IS A DIVORCE LAWYER REQUIRED IN COLORADO?
Do I need a lawyer for a divorce in Colorado? Technically, no. Colorado lets you represent yourself, and many people do, but you are held to the same rules as a lawyer, and the more that is at stake, the riskier it is to handle the case alone.
While a divorce is a serious matter, it doesn't always have to be an expensive one. For a very basic uncontested Colorado divorce, you can file your paperwork using the court's own forms, without hiring a Colorado Springs divorce lawyer. It will not be free, though: the court charges a filing fee, and some local requirements carry their own costs.
This guide explains when representing yourself can work, when it is risky, what you will file, the free and low-cost help the courts offer in El Paso and Teller counties, and how to find a lawyer if you decide you want one.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Representing Yourself Is Common in the Fourth Judicial District
- What You File to Start a Colorado Divorce
- When Your Divorce Is More Complex
- What a Divorce Lawyer Handles
- Free and Low-Cost Help From the Courts
- Limited Help From a Lawyer or Legal Paraprofessional
- Finding a Divorce Lawyer in Colorado
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Talking With a Colorado Springs Family Law Attorney
- Sources
REPRESENTING YOURSELF IS COMMON IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
If you are thinking about handling your own divorce, you have plenty of company. The Colorado Judicial Branch's report on cases and parties without attorney representation for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025 through June 2026) counted 5,708 domestic relations cases filed in the Fourth Judicial District, which covers El Paso and Teller counties. That was more than in any other judicial district in Colorado.
| Domestic relations cases filed in FY2026 | Fourth Judicial District | Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Cases filed | 5,708 | 31,415 |
| Cases with no attorney for either side | 3,916 (69%) | 21,354 (68%) |
| Parties without an attorney | 8,849 of 11,549 (77%) | 48,827 of 64,042 (76%) |
The category also includes legal separations, declarations of invalidity, parental responsibilities cases and administrative support orders. The figures are a snapshot taken on July 27, 2026, so some people without a lawyer that day may hire one later, and the report does not say how the cases turned out.
Common Does Not Mean Easy
Representing yourself is allowed, but the rules do not relax for you. The Judicial Branch's divorce self-help page warns, "If you choose to represent yourself, you are bound by the same rules and procedures as an attorney." El Paso County's domestic relations case management order says self-represented parties "will be held to the same standards as an attorney/LLP."
WHAT YOU FILE TO START A COLORADO DIVORCE
Colorado's basic rules for divorce are straightforward, even when applying them is not. Under C.R.S. 14-10-106, the court enters a decree when one spouse has been domiciled in Colorado for 91 days before filing, the marriage is irretrievably broken, and at least 91 days have passed since the court acquired jurisdiction over the responding spouse.
A Colorado divorce does not begin with an "affidavit of divorce." It begins with a Petition for Divorce or Legal Separation (form JDF 1011), filed with a Case Information Sheet (JDF 1000). The petition is a statement signed under penalty of perjury that lists both spouses' names and addresses, how long each has lived in Colorado, the date and place of the marriage, the date of separation, and any children.
It also asks about other court cases involving the family, including protection orders issued in the last five years. If you file alone, you also file a summons (JDF 1012) and have your spouse served; if you file together, no summons is needed, and the Judicial Branch notes that "It's easier and cheaper to file a case with your spouse."
If you have children, you will also prepare a parenting plan (JDF 1113) and a child support worksheet. A parent who later wants to change support files a motion to modify; our guide to a child support modification case explains that process.
The Steps After Filing
The Judicial Branch's guide, How to File for Divorce or Legal Separation (JDF 1010), lists the forms in order, and El Paso County adds local deadlines:
| Step | Forms | Timing and cost |
|---|---|---|
| Start the case | JDF 1011, JDF 1000, and JDF 1012 if filing alone | $260 filing fee, or a Motion to Waive Fees (JDF 205) |
| Respond | JDF 1015 (not needed if you filed together) | $146 fee; due 21 days after service in Colorado, 35 days if served outside Colorado or by publication |
| Financial disclosures | JDF 1111 Sworn Financial Statement, JDF 1104 Certificate of Compliance | Within 42 days after the petition is filed together or served |
| Initial status conference | None | Within 42 days of filing, usually with a Family Court Facilitator |
| Parenting class | Certificate of completion | For parents of children under 18, within 42 days of filing; $65 per person in El Paso County, with a possible waiver |
| Mediation | None | Required before a court hearing unless the court waives it; $150 per party for the two-hour session |
| Finish the case | JDF 1115 Property and Financial Agreement, JDF 1113 Parenting Plan (if you have children), JDF 1117 Support Order, JDF 1019 Decree, and JDF 1018 Affidavit for Decree without Appearance if you qualify | Not before the 91-day waiting period ends |
Fees come from the List of Fees (January 2025, subject to change), the Fourth Judicial District's mediation order and the El Paso County legal assistance list. Teller County parties should follow their own case orders.
The Only Affidavit Comes at the End
Colorado does have a divorce affidavit, but it comes at the end of the case. Under C.R.S. 14-10-120.3, the court may enter a decree on affidavit if there are no minor children and no pregnancy, or if both spouses have a lawyer or a licensed legal paraprofessional and have signed a separation agreement covering parental responsibilities and child support.
There must also be proper service, no genuine dispute about any material fact, and either no marital property or an agreement dividing it. The affidavit does not shorten the 91-day wait, the court can still require a hearing, and El Paso County's order tells self-represented parents that "you must come to court even if you have a full agreement."
WHEN YOUR DIVORCE IS MORE COMPLEX
There are, however, some details that you will want to be aware of if your divorce is more complex. In that case, it makes sense to work with a lawyer who regularly handles Colorado family law: someone who knows the local court's procedures, files the proper paperwork to protect your position, and represents your interests in the courtroom.
A good family lawyer can also help you decide whether you and your spouse can reach an agreement outside of court, or whether legal separation instead of divorce would fit your situation better.
The paperwork involved in a contested divorce is tedious. Each document you sign contains information that may affect your future: the petition and the Sworn Financial Statement are signed under penalty of perjury, and the financial statement lists your income, expenses, debts and assets. The form warns that the court can act on information that is left out or misstated, "intentionally or not."
If you have filed joint tax returns during the marriage, talk with a tax professional about filing status and the tax effects of your settlement. A divorce lawyer can flag those issues, and a tax professional can advise you on them.
A lawyer will also be able to help you identify the property, accounts and debts you and your spouse have, and which of them are marital, which affects how the assets are divided. Under C.R.S. 14-10-113, the court divides marital property in the proportions it finds just, and an increase in the value of a spouse's separate property during the marriage counts as marital property.
Situations Where Representing Yourself Is Risky
| Situation | Why it raises the stakes |
|---|---|
| Minor children | The court allocates parental responsibilities (what most people call custody) according to the child's best interests under C.R.S. 14-10-124, and the support calculation has to be right. |
| A home, retirement accounts or a business | Assets have to be valued and divided. The Judicial Branch's own agreement form says to "Seek financial advice in preparing a QDRO," the order that divides many retirement plans. |
| Military service | Retired pay and benefits involve federal rules alongside Colorado law; see our page on military divorce in Colorado Springs. |
| Maintenance | Under C.R.S. 14-10-114, in a case covered by the guidelines the court may not approve an unrepresented spouse's waiver of maintenance, or a non-guideline amount, unless that spouse has indicated awareness of the guidelines. |
| Abuse, threats or control | Under HB26-1309 (approved May 27, 2026, and not yet in the 2025 online statutes), when the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a party committed domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or a sexual assault that resulted in a child's conception, the safety and well-being of the child and the abused party become the court's primary concern. See our page on protection orders in Colorado Springs. |
| Your spouse has a lawyer | Your spouse's lawyer represents your spouse, not you, and you are held to the same rules. |
WHAT A DIVORCE LAWYER HANDLES
Your lawyer will handle many details of the divorce, including the petition or response, the financial disclosures, the agreements and the proposed decree. Where they apply, a lawyer can ask the court for maintenance, child support or temporary orders while the case is pending, which C.R.S. 14-10-108 allows either spouse to request.
A lawyer can help you avoid mistakes that can be costly, and can appear in court with you and present your evidence. It's a good idea to have a lawyer by your side when you go to court, especially when your spouse has one or the issues are contested.
If you cannot afford a lawyer and your spouse has far greater resources, raise attorney fees early. Under C.R.S. 14-10-119, after considering both parties' financial resources, the court may order one spouse to pay a reasonable amount toward the other's attorney or licensed legal paraprofessional fees and costs.
FREE AND LOW-COST HELP FROM THE COURTS
If you handle your own divorce, you do not have to do it without help. The Judicial Branch's self-help resources page says every judicial district has a Self-Help or Court Resource Center staffed by self-represented litigant coordinators, known as Sherlocks.
The El Paso County Self-Help Center
The El Paso County Self-Help Center is in Room S101 of the El Paso County Judicial Building at 270 South Tejon Street. Its staff help with court paperwork, explain procedures and help you work out your next step, in person, by email, or at a video appointment you can schedule by phone.
The center is direct about its limits: "we are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice." Teller County has its own coordinator, listed on the Judicial Branch's Sherlocks page.
Family Court Facilitators
Family Court Facilitators are court staff who help manage domestic cases and hold status conferences to explain procedural requirements. The Judicial Branch says they "cannot and do not provide legal advice" and generally do not meet with parties on request.
What Court Staff Can and Cannot Do
Chief Justice Directive 13-01, Colorado Courts' Self-Represented Litigant Assistance, draws the line for clerks, facilitators and self-help staff:
| Court self-help staff may | Court self-help staff may not |
|---|---|
| Give general information about court procedures | Give legal analysis, strategy or advice |
| Help you choose the correct forms and explain how to complete them | Recommend whether a case should be brought to court |
| Review finished forms to see whether they are complete | Predict what will happen in court |
| Explain options inside and outside the court system | Represent you, or refer you to a specific lawyer for paid representation |
Fee Waivers, Free Advice and Legal Aid
If you cannot afford the filing fee, the Motion to Waive Fees (JDF 205) asks the court to waive its own fees; the form notes that outside costs, such as transcripts, cannot be waived. The El Paso County legal assistance list (revised July 23, 2026) also points to no-cost help:
- Call-a-Lawyer: volunteer attorneys and licensed legal paraprofessionals take calls on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., and "All calls are free, anonymous and confidential."
- Email-a-Lawyer: Colorado residents can email a brief question to a volunteer and receive a written answer within seven business days.
- Colorado Legal Services: a statewide nonprofit where qualified low-income people "may receive legal services at no cost."
LIMITED HELP FROM A LAWYER OR LEGAL PARAPROFESSIONAL
If you handle most of the case yourself, you can still pay a lawyer for one piece of it. Colorado's limited legal services rule, C.R.C.P. 11(b), which the Colorado Supreme Court amended in December 2024, allows three kinds of help. A lawyer may appear for you at one or more specified proceedings, draft a document you file yourself (the document must show the lawyer's name and contact information), or simply advise you and help with the Judicial Branch forms without entering the case.
Colorado also licenses legal paraprofessionals (LLPs) for limited family law work. Under Rule 207.1, as amended effective December 1, 2025, an LLP may help in divorce, legal separation, invalidity and parental responsibilities cases, prepare forms and agreements, and examine witnesses in court. Some issues remain outside an LLP's license, such as a dispute over whether a common law marriage exists, a contested jurisdiction question, or preparing the qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) or similar document that divides retirement assets.
Our guide to whether you need a divorce advocate compares full representation, limited-scope help, LLPs and mediators in more detail.
FINDING A DIVORCE LAWYER IN COLORADO
Finding the right divorce lawyer can take some effort. You can start with a bar association: the Judicial Branch's self-help resources page links to the Colorado Bar Association's Find a Lawyer directory, and the El Paso County Bar Association runs a Lawyer Referral & Information Service. Most lawyers charge for their time, and the legal assistance list says lawyers in that referral service may charge up to $100 for an initial 30-minute consultation.
Divorce is a sensitive issue, and no one wants to feel pressured into choosing a lawyer simply because they need to get out of a marriage. It's a good idea to talk to local divorce lawyers about your case, but make sure you are comfortable with the lawyer before you sign anything.
You can also look online. Many websites let you search for Colorado divorce lawyers and list contact information and a short description of each lawyer's practice, and you may even get a feel for a lawyer's approach before you meet. Before you hire anyone, check the license: the Colorado Supreme Court's Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel offers an online Attorney and LLP Search that shows license status and any public disciplinary history.
When you need a divorce in Colorado, take the time to choose your lawyer carefully. Understandably, you might be nervous about meeting with a divorce lawyer, and it's okay to be unsure about what to ask. Just remember that the first meeting is an informative conversation that lets the lawyer explain how a divorce attorney can help with your case, and lets you decide whether that help is worth it to you.
Ask how the lawyer bills and whether limited-scope help is an option. Our guide to how much a divorce lawyer costs explains billing, retainers and court fees.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I Get Divorced in Colorado Without a Lawyer?
Yes. Colorado does not require a lawyer, and the Judicial Branch publishes the forms and instructions, but a self-represented spouse is bound by the same rules and procedures as an attorney.
How Many People in El Paso County Divorce Without a Lawyer?
In fiscal year 2026 (July 2025 through June 2026), 69% of the 5,708 domestic relations cases filed in the Fourth Judicial District (El Paso and Teller counties) had no attorney for either side, and 77% of the parties had no attorney, according to a Colorado Judicial Branch report dated July 27, 2026. Those cases include parental responsibilities and support cases as well as divorces.
Is There an Affidavit of Divorce in Colorado?
Not to start the case. A Colorado divorce begins with a petition (JDF 1011); the Affidavit for Decree without Appearance (JDF 1018) is used at the end, and only when the conditions of C.R.S. 14-10-120.3 are met.
Can Court Staff Tell Me What to Do in My Divorce?
No. Self-help center staff and Family Court Facilitators can explain procedures, help you choose forms and check whether forms are complete, but under Chief Justice Directive 13-01 they cannot give legal advice or recommend whether to bring a case.
What If I Cannot Afford a Lawyer or the Filing Fee?
You can ask the court to waive its fees with JDF 205, check whether you qualify for Colorado Legal Services, use the free Call-a-Lawyer and Email-a-Lawyer programs, or pay for limited help. The court may also order a spouse with greater resources to contribute to the other's attorney fees under C.R.S. 14-10-119.
TALKING WITH A COLORADO SPRINGS FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY
Whether you need a lawyer depends on what is at stake in your divorce, and a consultation is a way to find out before you file or sign anything. Moran, Allen & Associates Family Law Attorneys can talk through your situation, including whether limited help would be enough.
Call (719) 447-0762 in Colorado Springs or (719) 686-7554 in Woodland Park, or schedule a free consultation.
This article is general information about Colorado law as of October 2026 and is not legal advice. Court rules, forms, fees and local procedures change, so speak with a licensed Colorado attorney about your own situation.
SOURCES
- Colorado Judicial Branch, Cases and Parties without Attorney Representation in Civil Cases, Fiscal Year 2026 (report date July 27, 2026)
- Colorado Judicial Branch, Divorce or Legal Separation self-help page
- Colorado Judicial Branch, How to File for Divorce or Legal Separation (JDF 1010)
- Colorado Judicial Branch, List of Fees (January 2025 publication)
- Colorado Judicial Branch, Motion to Waive Fees (JDF 205)
- Colorado Judicial Branch, Self-Help Resources
- Colorado Judicial Branch, Self-Represented Litigant Coordinators (Sherlocks)
- Colorado Judicial Branch, El Paso County Self-Help Center
- Colorado Judicial Branch, Family Court Facilitators
- Colorado Supreme Court, Chief Justice Directive 13-01, Colorado Courts' Self-Represented Litigant Assistance
- Colorado Judicial Branch, El Paso County Legal Assistance list (rev. July 23, 2026)
- El Paso County District Court, Domestic Relations Case Management Order (FCF 400, rev. August 2026)
- Fourth Judicial District, Blanket Order to Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation in Domestic Cases (FCF 300A)
- Colorado Supreme Court, Rule Change 2024(20), C.R.C.P. 11(b) and 121 Section 1-1(5), Limited Legal Services
- Colorado Supreme Court, Rule Change 2025(20), LLP Scope of Practice (Rule 207.1), effective December 1, 2025
- C.R.S. 14-10-106, Dissolution of Marriage
- C.R.S. 14-10-108, Temporary Orders
- C.R.S. 14-10-113, Disposition of Property
- C.R.S. 14-10-114, Spousal Maintenance
- C.R.S. 14-10-119, Attorney Fees and Costs
- C.R.S. 14-10-120.3, Decree Upon Affidavit
- C.R.S. 14-10-124, Best Interests of the Child
- HB26-1309, Session Laws 2026, Chapter 163 (approved May 27, 2026)
Research references
- Colorado Supreme Court, Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel, Attorney and LLP Search and Disciplinary History (coloradolegalregulation.com), consulted October 18, 2026.