Divorce Laws in Denver, CO

Awareness of Colorado’s divorce laws is helpful for anyone facing a divorce or other family law issues in Denver. In Colorado, a divorce is legally referred to as a dissolution of marriage, and what is commonly known as child custody is called the allocation of parental responsibilities. Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, which means that either party can file for divorce without proving wrongdoing. The only requirement is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.”

Key points to understand:

• Residency Requirement: At least one spouse must have lived in Colorado for 91 days prior to filing.
• Waiting Period: There’s a mandatory 91-day waiting period from the date of filing before a dissolution of marriage can be finalized.
• Equitable Distribution: Colorado follows equitable-not necessarily equal-distribution of marital property.
• Parental Responsibilities: The court uses the best interests of the child standard to determine the allocation of parental responsibilities, which include parenting time and decision-making.
• Spousal Maintenance: Temporary or long-term spousal support (alimony) may be awarded based on income, duration of marriage, and financial need.

Services Our Family Lawyers Provide to Clients in Denver, CO

Our Denver family lawyers at Brown Carrington, PLLC bring a wide range of legal services to Denver families in transition. We have the knowledge, courtroom experience, and compassionate approach to guide you through every family law challenge.

Contested and Uncontested Divorce

We represent clients in both high-conflict, litigated dissolutions/divorces and amicable, uncontested ones. Whether your case involves disputes over assets or an agreement waiting to be formalized, we offer:

• Strategic litigation for complex or contentious dissolutions of marriage
• Efficient processing for mutually agreed-upon settlements
• Resolution of business valuation, separate vs. marital property, and hidden assets

Legal Separation

Legal separation in Denver, CO, allows couples to live apart while remaining legally married. We guide clients through:

• Filing for legal separation
• Drafting agreements regarding parental responsibilities, finances, and property
• Transitioning to a dissolution of marriage if necessary

Child Custody and Visitation Rights

Our Denver family law attorneys help protect your parental rights and your child’s well-being. Our services include:

• Establishing parenting plans and schedules
• Modifying existing parenting agreements
• Litigating parenting disputes when needed

Child Support

We ensure that your child’s financial needs are met fairly. Our attorneys:

• Calculate support based on Colorado’s guidelines
• Handle enforcement and modification actions
• Assist with interstate child support matters

Spousal Support/Maintenance (Alimony)

Whether you’re seeking support or being asked to pay for it, we advocate for fair and just outcomes. We provide:

• Negotiation of spousal maintenance terms
• Litigation of temporary and long-term spousal support
• Post-decree modifications

Property Division

Colorado’s equitable distribution system requires clear and persuasive legal advocacy. Our team offers:

• Marital asset and debt identification
• Business and real estate valuations
• Division of retirement accounts and investment portfolios

Premarital and Marital Agreements

We draft and review marital agreements to help couples define financial expectations. We ensure:

• Legal enforceability of terms
• Comprehensive asset disclosure
• Fair treatment of both parties

Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions

We support clients in both same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships. Our services include:

• Establishing civil unions and domestic partnerships
• Resolving disputes upon dissolution
• Navigating parental rights and property division

Domestic Violence

We act swiftly to protect victims of abuse or to defend the rights of those falsely accused. Services include:

• Obtaining or challenging protective orders (restraining orders)
• Ensuring safe parenting time arrangements
• Coordinating with law enforcement when necessary

Adoption Services

We help families grow through:

• Stepparent, relative, and private adoptions
• Termination of parental rights
• Compliance with Colorado and federal adoption laws

Steps Our Denver Family Lawyers Will Take in a Dissolution of Marriage Case

Filing for a dissolution of marriage in Denver is a major life decision that comes with stress, uncertainty, and emotional strain. At Brown Carrington, PLLC, we make it our mission to streamline this process for our clients while protecting their rights, assets, and peace of mind.

Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation

We begin with a private, in-depth consultation where we evaluate your goals, explore your legal rights and obligations, and assess the complexities of your case, whether it involves parental responsibilities, support, property division, or all of these. During this meeting, we explain Colorado’s legal framework and outline a projected timeline so you know what to expect from the outset.

Legal Documentation and Court Filings

Once we understand your objectives, our legal team promptly prepares and files the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the appropriate district court. This filing formally initiates the divorce and starts the mandatory 91-day waiting period before a final decree can be issued.

If minor children are involved, we also prepare and submit detailed parenting plans and child support worksheets. Sworn financial statementsmust be exchanged, and we ensure that both parties are in compliance with required disclosures. If your spouse contests any issue, we prepare for hearings and ensure you’re fully informed and ready.

Negotiation, Mediation, or Litigation

Negotiation and alternative dispute resolution are always our first approach. We work to reach favorable outcomes through mediation or direct negotiation to minimize cost and conflict. However, if your spouse refuses to cooperate or reasonable terms cannot be reached, we’re prepared to litigate on your behalf.

Timeline and What to Expect

While no two cases are identical, the basic timeline begins on Day 1 with filing and service. The earliest a final decree can be entered is Day 91, provided all issues are resolved. For contested cases, the process may extend from 4 to 6 months or more, depending on the complexity. Throughout the case, our team provides regular updates, timely responses, and aggressive advocacy to move your case toward resolution efficiently and effectively.

How to Choose the Right Denver Family Lawyer

Family law representation is all about legal strategy, communication, and trust. Here’s what to look for in a family lawyer in Denver, CO:

• Experience: Ensure the attorney has a proven record with family law matters similar to yours.
• Reputation: Look for client reviews and industry recognition.
• Communication Style: You should feel heard and understood, not rushed or ignored.
• Resources: Choose a law firm with access to financial experts, custody evaluators, and investigators when needed.
• Trial Capabilities: Settlement is ideal, but your attorney should be prepared to win in court.

At Brown Carrington, PLLC, we check all these boxes and more.

Tips to Prepare for Divorce Proceedings in Denver

Success in your case starts with preparation. Here are some tips we share with clients:

• Organize Financial Documents: Tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and asset information.
• List Assets and Debts: Clarify what’s marital vs. separate property.
• Document Parenting Involvement: Record caregiving duties and child-related expenses.
• Avoid Social Media Mistakes: Posts can be used as evidence.
• Follow Court Orders: Always comply with temporary orders on support or parenting time.

We also help clients prepare emotionally by connecting them with therapists and divorce coaches when needed.

Strategies Our Denver Family Law Attorneys Use to Strongly Represent Clients

At Brown Carrington, PLLC, we architect custom solutions that reflect the complex realities of our clients’ lives.

Bespoke Case Planning from the Start

We never apply a one-size-fits-all approach to divorce or custody litigation. At the outset of each case, we conduct an intensive strategy session to uncover not only the legal facts but the human priorities behind them. Whether you’re protecting a business, fighting for parenting time, or dealing with an emotionally charged, high-conflict separation, our planning is laser-focused on outcomes that align with your needs.

Trial-Ready from Day One

Even in cases that are likely to settle, we prepare from day one as if we’re going to trial. This proactive approach builds leverage, frames the narrative, and ensures we’re never on our heels. Opposing counsels recognize our determined approach, and that reputation can shift the balance in negotiations.

Support from Leading Experts

Family law is about more than statutes and courtrooms. It’s about finances, children, reputations, and futures. That’s why we regularly collaborate with forensic accountants, real estate appraisers, mental health professionals, parenting coordinators, and tax specialists to ensure no detail is missed. This network of experts helps bolster the legal position of our clients.

The Right Balance of Tenacity and Tact

We know how to fight aggressively when needed and also when to shift gears and pursue a negotiated, cost-effective resolution. Our strength lies in knowing the difference. We also respect your time and emotional bandwidth. Through secure document sharing and regular check-ins, we keep you informed and empowered throughout your case.

Common Challenges During Divorce and How Our Denver Family Lawyers Address Them

High-Conflict Custody Disputes

Child-related issues are among the most emotionally taxing parts of a dissolution. When parents cannot agree on parenting time, decision-making authority, or relocation, we step in with child-centered, legally sound strategies.

Our attorneys create comprehensive parenting plans tailored to each family’s needs and work closely with mental health professionals, guardians ad litem, and child and family experts. We focus on demonstrating our client’s strengths as a parent and crafting proposals that promote stability and emotional security for the child.

Business Valuation Disputes

When one or both spouses own a business, disputes often arise regarding its value and division. We enlist respected forensic accountants and valuation experts to provide credible, detailed assessments.

Whether it’s a medical practice, tech startup, or family-owned business, our team knows how to untangle complex financials and ensure that no asset is overlooked or undervalued. We also analyze potential future income streams, goodwill, and hidden assets to achieve fair outcomes.

Allegations of Abuse or Misconduct

Cases involving domestic violence, substance abuse, or misconduct require immediate attention and nuanced handling. For victims, we act swiftly to obtain protection orders and build safety-focused parenting time arrangements.

For those falsely accused, we develop strong evidentiary defenses and work to correct misinformation. These cases can heavily influence allocations of parental responsibilities and credibility, so we manage them with discretion and legal precision.

Complex Asset Division

Colorado is an equitable distribution state, and dividing assets involves more than a simple 50/50 split. We handle cases involving retirement accounts, real estate portfolios, investments, intellectual property, and digital assets like cryptocurrency. Our lawyers trace separate property, identify marital components, and advocate for accurate valuations that reflect each client’s contributions.

Emotional Stress and Decision Fatigue

Divorce isn’t just a legal matter; it’s deeply personal. Clients frequently face anxiety, grief, and confusion. Our team remains a steady presence, offering clear guidance, compassionate communication, and a structured decision-making process that empowers clients to move forward with confidence and clarity.

FAQs About Denver Family Law Cases

Can I relocate out of Colorado with my child during or after divorce?

Relocation with a minor child is highly scrutinized under Colorado law. If you plan to move out of state or even far within the state, you must either obtain consent from the other parent or court approval. The Colorado district court will evaluate whether the move serves the child’s best interests.

What happens if my spouse is hiding assets?

Our Denver family attorneys are skilled in uncovering hidden or undervalued assets through forensic accounting, subpoenas, and expert investigation. Colorado courts do not tolerate financial misconduct; a spouse caught hiding assets can face serious legal consequences, including a disproportionate property division.

Can we change our custody agreement after divorce?

Yes, parenting plans can be modified post-decree if there’s a significant change in circumstances, such as relocation, safety concerns, or a shift in the child’s needs. However, the court will always assess whether the modification benefits the child.

Will my premarital (prenuptial) agreement hold up in court?

If your prenup was signed voluntarily, with full disclosure and no coercion, it’s likely enforceable in Colorado. Our Denver divorce attorneys can review or challenge such agreements based on current law and your case specifics.

Legal Help Is Here from Our Family Law Attorneys in Denver

Whether you’re beginning the divorce process or facing an urgent family law crisis, Brown Carrington, PLLC is ready to help you move forward. From the moment you retain us, you will receive personalized, strategic representation from our dedicated family law attorneys in Denver. With offices serving clients across Colorado and nationwide, we’re here when you need us most. To schedule your confidential consultation, call us at 720-927-7006 or contact us online.