An Affordable Family Law Attorney Who Puts Your Needs First!

“I want a Divorce.” Whether these words are daunting or a breath of fresh air, the actual process of obtaining one can be exhausting.

It is important to have an experienced family law attorney on your side to help you navigate each and every turn with confidence. The fact of the matter is life after divorce is different. What happens during your divorce is setting you up for your new future with your family. As your attorney, Ashlee will make it her priority to advocate for you in a way that sets you and your family up for success.

Ashlee is a mother first and an attorney second. These two identities make the perfect storm as she will support you and your family. Separating from someone who shares a child is hard on everyone, don’t let the legal process be another burden on your shoulders. Let Ashlee take the reins and do all the heavy lifting so that you can focus on what matters the most: being a parent. Whether it be filing an initial action so that you have some stability or modifying an existing order so that it fits the current situation. She has experience in advocating for fathers, mothers, teen parents, and even grandparents. Litigation involving the custody of your child is potentially life-changing, so don’t go through it alone.

Divorce Tips

Top five things to know when getting a divorce in Colorado.

Navigating divorce in Colorado can be complex, but understanding the key factors can streamline the process.

Aslee and her team are ready to guide you through the process and she will be there every step of the way until everything has been completed and finalized.

Divorce Tip #1

Colorado is a no-fault state meaning you do not have to prove certain criteria to file.

Divorce Tip #2

You can file for divorce on your own (petition for dissolution of marriage) and serve your spouse or you can file jointly (co-petition) and eliminate the need to serve the other spouse.

Divorce Tip #3

The fastest you can get a divorce is 91 days from the filing of a co-petition or the service of a petition. This is a statutory waiting period and it cannot be waived. Most of the time your divorce will take longer than this 91-day waiting period.

Divorce Tip #4

If you are considered “common law married” there is no such thing as a “common law divorce” and you must go through the dissolution of marriage process.

Divorce Tip #5

A divorce is different from a legal separation although they share many of the same qualities. In a legal separation, you will account for property division, child support, and custody; however, the main difference is that you cannot get remarried if you get a legal separation. A divorce is what affords you the ability to get remarried.

What Does the Process Look Like When Getting a Divorce?

STEP ONE:

The first step in any divorce is to file the initiating paperwork which includes: 1) a Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage; and 2) a Case Information Sheet. If you and your opposing spouse decide to file jointly, then you do not have to have them served. If you did not file jointly, you will need to hire a process server to serve them the paperwork.

STEP TWO:

After the Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage and Case Information Sheet are filed, the court will issue what is called a case Management Order that tells you important deadlines for your case. If you have children, this will include the deadline to take and complete the mandatory co-parenting class as well as mediation. The case Management Order will also include a date for your initial status conference. An Initial Status Conference is a very informal meeting between you, your attorney, your opposing spouse, their attorney if they have one, and either a judge or a family court facilitator. The purpose of an Initial Status Conference is to let the court know what your case will need and to set deadlines for those needs. This may include an appraisal for the marital home, a business evaluation, or a child and family investigator amongst many other things. You and your attorney will discuss your needs in your case well beforehand.

STEP THREE:

At the Initial Status Conference, the judge will also set a deadline for Rule 16.2 Financial Disclosures. These are typically due 42 days after the service of a petition or the filing of a co-petition. Each party going through a divorce must complete this process. This process is essential as it illustrates what assets and debts the marital estate has so that everyone can come to a solution on how to divide everything.

STEP FOUR :

After the financial disclosures are completed by each party, the court will also order you to mediate the case. Mediation allows you and your opposing spouse the opportunity to come together and try to come to an agreement without having to go to trial and litigate the issues. Mediation is an effective way to save you money and keep you in control of your life. If you would like to learn more, please navigate to the Mediation tab. At the end of the day, if you cannot come to an agreement in mediation, your case will be set for a permanent orders hearing. At the permanent orders hearing you will present evidence, give testimony, have witnesses, and your attorney will make legal arguments if necessary. You will tell the judge what you would like to happen, and your opposing spouse will have the opportunity to do the same. The judge will then make the final decision.