Welcome back to another episode of Divorce at Altitude! This week, host Ryan Kalamaya is joined by Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP) Karla Kyte to discuss the critical intersection of divorce and real estate. With real estate prices and mortgage rates making headlines, it’s more important than ever for divorcing individuals to understand how homeownership, refinancing, and mortgage assumptions play a role in their financial future.

Karla brings 27 years of lending experience in Colorado and specializes in helping divorcing clients navigate the often-overlooked financial challenges of property division and home financing. This episode is packed with key insights on common misconceptions, financial pitfalls, and essential planning strategies for divorcing homeowners.

Episode Highlights:

• Why Real Estate is a Critical Factor in Divorce: Ryan and Karla discuss why nearly every divorce involves the marital home and how real estate decisions can have long-term financial consequences.
• The Impact of Child Support & Spousal Maintenance on Loan Qualification: Learn how temporary and permanent support orders affect mortgage approvals, including why three years of support is often required for financing.
• The Hidden Challenges of Refinancing & Mortgage Assumptions: Karla dispels myths about mortgage assumptions and explains why simply “taking over” a loan isn’t as easy as it sounds—and why a refinancing strategy may be more beneficial.
• Buying a Home Before the Divorce is Final: Can you buy a home before your divorce is finalized? Yes—but only if specific legal and financial conditions are met. Karla breaks down the steps necessary to make this work.
• Why You Need a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP): Many divorcing individuals unknowingly agree to settlements they can’t execute, leading to forced home sales and financial hardship. Karla explains why early mortgage planning is crucial and how a CDLP can help prevent costly mistakes.

Key Takeaways:

• Misconceptions About Mortgage Lending in Divorce: Many attorneys and lenders misunderstand mortgage qualifications for divorcing clients. Karla reveals the most common mistakes that can derail home financing.
• Temporary Support & Its Role in Home Loans: Establishing court-ordered temporary support early in the process ca

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.

Welcome back to Divorce at Altitude with Ryan Kalamaya! In this episode, Ryan is joined by co-host and family law attorney Amy Goscha to explore how property division impacts spousal maintenance in Colorado divorce cases.

Whether you're a high-net-worth individual or navigating a more modest estate, understanding the relationship between property distribution and support obligations is critical. Ryan and Amy unpack how Colorado law approaches these issues and the strategic implications for both parties in a divorce.

Episode Highlights

Property First, Then Maintenance
Learn why Colorado courts divide property before considering spousal maintenance—and how the type, value, and liquidity of assets can affect support awards.

High-Net-Worth Divorce Scenarios
Does $10 million mean no spousal maintenance? Ryan and Amy explain why wealth doesn’t always eliminate support obligations.

Asset Composition Matters
From businesses to brokerage accounts to homes, not all assets are created equal when calculating income and support.

Lifestyle & Location
How lifestyle differences between Aspen and Grand Junction might impact maintenance—and why judges consider reasonable needs and cost of living.

Disproportionate Property Awards
Why courts may prefer awarding a greater share of property to avoid ongoing maintenance obligations—and how that plays into long-term financial planning.

Key Takeaways

• Colorado is an equitable—not equal—distribution state. Property division isn't always 50/50.
• The more property a party receives, the less likely they are to qualify for spousal maintenance.
• Maintenance is based on both need and ability to pay, and judges often consider the type of asset, lifestyle, and long-term earning capacity.
• Financial experts can play a key role in helping determine reasonable needs, passive income potential, and net spendable income.

📞 Connect with Kalamaya | Goscha
• Facebook: Kalamaya | Goscha
• LinkedIn: Kalamaya | Goscha
• Phone: 970.315.2365
• Email: info@kalamaya.law

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.

Welcome back to Divorce at Altitude with host Ryan Kalamaya! In this episode, Ryan is joined by co-host and seasoned family law attorney Amy Goscha to break down the most significant proposed changes to Colorado’s family law rules in over a decade. After spending two years working on the Colorado Supreme Court's Family Issues Committee, Amy offers a behind-the-scenes look at how these reforms aim to modernize and streamline the family law process.

Whether you're a legal professional or navigating a family law matter in Colorado, this episode provides essential insight into what’s changing, why it matters, and how you can submit your feedback before the rules are finalized.

Episode Highlights

Why Change Was Needed:
• How family law differs from other civil disputes
• Addressing Colorado’s growing pro se population and increasing court efficiency

Key Rule Updates:
• Streamlined disclosures (pay stubs, trusts, real estate, etc.)
• Merging and simplifying Rule 16.2 and Rule 26 for clarity
• Clearer standards for expert disclosures and procedures

Contempt & Attorney Fees:
• Expanded scenarios for awarding attorney’s fees
• New guidance for enforcing court orders more effectively

Special Topics Covered:
• Updates on Guardian ad Litem (GAL) appointments and expectations
• Proposed informal trial process for pro se parties
• Clarified procedures for CFIs and PREs, including virtual appearances and depositions

Key Takeaways
• Simplified, Transparent Rules: Less duplication, clearer expectations, and better access for all parties
• Modernized Processes: Improved rules for GALs, experts, and contempt proceedings
• Call for Public Input: Comment deadline is April 25, 2025, with a public hearing on May 1, 2025

📞 Connect with Us

Facebook: Kalamaya | Goscha
LinkedIn: Kalamaya | Goscha
Phone: 970.315.2365
Email: info@kalamaya.law

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.