Colorado Springs Divorce Lawyer

Military Divorce in Colorado Srings

Colorado Springs is home to a large military community, with more than 45,000 active-duty troops and over 100,000 veterans in the city alone. This includes those who live or work in the area at installations such as the Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, U.S. Air Force Academy, and Fort Carson. 

For these folks, military service can introduce some unique challenges when it comes to divorce. Fortunately, our Colorado Springs divorce lawyers have represented numerous service members and veterans and have the experience to tackle military divorce issues involving:

• Custody and parenting plans impacted by a parent’s active-duty service, including serving overseas.
• Property division, including the division of military benefits, pensions, and other special assets. 
• Reasonable child support and spousal maintenance agreements. 

Grounds for a Colorado Divorce

Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, which means that you do not need to have a qualifying justification when you file for divorce. If one or both spouses want to divorce, they can do so for any reason. 

For many divorcing couples, the concept of no-fault divorce can be confusing, especially when it comes to a spouse’s purported “bad behavior.” While divorcing couples in the past may have been required to cite adultery, addiction, and other types of “bad” conduct to get a divorce, the true impact of such behavior is limited in today’s divorce cases. 

This is not to say that a spouse’s bad actions can’t come back to haunt them. There are several situations where bad behavior can become a factor that the Court considers when issuing determinations about important issues. Some examples include:

• Hiding assets in divorce in hopes of protecting them from division.
• Willfully failing to disclose important information material to a divorce. 
• Criminal activity, substance abuse, and other conduct that can endanger a child.
• Bad behavior that relates specifically to parenting. 

Colorado’s family law system was not intended to decide who is right or wrong or pick winners and losers, but there are “bad” actions that can have consequences in divorce cases. One of the best ways to avoid making these mistakes, or to ensure that serious issues are taken into consideration, is to work with experienced attorneys who can help you pursue the best possible outcome.

How Long Does a Divorce Take in Colorado?

Because they deal with different marriages, people, and variables, divorce cases are highly fact-specific matters. As such, there’s no definitive answer for how long it takes to divorce.

There are, however, certain minimum time periods for legal work, response filings, and other procedural issues – including the minimum 91 days between the time a spouse is served with divorce papers and the date that a divorce decree can be granted. As such, the quickest you can obtain a divorce in Colorado is three months. 

There are several other factors that can influence the trajectory of a divorce and how long it takes to finalize. For example, divorce cases can be more expeditiously handled when:

• Couples have simple estates with little to no assets or debts.
• Spouses can communicate effectively and engage in productive conversations about key issues.
• Disagreements can be resolved with negotiations or mediation.
• Spouses are committed to healthy co-parenting and shared parenting time. 
• Spouses can create a settlement agreement without court intervention.

Conflict and disagreement are natural in divorces, but when those issues prove to be major barriers to communication and compromise, they can greatly increase the length of time that it takes to finalize the process. That’s especially true when spouses can’t agree on important issues such as property division or child custody and need to have those issues resolved in court hearings or trial. 

What Is The Colorado Divorce Process Like?

While the divorce process looks different in every case, there is a general process. 

1. A preliminary stage during which a summons and petition are filed with the court and the other spouse is served with divorce papers. After service, spouses can file responses within 21 days (if they reside in Colorado) or 35 days (if they live out of state). During this time, you and your lawyer can inventory assets, gather financial documents, and discuss your goals and objectives for living arrangements and child custody while a case is pending.
2. An interim stage during which you must submit financial disclosures, conduct financial discovery to determine marital property subject to division, determine where children will live during the pending divorce, and attend temporary order hearings, if necessary. 
3. A final stage where final negotiations with a spouse are held for issues regarding finances and parenting plans. In cases where spouses can’t reach agreements, they may need to attend mediation or appear before a judge for a permanent order hearing. 

Understanding each stage of the divorce process is essential for adequate preparation and strategic planning. During the preliminary stage, prompt and accurate completion of financial inventories and document gathering can lay a strong foundation for discussions and negotiations. Clients are encouraged to consider their long-term goals regarding finances and parenting to make informed decisions throughout the process. The interim stage provides opportunities to address urgent needs through temporary orders and gather more detailed information to guide final settlements. Finally, our attorneys strive to resolve disputes amicably through mediation but are also prepared to advocate for your interests robustly in court if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce

What factors can influence the outcome of a divorce settlement?

Several factors can impact the final terms of a divorce settlement. The Court typically examines financial contributions to the marriage, the value of shared assets, and the specific needs of each spouse post-divorce. Additionally, the length of the marriage, the standard of living established during that time, and any prenuptial agreements can also play significant roles. Spouses must offer full financial transparency and demonstrate cooperative co-parenting to influence more favorable outcomes. Our attorneys assist in meticulously preparing evidence and documentation to address these areas thoroughly.

How is property divided in a Colorado divorce?

Property division in Colorado follows an equitable distribution principle, which means that assets are divided in a manner deemed fair, but not necessarily equal. Factors influencing the division include the contributions of each spouse to the marital estate, the economic circumstances of each party, and any increases in the value of separate property during the marriage. Understanding these dynamics and presenting well-organized financial information can be pivotal in ensuring an equitable division, and our firm provides the diligence required to protect your assets effectively.

What are my options if my spouse is not complying with the divorce agreement?

Several enforcement options are available if a spouse is non-compliant with the divorce agreement terms. The first step usually involves documenting the instances of non-compliance, followed by attempting communication to resolve the issue amicably. If informal efforts fail, a formal motion can be filed to seek the Court's intervention. This may result in a hearing where the non-compliant party is ordered to fulfill their obligations. Sometimes, contempt of court proceedings may be initiated, leading to fines or other legal consequences. Seeking the assistance of a qualified attorney ensures that your rights are protected and proper legal procedures are followed to enforce compliance.

Contact Our Divorce Attorney in Colorado Springs Today

The Harris Law Firm is known across the state for providing tailored representation to individuals and families facing all types of family law issues. As experienced divorce attorneys, we take a collaborative approach to guiding clients through the process and leverage the insight of a highly experienced team to tackle even the toughest cases.

If you’re ready to begin a divorce, The Harris Law Firm can help you navigate the journey ahead. Call (303) 622-5502 or contact us online to request a consultation with our Colorado Springs divorce lawyer.