how much does a divorce lawyer cost in colorado

by Lurline Dietrich IV 8 min read

The average divorce lawyer fee in Colorado ranges from $9,700 to $11,400, according to a survey by lawyers.com. Some Colorado divorce attorneys may charge higher than that depending on the complexity of the case. Court fees are usually not that high, and constitute just $230 to file a divorce petition.

On average, Colorado divorce lawyers charge between $230 and $280 per hour. Average total costs for Colorado divorce lawyers are $11,000 to $11,700 but are typically significantly lower in cases with no contested issues.Jul 22, 2020

Full Answer

How much does it cost to get a divorce attorney?

Aug 20, 2021 · Some lawyers might charge as high as $650 per hour to assist individuals through certain thorny divorces such as couples with complex assets, extensive assets, and those who own businesses. What are the Retainer Charges for Divorce Lawyers? When hiring a lawyer, you will always have to pay a retainer fee.

How much divorce lawyers charge?

May 30, 2019 · The amount of the retainer really depends on the facts, circumstances, and legal issues in the case. In some situations, a law firm may quote the client a flat fee. The attorneys at Colorado Legal Group begin with a no-obligation, $275 comprehensive consultation to explore all of your legal options, recommend strategies specific to your circumstance, and provide a road …

How can I afford a divorce attorney?

Nov 20, 2018 · The Average Divorce Attorney Fees 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 …

How do attorneys charge for a divorce?

Jul 22, 2020 · Average total costs for Colorado divorce lawyers are $11,000 to $11,700 but are typically significantly lower in cases with no contested issues. Many people who’ve been through a divorce talk about sticker shock—the surprising expense of the divorce itself. No doubt, it would help in your planning to know what to expect in terms of the cost of divorce where you live, as …

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What is the cheapest way to get a divorce in Colorado?

The fastest and cheapest way to obtain a divorce in Colorado is to file a joint petition with your spouse. This document should detail your agreement on the following matters: Shared property division. Alimony (Spousal Support).Nov 20, 2018

How much does it cost to file for 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.

Who pays attorney fees in divorce in Colorado?

Colorado Revised Statute 14-10-119 says that in a divorce or custody case, the Court can order a party to pay some of the other party's attorney fees after considering both parties' financial resources and ability to pay for fees.Mar 27, 2020

Do you need a lawyer to get a divorce in Colorado?

You don't need to hire a lawyer to get an uncontested divorce in Colorado, and you can represent yourself during the process. Spouses can try to handle everything themselves or use an online service that eases the process.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Colorado?

In Colorado, a court can order one spouse ("paying spouse") to pay temporary alimony to a lower-earning or unemployed spouse ("supported spouse") during the divorce proceeding. Colorado courts use a formula based on income to calculate temporary alimony. Courts can also order longer-term alimony awards.

Who should pay for divorce costs?

the petitionerThe simple fact is that the petitioner always pays the divorce fees. The person filing for the divorce (known as the Petitioner) will always pay the divorce filing fee.

Who pays for a divorce in Colorado?

§ 14–10–119. Under this case, a Colorado court can force the spouse with the money to give a set amount of money to the other spouse to fund the divorce.

How fast can you get divorced in Colorado?

You should remember, however, that no matter how quickly you resolve your divorce, Colorado has a 91 day waiting period. So the Court cannot finalize your divorce until 91 days after your initial petition is filed.

How do I start the divorce process?

To start the divorce you will need to the following: File a document, called a Petition, to the Court to initiate the divorce process. Only one spouse can file for a divorce (the Petitioner). The other party is known as the Respondent. ... Apply for a Decree Nisi. Apply for a Decree Absolute.

How long after divorce can you remarry in Colorado?

91 daysColorado 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.

How much does a divorce cost if both parties agree?

If both parties agree on all major issues, known as an uncontested divorce, you can keep the costs relatively low. If you do your own divorce papers and your divorce is amicable, costs could be under $500. Of course, there are filing fees in all states, which increase the cost.

Who pays for a divorce in Colorado?

§ 14–10–119. Under this case, a Colorado court can force the spouse with the money to give a set amount of money to the other spouse to fund the divorce.

How long does the average divorce take in Colorado?

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.

Is divorce 50 50 in Colorado?

Colorado Is an Equitable Division State Colorado law requires that division of property in divorce be “equitable and fair,” which means that it doesn't necessarily have to be a 50/50 split. By contrast, community property states hold that all property accrued during a marriage is subject to a 50/50 distribution.Sep 13, 2021

Is it better to divorce or separate?

Separation can allow you to tackle various aspects of the divorce process, such as establishing a child custody arrangement and dividing marital property, more calmly. Without court fees and timelines hovering over their heads, spouses may find navigating these legal disputes significantly easier during separation.Sep 14, 2020

How long does a divorce take from start to finish?

On average, it takes 12 months to complete a divorce, from filing the divorce petition to finalizing the judgment. If the case goes to trial, the average time is about 18 months. The average cost of divorce in 2019 was $12,900, which includes $11,300 in attorney's fees and about $1,600 in other expenses.Oct 19, 2021

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Colorado?

In Colorado, a court can order one spouse ("paying spouse") to pay temporary alimony to a lower-earning or unemployed spouse ("supported spouse") during the divorce proceeding. Colorado courts use a formula based on income to calculate temporary alimony. Courts can also order longer-term alimony awards.

Can a working wife get alimony?

As noted, alimony is generally based largely on what each of the divorcing spouses "reasonably earn." That means that if a person is deliberately working at a job that pays less than what he or she could earn, the courts will sometimes figure the alimony amount based on a higher figure, in what is referred to as ...

Is alimony mandatory in Colorado?

While some states have eliminated lifelong alimony, except in cases of elderly or disabled spouses, that is not the case in Colorado. In marriages lasting longer than 20 years, a spouse can be awarded spousal maintenance for the rest of their life.Sep 19, 2019

Can a spouse kick you out of the house in Colorado?

Can a Spouse Kick You Out of the House in Colorado? Until the court issues an order regarding who can stay in the marital home, neither spouse has any legal right to force the other to leave. The only exception to this is a spouse can be forced out via a Protection Order.Feb 22, 2021

Does it matter who files 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.Apr 13, 2020

Does Colorado require separation before divorce?

How long do you have to be separated before divorce in Colorado? In this state, the legally separated party is required to wait six months before they can pursue a divorce. This means the waiting period begins when the separation decree is put in place and at the end of that six months the spouse may request a divorce.

Is Colorado a mom State?

Is Colorado a mother or father state? Neither. Colorado family law does not err on the side of either parent, but encourages custody and parental responsibility to be equal between parents.

How is debt divided in a divorce in Colorado?

In Colorado, marital debt is divided fairly between you both, just like your assets. Marital debt can include vehicle loans, mortgage, and credit card debt. It does not matter whose name is on the card or the deed, the debt is considered the responsibility of both spouses.Nov 28, 2016

Is adultery against the law in Colorado?

A legally married person commits adultery by engaging in a voluntary sexual encounter or relationship with someone other than the person's legal spouse. ... In fact, Colorado case law explicitly says that adultery is not a legally recognized reason for divorce.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Divorce?

Similar to whether to divorce or not, the average cost of divorce is a difficult question to respond to`. The cost of divorce is dependent on many...

What is the Hourly Rate for Divorce Lawyers?

The divorce process can be messy and time-consuming, and the problems in each divorce are varying from one couple to the other. Because the result...

What are the Retainer Charges for Divorce Lawyers?

When hiring a lawyer, you will always have to pay a retainer fee. A retainer fee is an upfront payment paid by the customer before the performance...

What are the Filing Fees of Divorce?

Divorces need filing fees which vary by state, ranging between $70 and $350. Filing fees are usually included in the initial retainer for lawyers,...

How much does it cost to get divorced 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.

Is a high net worth divorce more expensive?

Several factors can make a high net worth divorce more complex, thus more costly. The first thing to consider is the existence of any pre or post-nuptial agreements. These are almost always a good thing to have in a high-net-worth marriage. However, if they are challenged in the divorce proceedings, things can get more expensive.

Is there an attorney fee for divorce in Colorado?

The truth is, attorneys fees are only one thing to consider when attempting to predict the price of a divorce in the state of Colorado. There are other costs that one or both parties will have to absorb. These include:

Is Colorado a no fault state?

Colorado is a “no fault” state. You will not have to bear additional costs associated with proving adultery or any other legal ground for obtaining a divorce. A couple wishing to divorce must state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. "No fault" also means that one spouse may obtain a divorce whether or not the other party agrees to it or not. There is no need to obtain consent from a spouse or the courts to get a divorce.

Why are divorces so expensive?

Couples often run into disagreements about one or more issues in their divorce, especially: child custody and support. alimony, and. the division of marital property and debts. These disputes—and how they’re resolved— are the principal reason some divorces are more costly than others.

What is sticker shock?

No doubt, it would help in your planning to know what to expect in terms of the cost of divorce where you live, as well as how you might be able to keep those costs down.

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