Colorado's Premier Family Lawyers
Let us guide you through a divorce without the drama, without costing you a fortune, and without ruining your family.
DEDICATED TO SERVING FAMILIES ACROSS COLORADO FOR OVER 25 YEARS
Colorado family LAW Attorneys
Colorado Divorce Advocates is a law firm focused on Divorce and Family Law. Our experienced team of divorce lawyers is here to help you through your case, providing effective support without overwhelming costs or causing harm to your family. We know every case is unique, so we always customize our approach to fit your specific needs.
Getting a Divorce in Colorado
In Colorado, divorce cases begin when one party files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Alternatively, parties can file a Petition for Legal Separation or a Petition for Allocation of Parental Rights (for custody cases involving unmarried parents). These petitions can also be filed jointly as co-petitioners, allowing both parties to initiate the case together, which can help reduce contention and attorney fees.
Divorce Case Evaluation in Colorado
Our law firm provides a case evaluation for those dealing with divorce, legal separation, or child custody matters. This helps individuals understand their options and what a successful resolution might involve. It also allows us to assess each specific situation and determine how we can assist.
Our Attorneys
The divorce attorneys at our firm are highly skilled in developing a strategy that will get you through your case in the best way possible – with the best outcome, lowest cost, and least amount of emotional stress. We will always guide you through your case in the way that is most beneficial to you, based upon your unique needs and circumstances. To give you the best results and to create an accurate strategy for your specific case, our family law attorneys will help you determine if you are facing a mediated divorce, collaborative divorce or, in some instances, a highly-contested divorce.
Put your case in our expert hands. Our lawyers are honest, hard working and smart, and handle divorce and family law cases throughout Colorado. Without question, they'll look out for your best interests.
What Our Clients Say
"Brian and Tim handled my case efficiently and effectively. They are professional, compassionate and brilliant. They worked very hard for me and kept me at ease throughout the whole process. If you need help, especially with Divorce they are worth every penny"
"My experience with their staff and personnel has been nothing short of 5 stars. They are hard working, driven, and dedicated to helping their clients. Personally I worked with Jacob Lucas and his optimism and intelligence made me feel that I could not have entrusted my situation to more capable hands."
"I have had the pleasure of working with Trista McElhaney who is incredibly knowledgeable, articulate, experienced and efficient. Her clients are her top priority and she is more than capable of handling any family law case, no matter how amicable or difficult the case may be. She is supportive and engaged during the entire process and clients trust her advice because of her straightforward, honest approach. She is an integral part of the team and I would highly recommend her."
"A STELLAR law firm with impressive systems in place! I felt comfortable going into trial knowing Skyler & Brian had prepared my case! Strategies were being utilized right up to the day before trial. Skyler Archer, really showed me her passion during cross examination. I was very proud to sit at the table with her at my trial & to say that this firm helped me in every way through my divorce. I would recommend Skyler Archer, and all attorneys at this firm. The results they fought for, were better than I could have expected! I will always be thankful for their hard work and dedication!"
"Brian Bagley basically saved our lives. Everyone at the firm was always kind and helpful. Tim got us the best deal possible for my partner. He communicated with us consistently and clearly and was patient and helpful with all of our questions and concerns. For Jefferson county, I couldn't imagine anyone doing a better job for us than Tim did!"
Frequently Asked Question
No two divorce cases are exactly alike, but many involve common issues. If you are seeking to dissolve your marriage, you will likely need to address:
- Property Division
- Child Custody / Parenting Time
- Child Support
- Spousal Maintenance
At Colorado Divorce Advocates, we understand that divorce can be overwhelming. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through your options.
Colorado Divorce Advocates brings two decades of experience in Colorado family law. As an experienced trial attorneys and mediators, we achieves results both inside and outside the courtroom. Whether your case is contested or uncontested, we are here to help. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you.
Once you meet Colorado’s residency requirement (typically, you or your spouse must have lived in Colorado for at least 91 consecutive days), the divorce process follows a set legal procedure. Here’s an overview:
File a Petition for Dissolution: The divorce process begins when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the court, or both spouses file together. Filing jointly does not provide any legal advantage, and the process remains the same.
Serve the Documents: If it’s not a joint petition, the spouse who filed must serve the other spouse with the divorce papers and a summons. Alternatively, the respondent can sign a waiver of service to acknowledge receipt of the documents.
Response to the Petition: The respondent has 21 days (or 35 days if residing outside Colorado) to file a response to the petition.
Meet with the Judge at the Status Conference: Around 40 days after filing, an Initial Status Conference is held. This is the first court appearance, where both spouses can ask questions and discuss unique case issues.
Disclose All Assets: Both parties must fully disclose their financial information, including assets and debts, to the court.
Receive an Order of the Court: Couples who settle their case through mediation can present a Memorandum of Understanding or a Separation Agreement to the court. The judge can approve the agreement and issue a court order.
Proceed to Permanent Orders Hearings: If mediation fails, the case proceeds to Permanent Orders Hearings, where the judge will hear evidence and make decisions on unresolved issues.
Receive a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage: The judge will issue a final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage, addressing alimony, child support, custody, property division, and any remaining points of contention.
Temporary orders can also be issued before the permanent orders hearing to address immediate needs, such as parenting decisions.
Divorce costs depend on the complexity of the case and the legal involvement needed.
- Uncontested divorces without children usually cost between $3,500 and $4,200, as they don’t involve child-related issues.
- Contested cases can cost up to $20,000, especially if significant court involvement is required.
- On average, Colorado divorces range from $9,700 to $11,800.
At Colorado Divorce Advocates, we strive to provide cost-effective legal solutions tailored to your unique situation.
The length of a divorce in Colorado depends on the specifics of the case and whether it is contested or uncontested. The fastest a divorce can be finalized is 91 days, as there is a mandatory waiting period that starts once the respondent is served with the petition. For couples who agree on the terms, the process can be relatively quick, but they still need to wait 91 days before the divorce decree is issued. Contested divorces, where there are disputes about key issues, can take much longer.
Mediation allows couples to settle their divorce outside of court. It’s a highly effective method where both parties meet with a neutral mediator to resolve issues like:
- Parenting time
- Child custody
- Property division
- Spousal support
The mediator helps guide the discussion, encouraging the couple to reach an agreement on these matters. Mediation is ideal for couples who can cooperate and are willing to work together. For those who cannot, litigation might be a better option. Mediation saves time and money and is often a less stressful alternative to court.
Divorce, legal separation, and annulment all address the end of a marriage, but they are distinct options:
- Divorce: This legally ends a marriage, and both parties lose the rights and benefits of being married.
- Legal Separation: This allows couples to live apart without formally ending the marriage. It's a middle ground for those unsure about divorcing, and the marriage can be resumed if desired.
- Annulment: An annulment declares the marriage invalid from the start, but it is harder to obtain than a divorce. Grounds for annulment include fraud, duress, incapacity, or that one spouse was already married.
It’s important to understand which option best fits your situation. Speaking with a lawyer at Colorado Divorce Advocates can help clarify which path is right for you.
Colorado follows "marital property" laws, meaning that only assets and debts acquired during the marriage are divided in a divorce. Examples of marital property include:
- Real estate
- Investments (stocks, bonds)
- Vehicles
- Personal property (including pets)
If the couple cannot agree on how to divide property, the court will divide assets equitably, which doesn’t necessarily mean equally. Factors like the length of the marriage and each spouse’s income will influence how property is divided fairly.
