Most divorces in Colorado take about 6-9 months to complete, depending upon the issues involved, and especially upon whether they are contested or not. There is no one set of procedures that will apply to every case, since the necessary steps will depend upon the specific issues in your case.
What are the steps to getting a divorce in Colorado?
- 1) Initial Petition for Divorce: Both parties or one person must file in Colorado.
- 2) Review All Divorce Documents from the Court:
- 3) Personal Service and Proof of Service:
- 4) Complete All Colorado Divorce Forms:
- 5) Initial Status Conference:
- 6) Divorce Mediation:
What happens after you file for divorce in Colorado?
By law, the Initial Status Conference must happen within 42 days of the filing of your case. Bring the forms required by your Case Management Order with you to the Initial Status Conference. You will most likely meet with a Family Court Facilitator at your Initial Status Conference.
Is separation required before divorce in Colorado?
Couples do not have to be legally separated before filing for divorce in Colorado, and in fact, some divorces are started while the parties are still living together. If tensions are running high in the home, we often recommend that one of the parties move out while the divorce is pending.
Can you date while separated in Colorado?
Can I date while legally separated from my spouse? According to Colorado law, while you are legally separated from your spouse, you are still technically married. You can date other people without violating bigamy laws. Colorado is a no-fault state which does not consider fault in reasons for divorce.
What is the fastest way to get a divorce in Colorado?
- Do It Yourself (pro-se).
- Uncontested Divorce.
- Mediated Divorce.
Can you speed up a divorce in Colorado?
How Can I Speed up a Divorce in Colorado? To speed up a divorce in Colorado, you should be ready to settle with your spouse out of court. If you can agree on the parting terms and work out a parenting plan with the help of an attorney or mediator, rather than the judge, the timeline of your divorce will be shorter.
Can you expedite a divorce in Colorado?
An uncontested divorce may be expedited in Colorado, with some courts requiring only an affidavit from the couple, eliminating the need for a hearing. Mediation also speeds up a contested divorce.
How long after a divorce can you remarry in Colorado?
Colorado only has a waiting period for divorce, which is 91 days after the filing of a petition for dissolution of marriage. There is no limit on when you can get married after you are officially divorced.
Do you have to pay alimony in Colorado?
The statute caps suggested maintenance terms at 50 percent of the marriage. Once you’ve been married for 12 and a half years, the maintenance term becomes 50 percent of the length of the marriage. If you’ve been married 20 years, you could receive – or pay – alimony for 10 years.
How long does it take to get a divorce if both parties agree in Colorado?
Filing a joint petition means they have both agreed on all matters of divorce and just need to submit an Affidavit for Decree for the judge to approve. Colorado has a mandatory waiting period of 91 days for a divorce to be finalized.
Who gets the house in a divorce in Colorado?
In Colorado, the primary caregiver often gets the house in a divorce. The courts may allow the person with the children to stay in the house because there is a belief that it is in the best interest of the children.
How long do you have to be married in Colorado to get alimony?
These guidelines apply only to marriages lasting between three to 20 years. Hence some people believe that you have to be married at least three years to get alimony in Colorado. However, there isn’t a hard-and-fast minimum length of marriage for a Colorado judge to grant alimony.
Is it better to file for divorce first in Colorado?
In general, the answer is no. It does not make any difference to the Colorado judges if you decide to take matters to the courtroom.
How much does a divorce cost in Colorado?
Getting a divorce in Colorado costs $14,500 on average, according to a study conducted by Martindale-Nolo Research. High-net-worth couples, however, tend to have more expensive processes and end up paying $37,000 on average.
What are the disadvantages of a legal separation?
Disadvantages of Legal Separation Legal separation typically does not entitle you to your spouse’s assets, whereas a divorce would force a division of current assets. Can’t Remarry: You may heal and be ready for a future relationship given enough time. A legally separated person cannot marry a new person in the U.S.
Do both parties have to agree to a divorce in Colorado?
In Colorado, you do not need the consent of your spouse to obtain a divorce. You simply need to show that the marriage is irretrievably broken. If your spouse is denying this requirement, be prepared to attend court-ordered mediation or even possibly counseling.
What is considered abandonment in Colorado?
A: In Colorado, abandonment occurs when the parent has failed to provide basic needs for the child, including food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. The parent must also have failed to make a reasonable effort to maintain contact with the child.
Can I get divorce without going to court?
It is possible to get divorced without going to court, as long as your partner agrees to the divorce and the reasons why. However, it is still possible that you will need to go to court to decide what happens to money, property and children.
Is Colorado a 50 50 state in a divorce?
No, Colorado is an “equitable distribution” state, not a “community property state”. Meaning that your house — a marital property — is not automatically divided equally (50:50) during the divorce. Instead, the judge analyzes your personal circumstances and suggests a “fair” division.
How is spousal support determined Colorado?
How is alimony determined in Colorado? The Colorado alimony formula determines advisory spousal support by multiplying the parties’ combined incomes by 40%, then deducting the lower-earning spouse’s income.
What is the quickest divorce you can get?
The easiest type of divorce, which takes the least amount of time, is called an uncontested divorce. This relatively fast divorce happens because all of the major issues have been agreed upon by you and your spouse.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Colorado?
On average in Colorado, standard representation can range between $230 and $280 per hour but one should expect to pay more for an experienced attorney who specializes in divorce and family law. This is close to the national average.
How much is an uncontested divorce in Colorado?
The cost of filing a petition for dissolution of marriage in Colorado is $230.00. The cost of filing a petition for allocation of parental rights (custody case when the parties are not married) is $225.00. It then costs $116.00 to file an answer to the petition.
Can you refuse a divorce in Colorado?
The short answer to this is No, in Colorado, you cannot refuse a divorce. It’s pretty simply: if your spouse wants to divorce you, then he or she will file divorce papers and have you served.