Divorce When You’re Married to a Pilot: What Spouses Need to Know in Colorado Springs, Colorado

By Matthew C. Clawson, Colorado Divorce Attorney

If you’re married to a commercial airline pilot and facing divorce in Colorado Springs, you’re navigating unique legal challenges—especially when it comes to child support, spousal maintenance, airline benefits, and parenting time. Irregular work schedules, unpredictable pay structures, and specialized travel perks demand an approach tailored specifically to your family’s situation.

At Clawson & Clawson, LLP, we’ve represented numerous spouses of pilots, and we understand how to protect your rights and secure a settlement that provides financial stability, parenting consistency, and peace of mind.

I. Child Support: Understanding a Pilot’s Real Income

A. Colorado’s Child Support Guidelines

Under C.R.S. § 14-10-115, child support is based on:

Each parent's gross monthly income
Number of overnight stays
Daycare and health insurance expenses

B. How a Pilot’s Income Complicates Support

Airline pay structures can be inconsistent and complex. In addition to base pay, your spouse may earn:

Overtime or holiday pay
Bonuses or profit-sharing
Premium flight compensation
Per diem (not always counted but may be considered if excessive)

Don’t let your spouse underreport income. We’ve seen pilots claim only base salary, when W-2s and flight summaries reveal far more.

What to request for full income disclosure:

W-2s and tax returns
Airline pay summaries
Bonus documentation
Airline employment contract

II. Parenting Time: Creating a Schedule That Works

Pilots often receive flight schedules on short notice and are away for several days at a time. Colorado courts are increasingly open to customized parenting plans that:

Establish a routine and expectations for both parents
Require advanced notice of the pilot’s work schedule
Offer makeup time and limit cancellations
Allow virtual contact during travel periods

Sample Clause:
“Each month, the Pilot shall provide their upcoming flight schedule by the 20th. The parties will confirm the next month’s parenting time within three business days. If a conflict arises, makeup time shall be provided within 30 days.”

III. Spousal Maintenance (Alimony): Tailored to Your Needs

A. What the Law Says

Under C.R.S. § 14-10-114, spousal maintenance is determined by:

Marriage length
Income disparity
Standard of living
Work history and earning ability

For marriages over 10 years—especially where you sacrificed career growth for your spouse’s demanding job—long-term or rehabilitative maintenance may apply.

B. Specific Considerations in Pilot Divorces

Underreported income: Flight bonuses, profit sharing, and travel perks must be considered.
Pilot retirement at age 65: Include a step-down clause or early buyout option in the settlement.
Military retirement: If your spouse flew for the military, you may be entitled to a share of their pension or Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).

IV. Airline Perks: What Happens to Travel Benefits?

Airline pilots often receive perks like:

Discounted or free travel
Buddy passes for family
Frequent flyer status

These are typically not counted as income, but they can be negotiated in divorce—either for continued use or as part of a broader property settlement.

Examples:

Continued dependent travel (if permitted by airline policy)
Valuation of perks to offset in asset division
Compensation in lieu of lost benefits

V. Protecting Yourself: What to Provide Your Colorado Divorce Attorney

To build a strong case, bring documentation such as:

Airline pay statements and tax records
Household and child-related expenses
Travel benefit details and policies
Parenting schedules or calendars
Pension and 401(k) statements

VI. Why a Pilot Divorce Requires Strategic Legal Support

Whether you’re negotiating spousal support or child custody with a commercial airline pilot, you need a Colorado divorce attorney who understands:

How to average variable income across 12 months
The true value of non-traditional compensation
The impact of mandatory retirement
Division of complex retirement accounts
How to build parenting plans around aviation schedules

Sample Legal Clause for Income Averaging

“The Pilot’s gross monthly income shall include base pay, overtime, bonuses, profit sharing, and incentive compensation, calculated on a 12-month average based on W-2s, flight pay summaries, and bonus reports.”

Final Thoughts: You Deserve Stability and Security

Being married to a pilot often means solo parenting, shifting family plans, and sacrificing your own career. As you transition into this new phase of life, your divorce settlement should reflect everything you’ve contributed and provide the foundation for a stable future.

With the right strategy, you can:

Protect your financial future
Maintain meaningful parenting time
Navigate complex airline compensation
Maximize spousal maintenance and asset division

Contact Clawson & Clawson, LLP Today

If you’re preparing for divorce in Colorado and your spouse is a commercial airline pilot, don’t go it alone.

We’ve handled family law cases involving pilots from major Colorado-based airlines, including United, Southwest, American, Delta, Frontier, and JetBlue. We know how to build agreements that work.

Matthew C. Clawson

Colorado Family Law Attorney
Clawson & Clawson, LLP – Over 100 Years of Combined Legal Experience
Phone: (719) 634-1848; 303-550-9873
Email: matthew@clawson.law
Website: https://www.clawsonattorney.com/