Divorce Lawyer Colorado Springs, CO

Dissolving your marriage is a complicated and strenuous experience for anyone that has never been through a divorce proceeding before. The need for an experienced Colorado Springs family attorney could not be greater. Emotions are incredibly high, and the path for your future (and your children’s) is at stake.
How do you adequately address the division of assets and property, child custody and support, and spousal maintenance issues to achieve a final divorce judgment if your spouse is uncooperative? By receiving proper legal consultation from a family law expert in Colorado Springs.
About Divorce In Colorado Springs, Colorado
Divorce is the final legal dissolution of your marriage. Colorado is a no-fault state; to file for divorce, one spouse must claim that your marriage is irretrievably broken.
The goal of a final divorce judgment in Colorado Springs can be stressful and complicated, depending on the assets and parenting plan involved in your marriage’s dissolution. Leave it to your experienced Colorado Springs divorce lawyer from Moran & Associates Family Law to protect your best interests and minimize the stress involved for everyone.
Residency Requirements For Colorado Divorce
Colorado requires that you be a resident of the state for at least 91 days before filing for divorce in Colorado Springs or another city. Certain exemptions to this residency requirement apply for active-duty military personnel stationed in Colorado, call an attorney for details. Children involved in the divorce proceedings must have resided in Colorado for a minimum of 181 days before the divorce filing.
How Fast Can I Get Divorced?
At least 91 days must pass in Colorado after you or your spouse received the divorce summons before the courts will dissolve the marriage. This 91-day time frame applies to legal separations as well. This state-mandated waiting period allows the couple to attempt to amicably resolve asset, custody, and support issues before they come before the court for a final divorce judgment.
The Process Of Divorce Proceedings
Initial Status Conference:
This conference must be scheduled within 30 days of the Petition of the Dissolution of Marriage being submitted, and serves the purposes of advising the judge of the conflicts that would prevent the divorce from being amicably resolved, and for deadlines to be set by the court for parties to provide documents and complete other requirements.
The conflicts that may arise during divorce proceedings and would be brought up in the Initial status conference are;
- Division of properties.
- Division of debts.
- Child support.
- Spousal Maintenance.
- Parenting responsibilities and allocation of parental time.
- Residency Requirements
Deadlines are set in the case by the judge to ensure that all disclosures, appointments of experts, and courses mandated by the court, required for the divorce attorney process, are provided promptly to allow for the cohesive flow of the case.
At the Initial Conference Hearing, the issues that the parties have agreed on will be entered into the record and a date set for the Temporary Orders Hearing to have other qualms resolved.
The Settlement Conference:
After the Initial Status Conference, both parties will be required to attempt to mediate temporary issues as are necessary for functioning from day to day while the divorce is in procession. This stage is primarily set so both parties may try to resolve as many of the conflicts involved in the dispute as before the Temporary Orders Hearing.
Dialogue may take place at the offices of either party’s Colorado divorce attorney and in cases that one or more party is unable or unwilling to meet in person; a telephone conference as well as having your attorney represent you in dialogues may be utilized.
Temporary Orders Hearing:
At this stage of the Colorado Springs divorce proceedings, a judge will make rulings on the unsuccessfully resolved issues at the Settlement Conference. The declarations made will be temporary orders made in regards to;
- Use of property.
- Payment of debts.
- Child support.
- Spousal support.
- Parenting time.
These rulings are necessary to ensure that all affairs needed for day to day functions are temporarily resolved, which will allow the divorce process to continue without haste.
The Temporary Order hearing occurs typically 30 days after the Initial Status Conference. Each case would usually be allocated an hour for both parties to make their arguments and rebut any other party’s claim that they disagree with.
Mediation:
This stage allows both parties to try to reach a final resolution of the conflicts in a divorce through dialogue. The time frame allowed for the completion of mediation ensures that deadlines are met, so documents and expert analysis will be available for review before any decisions are made.
The mediation process is handled by an expert who will review the case from each party’s perspective and make appropriate recommendations based on the case. The mediator will argue for both parties to be reasonable in their demands and provide honest input on either party’s requests based on the Colorado judicial system.
The mediation process promotes the free flow of ideas from both parties without any proposal made being viewed as an agreement or being held accountable for suggesting a willingness to make a compromise.
Final Orders Hearing:
After mediation options have been exhausted, the Final Orders Hearing will convene. This hearing is presided over by a judge who will judge any unresolved issues to dissolve the marriage. Agreements that were reached in mediation will be entered into the records at this stage.
During this hearing, the presiding judge will hear arguments from both parties and listen to testimonies regarding issues ruling is to be made on, and review evidence/documents provided in the case. When a judge has reviewed all the circumstances in the case, a final ruling will then be made and put into effect, allowing the marriage to be completely nullified.
Rulings made at the Final Orders Hearing are final and must be adhered to. With some decisions, the judge may set milestones or indicate the length of time these orders will affect.
What A Colorado Springs Divorce Lawyer Can Do For You
There is no way around the fact that a Colorado divorce is often emotionally draining and is sure to take a toll on your finances.
Family relationships often suffer as well because not everyone will be happy that a couple is divorcing. A divorce decree gives both parties the peace of mind that they are no longer legally intertwined and sets a concrete path for spousal support and parenting responsibilities if children are involved. But more than anything, a divorce gives both parties a fresh start at building a new life with someone they can be happy with moving forward with their life.
Our expert Colorado Springs divorce lawyer at Moran & Associates Family Law understands that each divorce case is unique and will work tirelessly to ensure that your best interests as a client are always first and foremost.
No matter how simple or complex your case may be, it would be best if you had a strong lawyer on your side during this incredibly emotional and demanding time. Many of our clients start the divorce process on their own utilizing the self-help family law forms available online from the Colorado Courts website. The vortex of a child custody battle and spousal support issues when a couple is already struggling financially is often overwhelming to the point they need help.
During these turbulent times, you need a robust and clear thinking adviser you can count on to give you the expert legal advice you need to get through this challenging time in your life. The majority of divorce cases are worked out between parties without going to trial in Colorado Springs. However, if your divorce case does go to trial because your spouse is uncooperative, your case is in the hands of an experienced trial lawyer. As a former prosecuting attorney in El Paso County, Colorado, our family law attorney is highly effective in a courtroom setting.
Don’t go down this path alone; get the divorce attorney you need to guide you every step of the way. We will answer your questions, provide outstanding legal advice, and make your divorce as painless for you.
Contact us online to begin your free consultation. Or call (719) 447-0762 to speak with Mike Allen directly.
Moran & Associates Family Law
220 E Costilla St
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 447-0762