Divorce, child support and custody will affect all
aspects of your life, especially if you have young children, for a
substantial period of time. Divorce is now referred to as dissolution
of marriage; child custody issues are now called allocation of parental
responsibilities. Divorce rules require a minimum of 90 days to conclude
but may take longer due to court congestion or if either party
(petitioner or respondent) contests the matter. Noncontested matters,
that is if both the petitioner and respondent are able to agree, are
generally concluded by a written separation agreement which covers child
support, parental responsibilities, parenting time, payment of debts,
maintenance (alimony), and division of property. If both parties cannot
reach an agreement on all issues of parental responsibilities, spousal
maintenance, division of property, or payment of debts in the
dissolution of marriage action, then the matter is considered to be a
contested dissolution or divorce, and the judge will render the
decisions.
Grand County judges are, like all judges, unique in
divorce, child custody, and child support matters. Experiences in
metropolitan areas will not necessarily apply to Grand County cases. I
have appeared in court on many cases before the current judges who will
make decisions in your case.