Unmarried Parents

Common Law Marriage

Child support and custody are determined by the same criteria for both married and unmarried parents. However, division of property is typically an issue only with spouses. In Colorado, a couple may be ceremonially married, or found to be married under common law. In a common law marriage, the couple's assets and debts are subject to equitable distribution just as with a ceremonial marriage.

The court decides whether the parties are married under common law. Length of a relationship or cohabitation is not the determining factor. Rather, the court considers whether the couple held themselves out to the public as being married:

Did the couple publicly refer to each other as husband and wife or take on the responsibilities of a married couple?

Did the couple file taxes individually or jointly?

Did the couple co-mingle assets, credit cards, buy health insurance, or own real estate together?

Your rights in paternity or common law marriage depend on quality legal advice and aggressive representation in court by a skilled Colorado family law attorney. Contact me today for a free consultation. I take evening and weekend appointments and I accept all major credit cards.

Unmarried Parents

PATERNITY ISSUES l COMMON LAW MARRIAGE

The Law Offices of Fred Andrew Dunsing protects the rights of men and women who are not legally married in terms of child support, child custody and in some cases, the division of assets and debts. Contact a Colorado family law attorney who will aggressively protect your rights.

I am an experienced trial lawyer with extensive knowledge of Colorado law concerning unmarried parents, paternity actions, and common law marriage. I will personally handle your case, not a paralegal, and I will return your telephone calls and answer your questions.

Law Offices of

Fred Andrew Dunsing

Offices in Denver

and the Vail Valley

Establishing Paternity

In Colorado, there are primarily two ways to address parental rights and child support, and I advise client on the appropriate legal approach. For instance, if the paternity action in filed under the Colorado Children's Code, child support and birth-related expenses can be ordered retroactive to the date of birth. This would be beneficial for a single mother filing a paternity claim against an absent father. If the action was filed under Colorado's domestic code, back child support can only be ordered to the date the petition was filed. This might make more sense for a father seeking to establish a relationship with his child.

If fatherhood is in dispute, the court can order genetic testing to prove paternity. I represent either mothers seeking financial support or fathers seeking visitation or custody.

Law Offices of Fred Andrew Dunsing

Colorado Family Law Attorney

Metro Denver Avon/Vail Valley

1776 S. Jackson St., Ste. 1107 70 Benchmark Rd., Ste. 207

Denver, CO 80210 Avon, CO 81620

Phone: (303) 758-8981 Phone: (970) 343-0023

Fax: (303) 758-1639 Fax: (303) 295-8999

I am a Martindale-Hubbell® AV® Preeminent™ Rated Attorney (2011).

My family law practice serves clients in Metro Denver, the Vail Valley, and the Front Range of Colorado, including Avon, Littleton, Englewood, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Broomfield, Westminster, Arvada,

and Golden, and throughout Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Eagle, and Jefferson Counties.

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You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

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