Colorado Family Law Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Colorado family law attorneys who can navigate Colorado’s Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act framework. Whether you’re in Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Boulder, or anywhere across the state, we’ll match you with the right attorney — at no cost to get started.

At minimum, 91 days from service — Colorado’s mandatory waiting period under C.R.S. § 14-10-106. Uncontested divorces typically finalize at or shortly after 91 days. Contested cases generally take 6–18 months depending on county and complexity.

Yes — Colorado is a pure no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution under C.R.S. § 14-10-106 is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Fault is not a ground and is generally irrelevant to property division and maintenance.

No pre-filing separation is required. The 91-day post-service waiting period under C.R.S. § 14-10-106 must elapse before the decree can issue. Colorado also recognizes legal separation as an alternative to dissolution under C.R.S. § 14-10-106(2).

Colorado is an equitable distribution state. Marital property is divided in such proportions as the court deems just under C.R.S. § 14-10-113, considering each spouse’s contribution to acquisition, the value of separate property, economic circumstances, and any increase or decrease in separate property’s value. Separate property is exempt from division but its appreciation during marriage may be marital.

Colorado uses allocation of parental responsibilities (APR) instead of custody. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-124, courts consider 11 factors including the child’s wishes (if mature), parent-child relationships, ability to encourage continuing contact with the other parent, history of abuse, and proximity of residences. Joint decision-making and joint parenting time are common.

Colorado uses the Income Shares model under C.R.S. § 14-10-115. Both parents’ combined gross incomes are applied to the state schedule and prorated. Parenting time, healthcare, and childcare adjust the amount. Shared physical care (overnight overlaps of 92+ overnights) triggers a different formula.

Yes. Parenting time can be modified on a showing of changed circumstances; major decision-making and primary residence have stricter endangerment thresholds under C.R.S. § 14-10-129. Child support requires a 10%+ change in guideline amount. Maintenance modification depends on whether the award is modifiable.

Why Do You Need a Family Law Attorney in Colorado?

Colorado adopted the Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act — the only ground for divorce is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage (C.R.S. § 14-10-106). Colorado requires 91 days of residency before filing (C.R.S. § 14-10-106(1)(a)(I)) and a 91-day waiting period between service and decree (C.R.S. § 14-10-106(1)(a)(II)). Colorado is an equitable distribution state under C.R.S. § 14-10-113 — marital property is divided in such proportions as the court deems just. Custody is now called allocation of parental responsibilities under C.R.S. § 14-10-124 with statutory best-interests factors. Colorado recognized common-law marriage and continues to (unique among states with a long-standing common law tradition).

When Do You Need a Family Law Attorney in Colorado?

Our network includes Colorado family law attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Family Law Cases in Colorado

From the moment you connect with a Colorado family law attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Treating any post-marital property growth as separate — Colorado treats appreciation of separate property during marriage as marital

Hiding assets — Colorado’s mandatory financial disclosures under Rule 16.2 carry significant sanctions for nondisclosure

Posting on social media — CFIs and PREs regularly review social media in APR investigations

Communicating ex parte with the judge

Filing in Colorado when the child’s home state under UCCJEA is elsewhere

Missing the 91-day residency requirement or filing too early under C.R.S. § 14-10-106

Treating any post-marital property growth as separate — Colorado treats appreciation of separate property during marriage as marital

Hiding assets — Colorado’s mandatory financial disclosures under Rule 16.2 carry significant sanctions for nondisclosure

Posting on social media — CFIs and PREs regularly review social media in APR investigations

Communicating ex parte with the judge

Filing in Colorado when the child’s home state under UCCJEA is elsewhere

Missing the 91-day residency requirement or filing too early under C.R.S. § 14-10-106

Common Colorado Family Law Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do Colorado Family Law Attorneys Cost?

Flat Fee

Most matters are billed as a flat fee per petition or filing — fee depends on case complexity.

Family law cases in Colorado are not handled on contingency. Colorado Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(d)(1) — patterned on ABA Model Rule 1.5(d) — prohibits contingent fees in domestic relations matters where the fee is contingent on securing a dissolution or on the amount of maintenance, support, or property settlement. Colorado family law attorneys charge hourly (billed against a retainer) or flat fees for limited-scope and uncontested matters. Courts can award attorney’s fees between parties under C.R.S. § 14-10-119.

What Can Your Colorado Family Law Compensation Include?

Property Division

Equitable distribution under C.R.S. § 14-10-113 — just division of marital property, with appreciation of separate property during marriage treated as marital.

Spousal Maintenance

Advisory guideline under C.R.S. § 14-10-114 for marriages 3+ years — generally 40% of combined adjusted gross income minus 50% of recipient income; duration keyed to marriage length.

Child Support

Income Shares guideline under C.R.S. § 14-10-115, with shared-physical-care adjustments at 92+ overnights.

Custody and Parenting Time

Allocation of parental responsibilities — parenting time and decision-making under C.R.S. § 14-10-124 best-interests factors.

Attorney’s Fees

Colorado courts award fees under C.R.S. § 14-10-119 based on financial resources and equitable considerations.

Protective Orders

Civil protection orders under C.R.S. § 13-14-101 et seq. — temporary ex parte orders and permanent orders after a hearing within 14 days.

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DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Colorado Family Law Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Family Law Attorney in Colorado?

When Do You Need a Family Law Attorney in Colorado?

Types of Family Law Cases in Colorado

Common Colorado Family Law Mistakes

How Much Do Colorado Family Law Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your Colorado Family Law Compensation Include?

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