are not alimony.” Page 15 of IRS Publication 504, describes this option further by providing that, if two spouses desire to exclude alimony from the ordinary tax treatment they must include in their separation agreement a provision stating that the payments are not deductible as alimony by the payer and are excludable from the receiver’s income. Important however, is the requirement that the receiving spouse can only exclude the payments from income if he or she attaches to the tax return, a copy of the separation agreement designating the payments as “not alimony” for each year that the designation applies. So if this “opt out” election is available, why would couples choose this option? Many times in divorce, the couple receives significant tax advantages due to the reduction of taxes for the maintenance payer that is greater than the increase in taxes to the maintenance receiver. However, many times the “marginal tax rate” (the effective rate at which each dollar is taxed at the highest level of an individual’s income) of each person is the same, resulting in no tax advantages for either party by utilizing taxable maintenance. In those cases as well as situations where one person may simply have a preference to pay a “lesser amount” of non-taxable maintenance (even though there is no net negative for the individual receiving maintenance), couples may opt out of the typical tax treatment of maintenance. These are only a couple of the examples where couples may elect this non-taxable route in dealing with spousal support in a Colorado divorce. Ultimately the question of whether to opt out of the taxable treatment of maintenance is another choice that you will make working with your Split Simple mediator who can guide you and your spouse to the right answer for your particular case. In addition to considering these issues in mediation, you should always consult with your tax accountant regarding all of the tax issues arising from your divorce. --- ## Pages ### Sitemap - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/sitemap/ - **Published:** 2025-07-31 - **Modified:** 2026-05-09 - **Author:** hadmin **Summary:** Browse the Split Simple sitemap to quickly find helpful pages, blog posts, divorce mediation resources, attorney-mediator information, and related site content. **Content:** Pages A Unique Approach to Divorce About Chris Griffith | Divorce Attorney-Mediator About Jaime Watman | Divorce Attorney-Mediator About the Divorce Mediators at Split Simple About the Divorce Mediators at Split Simple All Split Simple Locations | Denver & Aurora Basic Principles of Divorce Mediation Client Information Form Common Misconceptions about Divorce Contact Contact Us Divorce Forms & Other Documents Divorce Law & Mediation Video Resources Divorce Mediation or Courtroom Divorce? Divorce Mediation Pricing Document Completion and Submission Earning a Judge’s Approval for Your Settlement FAQ Financial Questionnaire Greenwood Plaza Location – Greenwood Village, CO How Split Simple Can Help With Financial Matters How to Prepare for Your Mediation Session How We Forge Agreement Immediately After Your Divorce Keeping Calm during a Divorce Leave Us A Review! Main Street Aurora Location Other Locations Our Associations and Memberships Our Divorce Mediation Guarantee Our Process Works Privacy Policy Remote Mediation Retirement Accounts Reviews Saving You Money in the Long Run Sitemap Social Work Scholarship Split Simple | Colorado Divorce Mediators Split Simply Family Law Blog Thank you for contacting us on Facebook Thank you for contacting us! Thank you for registering! The Advantages of an Attorney Mediator in Divorce Cases The Benefits of Mediation The Demographics of the Split Simple Client The Meaning of Legal Separation The Meaning of Uncontested Divorce The Role of Attorneys in the Divorce Process The Role of the Attorney-Mediator The Trouble with Do-It-Yourself Divorce The Value of Your Time What to Do After Deciding to Get a Divorce What to Expect During Mediation Why Choose Split Simple for Your Divorce Working with Your Schedules Alimony Law & Spousal Support in Divorce Arapahoe County Locations Boulder County Locations Child Custody and Visitation Child Issues Child Support Denver County Locations Denver Divorce Mediation Douglas County Locations Equitable Division of Assets Parenting Plan Prenuptial Agreements The Meaning of No-Fault Divorce States The Role of Prenuptial Agreements Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? Posts by category Category: Alimony Financial Planning During Divorce Mediation: Understanding your assets Crafting Fair Spousal Support Agreements Through Mediation Understanding the Financial Impact of Divorce in Denver: What to Expect Family Law FAQ’s About Divorce Mediation and Child Custody When To Get a Legal Separation Instead of a Divorce How to Get a Divorce When You Live in Different Cities 8 Tips to… --- ### All Split Simple Locations \| Denver & Aurora - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/all-split-simple-locations-denver-aurora/ - **Published:** 2025-07-23 - **Modified:** 2026-07-21 - **Author:** hadmin **Summary:** Colorado Locations Directions to our Market St. Office in Denver: Directions to our Northfield Blvd. **Content:** Colorado Locations Directions to our Market St. Office in Denver: Directions to our Northfield Blvd. Office, close to Denver & Aurora: Directions to Our Boulder County Divorce Mediation Office: Directions to Our Highlands Ranch Divorce Mediation Office, South of Denver: Directions to Our Lone Tree Divorce Mediation Office, South of Denver: Directions to Our Greenwood Village Divorce Mediation Office: Directions to Our Littleton Divorce Mediation Office: Directions to Our Broomfield Divorce Mediation Office, North of Denver: Directions to Our Golden Divorce Mediation Office, West of Denver: Directions to Our Summit County Divorce Mediation Office: Directions to Our Eagle County, Colorado Divorce Mediation Office: Aurora Divorce Mediation 6105 S Main St #200, Aurora, CO 80016 (720) 501-4674 --- ### Leave Us A Review! - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/leave-us-a-review/ - **Published:** 2025-07-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here to leave us a review for the Aurora divorce mediation services or Denver uncontested divorce services you received from our divorce mediators **Content:** Aurora: https://g.co/kgs/cyFCeph Boulder: https://g.co/kgs/CtJoug3 Denver (Downtown): https://g.co/kgs/82drTZF Denver (Stapleton): https://g.co/kgs/iQbmdeM Highlands Ranch: https://g.co/kgs/gvvPWGh Lone Tree: https://g.co/kgs/p25DQGQ --- ### The Meaning of Uncontested Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/meaning-of-uncontested-divorce/ - **Published:** 2024-10-01 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here or call 720-501-4600 for more information about uncontested divorce in Denver from the divorce mediation attorneys at Split Simple **Content:** At Split Simple, we talk a lot about “uncontested divorce” and our transparent, data-driven process for handling it. But it’s possible that the phrase “uncontested divorce” might be a little misleading to people who are unfamiliar with the legal system. “Uncontested divorce” does not mean simple, easy or conflict-free. Instead, it describes the result – an agreement both parties agree to and then jointly submit to the court. We recognize that there is almost never such a thing as an easy or conflict-free divorce. Even good-natured couples who agree on most things will likely have a handful of disagreements over the disposal of various pieces of property. Most of our uncontested divorces begin with significant disagreement. In a traditional divorce, these disagreements are resolved by a judge, and not always to anyone’s satisfaction. At Split Simple, you control the path to final agreement by working through these disagreements and finding solutions with the help of our experienced attorney-mediators. You decide your future – not lawyers and judges. We estimate 90% to 95% of divorces are ultimately filed as uncontested. If you need an experienced attorney-mediator to help you work through a divorce with your spouse, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for a free consultation. How We Get to Uncontested There’s a scenario that’s incredibly common at our offices – we get a call from two people who have decided to get a divorce. They were intent on keeping things amicable and simple, but they’re despairing of that now. They’ve run into intractable problems that are seemingly unsolvable. This often happens because issues that are actually financial become emotional in nature. Who gets the car that was the first major purchase you made as a couple? What about a piece of furniture one spouse made but that both now love equally? And the issue of spousal support is undeniably sensitive – put bluntly, spouses often don’t much like each other at the time of a divorce, and while those feelings fade in time, the thought of paying this person some of your hard-earned money is galling. And, of course, finding the proper custody arrangement for the children is a difficult, hot button issue. In these situations, many couples elect to go with a traditional courtroom divorce, believing that they can’t work out the problems themselves. We don’t believe that. At Split Simple, we believe that mediation can resolve any problems that arise in a divorce. There is no knot that can’t be untied. There are no problems we can’t help you solve. Our attorney-mediators work with both of you to find answers to these problems – we do so objectively and impartially, using a transparent, data-driven process that involves clear calculation of the financial issues involved. We work to make sure issues are discussed on their own terms, not in relation to past grievances. This process isn’t always easy, and with money involved, it’s rarely simple, but it gets results. It might be tough. But our attorney-mediators will… --- ### Denver Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2022-06-09 - **Modified:** 2026-06-21 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here to contact our divorce mediators located in Denver! 720-501-4600 We provide families around the Denver Metro Area with Divorce mediation services **Content:** Going through a divorce is always a difficult experience, but there are ways to make the process less stressful and traumatic. If you are willing and able to seek a more amicable resolution to your divorce, then mediation may be a great option for you. Divorce mediation in Denver can help you avoid many of the costly expenses associated with going to court, and in most instances it will result in a better divorce settlement that more effectively addresses the needs and interests of each spouse. At Split Simple, we provide divorce mediation services to individuals in Boulder, Denver, Aurora and throughout the Front Range of Colorado. We understand the complex issues associated with the divorce process, and we can help you craft an agreement that will be mutually beneficial to you and your spouse, allowing you to move on with your lives more quickly and easily. You can find out whether you are a good candidate for divorce mediation by speaking with the attorney-mediators at Split Simple in person. Please call (855) 665-9920 today to schedule a free consultation. What Is Divorce Mediation? Divorce mediation is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional divorce. The process involves working with a neutral third party, called a mediator, who can help you and your spouse work together collaboratively in order to resolve the issues associated with your divorce. The mediator doesn’t have the authority to make binding decisions during your divorce. Instead, the divorce mediator acts as a facilitator to help you and your spouse come to an agreement that is fair and sensible for everyone involved. Just about any issue addressed in a traditional litigated divorce can also be worked out through mediation. This may include: Alimony/spousal support Child custody and visitation Child support Parenting plans Equitable division of property and assets Basic Principles of Settlement with Divorce Mediation At Split Simple, we’ve built an uncontested divorce process that works. We know this because we’ve seen it work, and we’ve honed our system over years of experience. Our mediation process is built on the foundation of some core mediation principles, including: Divorces are best handled in a calm environment where the goal is a productive exchange of ideas Mediation should strive to increase each party’s sense of engagement, ownership and agency – divorce settlements are best when they reflect the contributions of all parties, not just the dictates of a more powerful authority figure Mediation should be fair and impartial – the attorney-mediator should not favor one side or the other and should be a disinterested party Divorce mediators should possess significant experience in the field of family law and have the relevant knowledge base required to make informed decisions Divorce mediation involving child care issues should be concerned above all else with the best interests of the child Every case in Denver is unique, and there are a number of specific policies we have to handle individual issues. But these principles define our larger practice and the way we… --- ### About the Divorce Mediators at Split Simple - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/about-the-divorce-mediators-at-split-simple/ - **Published:** 2021-06-19 - **Modified:** 2026-06-30 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Our Divorce Mediators Want What's Best for You We've seen how the traditional divorce process fails families. A divorce is an inherently stressful, unpleasant situation, but the stresses of a courtroom can dramatically and unnecessarily exacerbate the situation. **Content:** Our Divorce Mediators Want What’s Best for You We’ve seen how the traditional divorce process fails families. A divorce is an inherently stressful, unpleasant situation, but the stresses of a courtroom can dramatically and unnecessarily exacerbate the situation. Expensive divorce attorneys who charge by the hour and have interests that don’t always align with yours. Overworked, uninterested judges who will make sweeping decisions that affect your life and the life of your children. This is the reality for too many people going through a divorce. But it doesn’t have to be your reality. At Split Simple, our divorce mediators have found a better way – a transparent way that provides you with price predictability and a skilled attorney-mediator who is committed to working through the issues you and your spouse are facing. If you’re considering a divorce and you’re looking for a better way, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920. What to Know about Split Simple Our effective, proven uncontested divorce process prioritizes your time and money. We won’t waste either with needless haggling or bickering. Instead, our divorce attorney-mediators located in Denver and Aurora work in a calm, objective fashion to resolve disputes and find a fair and equitable solution. This means working out common child care issues, including child support and custody arrangements. We know how important your child’s future is to you, and we act accordingly. And it means establishing a completely transparent and predictable pricing plan. As you can see, we place our prices online for you to examine beforehand. And we will answer any questions you might have in that exact same spirit of fairness and transparency. Our divorce mediators don’t charge by the hour or leave you in the dark regarding what you can expect to pay. The statistics show that our uncontested divorce process saves you money in the long run over a traditional divorce. About Our Divorce Attorney-Mediators All of this is made possible by the attorney-mediator handling our case. Trained and experienced in family law, our attorney-mediators have transitioned to the field of mediation, where we work hand-in-hand with both parties to reach a divorce settlement that will be approved by a judge. You can read more about our first attorney-mediator, Chris Griffith, here. And we’ll be happy to answer all of your questions regarding experience and philosophy. If you want to speak with a divorce attorney-mediator about pursuing an uncontested divorce in Denver or our Aurora divorce mediation, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920. Divorce Mediators and Divorce Attorneys Located in Aurora and Denver Denver Divorce Mediation 1624 Market Street #202 Denver, Colorado 80202 (720) 501-4600 Aurora Divorce Mediation 6105 S Main St #200, Aurora, CO 80016 (720) 501-4674 --- ### About Jaime Watman \| Divorce Attorney-Mediator - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/jaime-watman/ - **Published:** 2019-01-14 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Divorce Lawyer - Mediator - Family Law AttorneyJaime Watman is an attorney-mediator at Split Simple. She has a unique perspective in the family law arena, which makes her an invaluable tool for couples seeking an uncontested divorce. As the Family Court Facilitator, Jaime has over 5 years experience working for the court with unrepresented parties. **Content:** Divorce Lawyer – Mediator – Family Law Attorney Jaime Watman is an attorney-mediator at Split Simple. She has a unique perspective in the family law arena, which makes her an invaluable tool for couples seeking an uncontested divorce. As the Family Court Facilitator, Jaime has over 5 years experience working for the court with unrepresented parties. In this role she has been a part of the entire court process and procedure for divorce proceedings from start to finish. She is extremely well versed in the document preparation aspect of cases, in order to have court approval of Separation Agreements and Parenting Plans, and all additional documents required to obtain a divorce in the state of Colorado. Prior to working for the court, Jaime was in private practice, where her primary focus was family law.  Jaime works in the Greater Denver area. If you’re considering an uncontested divorce in Denver, any other Colorado community or even if you live in another state but require a Colorado divorce, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for a free consultation. Mrs. Watman’s Credentials Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Legal Studies -Delaware University JD, Suffolk University Law School We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have about our practice and our attorney-mediators. If you want to speak to a divorce attorney-mediator located in Denver about your divorce situation, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online. --- ### Split Simple's Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/split-simples-flat-fee-for-divorce-and-mediation/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, we have a unique process in that we provide you with a flat fee. It's a way to provide you with a clear upfront cost on how much your divorce will cost with us. It is absolutely unique in Colorado for divorce firms or even mediation firms. We believe at Split Simple it is important for you to be able to budget the cost of your divorce going **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, we have a unique process in that we provide you with a flat fee. It’s a way to provide you with a clear upfront cost on how much your divorce will cost with us. It is absolutely unique in Colorado for divorce firms or even mediation firms. We believe at Split Simple it is important for you to be able to budget the cost of your divorce going in rather than having to deal with additional unknowns in your life. Give us a call 720-501-4600 or see the schedule of available fees at splitsimple.com. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/meet-divorce-mediator-chris-griffith/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2020-11-18 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: As an attorney mediator, I have spent the last 20 years working with families in crisis. First, I was a marriage and family therapist working with couples not only in addiction treatment but also how to move forward with their lives following a divorce. **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: As an attorney mediator, I have spent the last 20 years working with families in crisis. First, I was a marriage and family therapist working with couples not only in addiction treatment but also how to move forward with their lives following a divorce. Next, after law school, I worked in boutique family law firms helping couples in high conflict as well as high asset cases. However, throughout that legal process, it seemed like the divorce in courtrooms were not appropriate places for families during this difficult time. That lead me to mediation, and for more than the last 13 years I’ve been exclusively helping couples in Colorado through their divorce issues in the process of mediation. I help couples move forward on their lives in the future rather than focusing on the bitterness and strife in the past. Contact me, attorney mediator Chris Griffith today, 720-501-4600 or at splitsimple.com for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/preparing-for-divorce-mediation-with-split-simple/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, we have various ways that you can prepare for your first mediation session. First, you will have your initial telephone call and in that call, we'll talk with you about the process and answer any questions that you might have about Aurora divorce mediation and our uncontested divorce services in Denver. **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, we have various ways that you can prepare for your first mediation session. First, you will have your initial telephone call and in that call, we’ll talk with you about the process and answer any questions that you might have about Aurora divorce mediation and our uncontested divorce services in Denver. Second, before the first session, we will send you our mediation checklist an outline of all the topics we will address in mediation as well as the documents to assemble prior to your mediation session. Last, we’ll give you some online information to give us before the first mediation session so that we can hit the ground running when you come in. And then the night before your mediation session, you want to try to get a good night’s sleep so that you’re rested and ready to go. If you’d like any further information about how to prepare for your mediation session with us, visit our website at splitsimple.com, or don’t hesitate to give us a call at 720-501-4600 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/how-much-maintenance-should-be-paid-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, one of the questions we get most often is how much maintenance should be paid in Colorado? A couple of years ago, the legislature enacted a statute that gave guidelines that are not presumptive for how much maintenance should be paid in Colorado. These guidelines are only intended to be applied to couples who make a combined income of **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, one of the questions we get most often is how much maintenance should be paid in Colorado? A couple of years ago, the legislature enacted a statute that gave guidelines that are not presumptive for how much maintenance should be paid in Colorado. These guidelines are only intended to be applied to couples who make a combined income of $360,000 or less per year. And also only to be applied to those couples who have been married for more than three years. Give us a call at 720-501-4600 or take a look at our website at www.splitsimple.com to get more information about these guidelines and to see how they may apply to your particular case. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/what-are-the-tax-consequences-of-alimony/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: I'm Chris Griffith, an attorney mediator with Split Simple, and many times when I work with couples, I let them know that they can elect out of the typical tax treatment of alimony. What does that mean? **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: I’m Chris Griffith, an attorney mediator with Split Simple, and many times when I work with couples, I let them know that they can elect out of the typical tax treatment of alimony. What does electing out of the “typical tax treatment of alimony” mean? Typically, alimony is deductible to the person that pays it and taxable to the person who receives it. Couples that are divorced can elect out of this typical tax treatment of alimony so that neither reports the alimony on their tax returns. As long as the two of you agree on this approach, it’s absolutely acceptable by the IRS. And at Split Simple, we have sophisticated software planning that can help you determine the most advantageous way for you to treat alimony in you case. Give us a call 720-501-4600 or at splitsimple.com to learn more about how this may apply for you and your divorce. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation. Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/does-split-simple-have-experience-helping-couples-with-parenting-plans/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2023-05-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: I'm Chris Griffith. I'm an attorney-mediator with Split Simple, and I've been in the field of family therapy, divorce law and mediation for the last 20 years. **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: I’m Chris Griffith. I’m an attorney-mediator with Split Simple, and I’ve been in the field of family therapy, divorce law and mediation for the last 20 years. Not only have I helped couples as a marriage and family therapist, but as a divorce attorney and an attorney-mediator. I’ve helped couples arrive at a parenting plan that works most efficiently for their children and their particular circumstances. I keep up with the most recent research regarding parenting plans and children, and give people a directive, clear path forward to having a parenting plan that will fit best in their circumstances. Give us a call at 720-501-4600 today or take a look at our website www.splitsimple.com for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/the-myths-about-retirement-accounts-at-divorce/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: There are a lot of myths about how to divide retirement accounts at a divorce and one of the biggest myths is that you have to liquidate retirement accounts that divorce. And at Split Simple, we are here to dispel those myths and show you the right way to do it. **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: There are a lot of myths about how to divide retirement accounts at a divorce and one of the biggest myths is that you have to liquidate retirement accounts that divorce. And at Split Simple, we are here to dispel those myths and show you the right way to do it. When you have a retirement account like an IRA or a Roth IRA, sometimes all that you need are the terms of your divorce decree and the final decree signed by a judge. However, when you have an account like a 401K or 403b, you need a specialized retirement division order, called a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. Lastly, when you have specialized government plans like the Colorado PERA, the Federal Thrift Savings Plan, or FERS, you need to have other qualified specialized retirement division orders in order to divide those. At Split Simple, we’re here to guide you through that process so give us a call today. We can talk with you a little bit more about what the specific plans are that are appropriate for dividing you or your spouse’s retirement plan: 720-501-4600 or more information at our website splitsimple.com. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/are-there-tax-issues-with-children-in-divorce/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Hi, I'm attorney-mediator Chris Griffith and at Split Simple, I'm going to help you and your spouse address the important tax issues around your children. Generally, there are two issues to consider: The first is filing status, and that typically is determined after divorce based upon where children are spending a majority of overnights. **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Hi, I’m attorney-mediator Chris Griffith and at Split Simple, I’m going to help you and your spouse address the important tax issues around your children. Generally, there are two issues to consider: The first is filing status, and that typically is determined after divorce based upon where children are spending a majority of overnights. Next, there’s the dependent exemptions, and I’m going to help you and your spouse efficiently allocate those exemptions using some financial mapping software that I have so that you’re getting the most bang for your buck. And quite frankly, giving Uncle Sam the least amount of money while keeping the most in your pocket. Give us a call today, 720-501-4600, or at www.splitsimple.com to learn more about how we can help you and your spouse smartly allocate these tax issues in your divorce. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/mapping-cash-flow-after-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, we will help you map out your cash flow following your divorce. Many attorneys ignore this part of your life following the divorce, but at Split Simple, we think it's vitally important that you understand the cash flow that you will have following your divorce. We have sophisticated financial software which helps you see and understand the **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, we will help you map out your cash flow following your divorce. Many attorneys ignore this part of your life following the divorce, but at Split Simple, we think it’s vitally important that you understand the cash flow that you will have following your divorce. We have sophisticated financial software which helps you see and understand the difference in your tax filing status — due not only to your divorce, but potential support plan issues. Give us a call today, 720-501-4600 or at www.splitsimple.com, to learn more about how our financial mapping software can help you plan more efficiently for how you will live your life following your divorce. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/should-you-include-your-new-partner-in-parenting-time/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: One thing that people typically wonder about is whether they can include a new boyfriend or girlfriend in their parenting time. First of all, it's a decision that you should not take lightly. It's important to consider that your children need some time to heal following the divorce. And many experts recommend you should wait a minimum of 12 months after **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: One thing that people typically wonder about is whether they can include a new boyfriend or girlfriend in their parenting time. First of all, it’s a decision that you should not take lightly. It’s important to consider that your children need some time to heal following the divorce. And many experts recommend you should wait a minimum of 12 months after separation before including someone like that in your parenting time. Next, when you begin to include someone, you may want to consider informing your ex-spouse. It’s important, not for them to give permission, but just that they have a heads-up about what’s going on. Also, when you do begin to include someone, it is important that your children feel they have the ability to talk with you about this person and that you’re open for them to express their feelings about this individual. If this issue or anything about your parenting plan is something you would like to discuss further, give us a call today, 720-501-4600 or at splitsimple.com. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/how-long-will-you-receive-or-pay-alimony/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: "How long will I receive or how long will I have to pay alimony in Colorado?" is one of the questions that I receive most often. Generally, alimony stops upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the person who's receiving alimony. Absent those factors though, the legislature has provided us with certain specific guidelines that will be applied **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: “How long will I receive or how long will I have to pay alimony in Colorado?” is one of the questions that I receive most often. Generally, alimony stops upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the person who’s receiving alimony. Absent those factors though, the legislature has provided us with certain specific guidelines that will be applied depending on how long you’ve been married. Give us a call at Split Simple today, 720-501-4600 or at splitsimple.com, and we can talk more about how those guidelines would apply in your case, and how long maintenance or alimony would be paid. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/guaranteed-acceptance-of-split-simple-court-documents/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, we have a very unique guarantee and it's a guaranteed court acceptance of all the documents we've prepared for you. **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, we have a very unique guarantee and it’s a guaranteed court acceptance of all the documents we’ve prepared for you. When you submit your documents in your divorce in Colorado, a court will review those to make sure those are generally fair to you and your spouse, as well as in the best interest of your children. At Split Simple, we stand behind the documents that we prepared for you, and in the highly unlikely event that a judge refuses to sign off on the documents that we’ve prepared, we’ll make it right. We won’t charge you any further to make sure those documents are accepted by the court. Give us a call, 720-501-4600, to learn more about the Split Simple guaranteed court acceptance. Or read more about this at splitsimple.com. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-divorce-in-colorado/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: As an attorney-mediator at Split Simple, one of the questions people most often ask is how long it takes to get a divorce in Colorado. There really are two timelines to consider. First, a minimum of 91 days have to elapse from the time that you file your petition until the divorce can be finalized. **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: As an attorney-mediator at Split Simple, one of the questions people most often ask is how long it takes to get a divorce in Colorado. There really are two timelines to consider. First, a minimum of 91 days have to elapse from the time that you file your petition until the divorce can be finalized. However, anytime during that 91 day period, once you and your spouse reach an agreement, sign a legally binding format of that agreement, neither one of you can arbitrarily back out of what you agreed to do. That allows you to get out of the state of ambiguity of not knowing what your outcome will be. And at Split Simple, we’re going to work with both of you to arrive at that agreement in an efficient, time effective manner, so that you can both begin to move forward with your lives, even prior to that 91 day period. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/does-split-simple-help-with-the-submission-of-court-documents/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, after working with thousands of clients in the divorce mediation process, we've developed a streamlined, efficient way to provide you with the information and tools to submit the documents yourself rather than paying an attorney or some other third party to submit them for you. We'll provide you with a clear check-list as well as all the **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, after working with thousands of clients in the divorce mediation process, we’ve developed a streamlined, efficient way to provide you with the information and tools to submit the documents yourself rather than paying an attorney or some other third party to submit them for you. We’ll provide you with a clear check-list as well as all the necessary documents for court submission. All that’s required of you is to simply drive those documents to the court house and submit them at the appropriate place. We’ll take care of everything else. Rest assured, at Split Simple, we’re here to make sure the divorce process is easy for you. So give us a call today (720) 501-4600 and we can talk with you more about how we can help you in submitting all of your court documents. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation. Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/video/split-simple-will-help-you-with-all-court-proceedings/ - **Published:** 2018-12-28 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** At Split Simple, we're going to help you with all court proceedings. One of the most important things that you need to look at in going forward with your divorce is something called your initial status conference. Typically, this is a meeting with the court -- simply a check-in -- that happens about 6 weeks after you file your petition for dissolution. At this meeting, the **Content:** VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: At Split Simple, we’re going to help you with all court proceedings. One of the most important things that you need to look at in going forward with your divorce is something called your initial status conference. Typically, this is a meeting with the court — simply a check-in — that happens about 6 weeks after you file your petition for dissolution. At this meeting, the court will want to make sure that you have disclosed certain financial documents. However, and this is important, in many counties, you can avoid this meeting if you submit all of your documents beforehand and don’t have any children together. Sometimes in counties such as Jefferson, you can avoid the meeting altogether as long as you submit documents even if there are children of your marriage. If you have any questions about divorce or the mediation process at Split Simple, don’t hesitate to give us a call for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. And remember, we have a free initial consultation.   Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### Prenuptial Agreements - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/prenuptial-agreements/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** If you've signed a prenuptial agreement and are considering a divorce, contact our divorce mediators located in Denver to discuss your prenup and divorce. **Content:** As divorce has grown into a reality for tens of millions of Americans, many couples (especially, though not exclusively, those with high-value estates) have opted to sign prenuptial agreements before getting married. Every couple has to make a decision about whether or not to sign a prenuptial agreement on the basis of their own unique circumstances. And should a marriage proceeded by a prenuptial agreement end in divorce, it’s important that you still go through a rigorous, transparent, data-driven process for finalizing the dissolution. If you’re considering a divorce and you think mediation might represent a better solution, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Why Mediation Is Still Necessary for Prenuptial Agreements A prenuptial agreement is essentially a contract two people sign before getting married. It’s a kind of worst-case scenario preparation document- it sets our rules governing the dispersal of assets in the event the marriage is dissolved. Prenuptial agreements can contain a huge range of provisions, but common provisions include: Debt liability limitations The protection of family heirlooms Defining property division Defining marital responsibilities Child custody cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement. Each state has its own laws governing these documents. A prenuptial agreement can certainly make divorce simpler. It clarifies and streamlines many difficult issues. But it’s not a get-out-of-mediation-free card. After all, a prenuptial agreement is only as good as the lawyer drawing it up. A poorly drafted document can leave a great deal of uncertainty. And even a well-drawn prenuptial agreement can be open to interpretation. Contact Prenuptial Agreement Lawyers Located in Colorado At Split Simple, we’ve helped many couples who drafted such an agreement before marriage but still have open questions to resolve. Our Denver attorney-mediators understand the complexities of legal interpretation, and we know how to work through any issues that weren’t covered in the initial agreement. If you want an attorney-mediator with experience handling prenuptial agreements in divorce, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### Other Locations - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/locations/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here or call 720-501-4600 to speak with a divorce attorney located in Broomfield County, Eagle County, Jefferson County, Summit County Colorado today! **Content:** Broomfield County: Jefferson County: Eagle County: Summit County: --- ### Arapahoe County Locations - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/arapahoe-county-locations/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click or Call 720-501-4600 to speak with a divorce attorney-mediator in Arapahoe County Colorado now! We help couples in Colorado reach uncontested divorces **Content:** We are committed to helping people throughout the state of Colorado get the high-quality, transparent divorce services they need. That’s why we have offices throughout the state, including two in Arapahoe County alone. Our Arapahoe County Locations We have two locations in Arapahoe County. The first is in Greenwood Village:   Here are driving directions to the Greenwood Village location: From Denver and Surrounding Areas Take I-25 South Take Exit 199 to East Belleview Avenue Take South Valentia Way to Denver Tech Center Parkway From Longmont and Surrounding Areas Take I-25 South from 3rd Avenue and CO-119 in Weld County Take Exit 200 to DTC Parkway off I-25 Take South Valentia Way to DTC Parkway in Greenwood Village The second Arapahoe County location is in Littleton:   And here are driving directions to the Littleton location: From Denver and Surrounding Areas Take 14th Street to Broadway Take Broadway for about 11 miles Turn right onto West Dry Creek Road From Colorado Springs and Surrounding Areas Take I-25 North Take the Broadway Exit from CO-470 West Follow South Broadway to West Dry Creek Circle in Littleton Resources in Arapahoe County Arapahoe County Government Phone: 303-795-4400 Website Arapahoe County Courts Arapahoe County Justice Center Phone Number: 303-649-6355 Website --- ### Douglas County Locations - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/douglas-county-locations/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here or Call 720-501-4600 to meet with a divorce attorney mediators in Douglas County Colorado. We help couples in Colorado reach uncontested divorces **Content:** We have two locations in Douglas County. The first is in Highlands Ranch:   Driving Directions from Denver and the surrounding areas: Take Colfax Avenue to 1-25 Take I-25 South to Lucent Boulevard in Highlands Ranch. Follow Lucent Boulevard to Shea Center Drive. Driving Directions for Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas: Take I-25 North for 52 miles Take the Lucent Boulevard exit from CO-470 Follow Lucent Boulevard to Shea Center Drive. Our other location is in Lone Tree:   Driving Directions from Denver: Take I-25 from Colfax Avenue Follow I-25 S to S Park Meadows Center Dr in Centennial. Take exit 195 from I-25 S Continue on S Park Meadows Center Dr. Drive to Park Meadows Dr in Lone Tree Driving Directions from Colorado Springs: Take I-25 North Follow I-25 N to Lincoln Ave in Lone Tree. Take exit 193 from I-25 N Drive to Park Meadows Dr Douglas County Resources Douglas County government: Phone number: 303-660-7400 Website Douglas County Sheriff’s Office: Phone number: 303-660-7500 Website --- ### Boulder County Locations - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/boulder-county-locations/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-01-04 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Meet with a divorce attorney mediator located in Boulder County today by calling 720-501-4600. At Split Simple, we help couples reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** Split Simple offers divorce mediation services to individuals throughout Boulder County. Our office is conveniently located at 1434 Spruce St. (Suite 100), right in the heart of downtown Boulder. We are one block off of the Pearl Street Mall at the intersection of 14th St. and Spruce St. – approximately one block from the Boulder County Courthouse and the historic Boulder Theater. Please keep in mind that our attorney mediators do not take walk-in appointments. To schedule a consultation at our Boulder County office, please contact us today. Directions to Our Boulder County Divorce Mediation Office From Broomfield, Superior, Louisville, and Surrounding Areas Take US-36W into Boulder Left turn on Canyon Blvd Right turn on 18th St. Left turn on Spruce St. From Longmont and Surrounding Areas Take CO-119 to Iris Ave in Boulder Left turn on Folsom St. Right turn on Spruce St. From Lyons and Surrounding Areas Take US-36 E into Boulder Right turn on Iris Ave. Left turn on Folsom St. Right turn on Spruce St. Boulder County Divorce and Family Law Resources Blue Sky Bridge, Child and Family Advocacy Program www.blueskybridge.org Email: info@blueskybridge.org Blue Sky Bridge is a child and family advocacy program dedicated to providing a comprehensive approach to child abuse investigation and child sexual abuse prevention. Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline Social Services, 24 hr. line, 303-441-1240 Divorce Assistance Family Law Court Facilitator – Monica Haenselman, 303-441-3739 Domestic Violence Assistance Domestic violence hotline: (800) 799-7233 Boulder County Family Court Resources For information regarding family law matters in Boulder County – https://www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/family/ For information regarding how to request a Boulder County divorce case file – https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/archives/boulder-divorce --- ### Denver County Locations - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/denver-county-locations/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click or Call 720-501-4600 to meet with a divorce attorney mediator at Split Simple located in Denver County. We can meet anywhere in the Denver Metro area **Content:** Split Simple offers divorce mediation services to individuals throughout Denver County. We have two Denver offices: 1624 Market St. Suite 202, Denver, CO 80202 8510 Northfield Blvd. Suite 3700, Denver, CO 80238 Our Market St. office is located right near the intersection of 16th St. and Market St. and is just a short walk from the 16th St. Mall. This convenient location boasts some of the best shopping and restaurants in Denver. Our Northfield Blvd. office is located in northeast Denver, right near the Shops at Northfield Stapleton. This office can be easily accessed from both I-70 and I-270. Please keep in mind that our attorney mediators do not accept walk-in appointments. To schedule a consultation at one of our Denver County offices, please contact us today. Directions to our Market St. Office in Denver Take I-25 to exit 212C (20th St.) Turn left onto 20th St. (when taking I-25 S) or right onto 20th St. (when taking I-25 N) Turn right onto Blake St. Turn left onto 17th St. Turn right onto Market St. — our office will be on the right: 1624 Market St. Suite 202, Denver, CO 80202 Directions to our Northfield Blvd. Office in Denver From I-70 Take I-70 to exit 278 (Quebec St.) Take Quebec St. towards Colorado 35/Northfield Take the Northfield Blvd. exit Merge onto Northfield Blvd. — our office will be on the right: 8510 Northfield Blvd. Suite 3700, Denver, CO 80238 From I-270 Take I-270 to exit 5 (Central Park Blvd.) Continue on Central Park Blvd. Turn left onto E. 46th Ave. Turn right onto Willow St. Turn left onto E. 48th St. Turn right onto Northfield Blvd. — our office will be on the right: 8510 Northfield Blvd. Suite 3700, Denver, CO 80238 Denver County Divorce and Family Law Resources Families First http://www.familiesfirstcolorado.org/ (877) 695-7996 or 1-800-CHILDREN Families First provides support groups and a family helpline to assist parents who are navigating challenging family circumstances. They can be an excellent resource as you try to help your children cope with the divorce. In the Best Interests of Children http://www.disputepro.com/parenting (303) 273-0459 In the Best Interests of Children is an organization that provides co-parenting classes to parents in the Denver metro area. They can be a helpful resource as you begin to work out parenting plans following your separation. The Conflict Center http://www.conflictcenter.org/ (303) 433-4983 The Conflict Center offers classes that focus on communication skills, consequences, negotiation, anger management, conflict management and assertiveness. These classes can be very helpful as you work through the mediation process. Denver Child Support Enforcement Denver Department of Human Services https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-human-services/assistance-programs/child-support-services.html (720) 944-2960 --- ### Divorce Forms & Other Documents - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/colorado-divorce-forms/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2023-04-07 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for forms needed for a divorce in Colorado. The divorce attorney mediators at Split Simple in Denver can help you reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** We know tracking down commonly used divorce forms can be a hassle, so we’ve put them all in one place. Please download as needed. Case Information Sheet > Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or Legal Separation > Disclosures List > Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Financial Disclosures > Sworn Financial Statement > Financial Schedule > Decree of Dissolution or Legal Separation > Support Order > Affidavit for Decree without Appearance of Parties > --- ### The Role of Prenuptial Agreements - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/prenuptial-agreement-lawyer/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** As divorce has grown into a reality for tens of millions of Americans, many couples (especially, though not exclusively, those with high-value estates) have opted to sign prenuptial agreements before getting married. Every couple has to make a decision about whether or not to sign a prenuptial ag... **Content:** As divorce has grown into a reality for tens of millions of Americans, many couples (especially, though not exclusively, those with high-value estates) have opted to sign prenuptial agreements before getting married. Every couple has to make a decision about whether or not to sign a prenuptial agreement on the basis of their own unique circumstances. And should a marriage proceeded by a prenuptial agreement end in divorce, it’s important that you still go through a rigorous, transparent, data-driven process for finalizing the dissolution. If you’re considering a divorce and you think mediation might represent a better solution, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Why Mediation Is Still Necessary for Prenuptial Agreements A prenuptial agreement is essentially a contract two people sign before getting married. It’s a kind of worst-case scenario preparation document- it sets our rules governing the dispersal of assets in the event the marriage is dissolved. Prenuptial agreements can contain a huge range of provisions, but common provisions include: Debt liability limitations The protection of family heirlooms Defining property division Defining marital responsibilities Child custody cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement. Each state has its own laws governing these documents. A prenuptial agreement can certainly make divorce simpler. It clarifies and streamlines many difficult issues. But it’s not a get-out-of-mediation-free card. After all, a prenuptial agreement is only as good as the lawyer drawing it up. A poorly drafted document can leave a great deal of uncertainty. And even a well-drawn prenuptial agreement can be open to interpretation. Contact Prenuptial Agreement Lawyers Located in Colorado At Split Simple, we’ve helped many couples who drafted such an agreement before marriage but still have open questions to resolve. Our Denver attorney-mediators understand the complexities of legal interpretation, and we know how to work through any issues that weren’t covered in the initial agreement. If you want an attorney-mediator with experience handling prenuptial agreements in divorce, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### The Meaning of No-Fault Divorce States - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/meaning-of-no-fault-divorce-states/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, and your divorce might look different than you think it will. Call our divorce mediators now for your no-fault divorce **Content:** Who’s to blame? This is one of the most common points of contention in a divorce. And it’s undoubtedly the most counter-productive. Arguing over who’s at-fault for the end of a marriage doesn’t accomplish anything. Instead, it poisons the atmosphere and prevents two reasonable people from finding reasonable solutions. It’s also irrelevant. Colorado, like many other states, has a no-fault divorce law. As such, our uncontested divorce process is designed to find solutions, not fault. Our experienced attorney-mediators located in Denver will ensure that mediation sessions stay on-task and not devolve into finger-pointing and the dredging up of history. If you live in Colorado and you think our uncontested divorce system might be right for you, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920. What to Know about No-Fault Divorces in Denver Most people understand in a general way that Colorado is a no-fault state. But when they get into the nitty gritty of a divorce, they often think that responsibility for the breakdown of the divorce will prove relevant and even decisive. Put very simply, no-fault means no-fault. The state of Colorado (and every other no-fault state) simply does not care about who’s to blame for the divorce. The division of marital assets will generally not be affected by either party’s non-economic behavior in the marriage, no matter how noxious or unpleasant. It doesn’t matter if a spouse drank heavily and cut off meaningful communication. It doesn’t matter if one spouse was consistently unpleasant. The only needed grounds for a divorce in the state is the argument that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Now, in truly extreme circumstances there might be some consideration of fault. When considering the division of marital assets, economic fault might be relevant- if it’s shown that one spouse flagrantly wasted marital assets, that might affect alimony and other financial considerations. Furthermore, a recorded history of domestic violence will obviously greatly affect child custody arrangements. Fortunately, these cases are relatively rare, and very few of those types of cases go to mediation. At Split Simple, we almost always work with clients who might have a great deal of resentment toward each other, but lack the kind of extraordinary circumstances listed above. As such, we’re not about blame. We’re about solutions. Reaching a fair and equitable settlement is far, far more important than winning an argument about who’s at-fault. Contact Split Simple for No-Fault Divorces in Colorado If you want to discuss your case with one of our experienced Denver attorney-mediators, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online. --- ### Equitable Division of Assets - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/equitable-division-of-assets/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here or Call 720-501-4600 for equitable division of marital property and separate property in your divorce. Our divorce attorney mediators can help! **Content:** In Colorado, property division matters associated with a divorce are governed by the doctrine of equitable distribution, which states that property and assets must be split in a fair, but not necessarily equal, manner. Arriving at an equitable way to divide assets can be a complicated process, and it can potentially result in hotly contested disagreements between spouses, in part because there are a lot of emotions tied up with marital possessions. At Split Simple, we can guide you through the difficult process of resolving property division issues. We do this through a calm, professional mediation process that is designed to achieve the goals of both spouses. Our attorney-mediators understand Colorado’s equitable distribution laws, and we can help you negotiate a split of marital assets that is fair for everyone involved. If you live in Denver, Boulder or any other Colorado community and you want to learn more about how we can help you resolve your divorce through mediation, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920. Marital Property vs. Separate Property Equitable Distribution does not Mean Equal Distribution Division of Retirement Accounts during a Divorce High Value Estates Marital Property vs. Separate Property Contrary to some popular perceptions, property division during a divorce does not entail dividing up the value of every single asset both spouses own. Colorado, like most states, recognizes a distinction between marital property and separate property. “Separate property” can be roughly defined in two ways: Any property or assets acquired before the marriage (even if was acquired during the relationship that produced the eventual marriage) is separate property, and the possessing spouse is entitled to maintain ownership of the piece in question An item acquired during marriage as a result of a gift or inheritance is, in most cases, separate property By contrast, marital property includes any property, assets or debts acquired after the marriage, even if the property in question is used solely by one spouse. According to Colorado’s equitable distribution laws, separate property is exempt from the asset division process and will remain with the property’s original owner. On the other hand, all marital property and assets will be split between both parties, even if one spouse is the sole title holder to the property. As you can imagine, these determinations can quickly get complicated, especially for couples who comingled many of their assets (think a joint bank account). This is one of the reasons why do-it-yourself divorce is such a bad idea for so many couples. Our attorney-mediators have seen all sorts of convoluted comingled financial arrangements. We know how to untangle the threads of a marriage’s finances and make a determination as to what qualifies as separate vs. marital property. This will ensure your property division agreement earns a judge’s approval and treats both parties fairly. Equitable Distribution does not Mean Equal Distribution As we mentioned earlier, it’s important to remember that equitable distribution doesn’t mean equal distribution. In some circumstances, asset division will be determined based on the contributions of… --- ### Child Support - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/child-support/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Considering a divorce and unsure of Colorado's child support laws? Contact our Denver divorce mediator attorneys for assistance with child support & alimony **Content:** Raising a child takes great skill, dedication and love. This is especially true after a divorce. But the law also understands that raising a child takes money. Everyone knows how expensive it is to keep a child happy and healthy. As such, child support is one of the key child care issues that must be resolved in a divorce. Ensuring that there are sufficient financial resources to protect the child’s best interests is absolutely crucial. Split Simple’s attorney-mediators understand Colorado’s child support laws and know how to craft a settlement that protects the best interests of your child and earns a judge’s approval. If you want to speak with our Colorado attorney-mediators about using mediation to resolve your divorce and provide adequate child support, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Colorado’s Child Support Laws Like most states, Colorado has opted to provide guidelines for the administration of child support. These guidelines are designed to ensure the child is adequately supported while taking into account the actual economic status of both parents. The general goal in Colorado is to provide a lifestyle for the child that would be consistent with what he or she would have experienced had the parents stayed together. Factors that will be considered when calculating child support include: The gross income of the non-custodial parent The gross income of the custodial parent Both parents’ potential income Cost of living in the area The cost of child care Cost of insurance for the child Educational and travel expenses The state of Colorado provides work sheets with precise percentages and figures – you can read the official guidelines at the state website here. Parents have some leeway to deviate from the exact numbers involved, but judges are usually reluctant to approve a significant deviation. Split Simple’s attorney-mediators located in Denver will use sophisticated financial planning software to evaluate the income and income potential of both parents, as well as the cost of raising a child. We will then work together to create a child support plan everyone can support. Contact Split Simple for Colorado Child Support Law Information If you’re considering a divorce and you want a process that puts your child’s best interests first, please call the Denver divorce mediators at Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### Child Custody and Visitation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/child-custody-and-visitation/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here or call 720-501-4600 to speak with a divorce attorney mediator located in Denver and know the legality behind child custody and visitation rights **Content:** There’s little doubt that child custody is generally the most contentious issue in divorces involving children. Everyone wants what best for their children, and people understandably react badly when they get the sense that their children are being “taken” from them. You want to see your children as often as possible. But this is true of both parties in a divorce. And when two people want to see their children as much as possible but will no longer live together, the math involved is both predictable and sad. Split Simple’s attorney-mediators understand the legal issues involved with child custody and visitation rights, but perhaps more importantly, we understand the emotions involved as well. We will approach this unique child care issue with a calm, rational approach that protects the best interest of the child at all times. If you have questions about our proven divorce mediation process, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. The Factors That Determine Legal Custody of a Child Colorado technically does not have a child custody law. Instead, it uses the term “parental responsibility.” However, as in most states, the dominant consideration when it comes to custody/parental responsibility is the best interest of the child. This isn’t a controversial feature, as everyone wants what best for the children. However, it’s easy in the bickering of a traditional courtroom divorce to get self-interest and the child’s interest confused. When you don’t much like the person you’re divorcing, it’s easy to think that there’s no way that person should have custody or even visitation rights. Split Simple strives to keep the divorce mediation process calm and drama-free. We know you and your spouse are reasonable people. Mediation tends to bring that out. Courtroom divorce tends to bring out our less reasonable side. Generally speaking, the law holds that it’s usually in the best interest of the child to have significant time with both parents. That doesn’t mean child custody has to be exactly 50/50, and there are unique circumstances that might change the thinking on this matter, but when at all possible the goal is to craft a custody arrangement that provides the child with exposure to both parents. When considering what is best for the child, we will keep the following factors in mind: The wishes of each parent The ability of each parent to encourage the sharing of love, affection and contact between the child and other parent The ability of each parent to place the child’s needs in front of his or her own The child’s point of view The child’s emotional bond with each parent The difficulty the child might have adjusting to a radically new environment The physical proximity of each parent’s residence Any history of domestic violence But our attorney-mediators don’t hand down decisions from on-high. Instead, we work with both parents to devise a parenting plan that meets all legal standards and leaves everyone satisfied… --- ### Child Issues - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/child-issues-divorce/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-24 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click or Call 720-501-4600 for more information on how our divorce mediators located in Denver help to make the divorce process easier on children involved. **Content:** Studies prove mediated divorces result in a better future for children. And that’s the goal you should always keep in the front of your mind. When it comes to children, there are two things we’ve come to understand quite clearly during our years of helping people through divorces. First, both parents love their children unreservedly and want what’s best for them. Second, the toxic effect of an adversarial divorce can negatively affect a child for years. Questions regarding the handling of a marriage’s children are the most important ones to answer when moving through the divorce process. At Split Simple, our attorney-mediators located in Denver will help you resolve these disputes in a way that recognizes the legitimate concerns and aspirations of both parties. If you’re considering divorce and you’re looking for an attorney-mediator with ample experience in disputes related to childcare, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for a free consultation. The Issues Involved Put broadly, disputes over children in divorce cases come down to two issues: time and decision-making authority. And, of course, it’s impossible to deny that money is tied in with these concerns.   These disputes are common and emotionally wrought – deciding what time a child spends with each parent, who will make important decisions, all of these questions have to be answered. Our attorney-mediators understand this and know how to find solutions for issues as diverse as: Custody Child support Visitation rights Of course, every decision will be made in accordance with the laws of your particular state. Some states (such as Colorado) do not even explicitly refer to custody in their divorce laws, while others use this somewhat outdated terminology. These issues are resolved in a parenting plan, which is exactly what it sounds like: an agreement between the parents resolving any outstanding disputes and addressing the responsibilities of each parent. These plans clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each parent. Parenting plans also contain child support arrangements. Our Denver attorney-mediators have ample experience resolving issues related to childcare and in crafting fair, equitable parenting plans that gain court approval and are consistent with the latest research on optimal child development. If you’re looking for a fair, sane, and reasonable approach to divorce, and you would like to make the divorce process easier for your children, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for a free consultation.   --- ### Alimony Law & Spousal Support in Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/alimony-spousal-support/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for information about alimony and spousal support laws in Colorado. If you're ready to reach an uncontested divorce, contact Split Simple today! **Content:** The issue of alimony (also referred to as “spousal support”) is often one of the most contentious in any divorce. Considering the resentments that have built up over the years, many people are decidedly unhappy about the prospect of paying to support their soon-to-be ex-spouse. At Split Simple, we approach alimony law the same way we do any other issue that arises during our mediation sessions — as a straight-forward legal and financial issue that can be worked through by a calm, deliberative uncontested divorce process. Our attorney-mediators understand the Colorado laws governing spousal support and the psychology associated with this sensitive issue. We can make sure everyone involved is treated fairly and equitably. If you live in the Denver metropolitan area and you’re concerned about what a divorce might bring, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. What to Know Non-Alimony Financial Issues How We Help with All Financial Matters Associated with Your Divorce Our Financial Planning Process Tax Implications of Divorce What to Know About Alimony & Spousal Support First, it’s important to remember that alimony laws vary from state to state. The general principles of alimony are broadly shared across the country, but specific formulas and guidelines vary dramatically. Second, most states (including Colorado) have alimony and spousal support laws that provide guidelines to family law judges. “Guidelines” is the key word here — judges are not obligated to completely adhere to these guidelines, though most use them as the baseline for decisions and don’t like varying from them too dramatically. Alimony Law in Colorado In general, alimony (called “spousal maintenance” in Colorado) is designed to provide financial support for one spouse. This is almost always the spouse who has the lower income. The factors that determine the precise amount of spousal support usually include: The lifestyle to which both spouses have become accustomed The earning potential of the supported spouse The length of the marriage The income of the spouse who will be paying alimony Whether or not there are children to consider For example, in the Colorado formula for calculating spousal maintenance, the judge, lawyer or mediator will start with 40 percent of the higher earner’s income, and then subtract 50 percent over the lower earner’s income. However, the sum of the lower earner’s income plus maintenance may not exceed 40 percent of the total combined income of both parties. Again, this recommended amount is only a guideline. At Split Simple, our attorney-mediators will use this number to begin the conversation between you and your spouse, but we will be guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment. And we will ensure that any alimony program we devise will earn a judge’s approval. Non-Alimony Financial Issues Alimony is a significant financial issue in most divorces, but it’s just one of many. At Split Simple, we consider it our job to handle all of those financial issues during mediation. The entire point of marrying… --- ### Reviews - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/reviews/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2024-09-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for the positive reviews Split Simple has received from our clients in Aurora and Denver after we provided them with divorce mediation services **Content:** A divorce is never easy. My wife and I started out each having a lawyer and went to war. We stepped back and found Chris. Chris guided us through a process that involved us both and allowed each of us to make the decisions about our future. Through mediation with Chris we felt we were being fair to each other. I highly recommend Chris and the services he offers. Review by: B.M. My ex-husband and I went to Chris to mediate our divorce. He is knowledgeable, professional, and I enjoyed working with him through what could have been a difficult process. We came away with a separation agreement that was fair, comprehensive, and most importantly, considerate of our three young children. His service to us was invaluable and I couldn't recommend Chris highly enough. Since my divorce, I have seen friends who have spent three to four times (individually) as we did together and came away with a boilerplate agreement. What a waste in so many ways. Review by: C.H. Chris provides a wonderful service and I'm eternally grateful for what he did for me during my divorce. Review by: L.R. I owe much of my current happiness to Chris and his expertise that made my divorce process much quicker and simpler than I ever imagined. All of my fears about splitting the assets of our marriage were never realized and I greatly appreciated not having to spend unnecessary money to fight over the assets. The whole mediation process with Chris has allowed me to start over and also be financially comfortable. Review by: B.F. Chris made an emotionally difficult time so much easier and I have recommended Chris to others. I believe wholeheartedly that using Chris as our mediator helped us avoid what may have otherwise created years of hard feelings. Review by: M.C. I have recommended Chris several times to friends and colleagues going through a divorce. He helped my spouse and I create a "win-win" result and we are both doing well. Chris helped us through the divorce process and made a very difficult situation easier. We will always be grateful we found Chris. Review by: S.O. Chris helped my husband and me tremendously in our divorce. Divorce is the worst thing I've ever gone through (still is) but Chris made it much more reasonable and simple. Review by: S.W. Chris was extremely helpful finalizing our recent divorce after 26 years of marriage. Divorce is never a pleasant experience for anyone but Chris's knowledge, fairness, and professionalism made this transition much easier for both of us. I would strongly recommend Chris Griffith to anyone in need of divorce mediation services. Review by: T.F In the midst of what felt like one of the worst times of my life, someone suggested mediation and referred me to Chris Griffith. Chris is a true professional who listens and then shares with you the facts. He is able to walk you through the process in a way that, when all is… --- ### Split Simply Family Law Blog - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/blog/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for articles from our divorce mediation attorneys in Denver and Aurora about family law, divorce mediation, uncontested divorces and more! --- ### Our Process Works - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/process/ - **Published:** 2018-12-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for our divorce mediation process and how our divorce mediation attorneys are helping families in Aurora and Denver reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** 1   Consultation & Scheduling Free phone consultation with your mediator and each spouse in order to determine the fixed pricing plan that is right for your divorce. Then set your first mediation appointment at a location and time that is convenient for you.   2   Mediation Preparation Before the first session, Split Simple will provide you with our “Critical Mediation Checklist” outlining your mediation topics as well as relevant documents. You will also complete a “Financial Questionnaire”. Your mediator will use the information gained from this Questionnaire to prepare a preliminary analysis of your estate and will reduce your meditation time by up to one hour – saving you time and money.   3   Mediation Session(s) Two hour mediation sessions professionally facilitated by your attorney mediator. Your mediator will guide you through the intelligent allocation of your assets and debts utilizing the most current technology for estate allocation and cash flow analysis. You can view progress real time on a large screen monitor during the session. Where applicable you will discuss parenting plan options as well as relevant research in order to determine the best parenting plan for your children. You mediator will also provide an estimated post divorce after tax cash flow reflecting the impact of your new tax filing status and support plan. Contact us for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver   4   Mediation Replay Following each session you will receive a copy of your proposed asset and debt allocation as well as a summary of the topics discussed and tentative agreements reached during mediation. Your mediator remains available to answer your questions between sessions and provide ongoing support for all court interactions until your divorce is finalized. Contact us for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver   5   Review Your mediator will prepare a comprehensive, yet understandable (no “legalese”) “Separation Agreement” and (where applicable) “Parenting Plan” as well as all relevant court documents. You will review all of your divorce documents with your mediator so that you understand what you are signing, before you sign it.   6   Your Guarantee You then leave this final document review session with all documents necessary to finalize your divorce. You will sign the documents at a time and place that is right for you. You also take with you, Split Simple’s “Guaranteed Court Acceptance” – if the Judge does not accept your Split Simple documents, there are no further charges in order to achieve court approval.   --- ### About the Divorce Mediators at Split Simple - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/about-us/ - **Published:** 2018-12-24 - **Modified:** 2026-06-30 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Now for more about the divorce mediators at Split Simple and how our process helps families located in Aurora and Denver reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** Our Divorce Mediators Want What’s Best for You We’ve seen how the traditional divorce process fails families. A divorce is an inherently stressful, unpleasant situation, but the stresses of a courtroom can dramatically and unnecessarily exacerbate the situation. Expensive divorce attorneys who charge by the hour and have interests that don’t always align with yours. Overworked, uninterested judges who will make sweeping decisions that affect your life and the life of your children. This is the reality for too many people going through a divorce. But it doesn’t have to be your reality. At Split Simple, our divorce mediators have found a better way – a transparent way that provides you with price predictability and a skilled attorney-mediator who is committed to working through the issues you and your spouse are facing. If you’re considering a divorce and you’re looking for a better way, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920. What to Know about Split Simple Our effective, proven uncontested divorce process prioritizes your time and money. We won’t waste either with needless haggling or bickering. Instead, our divorce attorney-mediators located in Denver and Aurora work in a calm, objective fashion to resolve disputes and find a fair and equitable solution. This means working out common child care issues, including child support and custody arrangements. We know how important your child’s future is to you, and we act accordingly. And it means establishing a completely transparent and predictable pricing plan. As you can see, we place our prices online for you to examine beforehand. And we will answer any questions you might have in that exact same spirit of fairness and transparency. Our divorce mediators don’t charge by the hour or leave you in the dark regarding what you can expect to pay. The statistics show that our uncontested divorce process saves you money in the long run over a traditional divorce. About Our Divorce Attorney-Mediators All of this is made possible by the attorney-mediator handling our case. Trained and experienced in family law, our attorney-mediators have transitioned to the field of mediation, where we work hand-in-hand with both parties to reach a divorce settlement that will be approved by a judge. You can read more about our first attorney-mediator, Chris Griffith, here. And we’ll be happy to answer all of your questions regarding experience and philosophy. If you want to speak with a divorce attorney-mediator about pursuing an uncontested divorce in Denver or our Aurora divorce mediation, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920. Divorce Mediators and Divorce Attorneys Located in Aurora and Denver Denver Divorce Mediation 1624 Market Street #202 Denver, Colorado 80202 (720) 501-4600 Aurora Divorce Mediation 6105 S Main St #200, Aurora, CO 80016 (720) 501-4674 --- ### Social Work Scholarship - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/social-work-scholarship/ - **Published:** 2018-05-14 - **Modified:** 2020-10-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Our one time scholarship of $500 provides relief from some of the financial concerns of talented students desiring to further their education. Please submit a 500 to 1000-word response to this question: "What inspired me to study Social Work?" **Content:** Social Work Scholarship from Split Simple $500 for Current or Incoming Students SplitSimple.com appreciates the power of education, and believes the role of social workers to be one of service. As the costs of tuition continue to rise, covering educational expenses like books, housing, and school supplies can become increasingly difficult. This one-time scholarship of $500 provides relief from some of the financial concerns of talented students desiring to further their education. Please submit a 500 to 1000-word response to this question: “What inspired me to study Social Work?” Eligibility Guidelines: Open to all currently enrolled students Students must be currently enrolled in a college or university program in the USA Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above at their current educational institution Entries will be evaluated and scholarship will be awarded at our sole discretion Students should submit a letter of recommendation, unofficial transcript along with their essay response to scholarship@splitsimple.com Deadlines: Applications should be submitted no later than September 1. The Scholarship winner will be determined no later than September 20 every year. --- ### Greenwood Plaza Location - Greenwood Village, CO - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/greenwood-plaza-location-greenwood-village-co/ - **Published:** 2018-04-23 - **Modified:** 2025-04-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for divorce mediation from the divorce attorneys at Split Simple located in Greenwood Village, CO. We help couples reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** Once you’ve made the decision to file for divorce, it’s challenging to know the next steps to take. A simple web search for divorce paperwork will tell you – this can be a time-consuming and overwhelming process filled with research and detail. With so many factors to consider, it’s hard to know which laws and forms apply to you and which don’t. It can be overwhelming! The Denver divorce mediation team at Split Simple can streamline and de-stress much of this challenging process. What is divorce mediation? Split Simple’s divorce mediators function as impartial third parties throughout your divorce proceedings. We’re here to listen to each party’s wants, needs and concerns, to identify the challenges unique to your particular situation and to help you craft an agreement that’s best for your family and for you. All of our divorce mediators are experienced attorneys well-versed in Colorado divorce laws and Arapahoe County Courts. Our process allows you and your partner to maintain a sense of ownership regarding the outcome of your divorce without relinquishing all control to the courts. Our mediation process is designed to minimize your in-court time – saving you time, money and anxiety for you and for your family. We can meet you at our Greenwood Village location or at one of our many offices in the Denver metro area to help you avoid the hassle and expense of extensive court proceedings through the simpler approach of uncontested divorce. Here’s a short list of the many issues we can mediate through an uncontested divorce: Child support Alimony and spousal support Child custody and visitation Parenting plans Property division --- ### Main Street Aurora Location - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/main-street-aurora-location/ - **Published:** 2017-07-19 - **Modified:** 2020-11-04 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more about how the divorce lawyer mediators at Split Simple help couples located in Aurora reach an uncontested divorce without a courtroom **Content:** So, you’ve decided to file for a divorce. What comes next? You can spend countless hours scouring the internet for divorce forms you don’t understand, and read hundreds of articles about what your divorce may or may not look like, and read stories about what divorce entails. But, how do you know if any of this applies to you? You don’t, and that’s perfectly okay. The Divorce Mediators at Split Simple are here to help you through this difficult process. What is Divorce Mediation At Split Simple, our divorce mediators act as an impartial third party throughout your divorce. We listen to each party’s concerns, wants and needs, we review what challenges make your divorce unique and work to produce an agreement that is best for you and your family. All of our divorce mediators are experienced attorneys who are well versed in Colorado divorce laws and Arapahoe County Courts. So, we can help you and your partner maintain control of the outcome of your divorce as opposed to letting the courts decide. Our process minimizes the time couples spend in court. Court proceedings can be very time consuming and financially straining, making the divorce process stressful for the entire family. Our goal is to meet with you and your spouse at any one of our Aurora and Denver, CO locations to help you reach an uncontested divorce without the hassle of extensive court proceedings. Here is a brief list of issues we can help you resolve: Child custody and visitation Child support Alimony/Spousal support Property division Parenting plans What Does Divorce Mediation Cost? Our dedication to mediation rather than settling divorces in court is what sets Split Simple apart from other divorce lawyers in Aurora and Denver. Furthermore, we feel that transparency in pricing is key to establishing a trusting relationship with each of our clients. So, how much does divorce mediation cost? Our packages detail exactly what you are getting for you money, and you can rest assured that our pricing will not change during the divorce mediation process. Ever. That is our guarantee to you. Is Divorce Mediation is Right for Me? Our clients come to us for divorce mediation services from all different backgrounds, located in different states with their very own unique situations. Our divorce mediation services in Aurora are tailored to the needs of each individual client. All we ask is that our clients are willing to leave the thought of a courtroom divorce behind and think outside of the box. From there, our divorce attorneys will listen to all of your needs and wants and act as an impartial third party so you and your spouse can reach a mutual agreement in your divorce. Divorce can be really hard. With the Divorce mediators at Split Simple, it doesn’t have to be. Ready to Speak With Our Divorce Mediators in Aurora? If you’re ready to discuss your divorce with one of our divorce mediators located in Aurora, or if you simply have more questions… --- ### Retirement Accounts - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/retirement-accounts/ - **Published:** 2017-03-31 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Division of Retirement Accounts during a Divorce Many people are surprised to learn that retirement accounts are serious issues in divorces. You might not be aware that a 401(k) is even something that can be divided as part of a divorce proceeding. **Content:** Division of Retirement Accounts during a Divorce Many people are surprised to learn that retirement accounts are serious issues in divorces. You might not be aware that a 401(k) is even something that can be divided as part of a divorce proceeding. Split Simple’s attorney-mediators have handled enough cases that we’ve seen just about every form of retirement account. We know this money is important to you and your future, and we use the divorce mediation process to ensure that it is handled in a fair and equitable fashion. A retirement account is almost always held in the name of one spouse; joint retirement accounts are fairly rare. However, retirement accounts still typically qualify as marital property, which means they can be divided between both spouses. This can be a seriously contentious issue, especially in a longer marriage, since a retirement nest egg can be the most significant asset either party holds. Imagine how much both parties might have deposited during a 20-year marriage that coincided with their prime earning years. One of the popular misconceptions about divorce is that retirement accounts will have to be liquidated during a divorce. This isn’t true. While liquidation is an option, it’s not the only one. The right option will be based in large part on the specific nature of your retirement plan. For example, a defined benefit plan has different disposal rules than a defined contribution plan. Split Simple’s attorney-mediators will guide you through the appropriate terms to divide a retirement account, and these terms will be utilized in a subsequent qualified domestic relations order (QDRO), which governs the dispersal of funds in a retirement account. The terms for division of a retirement account can be relatively simple (for example, “Spouse A shall be paid 50 percent of the retirement plan”), or decidedly more complex. Either way, careful attention to the detailed drafting of retirement account division and the subsequent QDRO terms is absolutely crucial. One oversight or poorly written section regarding division of the retirement account can result in some very unfortunate unintended consequences. This is one of the reasons it’s important to place your divorce in the hands of expert attorney-mediators who know the state laws which apply to your case. At Split Simple, we’ll make sure your retirement account is divided in a manner that adheres to all applicable laws, is fair for both parties, and will be approved by a judge. High Value Estates The value of your marital property reflects the hard work and dedication you and your spouse put into your professional lives during your marriage. At Split Simple, we know that you don’t want your decades of labor to be squandered during a divorce. Our divorce mediation process is uniquely capable of helping divorcing couples who have significant financial assets in their marital property. High-value estates can be tricky for divorce lawyers, but our skilled attorney-mediators have the legal and financial know-how to ensure that the final settlement is fair for both parties. It’s difficult… --- ### Parenting Plan - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/denver/parenting-plan/ - **Published:** 2017-03-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Our divorce attorney mediators help clients with parenting plans highlighting child custody, visitation rights and more to make the divorce process easier **Content:** Child care issues are undeniably the most important ones you and your spouse face when going through a divorce. Everyone involved wants what’s best for your children. It’s agreeing on what’s best that’s the challenge. Split Simple’s uncontested divorce process is designed to produce a parenting plan at the end of your mediation sessions. The state of Colorado requires a parenting plan as part of any divorce agreement submitted to the court. Our attorney-mediators use the latest research to help craft a parenting plan that serves the best interests of the child and earns a judge’s approval. If you live anywhere in Colorado and you want an experienced attorney-mediator’s help crafting a parenting plan,  please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online What Is Included in a Parenting Plan The parenting plan is essentially the culmination of all the discussions you and your spouse have during your mediation sessions. It’s a comprehensive document that is designed to provide structure and support as your child matures. Most parenting plans contain: Child custody provisions Visitation rights Parental responsibilities Decision-making authority Provisions for resolving any future disputes Of course, the parenting plan is designed to provide a framework for addressing just about every issue, so its precise contents will be determined by the specific concerns that arise during your divorce sessions. Split Simple’s attorney-mediators well understand just how vital the parenting plan is. We know it’s something that must be crafted with care, caution and skill. We will work with both parties to ensure that the parenting plan we produce reflects what’s right for the child. Contact Our Attorney Mediators Located in Denver If you’re considering divorce mediation in Denver, you should choose the firm that has a proven track record of protecting families with well-crafted parenting plans. Please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online. --- ### Contact - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/contact/ - **Published:** 2017-02-27 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here to contact Split Simple today! Our divorce mediators located in Aurora and Denver help families reach uncontested divorces without a courtroom **Content:** Split Simple welcomes inquiries and requests for consultations. We’re happy to answer your questions and explain the nuances of our uncontested divorce process. To arrange a free consultation, please fill out the form below. Contact Information: Split Simple, LLC 1624 Market St #202, Denver, CO 80202 Call : 855-665-9920 Denver and Aurora Divorce Mediators & Divorce Lawyers Denver Divorce Mediation 1624 Market Street #202 Denver, Colorado 80202 (720) 501-4600 Aurora Divorce Mediation 6105 S. Main Street, Suite 200 Aurora, Colorado 80016 (720) 501-4674 --- ### How Split Simple Can Help With Financial Matters - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/how-we-help-with-financial-matters/ - **Published:** 2017-02-27 - **Modified:** 2025-04-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** How We Help with All Financial Matters Associated with Your Divorce Our goals for you include doing as much as we can to help both parties navigate the difficult financial waters that rise during a divorce. Mediation is all about doing right by everyone involved, and we care about putting you in a good position post-divorce. That's why we invest significant time in financial **Content:** How We Help with All Financial Matters Associated with Your Divorce Our goals for you include doing as much as we can to help both parties navigate the difficult financial waters that rise during a divorce. Mediation is all about doing right by everyone involved, and we care about putting you in a good position post-divorce. That’s why we invest significant time in financial planning. We provide your attorney-mediators — and you — with resources that make finding a fair and sustainable solution as simple as possible. This is one of the elements of our practice that our clients most appreciate. Our uncontested divorce process is designed to find the solutions to difficult problems. Our Financial Planning Process During your mediation sessions, our attorney-mediators will utilize sophisticated financial planning software. This will provide us with important guidance on the difficult economic questions and help everyone make wise, informed decisions. With this software and our attorney-mediators’ unique experience in the field of family law, we can chart a course that leaves both parties in a sound financial state. We can account for just about any financial issue using this software, ensuring your final divorce agreement addresses every aspect of your finances. Tax Implications Alimony and Filing for Divorce One of the considerations you should keep in mind when filing for a divorce is how such a decision will affect your tax burden next April. Of course, this isn’t to say that you should decide to end a marriage or not based on your tax bill. But proper timing can allow you and your spouse to make the right decisions while saving both of you quite a bit of money. The main concern when it comes to divorce and the resulting tax implications is timing. Your ability to file as married, head of household or single depends in large part on when your divorce was finalized. Under Colorado law, a court must wait a minimum of 91 days from the filing of your petition before entering your divorce. This is important because of the way the IRS handles your filing status. For filing purposes, the IRS will consider you divorced for the entire tax year even if your divorce was finalized quite late in that year. For example, if your divorce is finalized in November of 2015, you will be able to file as divorced for the entire year, even though you were actually married for 10 months of the year. This means that if you file for divorce after October 1, it will not be finalized until January of the following year. As a result, you’ll have to file a joint return as a married couple for that calendar year. If you file early enough, you might be able to tell the court whether you want your divorce to be finalized this year or next. This will allow you to file with a status that is most advantageous to you and your financial situation. Of course, whether a married or a… --- ### Financial Questionnaire - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/financial-questionnaire/ - **Published:** 2016-10-10 - **Modified:** 2016-10-10 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Loading... **Content:** Loading… --- ### Client Information Form - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/client-information-form/ - **Published:** 2016-10-10 - **Modified:** 2026-05-17 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Divorce mediation client information form: Provide your information via this webform. **Content:** Loading… --- ### Divorce Law & Mediation Video Resources - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/divorce-law-video-resources/ - **Published:** 2016-09-12 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** The divorce mediation lawyers as Split Simple provide resources to our clients to help them through the process of divorce mediation in Denver **Content:** At Split Simple, we offer affordable family law and divorce mediation for individuals and families throughout Denver, Colorado and Aurora, Colorado. We have the experience and knowledge to handle a variety of cases related to all types of family law and divorce. We hope these video resources help you understand the Aurora divorce mediation process at Split Simple, and how we handle divorces when children are involved, and other legal provisions for divorce in the state of Colorado. If you need help with family law, mediation or a similar issue, contact Split Simple today. Attorney-mediator Chris Griffith and our expert team is available to help families throughout the Denver and Aurora Metro areas. Chat, e-mail or call us today at 855-665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Split Simple will Help You with all Court Proceedings Does Split Simple Help with the Submission of Court Documents? How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Colorado? Guaranteed Acceptance of Split Simple Court Documents How Long Will You Receive or Pay Alimony? Should You Include Your New Partner in Parenting Time? Mapping Cash Flow After a Divorce Are There Tax Issues with Children in Divorce? The Myths about Retirement Accounts at Divorce Does Split Simple have Experience Helping Couples with Parenting Plans? What are the Tax Consequences of Alimony? How Much Maintenance should be Paid in Colorado? Preparing for Divorce Mediation with Split Simple Meet Divorce Mediator Chris Griffith Split Simple’s Flat Fee for Divorce and Mediation --- ### Thank you for registering! - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/thank-you-for-registering/ - **Published:** 2016-04-26 - **Modified:** 2025-06-25 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Thank you for registering for our webinar. You will be receiving an email shortly with more information. **Content:** Thank you for registering for our webinar. You will be receiving an email shortly with more information. --- ### Thank you for contacting us on Facebook - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/thank-you-for-contacting-us-on-facebook/ - **Published:** 2016-04-15 - **Modified:** 2025-06-25 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Thank you for contacting Split Simple. One of our staff members will contact you shortly. **Content:** Thank you for contacting Split Simple. One of our staff members will contact you shortly.  If you would like to speak with someone sooner, please call us at (855) 665-9920. Next Steps: Learn About Us Read about our Process More about Aurora divorce mediation   --- ### Our Associations and Memberships - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/our-associations-and-memberships/ - **Published:** 2016-04-04 - **Modified:** 2023-04-07 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for associations and memberships our divorce mediation attorneys are active with. Call us today for an uncontested divorce in Denver & Aurora **Content:** Split Simple’s attorney-mediators are skilled, experienced and valued members of their local legal and mediation communities. They’ve been recognized for the quality of their work and their professional ethics and are members of several prestigious organizations. As such, you can trust in the quality of the work we provide you. Here are just a few of the organizations our attorney-mediators are proud to be a part of: Colorado Bar Association The Colorado Bar Association is an organization that is designed to improve the legal practice of its members through education and community. To join the bar, a lawyer must be a licensed attorney in the state of Colorado and remain in good standing with the state. The Academy of Professional Mediators Members of the APFM provide mediation services in the field of divorce, child custody, estate law and other complicated fields to families when needed. The organization helps member mediators improve their practice, while also providing mediators with an easy network of referrals should additional expertise be required. The Mediation Association of Colorado The Mediation Association of Colorado connects courts and concerned members of the public with trained, accredited mediation professionals. All MAC mediators complete comprehensive training programs, mediate in at least 10 cases for at least 100 hours of work and maintain their education through various training programs. Better Business Bureau Finally, there’s the Better Business Bureau, which everyone knows. The BBB accredits businesses and provides customers with an avenue to pursue grievances related to the conduct of a business. A BBB seal means that the company has been accredited by the Bureau, which requires meeting vigorous standards. You can view our BBB report here. --- ### How We Forge Agreement - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/how-we-forge-agreement/ - **Published:** 2015-12-10 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more about how our Aurora divorce mediation services & uncontested divorce services in Denver help couples reach an understanding in divorce **Content:** Divorces are rarely easy. This is still the case with an uncontested divorce, the meaning of which refers to the final agreement, not the beginning of the process. There are complicated, emotionally wrought issues to work through in any divorce, including those we handle at Split Simple. Money and child care issues are never simple, even in the middle of a healthy, happy marriage. When they’re being hashed out during a divorce, finding an agreement can seem impossible. But it’s not. We know that from years of experience. Our uncontested divorce process is designed to cut through the weeds and forge an agreement between you and your spouse. If you’re looking for a simpler, smarter divorce process, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Working Through Disagreement We have the same conversation with prospective clients more times than we can count- two spouses are considering divorce, and they’re naturally inclined to try mediation instead of a traditional courtroom divorce. But they think the issues they’re facing are intractable- there’s no way they will ever agree on issues X, Y and Z. But there are no problems that mediation is unable to solve. We make this statement because we’ve seen that it’s true. We’ve seen previously intransigent spouses work together to find solutions to difficult problems. We forge agreement through a rigorous, transparent, data-driven process. That process has the following features, all of which are designed to solve problems: We keep the process calm and drama-free; our attorney-mediators don’t let issues get bogged down by past resentments Our attorney-mediators work with both sides in a fair, objective fashion We break down financial issues into clear, black and white, easily understood elements so that there’s no confusion Split Simple is committed to transparent communication before, during and after our mediation sessions We help with financial matters, including long-term financial planning, so both parties know they’re being accounted for and taken care of during the process Ultimately, knowing how to bring two people together requires the sort of “feel” that only comes from years of experience. Our attorney-mediators possess this experience and understand the psychology at play in divorce- we know how to work through the resentments, disappointments and heartbreaks that so often undercut divorce negotiations. If you’re considering divorce and you think mediation might represent a superior option, please call us today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### The Trouble with Do-It-Yourself Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/trouble-with-diy-divorce/ - **Published:** 2015-12-10 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** DIY Divorces are are becoming popular. Don't go it alone. Call Split Simple today and trust our divorce mediators to help you reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** We now live in an age when just about everything is a Google search away. This now includes the paperwork to complete a divorce in just about any state. So-called “do-it-yourself” divorces, which involve downloading relevant forms on the Internet, are increasingly popular. We understand the desire to make your divorce as simple and short as possible. However, going the do-it-yourself route is often a classic case of being penny wise and pound foolish. Even an uncontested divorce can be a complicated thing. You need a skilled, experienced divorce attorney-mediator to guide you and your spouse through the process. If you’re seriously considering a do-it-yourself divorce, think instead about speaking with our divorce attorney-mediators in Denver and Aurora about your situation. Please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for a free consultation for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Why You Should Rely on the Divorce Experts The guiding ethos of Split Simple is that the traditional courtroom divorce process doesn’t work for many people. It’s expensive, it’s time-consuming, it’s opaque and it’s impersonal. We know there’s a better way. So we completely understand the thought process behind the do-it-yourself divorce trend. We get that you want to save money. We get that you want to save time. And we get that you don’t want to deal with all the nonsense that often goes on in a courtroom divorce. However, there are a few things you should understand if you’re considering a do-it-yourself divorce: There’s no guarantee the forms you find online will be sufficient. Some municipalities have all the paperwork conveniently available for download, but many do not. Any agreement you reach has to be approved by a judge. Earning a judge’s approval is relatively simple with a mediated settlement, but many judges are reluctant to sign off on a do-it-yourself arrangement and require difficult changes. These cases are more complicated than you might think. There are tax implications to navigate, not to mention a whole host of other financial issues you’ll have to consider. At Split Simple, our divorce attorney-mediators in Denver and Aurora work through the complicated issues involved. We have sophisticated financial planning software that will help you and your spouse understand what to expect in the future. And we guarantee that any settlement we reach will be approved by a judge, or else we will make the necessary changes free of charge. You can see our pricing page for a complete, transparent breakdown of our costs. And we welcome any questions you might have about Split Simple or our proven, effective process. Contact our Divorce Attorney-Mediators Today If you’re looking for a simple, transparent uncontested divorce process, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### Divorce Mediation or Courtroom Divorce? - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/divorce-mediation-or-courtroom-divorce/ - **Published:** 2015-12-10 - **Modified:** 2020-11-04 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Call 855-665-9920 to discuss how our expert divorce mediators in Denver and Aurora can help your family reach an uncontested divorce without a courtroom **Content:** At Split Simple, we operate on a simple but powerful premise: there is nothing mediation can’t work through. Our attorney-mediators located in Denver and Aurora know how to forge agreement when doing so seems impossible. We understand that you might be a little reluctant to entrust your divorce to the mediation process. There’s undeniably something appealing about having an attorney on your side, someone fighting for you. We’ve come to expect an adversarial dynamic from the legal system. It’s what we see on TV all the time, after all. But divorce mediation can represent a fair and equitable solution to the problems bedeviling you and your spouse. If you have questions about divorce mediation, please call our divorce attorney-mediators located in Denver and Aurora today at (855) 665-9920 for a free consultation for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. When Is Divorce Mediation Right for Me? Every case is unique, and there’s often a tendency for couples to assume that their problems are so extraordinarily complicated and convoluted that they are unsolvable outside of a courtroom. They don’t think they can work through the problems and they’re ready to throw up their hands and take the case to a judge. It’s impossible to overstate how many of these types of cases we’ve seen. There is no such thing as a knot that can’t be untied. It’s important to remember that when we refer to “uncontested divorce,” that only means the final agreement is uncontested. Our uncontested divorce process is designed to get two people to that point. You should seriously consider divorce mediation over a traditional courtroom divorce if you: Want to avoid a costly traditional divorce process in which attorneys charge by the hour and the total price can be opaque Want help with the financial matters associated with divorce Want the assistance of our attorney-mediators in child care issues – statistics show that children whose parents have gone through a mediated divorce have better outcomes than those whose parents went through a traditional courtroom divorce See the advantage of an experienced attorney-mediator who works for and with both parties during the divorce Wish to resolve the divorce quickly and amicably and then move on with your life We know you probably have questions about the process, and we welcome those questions. You should call us to arrange a consultation where you can discuss your concerns and give us a chance to address them. Contact Our Divorce Mediators in Denver and Aurora Today If you’re looking for a smarter, simpler and cost effective divorce process, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### The Meaning of Legal Separation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/meaning-of-legal-separation/ - **Published:** 2015-12-10 - **Modified:** 2025-01-04 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more about what legal separation is and how legal separation differs from divorce. Our attorneys in Denver and Aurora can help you today! **Content:** People who have left home and decided a divorce is the right decision but haven’t yet finalized the process often say they are “separated.” And there’s nothing wrong with this in normal conversation – after all, living apart from your spouse with the intention of pursuing a divorce is about as “separated” as you can get. But this can cause some confusion when discussing the legal definition of “separation.” Every state’s laws on this differ, but it’s important to remember that in many states you are not “legally separated” unless you go through a very specific procedure. To learn more about your state’s divorce laws and how they apply to your unique situation, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. How Separation Differs from Divorce Here’s perhaps the most important takeaway from this discussion: becoming “legally separated” often requires going through the exact same process as finalizing a divorce. You must still craft a settlement that gains a judge’s approval and addresses the usual issues, such as: Equitable division of assets Child custody Spousal support In other words, a legal separation is not easier or simpler than a divorce. In terms of time and effort, it’s essentially the exact same thing. And there is no legal recognition of your de facto “separated status” without pursuing the appropriate legal action; you cannot live apart from your spouse for a certain period of time and achieve legal separation. Now, some couples choose a legal separation because it’s advantageous to their unique financial situations. Many couples have benefit plans or insurance policies that are more generous for those who are married than those who are divorced. For these couples, a legal separation is an excellent way of keeping those benefits while untangling their lives. Unlike some benefit plans however, the IRS considers you and your spouse as not married for tax filing purposes.  As a result of your IRS status you will need to file separate tax returns. However, in many states you do remain married under the law. In order to remarry, you must convert the legal separation into a divorce (which is a fairly straightforward process). Split Simple’s attorney-mediators will discuss your options with you and help you decide if legal separation is right for you. If you want to arrange a free consultation with out attorney-mediators during which you can discuss handling your case through mediation, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### Basic Principles of Divorce Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/basic-principles-of-divorce-mediation/ - **Published:** 2015-12-10 - **Modified:** 2021-11-18 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Divorce mediation services in Denver help couples reach an uncontested divorce and save time & money compared to a typical divorce process **Content:** Because mediation takes place behind closed doors, with a relatively small group of people, and because it’s not by nature a very exciting process, it’s often not well-understood by the general public. As such, some of the basic principles of divorce mediation probably need to be explicitly stated. This information will help you as you do your research and decide between mediation and a traditional courtroom divorce. At Split Simple, we’ve seen the good mediation can do. We know it can solve seemingly intractable problems. We’re confident it’s likely the right choice for you. If you have questions about the mediation process as used by our experienced attorney-mediators, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Our Core Philosophy At Split Simple, we’ve built an uncontested divorce process that works. We know this because we’ve seen it work, and we’ve honed our system over years of experience. Still, for all our experience, our mediation process is built on the foundation of some core mediation principles. This foundation includes the following core beliefs: Divorces are best handled in a calm environment where the goal is a productive exchange of ideas Mediation should strive to increase each party’s sense of engagement, ownership and agency. Settlements are best when they reflect the contributions of all parties, not just the dictates of a more powerful authority figure Mediation should be fair and impartial- the attorney-mediator should not favor one side or the other and should be a disinterested party. Mediators should possess significant experience in the fields of family law and possess the relevant knowledge base required to make informed decisions Divorce mediation involving child care issues should be concerned above all else with the best interests of the child Obviously every case is unique, and there are a number of specific policies we have to handle individual issues. But these principles define our larger practice and the way we handle mediation. If the above principles strike you as sound and you want to learn more about our attorney-mediators, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### Keeping Calm during a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/keeping-calm-during-a-divorce/ - **Published:** 2015-12-10 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** The Denver divorce mediators at Split Simple located in Denver can help you stay calm during the divorce mediation process 720-501-4600 **Content:** Theoretically, a divorce is just like any legal action. There are procedures to follow, financial resources to allocate according to a set of established rules and decisions to be worked out between the parties. Of course, the reality is far different. A divorce is not just another court case. It’s the formal end of a relationship you’ve built over the course of years. That will inevitably bring with it high emotions, especially if children are involved. Split Simple recognizes these emotions. We don’t try and eliminate them. But through our uncontested divorce process, we do allow both spouses to work through the issues involved in a calm, productive atmosphere. If you’re considering a divorce and you want the experience to be professional and drama-free, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Finding Common Ground and Solutions The traditional courtroom divorce process tends to exacerbate the inherent emotional turmoil of the situation. Both spouses have lawyers who are represent them and their interests, which tends to turn a divorce into a zero-sum game. You often feel attacked by the other side- that’s the nature of an adversarial system. The Split Simple process is not adversarial, and it’s not zero-sum. Instead, we do the hard, patient work of forging agreement between two people who want what’s best for their family, even if they’ve decided to end their marriage. Our attorney-mediators have ample experience in these circumstances. We know how to ensure that a mediation stays calm and on-point. We avoid needless, hostile digressions into blame or long-standing disputes. Instead, we stay focused on important, quantifiable issues, including: Child care issues Alimony/spousal support Non-alimony financial matters We don’t treat these issues as fronts in a larger war against the other person. Instead, we help both spouses see them as the important matters of dollars and cents that they are. If you want the advantage of our skilled attorney-mediators’ years of experience with difficult divorce cases, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### The Advantages of an Attorney Mediator in Divorce Cases - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/advantage-of-attorney-mediator-in-divorce/ - **Published:** 2015-12-10 - **Modified:** 2026-05-11 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Unlike other divorce lawyers in Denver, the divorce mediators at Split Simple can help you reach an uncontested divorce through mediation 720-501-4600 --- ### The Value of Your Time - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/value-of-your-time/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Our divorce mediators located in Denver value your time and work around your schedule! Contact Split Simple in Denver today 720-501-4600 **Content:** A traditional courtroom divorce can drag on for an extraordinary length of time. It doesn’t have to, of course, but that tends to be how these cases operate. The adversarial nature of the legal process, combined with the incentives for lawyers who are paid by the hour, often combine to ensure that a divorce can take a long time to make its way through the system. This is essentially a hidden cost that is not accounted for in a normal budget. By contrast, our uncontested divorce process values your time and considers quickly reaching an agreement to be one of our top priorities. If you want to learn more about the specific nature of our uncontested divorce process, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Your Time Matters Economists have a concept they call “opportunity cost.” It refers to the larger, often hidden costs associated with investing time in any course of action. Basically, you can’t be in two places at the same time, and you can’t do more than a single thing at the same time. The time you spend, say, fixing a fence at home, comes at the cost of reading a book, pursuing other hobbies or, more concretely, working in exchange for money. This is a significant issue when considering a divorce. The cost of a traditional courtroom is about more than the amount of money you spend on lawyers. You have to take into account the time you spend in the courtroom, negotiating with your spouse in a judge’s chambers and filling out paperwork. All of those things take up time that could be spent … well, doing literally anything else. Split Simple’s uncontested divorce process is designed to fairly and equitably solve problems, but also to do so in a timely fashion. A typical mediation session is about two hours long, and most of our divorces require just two or three sessions. Some are even resolved after one session. Compare that investment of time to what you can expect in a traditional courtroom divorce. You’ll find that going through mediation with Split Simple saves you quite a bit of time. And that can be invaluable. If you’re hoping for a divorce that is as quick and painless as possible, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### Saving You Money in the Long Run - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/saving-you-money-in-the-long-run/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** The Denver divorce mediators at Split Simple located in Denver can help you save money during the divorce process with mediation services **Content:** We are committed to up-front, transparent pricing. Our belief is that you deserve as much information as possible when considering a divorce. Knowing what you can expect to pay is crucial for budgeting purposes. Completely transparent and predictable pricing has many advantages. But we know that there is a disadvantage to providing complete clarity on price: sticker shock. It’s not unusual for prospective clients to look at prices and get a bit nervous. However, we are committed to a transparent process. So while other mediators will only give you a price range, we provide a fixed, flat fee price. But we know that our process saves you significant, meaningful amounts of money in the long run. If you’re worried about the price of an uncontested divorce, we’re happy to answer your questions and address your concerns. Please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. What to Keep in Mind Opacity is a common complaint for people going through a traditional courtroom divorce. Because divorce lawyers charge by the hour and for expenses, it’s pretty much impossible for them to provide you with a clear sense of what you can expect to pay when you hire them. That’s frustrating, but that also means it’s difficult for a lot of clients to wrap their minds around the true cost of a courtroom divorce. They don’t see that true cost until the final bill comes due. Many people, having considered both the uncertainty of traditional courtroom divorce and the open pricing of our mediation services, opt for do-it-yourself divorce – they find the appropriate documents online, then fill them out themselves. This has a certain appeal, but it’s also a risky endeavor. It takes a lot of time to properly fill out the paperwork associated with a divorce, and it will take even more time to correct that paperwork if a judge refuses to approve your settlement. At Split Simple, we offer cost and time certainty. You can budget for our prices and make plans around our mediation sessions. And the best part is this- the price you agree to pay will be the price you end up paying, with no exceptions. You won’t have to shell out extra for additional services or fees. We handle document completion and submission as part of our core services, and in the unlikely event that a judge refuses to approve your agreement, we will make the necessary changes completely free of charge. If you’re considering a divorce and you’re looking for a completely transparent and understandable pricing structure, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### Earning a Judge's Approval for Your Settlement - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/judges-approval/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-23 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more about how our attorney-mediators located in Denver and Aurora can help you earn the approval of a judge for your divorce settlement. **Content:** Most of the focus in our discussions of our uncontested divorce process has been on the mediation sessions itself, as well as the advantages that come from choosing Split Simple. But while our attorney-mediators are, of course, quite skilled at navigating through a mediation session and forging agreement between two spouses, it’s important to remember that the process doesn’t end once an agreement has been reached. Any settlement must first be approved by a judge before it can become official. With Split Simple, this isn’t a problem. It’s one of the many reasons you choose us for your uncontested divorce. If you’re looking for a divorce mediation firm with a history of earning approval from judges, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Our Guarantee to You For your divorce to finalize and your marriage to officially dissolve, a judge must sign off on the settlement the parties have reached. This is obviously not much of a concern in a courtroom divorce presided over by a judge- the judge is shaping the agreement throughout the process. However, it can be issue if you opt for a do-it-yourself divorce, as many are doing. The laws governing divorce are complicated and vary from state to state. If the agreement you and your spouse draw up runs afoul of a law, it will not be approved by a judge, and you two will have to go back to the drawing board. And knowing just how to change the settlement in a way that earns a judge’s approval is its own art form. This is one of the many advantages to choosing Split Simple. When we draw up a divorce settlement, winning a judge’s approval is nearly automatic. Our attorney-mediators are fully aware of all relevant divorce laws and craft agreements accordingly. We have an extraordinary track record of earning a judge’s approval on the first try. And we make this promise to you: if the judge rejects the agreement we have helped forge, for any reason, we will make the necessary changes completely free of charge. We will not force you to pay extra just to change an agreement. This is part of our commitment to provide you with transparent, up-front pricing you can rely on. If you’re considering an uncontested divorce, you need an honest, up-front attorney-mediator with a track record of success. Please call us today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### Immediately After Your Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/immediately-after-your-divorce/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Divorced - now what? Click Here or call for help from our divorce attorney mediators located in Denver & Aurora with preparing for life after your divorce **Content:** At Split Simple, we recognize that the uncontested divorce process needs to serve a larger goal- putting you, your spouse and your children in a position to succeed once the divorce is final. We know that no matter how smooth the process, it’s meaningless if everyone involved isn’t well-positioned afterward. Our goals for you include doing everything we can to ensure that both parties are fairly treated and left with enough resources to succeed. We have a proven track record of doing just that. Our attorney-mediators possess a comprehensive understanding of the financial and familial challenges posed by divorce, and we know how to help you navigate those challenges. If you’re looking for a divorce mediation firm that understands the unique challenges you’re facing, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. How We Prepare You for Post-Divorce Life Divorce lawyers are very good at what they do, which is representing you throughout the process of a traditional courtroom divorce. However, they’re often unconcerned with what happens after the divorce is finalized. Post-divorce life is not always easy. It’s a difficult emotional time, but more concretely, you’re facing unique financial difficulties while trying to help your children navigate a new family structure. Here’s how Split Simple positions you to succeed after a divorce: By keeping the process calm and drama-free, we make it easier for you to have a friendly, productive relationship with your ex-spouse We use advanced financial planning software to help with financial matters and ensure you have sufficient resources after the divorce is finalized Studies show that divorce mediation is a superior option for children, who perform better and experience fewer issues than they do after a traditional courtroom divorce We craft a comprehensive parenting plan that resolves all issues related to child care, including custody arrangements, child support and decision-making authority Our work is only a success if everyone involved in a divorce, including both parties and the children, leaves us well-equipped to move forward in the brave new world they now face. If you’re considering a mediated divorce and you have questions about the process, please call us today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### Document Completion and Submission - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/document-completion-submission/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Contact Split Simple today for help with completing and filing your divorce papers in Denver! Our divorce mediators can help you finalize your divorce in Denver **Content:** The legal system runs on paperwork. Whatever the specific nature of the issue, every case requires extensive documentation. Any time you interact with the legal system you’ll have to fill out more forms than you can count – and it’s important you do so correctly. Divorce is no exception. No matter where you live, you’re going to have to complete a lot of paperwork and submit carefully detailed documents throughout the process. This is one of the problems with do-it-yourself divorce – it’s difficult to successfully fill out all relevant paperwork without guidance. As part of Split Simple’s uncontested divorce process, we complete all relevant documentation. You won’t have to worry about working your way through mountains of paperwork- we do that for you. If you have questions about our proven, effective uncontested divorce process, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Why This Matters The prospect of filling out paperwork sounds tedious, but simple. How difficult can it be to follow directions and fill in the appropriate information? In most circumstances, it’s not difficult at all. But when it comes to divorce (or, really, any documentation associated with the legal system), the reality is quite complicated. And any mistakes can cost you a lot of time and money. When completing documents for a divorce, you have to ensure that everything agreed to in the paperwork is in accordance with all relevant state laws. And you have to ensure that everything you put on paper is 100 percent accurate. If it’s not, a judge won’t accept the agreement, and you’ll be back to square one. At Split Simple, we eliminate the tedium and uncertainty. Our attorney-mediators personally fill out all of the paperwork required to finalize a divorce. We also guarantee that the agreement we reach will earn a judge’s approval, or we will make the appropriate changes at no additional cost. If the prospect of avoiding the hassles of legal paperwork appeals to you, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### The Benefits of Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/benefits-of-mediation/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click or call 720-501-4600 for the benefits of mediation during divorce versus a courtroom divorce, and our divorce mediation services in Aurora & Denver **Content:** Deciding between mediation or a courtroom divorce can seem difficult. More people are familiar with the idea of a courtroom divorce than they are with the reality of divorce mediation.  Some couples aren’t even aware that mediation is a possibility. But at Split Simple, we have years of experience providing clients with the benefits and advantages of mediation. Every case is unique, and we can’t say the divorce mediation is the right path in every case, but we’ve rarely run into any problems that can’t be solved via mediation. If you want to learn more about how Split Simple can help you with Aurora divorce mediation and divorce mediation services in Denver, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920. What Are the Advantages of Your Process? Split Simple’s uncontested divorce process has been honed over years of experience. It’s a rigorous, data-driven, transparent system that values your time and money, while leveraging the most recent research to create parenting plans that address child care issues in a way that’s best for your family. If you’re like most of our clients, you expect everything you invest in to have a proven track record of success. Our attorney-mediators can boast of just such a track record. The advantages of mediation in a divorce case are many and include: A calm, relaxed, professional, productive and drama-free environment. Our attorney-mediators work with both parties, so there is no adversarial dynamic. We save you money in both the short run and the long run. Our pricing is completely up-front and transparent- there are no surprises at Split Simple. Studies show that children whose parents opted for a mediated divorce have better outcomes and experience fewer problems than those whose parents chose a traditional courtroom divorce. Agency – in a Split Simple mediation session, you have the opportunity to thoroughly discuss the issues and play a significant role in forging an agreement on those issues. Transparency – we make sure all decisions are completely clear and understandable. We share summaries of each session with both parties after the session is over. We know you have questions, and we welcome them. We’re confident that a full consideration of the advantages of mediation will lead you to choose Split Simple and our experienced attorney-mediators. If the idea of a smarter, simpler and cheaper divorce process intrigues you, please call us today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation.   --- ### The Role of Attorneys in the Divorce Process - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/role-of-attorneys-in-divorce/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more information about what our divorce mediator attorneys do to help you and your spouse during divorce mediation in Aurora and Denver **Content:** One of the reasons many people choose Split Simple is a desire to avoid dealing with a traditional courtroom divorce. Our attorney-mediators all have training as lawyers, and we respect the work attorneys do, but we’ve found that our uncontested divorce process represents a superior option for our clients. Experienced family lawyers and divorce lawyers are expensive, and going through a courtroom divorce can be time-consuming. Generally speaking, our clients wish to avoid these concerns. However, some clients opt to undergo divorce mediation with Split Simple while retaining a lawyer to represent them. We can work with this arrangement and have experience doing so. If you’re considering a divorce and you want to learn more about our proven process, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation. How We Accommodate Attorneys A typical Split Simple mediation session is relatively simple. Our attorney-mediator sits in a room with both spouses and we work through the contentious issues. Each session is about two hours long, and most divorces require one or two sessions, though that obviously depends on the specific circumstances involved. Things are obviously a little different when attorneys are involved. Generally speaking, clients who retain attorneys do not sit in the room and talk with each other during the mediation session. Most lawyers discourage such a back-and-forth, in fact. Instead, our attorney-mediator shares the room with you and your lawyer, discussing the issues without the presence of your spouse.  The attorney-mediator then moves to the other room, meeting separately with your spouse and the respective attorney. This, as you can imagine, adds another layer of complexity to an already complex situation, and it tends to take a bit longer. We understand the appeal of having someone on “your side” during a divorce, and we will accommodate you and your spouse if you decide to retain attorneys. However, Split Simple’s process saves you money in the long run, and you may consider using your attorney for consultation outside of the mediation session. We want to find a fair and equitable arrangement, and we want to do it in a timely fashion that recognizes the importance of your time. If you believe divorce mediation might be appropriate for you and your spouse, please call us today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation. --- ### Our Divorce Mediation Guarantee - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/our-guarantee/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-12-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click or call 720-501-4600 for more about our guarantee for our Divorce mediation services in Aurora & uncontested divorce mediation services in Denver! **Content:** A Rigorous, Data-Driven, Transparent Process One of the most common frustrations for people going through a traditional courtroom divorce is that they don’t really understand why decisions are being made the way they are. There’s a certain opacity to that process, and when the decisions affect your family and your finances, that can be galling. At Split Simple, our divorce mediators offer a different process. It’s transparent, not opaque. The decisions are carefully explained, not dictated from on-high. And our process lets you affect the course of your divorce through mediation, instead of leaving you confused and powerless. We have developed a mediation system based on years of experience and data, and we make sure you understand every step of that process. If you’re looking for a divorce experience that values your time and money, please call us today at 720-501-4600 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services. How We Work What We can Achieve What You can Expect after Your Mediation Session Our Availability to You How Divorce Mediation at Split Simple Works Our commitment to transparency begins with our pricing. Traditional divorce lawyers usually charge by the hour, plus expenses. This adds up quickly, but even worse, it’s almost impossible to determine how much you can expect to pay when you hire a lawyer. By contrast, we place our prices on this website for you to consider at your leisure. Not only do we save you money in the long run, you will have the ability to budget accordingly. But it’s during the Denver and Aurora divorce mediation process that the advantages of our system really make themselves clear. We discuss complicated financial matters in great detail during these sessions, and we know this can be a little confusing, even for numerate, well-educated clients. That’s why we maintain a running spreadsheet that is projected on a large screen during the session. You will be able to see the effects of every decision made during the session and keep track of them for your own records. Furthermore, after every session we will e-mail you detailed summaries (with numbers) of what was discussed during the session. You will have a comprehensive record of what was decided during mediation. This eliminates any confusion or frustration at a later date. All of the decisions made during divorce mediation are made in collaborative discussions between you, your spouse and your attorney-mediators. Nothing is imposed on you — you will be able to solve problems constructively in our setting. We use sophisticated financial planning software to ensure that both parties are treated fairly during the process. And in crafting a plan to resolve common child care issues, we rely on the latest scientific studies on what provides the best outcomes for your children. We want what’s best for your family, and we believe data can provide at least part of the answer to that question. What We can Achieve On a foundational level, our most important goal is achieving… --- ### Working with Your Schedules - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/working-with-your-schedule/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here or call 720-501-4600 to contact the uncontested divorce attorneys located in Aurora and Denver to discuss how their process will work for you! **Content:** The demographics of our clients are such that just about all of them have busy schedules that take up a lot of time. In fact, this is why many of them consider mediation in place of a traditional courtroom divorce in the first place – they don’t want to invest a huge amount of time in a contentious, unpleasant process. At Split Simple, we understand the value of your time, and we work accordingly. Our attorney-mediators will work as hard as possible to find a time for your mediation sessions that fits with your busy schedules. If you’re considering mediated divorce and you’re looking for a company that understands the complexities of your day-to-day life, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation. How We Work with You Our uncontested divorce process begins in the simplest of ways – with a phone call. One spouse calls us and talks to us for a bit about Split Simple and how we might be able to help. If that conversation proves to be a productive one, your mediator will talk by phone to your spouse so that he/she understands the process and pricing.  Following that conversation, we then begin the process of scheduling your first mediation session. These sessions typically last around two hours, and most couples need one or two sessions to work through all of the relevant issues. That’s not set in stone, obviously, and every situation is unique. We understand that finding two hours in the middle of the day can be difficult. That’s why we offer after hours appointments and will send both parties a list of dates and times that work for our attorney-mediators. Because we effectively “represent” both parties in the divorce and not just one or the other, we will ensure that the time we find is convenient for everyone involved. Furthermore, we have multiple locations, ensuring that there is likely a convenient office near you. And if there isn’t a location that works for you, remote mediation is an option – we can conduct a mediation session through video-conferencing and screen sharing technology. We know that the logistics can seem a little daunting. We’re committed to working through all of the practical issues with you and your spouse so that everyone can sit together in a room and find a solution that is right for you and your family. If you’re considering a divorce and you want to eliminate the cost and time commitment of a traditional courtroom divorce, please call us today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online Aurora divorce mediation. --- ### A Unique Approach to Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/unique-divorce-approach/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-27 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services today! Our divorce mediators are helping couples reach divorce in Denver & Aurora **Content:**     We have talked about the details of our uncontested divorce process in other pages on this site. But it’s worth taking a little time to explain in detail why our process and our general approach to divorce are so different than what you’ll find in a traditional courtroom divorce or even other mediation options. At Split Simple, we believe in a rigorous, data-driven, transparent process. Our system is based on years worth of evidence of what works and what doesn’t, and we have crafted our process to meet the unique needs of our clients. If you think an uncontested, mediated divorce might be the solution for you and your spouse, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online. What Defines Our Process In a traditional courtroom divorce, both parties are (usually) represented by an attorney. Lawyers are ethically bound to vigorously represent the interests of their clients- doing otherwise is a violation of their ethical code. By contrast, a mediator is tasked not with representing one party, but instead with finding a solution that fairly meets the needs of both parties. It’s a significant difference. At Split Simple, our attorney-mediators work to reconcile the seemingly irreconcilable disagreements between you and your spouse. But unlike other mediation services, our attorney-mediators are also trained as lawyers. We have experience in family law and in courtrooms. That experience has led us to the conclusion that the traditional divorce process fails many clients. But it also means we understand all relevant divorce laws in your area and know how to forge a settlement that will earn a judge’s approval. The Split Simple process provides clients with a number of considerations they generally find exceptionally helpful. These include: Affordable, transparent and up-front pricing Assistance crafting a solution to all outstanding child care issues – doing what’s right for your children is our top priority Help with financial matters, including financial planning and the tax implications of divorce A guarantee that our settlement will win the approval of a judge, and if it doesn’t, we will make the necessary changes free of charge Our process is simpler, smarter and proven effective. We’re convinced it can help just about any couple trying to reach an equitable divorce settlement, no matter how intractable the problems might seem. If you want to speak with Split Simple about arranging a consultation to discuss your Denver or Aurora divorce mediation, please call us today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online. --- ### The Demographics of the Split Simple Client - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/the-demographics-of-the-split-simple-client/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Split Simple offers divorce mediation to a wide array of families in Denver and Aurora. Click Here to see what our clients have in common 855-665-9920 **Content:** What We See At Split Simple, we’ve helped people from many states and across the demographic spectrum with our transparent, data-driven uncontested divorce process. What we do works, and it works in just about every socio-economic circumstance. Still, our divorce attorney-mediators have seen a number of elements that are common to our clients. Regardless, we welcome questions and inquiries from anyone who’s considering a mediated divorce and we look forward to helping you reach a fair and equitable settlement. If you’re interested in learning more about our uncontested divorce process and deciding if it’s right for you, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online. While every case is unique, it’s been our experience that our process is effective regardless of the circumstances involved. We know how to forge an agreement for our clients and we have a track record of doing just that. Generally Speaking, Our Clients in Aurora and Denver: Are quite Internet-savvy; you know how to find what you’re looking for online, but you know better than to trust every do-it-yourself divorce form you find on the Internet. Often have high combined incomes, frequently over $100,000 a year; these situations present some unique challenges that our attorney-mediators are well-suited to resolve. Want what’s best for their children; studies find that children whose parents go through a mediated divorce are better off than children whose parents opt for a courtroom divorce. We use the latest research to resolve child care issues with a plan that best serves your children. Want fair, transparent and consistent pricing, which is exactly what we promise and which often can’t be found in the traditional legal community. Have significant conflicts to resolve; people often assume that uncontested divorce mediation is only appropriate when there are few disagreements, but that’s far from true. Our attorney-mediators often work in high-conflict divorces. Are willing to think outside the box, leave behind the traditional paradigm of the courtroom divorce and explore smarter alternatives. Obviously, you likely won’t fall into every single one of these categories, and the above is not intended to be an exhaustive list. But while we’re convinced our system can help just about anyone going through a divorce, this does reflect what we’ve consistently observed in our clients. Contact a Divorce Mediator Located in Aurora and Denver If you think a smart, simple and transparent uncontested divorce process sounds right for you, please call our divorce mediators at Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920. Or, contact us online for more information about our Aurora divorce mediation process. --- ### What to Do After Deciding to Get a Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/what-to-do-after-deciding-to-divorce/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** So you want a divorce. What's next? Contact our expert divorce mediation attorneys located in Denver and Aurora to discuss reaching an uncontested divorce **Content:** When our clients make the final decision to end their marriage, they do so after long deliberation and careful thought. It’s a difficult, intensely painful decision, and we know it’s not one you’ve made easily. Having made the decision, it’s time for you to start thinking about the logistics of actually pursuing your divorce. There’s no need to make any rash decisions – you want to be as informed as possible so that you can make these important decisions intelligently, without regret. Making the Right Decisions About Your Divorce At Split Simple, we’ve pioneered an uncontested divorce process in Denver and a Aurora divorce mediation process that fits the needs of our clients. Still, there are some steps you can take after making your decision that will make this process smoother and simpler. If you want to learn more about divorce mediation, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online. Some of what we’re about to advise might seem obvious. But it’s our experience that these things need to be clearly stated so they can be more easily remembered. It’s quite easy for “obvious” considerations to get lost in the emotional wreckage that’s lying around after the decision to undergo a divorce is made. What To Do After Deciding On Divorce: Keep calm. Do not let your emotions control you. Instead, it’s important to see your divorce through the lens of a business decision. This is vital advice at just about any point in the divorce process, of course, but emotions are particularly raw right after a decision is made. Don’t engage in petty vandalism or theft. Make sure all the communal property of your marriage is in good shape and well-documented. Assemble as much financial documentation as you can – tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, credit card statements, etc. Anything you can think of. The more information everyone has, the better your eventual settlement will be. Research your legal options online and you will find that Split Simple offers the perfect balance between obtaining an understanding of the legal issues in this life changing event, but still achieving a significant cost savings versus the traditional courtroom divorce process. Ultimately, our divorce mediators located in Denver and Aurora provide you with the information you need at this critical time without releasing control of your life to others.” Read up on Split Simple, then contrast our process with the reality of a traditional courtroom divorce. Decide if divorce mediation is an appealing option to you. Begin preparing for your mediation session. The decision to undergo a divorce is a significant one, and it will take your life in a new direction. Split Simple is committed to helping you find the right path for you and your family, all while saving you time and money.     Contact a Divorce Mediator Today If you’re considering a divorce and want to learn about your mediation options, please call our expert divorce mediators located in Illinois and Colorado today at (855)… --- ### What to Expect During Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/what-to-expect-during-mediation/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Not sure what to expect from divorce mediation? Here is what you can expect from our experienced divorce mediation lawyers located in Denver and Aurora **Content:** If you’re like many of our clients, you probably don’t have any experience with mediation, whether divorce-related or not. People are often more comfortable with the idea of a courtroom and adversarial lawyers because, for better or worse, they’ve seen that environment on TV countless times. Divorce mediation doesn’t make for very good television. As such, you might not know what to expect during your first session with our divorce attorney-mediators. The benefits of mediation are significant, but there’s always some fear when entering unexplored territory. This page will provide some important information on what you should expect during your mediation session. And, of course, we’re happy to answer any questions you might have. If you want to discuss a mediated divorce, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online. A Calm, Productive Environment The first thing to keep in mind about your divorce mediation session is that you will likely be in the room with your spouse. On rare occasions clients opt to retain attorneys during their time with us, and the role of attorneys in the process often means that the two spouses are in separate rooms throughout mediation. But you can expect to sit in a room with your spouse and our divorce attorney-mediator. As such, when preparing for divorce mediation it’s a good idea to ensure you’re mentally ready for such an arrangement. That can be a struggle for clients going through a particularly contentious separation. What to Expect From a Divorce Mediation Session: Your session will likely last around two hours. Clients generally require two sessions to reach a complete agreement. Our divorce attorney-mediator will keep track of financial arrangements on a spreadsheet that is projected on a large screen. We believe in a rigorous, transparent process, and this is a key part of it. It’s important to remember that our attorney-mediators are tasked with representing both parties and finding fair solutions. During your session, you, your spouse and your divorce attorney-mediator will discuss all the relevant issues, be they financial or familial in nature. These issues are often sensitive and complicated, but working through them is our goal. After your session, our attorney-mediator will e-mail you a comprehensive summary of what was discussed and decided upon during the session so there is no confusion or disagreement. These sessions are conducted in a calm, collected and patient atmosphere. We know the issues involved are emotionally draining, but we believe we can work through any conflict to find a reasonable solution.     Contact a Divorce Mediator Located in Denver or Aurora Today If you believe a mediated divorce might be the solution for you and your spouse, or for more information about Aurora divorce mediation please call a divorce mediator at Split Simple located in Denver and Aurora today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online. --- ### How to Prepare for Your Mediation Session - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/prepare-for-mediation-session/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for information on how you can prepare for your divorce mediation session with the divorce attorneys at Split Simple located in Denver & Aurora **Content:** We pride ourselves on our rigorous, data-driven, transparent divorce mediation process. Years of experience have proven that our process, when led by an experienced attorney-mediator, provides fair and reasonable results for our clients. As with most things in life, preparation is the key to success in divorce mediation. Our attorney-mediators will, of course, extensively prepare for your case and come to your session with a clear plan of action. But there are some things you can do before your session to ensure it will be as productive as possible. If you have questions for our divorce attorney-mediators located in Denver, or for questions about our Aurora divorce mediation process, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for a free consultation. What to Keep in Mind During Your Divorce Mediation We know that preparing for a mediated divorce session can bring up some unpleasant emotions. After all, this isn’t some conference workshop you’re prepping for – it’s the beginning of a process that will end with an uncontested divorce. Still, it’s important to work through these emotions and take certain steps before your session. We’ve found the following to be very helpful: Perhaps the most important thing you can do is to get yourself in a mental state where you can keep calm during your divorce mediation session. Divorces drag out because the simple arithmetic of a separation gets tangled up with the emotions of dissolving a long-term relationship. Take time to prepare yourself mentally- it’s important you stay calm and focused during your session. Look over your finances and figure out what your financial priorities will be. Our experienced divorce attorney-mediators help with financial matters, but knowing what you expect to need will make things easier. It’s a good idea to have some preliminary discussions about child care issues with your spouse before the session. Our attorney-mediators located in Denver and Aurora understand how important these issues are and work to find a solution that’s best for your child. Still, these issues are so vital that it’s a good idea for you to have at least a general sense of what you both are thinking before the divorce mediation session. Go through a similar process with other pieces of personal property held within the marriage. Make an honest accounting of what matters to you – putting up a fight over a given item just to put a fight is counter-productive. With the right preparation and attitude, you can expect a calm, productive divorce mediation session and a process that reflects those conditions.   If you want to speak to our attorney-mediators about pursuing a mediated divorce settlement, please call our divorce attorney-mediators located in Denver and Aurora today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online.      --- ### Why Choose Split Simple for Your Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/why-choose-us/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here to discuss how the divorce mediators at Split Simple can help your family through the difficult divorce process and reach an uncontested divorce **Content:** We’re Not Like Other Divorce Attorneys You have a lot of options if you and your spouse have decided to move forward with a divorce. There are certainly a lot of divorce lawyers in your area who will be happy to talk to you about your case. So-called “do it yourself divorces” are increasingly popular. And there are plenty of mediators available if you decide to go that route. However, we’re confident that Split Simple is the right choice for you. Our experienced divorce-mediators boast a tremendous depth and breadth of experience- we know how to shepherd you through a complicated process. Furthermore, our uncontested divorce process is proven – we’ve helped countless clients cut through thorny legal and financial issues and find their way to a happier place at the end of the process. If you want to find out if Split Simple is right for your divorce, please call our divorce mediators today at (855) 665-9920 for a free consultation. What You Get from Split Simple Split Simple offers a unique approach to divorce, one based on productive co-operation and not an adversarial airing of grievances. Our attorney-mediators work with both you and your spouse throughout the process to guarantee a reasonable result. Of course, we understand that might sound a little vague. Here are the concrete advantages you receive when you sign on with Split Simple: The experience and knowledge of our attorney-mediators- we’ve worked extensively in family law and bring that experience to bear in the mediation process Studies prove mediated divorces result in a better future for children Pre-mediation preparation- we don’t ask you to jump headlong into an unfamiliar mediation session. Our attorney-mediators provide you with documents that will help you prepare for your mediation session by organizing your needs and priorities Organized and rigorously scheduled two-hour mediation sessions that focus on the issues, not the drama Post-mediation reviews that comprehensively and transparently document everything that has been discussed and agreed upon in mediation Comprehensive completion of the final court documents, including our court acceptance guarantee- in the highly unlikely event that a judge rejects the agreement we’ve reached, our attorney-mediators will make the necessary changes without any additional charges. The emotional experience of going through a divorce is never pleasant. But the divorce attorney-mediators at Split Simple can ensure that your experience with the legal system does not have to be exhausting or embittering. If you want to discuss the possibility of pursuing your uncontested divorce with our attorney-mediators located in Denver, or for more information about our Aurora divorce mediation process, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for a free consultation. --- ### About Chris Griffith \| Divorce Attorney-Mediator - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/chris-griffith/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2018-12-31 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here for more information about Chris Griffith. I'm a divorce attorney, divorce mediator and founder of Split Simple located in Denver and Aurora **Content:** Divorce Lawyer – Mediator – Family Law Attorney Chris Griffith is a founder of Split Simple and our first divorce attorney-mediator. Experienced in both courtroom law and mediation, Mr. Griffith was in a unique position to see how traditional divorce proceedings failed families. Mr. Griffith possesses a unique breadth of experience that makes him an invaluable asset to couples considering an uncontested divorce. Trained as a lawyer, Mr. Griffith also extensively studied in the field of family therapy. He worked in family and mediation law for years before founding Split Simple. He helped develop the rigorous, transparent, data-driven process that defines Split Simple. Mr. Griffith works in Denver and helps clients throughout the state of Colorado. He is also experienced with remote mediation and can work with divorce clients who live in other states. If you’re considering an uncontested divorce in Denver, any other Colorado community or even if you live in another state but require a Colorado divorce, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for a free consultation.   Mr. Griffith’s Credentials Bachelor of Arts, Psychology- Wake Forest University; Cum Laude graduate Master of Science, Marriage and Family Therapy- East Carolina University University; First in Class JD, University of North Carolina School of Law Member, Colorado Bar Association Member, Mediation Association of Colorado Member, The Academy of Professional Mediators In his free time, Mr. Griffith enjoys skiing, hiking, traveling and spending time with his family. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have about our practice and our attorney-mediators. If you want to speak to a divorce attorney-mediator located in Denver about your divorce situation, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online. --- ### Common Misconceptions about Divorce - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/common-misconceptions/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** There are many misconceptions about divorce and what it means for you after it's over. Click here to read some of the most common misconceptions **Content:** Divorce is a fairly common phenomenon these days. Just about everybody knows someone who has been affected by divorce, assuming they haven’t already experienced it themselves. Despite this, there are still a number of misconceptions about divorce that are popular in the public imagination. These misconceptions often affect people’s attitudes when they consider a divorce. They might even convince a couple not to go through a divorce. Split Simple’s attorney-mediators know what’s true and what’s false. Our uncontested divorce process cuts through the myths and focuses on hard, quantifiable reality. That’s the only way to get a truly just result. If you have questions about our uncontested divorce process, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. Dispelling the Myths It’s always a good idea to know as much about an unfamiliar thing as possible before grappling with it. That’s as true with divorce as it is with any consumer product. You’ll be a more confident, relaxed client if you have a clear sense of what to expect during the process. Here are the misconceptions about divorce we see most often: The division of assets always has to be exactly 50/50: While an equitable division of assets is a principle of divorce law in many states, “equitable” doesn’t always mean 50/50. There’s leeway in devising an asset division plan. Fault matters: When you live in a no-fault divorce state, blame is irrelevant. With the rare exceptions of economic malfeasance or domestic violence, responsibility for the divorce will play no role in asset division or other issues. Retirement accounts must be liquidated: In fact, you will not have to liquidate retirement accounts accumulated in your name. Our attorney-mediators can craft a plan that allows the retirement account to pay out a certain amount or percentage to both spouses without liquidating it. Divorce will hurt our children: There’s no doubt that divorce is hard on kids. But experience has shown that many children are better off with two separated but loving parents instead of a household with two married parents but a poisonous atmosphere. A courtroom divorce is the only way to protect myself: Many people reject mediation because they feel it won’t protect their rights. In reality, our attorney-mediators look out for both parties. Our objective, unbiased attorney-mediators will ensure you have a chance to make your voice heard while all parties work out a settlement. We understand you might have some questions about divorce mediation in general and Split Simple in particular. We welcome these questions and look forward to explaining why our process can work for you. If you think a simpler, smarter uncontested divorce process sounds appealing, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation and uncontested divorce services in Denver. --- ### Remote Mediation - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/remote-mediation/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2025-07-26 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** If you are unable to attend mediation sessions in person, we are equipped to hand remote mediation. We can work with out of state or over seas clients. **Content:** We have multiple offices in order to provide you and your spouse with a convenient location for your mediation sessions. But there are times when an in-person mediation session just isn’t possible. For these reasons, our attorney-mediators are equipped to handle remote mediation. These sessions have as much weight and legality as an in-person mediation and are handled accordingly. This is part of Split Simple’s commitment to working with your schedules and providing you with the outstanding service you deserve. If you or your spouse thinks you might need to pursue remote divorce mediation, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for Aurora divorce mediation. The Details of Remote Mediation We occasionally have clients who live quite far from each other. This is, of course, a significant irritant in a marriage and can contribute to the decision to undergo a divorce. This arrangement poses significant logistical challenges, whether you’re pursuing mediation or a traditional courtroom divorce. At Split Simple, we’ve conducted remote mediation sessions with clients who live out-of-state and even some who are living overseas. This is no problem for us. Generally speaking, our attorney-mediator will sit in a room with the spouse who lives in the area. We use videoconferencing and screen share technology so that the distant spouse can closely follow along and fully participate. You will be able to see everything we enter on our financial spreadsheets just as though you were in the room with us. During these sessions, the laws of the state in which the session is being physically conducted will apply. For example, if the mediation session takes place in Colorado and one spouse calls in from Illinois, Colorado laws will govern the decisions made during the session. If you have questions about remote mediation or any other aspect of our practice, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 or contact us online for Aurora divorce mediation. --- ### The Role of the Attorney-Mediator - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/role-of-attorney-mediator/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2020-11-04 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click Here to see what role a divorce attorney mediator plays in your uncontested divorce process. Our divorce mediators are located in Denver and Aurora! **Content:** When going through a divorce, it’s common and expected to want someone to be “on your side.” You’re going through the dissolution of your marriage and trying to do what’s your best for your children, all while working through the division of a significant amount of property – it’s a difficult, occasionally galling experience, and having someone to champion you seems like the only way to go. However, we’ve seen time and again through the years that while divorce lawyers are very good at their jobs of representing their clients, the end result is often ugly, and the process for getting there is even uglier. At Split Simple, we’ve found another way. Through the use of attorney-mediators, we’ve forged an uncontested divorce process that is simpler, more streamlined and more pleasant than traditional courtroom divorces. If you want to speak with our attorney-mediator about scheduling a mediation session, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for a free consultation. What Is an Attorney-Mediator? In a traditional legal proceeding, there exists what we refer to as an “adversarial” dynamic: two parties are represented by lawyers who are ethically bound to fight for their clients’ interests. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this dynamic, and in fact it is the foundation of the American legal system. But it’s not always the right choice, especially when the case in question is a divorce. The process seems inherently adversarial, but it doesn’t have to be. And in our experience, it usually shouldn’t be. This is where Split Simple and our attorney-mediator come in. One of the basic principles of divorce mediation is that a mediator works to resolve disputes between two parties without favor or bias. He or she does not work for one of the parties at the expense of the other- instead, the mediator is tasked with working through problems in a way that works for both spouses. The mediator is a disinterested party, which means that he or she has no vested interest in the outcome of a case. You can think of a mediator as a more pro-active version of a baseball umpire, using knowledge of the rules and regulations to objectively guide the parties to a fair outcome. At Split Simple, our mediators have been trained as lawyers and have worked in family law. This means our attorney-mediators possess a unique set of experiences in this difficult and complicated area of law. Unlike mediators without a law degree, you can be confident that your court ready documents will be drafted in a professional manner. During your mediation sessions, our attorney-mediator will ensure that both parties are treated fairly and equitably. And we will ensure that the agreement you and your spouse reach will reflect a fair and reasonable balancing of your interests and priorities. If you think an attorney-mediator might represent the best solution for your divorce, please call Split Simple today at (855) 665-9920 for a free consultation. We have divorce mediators located in Denver and provide Aurora… --- ### Divorce Mediation Pricing - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/pricing-3/ - **Published:** 2015-12-09 - **Modified:** 2026-08-06 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Save time and money with our proven divorce mediation process. Review our pricing and costs for divorce mediation sessions - Split Simple - CO, IL **Content:** We know that one of the most significant concerns for our clients is price – you need to know what you can expect to pay for a divorce, and you need to be able to budget based on what you’re told. The costs of a traditional courtroom divorce are immense and often unpredictable. This is rightly a cause of anger and frustration for people trying to navigate a difficult time in their lives. Split Simple has another way of doing things. It’s an approach that values transparency and consistency. You can find our prices right here on this page, clear as day. And they won’t change at any point during your time with us – that’s our guarantee to you. Basic $ 1,900* w/ Children $ 1,600* w/o Children One – 2 hour Mediation Session All Document Preparation Fees Final Document Review Session Appropriate for: Simple Estates Straightforward Support Plan Get Started Standard $ 2,300* w/ Children $ 2,000* w/o Children Two – 2 hour Mediation Sessions All Document Preparation Fees Final Document Review Session Appropriate for: Typical Estates Division of Retirement Plans Spouses with Different Incomes Disagreement on Some Issues Get Started Premium $ 2,700* w/ Children $ 2,400* w/o Children Three – 2 hour Mediation Sessions All Document Preparation Fees Final Document Review Session Appropriate for: High Net Worth Estates Multiple Assets Transfers/Co-Ownership Complex Support Plan Significant Areas of Disagreement Get Started ALL PLANS INCLUDE:*Pricing is per spouse. No hourly billing. Free initial phone conversation for each spouse. No Retainer – pay as you go. Mediation Critical Checklist provided to client for preparation prior to the mediation session. Pre Mediation Assets and Debt Questionnaire provided to the client for completion. Continuing support for all court communications and court interactions until divorce is finalized.9 --- ### Contact Us - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/contact-us/ - **Published:** 2015-11-17 - **Modified:** 2026-05-11 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Click here to contact Split Simple today and begin your uncontested divorce mediation session. We have several locations across Denver **Content:** Split Simple welcomes inquiries and requests for consultations. We’re happy to answer your questions and explain the nuances of our uncontested divorce process. To arrange a free consultation, please fill out the form below. Contact Information: Split Simple, LLC 1624 Market St #202, Denver, CO 80202 Call : 855-665-9920 --- ### FAQ - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/faq/ - **Published:** 2015-11-06 - **Modified:** 2026-05-05 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Learn about mediation and what sets Split Simple apart. It's not uncommon for divorcing couples to have questions - mediator Chris Griffith explains more... **Content:** Here are some common questions and answers about divorce, mediation and other matters our clients are facing. Why should I use a mediator? How do we get started with mediation? Is the mediator my attorney? How long do mediation sessions last? What can I expect in a mediation session? How many mediation sessions will be needed? Are you able to prepare all of our court documents? What are the fees? How much can I save with mediation? I can do this myself; why should I use a mediator? We have agreed on everything. Why do we need a mediator? Why should I choose your mediation services instead of another mediator? Do you limit your practice to divorce? Where are you located? Why should I use a mediator? From the moment that someone mentions the idea of divorce, a sea of emotions rise and many times drive someone to make irrational or uninformed decisions. The mediation process allows you to control your divorce by utilizing the services of an attorney trained mediator who will listen to your concerns, obtain the information necessary to guide both of your through the process, and then provide all legally binding documents necessary to resolve your divorce. Mediation provides you with an opportunity for educated decision-making by you and your spouse as well as an intelligent resolution of all issues. It’s your divorce, you should control the process. How do we get started with mediation? The first step in the process of working with us is simple – send an email or give us a call. You will speak directly with Chris, and during the free mediation phone consultation he will provide you with an overview of the mediation process, an estimate of fees (including a description of his flat fee document preparation) and answer your questions. Following the initial phone call and agreement upon a date for the first mediation session, our office will provide you with a list of topics for discussion combined with a list of documents to assemble. These materials allow clients to prepare for the mediation sessions and utilize their time efficiently with the mediator. Even for those clients who are unable to communicate with each other outside of mediation, having the opportunity to consider these topics greatly assists couples during the actual mediation process. Is the mediator my attorney? Although Chris is a Colorado attorney, in his role as a professional Colorado mediator he works for both parties. As a result he can’t be either party’s legal counsel. Each spouse is encouraged to consult an attorney to review their case. How long do mediation sessions last? We ordinarily schedule mediation sessions for two hours in length. After years of experience we have found that two hour mediation sessions provide the appropriate balance between sufficient time to cover a significant amount of material as well as avoiding the feeling of being overwhelmed by the divorce mediation process. What can I expect in a mediation session? Mediation sessions are very focused and… --- ### Thank you for contacting us! - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/thank-you-for-contacting-us/ - **Published:** 2014-07-02 - **Modified:** 2025-06-25 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Thank you for contacting us via Facebook! Our Aurora divorce mediation services and Denver uncontested divorce services are helping couples reach divorce **Content:** Thank you for contacting Split Simple. One of our staff members will contact you shortly.  If you would like to speak with someone sooner, please call us at (855) 665-9920. Next Steps: Learn About Us Read about our Process More about Aurora divorce mediation   --- ### Privacy Policy - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/privacy-policy/ - **Published:** 2014-06-25 - **Modified:** 2025-07-24 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** The materials on this website are intended for general informational purposes and do not constitute consulting or legal advice on any matter. SplitSimple and our divorce mediation attorneys assume no responsibility for the accuracy or timeliness of any information provided, and visitors should not under any circumstances act in reliance on the materials on this website.Contact a lawyer at Split Simple for more information on how our divorce mediators located in Aurora and Denver can help you reach an uncontested divorce. **Content:** The materials on this website are intended for general informational purposes and do not constitute consulting or legal advice on any matter. SplitSimple and our divorce mediation attorneys assume no responsibility for the accuracy or timeliness of any information provided, and visitors should not under any circumstances act in reliance on the materials on this website. Disclosure Notice Any electronic communication sent to SplitSimple, our staff or mediation attorneys may not be secure and thus may be disclosed. Accordingly, we request that you do not send sensitive or confidential information electronically. In addition, the sending of electronic mail to any lawyer or other contact/address identified in the website does not create an attorney-client relationship, and the contents of any such mail are not privileged, unless the sender is a current client of SplitSimple and the communication is sent pursuant to that relationship. Transmission of Information SplitSimple does not transmit personally identifying information to third parties other than those providing web administration and marketing services to SplitSimple. If you provide personally identifying information to SplitSimple via submitting a website contact form, email or other communication, SplitSimple will not provide that information to any outside third parties without your permission. What Information We Gather User-supplied Information: If you submit a contact form on this website, you will provide personal information including your name, email address and telephone number. This information is used so we can respond to your inquiry and communicate with you in the future. Aggregate and Third-party Information: SplitSimple does use aggregate information about those who visit its website and automatically captures and stores the information in webserver logs, cookies (or similar technologies) to track and monitor visitors, including history and preferences. We also utilize services hosted by third parties that may also collect information about visitors and activities that may be used for the purpose of collecting marketing data and other business research. This website may also contain links to other third-party websites for informational or convenience purposes. SplitSimple does not control and is not responsible for any of these websites or their content, and does not endorse these websites. If you decide to access any third-party websites, you do so at your own risk. What You Can Do You may contact us by using the contact form or call 855-665-9920 to update your information or request that SplitSimple delete your personal information from our records and make no future attempts to contact you, and we will only contact you if we believe we have a legal obligation to do so. --- ### Split Simple \| Colorado Divorce Mediators - **URL:** https://www.splitsimple.com/ - **Published:** 2013-03-17 - **Modified:** 2025-07-16 - **Author:** Jim **Summary:** Contact a lawyer at Split Simple for more information on how our divorce mediators located in throughout Colorado can help you reach an uncontested divorce. --- --- # Navigation - [Documentation Overview](https://www.splitsimple.com/llms.txt): Return to the main documentation index