Englewood Divorce Attorney

Colorado Divorce Requirements for Englewood Residents

At least one spouse must have lived in Colorado for 91 days immediately before filing a divorce petition. Colorado uses no-fault divorce, meaning the legal ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken rather than misconduct by either spouse.

A divorce generally can’t be finalized until at least 91 days after the petition is served. This statutory minimum isn’t a prediction of how long a case will take. Disputed finances, parenting issues, incomplete disclosures, and court scheduling can extend the timeline.

The 182-day home-state requirement for custody jurisdiction is separate from Colorado divorce residency and generally concerns where a child lived before the proceeding began. Englewood family law cases involving Arapahoe County residents are heard in the Arapahoe County District Court within the 18th Judicial District.

Dividing Property & Addressing Financial Support

Colorado follows equitable division rather than an automatic 50/50 or community-property model. The court divides marital property in a manner it considers fair based on the circumstances presented. In this context, fair doesn’t necessarily mean equal.

Factors that may affect the division include:

• Each spouse’s contribution to property acquired during the marriage
• The value of property set apart to each spouse
• Any increase or decrease in the value of each spouse’s separate property during the marriage
• Each person’s economic circumstances after dissolution

Financial disclosures identify assets, debts, income, and expenses that may affect negotiations or court decisions. Spousal maintenance may also be addressed in a divorce or legal separation. We represent clients in property division and support calculations while working to control unnecessary legal expense. Any division or award depends on the evidence and circumstances of the case.

Parenting Plans, Custody & Child Support

The Arapahoe County District Court Family Division manages divorce and child-related matters. We advocate for parents in custody and visitation disputes and help structure parenting plans that address decision-making responsibilities and parenting time.

Financial support for children is considered alongside the family’s parenting arrangements and finances. We explain how a proposed parenting structure relates to the broader case and represent clients seeking or responding to post-decree modifications when circumstances change.

Paths to Resolving a Colorado Divorce

Many divorce issues can be addressed through negotiation, and the court encourages mediation and settlement. In mediation, a neutral third party facilitates discussion and assists the participants in working toward an agreement but doesn’t decide the case.

Arbitration is a different private process in which a neutral third party hears the parties and issues a decision. The suitability of negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or court proceedings depends on the disputed issues and procedural posture of the case.

We guide clients through negotiation and possible mediation. If disputes remain, a final hearing may be necessary for the court to decide them. When the required terms are resolved, an agreement may instead be incorporated into the final decree.