What to Expect in Your First Divorce Consultation in Colorado
The first meeting with a divorce attorney is often a “triage” moment—especially when everything feels uncertain. In this episode of Divorce at Altitude, co-hosts Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha walk through the most common questions clients ask during an initial consultation, using the hypothetical divorce of Eric and Melanie Wolf as the framework.
Ryan and Amy discuss what matters (and what doesn’t) in a Colorado divorce, including whether fault is relevant, who should file first, how parenting plans are determined, and when dating becomes a problem. They also explain key early issues like moving out of the marital home, how property division is analyzed when there’s a business or major assets, and what to expect with spousal maintenance—so listeners can leave that first meeting with clarity, direction, and realistic expectations.
Episode Outline
Does the Reason for Divorce Matter?
Why Colorado is a no-fault state, how “marital waste” can come into play, and when conduct matters most (especially involving children).
Does It Matter Who Files First?
When filing first can matter procedurally, when it doesn’t, and how the tone of filing can influence the trajectory of the case.
How Parenting Plans Are Decided in Colorado
A breakdown of parenting time and decision-making, the “best interests” factors, and the modern trend toward shared parenting responsibilities.
When Can I Start Dating?
Why dating isn’t prohibited but can become a major complication, including risks involving money, discretion, and introducing new partners to children.
How Property Division Works
How Colorado distinguishes marital vs. separate property, why title alone doesn’t control, and how businesses and complex assets change the analysis.
Should I Move Out of the House?
Key factors that drive this decision, including finances, safety concerns, parenting dynamics, and practical interim options.
Spousal Maintenance Basics
How courts look at need and ability to pay, why property division comes first, and why high-income cases require a different analysis than guideline cases.
What Clients Should Take Away from the First Meeting
How the initial consultation should reduce fear, clarify next steps, and help clients define priorities and set reasonable expectations.
What is Divorce at Altitude?
Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado.
To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here. If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at info@kalamaya.law.
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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.
