Colorado Family Law Attorneys

The shortest a divorce can take in Colorado is 91 days from the date the case is filed or the responding spouse is served. However, divorces involving disputes over children, finances, or property often take longer. You can schedule a free consultation and talk to our local Colorado family law team, who can explain the different timelines that might apply to your case.

To file for divorce in Colorado, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for at least 91 days before filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the county district court where either spouse resides. The process typically includes filing paperwork, exchanging financial information, and resolving issues such as property division, child custody, child support, and spousal maintenance.

The cost of a divorce varies depending on the complexity of the case and whether the parties agree on key issues. Uncontested divorces are generally less expensive than contested divorces involving disputes over property, parenting time, or support.

You can use our calculators to help you determine the costs associated with your situation. We now also offer our SimpleStart™ reduced retainer program to help eligible clients afford representation.

Colorado courts allocate parental responsibilities based on the best interests of the child. Judges evaluate factors such as the child’s needs, each parent’s involvement, the ability of parents to cooperate, and whether each parent supports the child’s relationship with the other parent. See C.R.S. § 14-10-124.
Learn more about the best interest of the child standard.

Possibly. A parent who wants to relocate with a child must usually provide notice to the other parent. If the move would significantly affect parenting time, the court may need to decide whether the relocation is in the child’s best interests.

Yes. Parenting time and decision-making orders can be modified when circumstances change, and a modification would serve the child’s best interests. The process and legal standards depend on the type of change being requested.

Learn more about custody modifications in Colorado.

Colorado uses a set formula to calculate support under the Colorado child support guidelines. The court considers each parent’s gross income, the number of children involved, parenting time, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and other specific child-related expenses. The goal is to make sure children receive financial support from both parents. You can get an estimate of what your child support payments may look like by using our child support calculator. The Colorado courts also provide an official Colorado child support calculator for general estimates.

Yes. Child support can be changed when there’s been a significant change in circumstances since the current order was entered. Common reasons to request a modification include losing a job, receiving a substantial raise or pay cut, changes to the parenting schedule, rising childcare costs, or changes in a child’s needs. If your current child support order no longer reflects your family’s reality, you may be able to ask the court to review and update it.

If child support is not being paid, the court has ways to enforce the order. Depending on the situation, enforcement may include wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, bank account liens, license suspension, or other collection tools. All child support payments are processed through Colorado’s Family Support Registry. If you are owed child support, you can look for help through the Colorado Child Support Services Program to enforce support obligations.

Colorado courts divide marital property using equitable distribution. This means assets are divided fairly, not necessarily equally. When spouses cannot reach an agreement, the court considers factors such as each spouse’s contributions to the marriage, economic circumstances, and the value of marital assets and debts.

No. Colorado follows the principle of equitable distribution, which means marital property is divided fairly based on the circumstances of the case. Fair does not always mean a 50/50 split.

Marital property generally includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the account or title. Certain assets, such as inheritances and gifts received by one spouse, may be considered separate property.

Not everyone qualifies for spousal maintenance after a divorce. The court looks at the financial situation of both spouses to decide whether support makes sense. That includes things like income, available assets, earning potential, and how the family lived during the marriage. Every situation is different, which is why maintenance is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Reach out to one of our experienced divorce attorneys in Colorado if you have questions about filing for spousal maintenance.

Colorado has maintenance guidelines that help courts decide whether spousal support may be appropriate and how much support should be paid. Because every family is different, there’s no standard answer. The starting point is usually each spouse’s income, but that’s only part of the picture. Courts may also look at things like how long the marriage lasted, each person’s financial situation, and whether both spouses can reasonably support themselves after the divorce.

To get an estimate of potential spousal maintenance payments, use our Colorado Spousal Support Calculator.

Yes, in some cases. A spousal maintenance order can sometimes be changed if there’s been a major change in circumstances since the order was entered. For example, one spouse may lose a job, experience a significant change in income, develop a serious health condition, or face other major financial challenges. The answer depends on your court order and the details of your situation, but a change in circumstances doesn’t always mean you’re stuck with the same maintenance arrangement forever.

In Colorado, you can ask the court for a protection order, and in some situations, temporary protection may be granted quickly. Because protection orders can impact parenting arrangements, communication between family members, and other legal matters, make sure you understand your options before taking action.

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides additional information about obtaining a protection order, including filing requirements and court procedures.

In Colorado, you can ask for a protection order if someone is hurting you, threatening you, stalking you, or seriously harassing you and you’re worried about your safety. You can also request a protection order for your children if you believe they’re in danger too.

In Colorado, how long a protection order lasts depends on what type it is. Emergency protection orders typically last for a few days while temporary protection orders last about two weeks or until the court holds a hearing. If it becomes a permanent protection order, it can last indefinitely until the court orders a change or ends it.