how to get divorced in jefferson county colorado without a lawyer

by Isac O'Kon 10 min read

Full Answer

What are divorce records in Jefferson County Colorado?

Jefferson County Divorce Records are legal documents relating to a couple's divorce in Jefferson County, Colorado. They include the divorce papers that the couple files in Jefferson County Court, as well as any records created during the divorce procedure, and a divorce certificate.

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

The fastest way to file a divorce online is to use a service like 3stepDivorce.com. You answer questions and your divorce paperwork is filled out and you can be done within hours. Mediation (Medium Cost) The state of Colorado offers couples who are considering a divorce the opportunity to use mediation services.

Can I Register my divorce in Colorado if I move there?

If you were divorced in another state and you move to Colorado, you can register your divorce paperwork in Colorado. Once you register your divorce paperwork in Colorado, you can ask a court in Colorado to enforce any orders having to do with the divorce case from the other state.

Is Colorado a “no fault” divorce state?

Colorado is a “no fault” divorce state and only requires that you and your spouse cannot resolve your differences. A judge may allow a divorce to proceed even if only one spouse is seeking a dissolution to the marriage.

How much does it cost to file divorce in Jefferson County Colorado?

Filing fees for divorce in Jefferson County Colorado courts charge $230 for filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) and $116 for filing a Response.

Can you get a divorce in Colorado without going to court?

No divorce can be granted in Colorado without court approval so you will need to navigate the legal processes first. Besides, the emotional fallout that can result even in uncontested divorce cases should not be underestimated – especially if you have children together.

How much does a divorce cost in Colorado without a lawyer?

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 I serve divorce papers myself in Colorado?

You may chose to employ a professional process server to serve the divorce papers, or you may ask someone in your family. Take note that any family member or a friend assigned to this task, must be 18 or over to legally serve. Note, too, that you cannot serve divorce papers on your spouse by yourself.

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

The quickest way to getting getting a divorce in Colorado is when you and your spouse can reach acceptable agreements relating to your legal issues without going to court....The most common scenarios for that are:Do It Yourself (pro-se). ... Uncontested Divorce. ... Mediated Divorce.

How do I start the divorce process in Colorado?

Steps to File for Divorce in Colorado1) 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:More items...

Can I divorce without going to court?

An uncontested divorce is one in which you and your spouse work together to agree on the terms of your divorce. You will both consult with the same attorney, who will be unbiased and impartial. There is no formal trial, and only the plaintiff appears in court.

How long do you have to be separated before divorce in Colorado?

six monthsHow 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.

How much does a simple divorce cost in Colorado?

The typical cost of divorce in Colorado averages around $14,500. Depending on your needs, it could be as little as $4,500 to as much as $32,000. If there are no children involved, the cost for a divorce might be lower.

How long does the divorce process take in Colorado?

about 6-9 monthsMost 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.

Do divorce papers need to be notarized in Colorado?

Yes, some of the divorce papers in Colorado may have to be notarized. Particularly, any type of affidavit or sworn legal statements (e.g., a Sworn Financial Statement) should be signed either in front of a court clerk or a notary public to avoid any grounds for subsequent disputes.

How do you initiate a divorce?

Procedure to be followed for a Mutual Divorce.Step 1: Petition to file for divorce. ... Step 2: Appearing before Court and inspection of the petition. ... Step 3: Passing orders for a recording of statements on oath. ... Step 4: First Motion is passed and a period of 6 months is given before the Second Motion.More items...•

How long do you have to live in Colorado to file for divorce?

Colorado law requires that you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least 91 days before you can file for divorce. If you have minor children and you’re looking to pursue child custody, your children must have lived in CO for at least 182 days. Complete the paperwork. You will have to file a “Petition for Dissolution ...

Is divorce contested?

Your divorce is contested. A contested divorce, especially one that involves children, can turn into an aggressive legal battle. Without a lawyer, it will be extremely difficult to ensure the most equitable outcomes for you in disputed matters such as division of marital property, alimony, and parenting rights. Your spouse has hired a lawyer.

Can you serve divorce papers?

However, you cannot serve the papers yourself – you can have an adult family member or professional server do this for you. Attend your court dates.

How long does it take to get divorced in Colorado?

Divorce in Colorado takes at least 3 months and 1 day after the Petition is served to be finalized (that’s just the way it is). If that feels like too long to go without help from the court, you don’t have to wait until your divorce is final.

Do you have to exchange documents with your spouse?

Even if you already have a full agreement with your spouse (good for you!), you still must exchange these documents.

How does a dissolution of marriage affect child support?

When determining a monthly amount in child support, the court ensures that a dissolution of marriage will have the least impact on the child in terms of financial aid. According to Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-10-115. Child support guidelines, the court shall “calculate child support based upon the parents' combined adjusted gross income estimated to have been allocated to the child if the parents and children were living in an intact household.”

Does Colorado require fault based divorce?

Like many other US states, Color ado does not require any fault-based grounds to finalize a divorce. It means that even in cases of adultery or misconduct, it will not affect the court’s decision on property division or maintenance.

Can mediation help with divorce?

Mediation can be of great help in a divorce done by yourself, even if the spouses cannot achieve consensus on one or more issues. In a DIY divorce, you and your spouse may stumble on some obstacles, but a skillful mediator is there to help you out without compromising your interests.

Can a divorce in Colorado have children?

In a Colorado divorce with children, priority in custody disputes is always the child’s best interests. Colorado Revised Statutes § 14 -10-124 (1) states, “it is in the best interest of all parties to encourage frequent and continuing contact between each parent and the minor children of the marriage after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage.” That is why Colorado judges express a preference for parents to share child custody.

Does Colorado have alimony?

Colorado Family Law does not provide an automatic right to alimony or spousal maintenance. However, if the requesting spouse specifies a lack of employment to support themselves, an intensive schedule of childcare, or any other reason for spousal maintenance, the court may award it.

How long do you have to live in Colorado to get divorced?

1. Determine if you have lived in Colorado long enough to get a divorce in the state. You or your spouse must have lived in Colorado for at least 91 days before you can file for divorce in this state. 2. Identify where to file your divorce case.

How long do you have to wait to file for divorce?

Determine when you can submit your paperwork. You must wait at least 182 days from the date your legal separation was finalized by the court (when the Decree of Legal Separation was entered) before you can file paperwork to change the legal separation to a divorce. 2. Identify where you should file your paperwork.

Is divorce legal advice?

Divorce. These standard instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice about your case. If you choose to represent yourself, you are bound by the same rules and procedures as an attorney. All Family Law Forms. Family Law Forms.

How do I look up court cases in Colorado?

Colorado Court Records: CoCourts.com CoCourts.com is among the first online, statewide, real-time court record sites in the United States. You'll get access to Colorado court records including Denver County as an optional add-on.

Are Jefferson County Colorado courts open?

Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM. *Please note on the last Friday of every month, we will be closing at 2:30 p.m. Virtual Courtroom Information: If your hearing is scheduled via WebEx, you may click on the Virtual Courtroom ICON for division specific information.

What is an arraignment in Colorado?

An arraignment hearing is the initial court hearing in a Colorado criminal case. At the arraignment, the defendant is advised of the charges. He or she enters a plea of guilty or not guilty, and the judge sets the case for further proceedings.

What happens if you miss jury duty in Jefferson County Colorado?

Your juror summons is a legal document. Failure to respond is punishable by fines and/or jail time.

What are combined courts?

The Combined Court was the legislature of British Guiana un. In its final form, it consisted of a sitting of the Court of Policy together with the elected Financial Representatives.

Why do judges wear a wig?

Until the seventeenth century, lawyers were expected to appear in court with clean, short hair and beards. Wigs made their first appearance in a courtroom purely and simply because that's what was being worn outside it; the reign of Charles II () made wigs essential wear for polite society.

Do you get free lunch at jury duty?

Meals and breaks Jurors are usually not permitted to leave the court complex during the lunch break. However the judge may sometimes give permission for jurors to leave. If you are not provided with lunch an allowance will be paid to you.

How long does it take to get divorced in Colorado?

The minimum amount of time necessary to complete a divorce in Colorado is 91 days, but most divorces take longer than 91 days between initial filing of the petition and the final hearing.

What to do if you cannot agree to a divorce?

If you and your spouse cannot agree on the major issues in how your marriage should be dissolved, you will probably need to hire an attorney to represent you in this complex divorce proceeding.

What happens if my spouse doesn't respond to my divorce petition?

If your spouse does not provide any response to the divorce petition, then the judge will assume that the Respondent has abdicated any right to participate in the case. The judge will probably grant many, if not all of the requests by the petitioner regarding child custody, support and property distribution in the original petition. However, some Colorado judges demand a filed response before allowing the petitioner to submit evidence.

What are the main points of contention in divorce?

Almost always, the major points of contention in most divorces involve issues of property division, child custody or spousal support. If you and your spouse fail to come to an agreement on these issues, you should know how Colorado courts often rule.

How long does it take to respond to a divorce petition?

Once your spouse has been served, they will have 20 days to respond to the Petition. These responses are classified as.

What is the Colorado custody law?

As in most states, Colorado determines “parental responsibilities” based on the best interests of the child, and usually awards joint custody to both parents. The judge will consider many factors including:

What is the division of marital property in Colorado?

Division of property may occur in several ways. Colorado courts favor a 50/50 division when it comes to marital property, but they may use many methods for the actual distribution.