Divorce is difficult and the legal process can add even more stress to an already stressful situation. Do you live in the Denver area? If you and your partner have decided that divorce is the best course of action, you will need to know how to file for divorce in Colorado and we can help at VanLandingham Law – a Colorado family law firm.
How Does the Divorce Process Work?
The divorce process and the paperwork that goes with it may vary from state to state and in order to file for divorce in most states, you must have lived there for at least six months. When you choose to divorce your partner, there are three primary options – a do-it-yourself divorce, file for an online divorce or hire a divorce lawyer. How you choose to handle the divorce will depend on the details of your divorce, your financial situation and the time you have.
Step-By-Step Divorce Process in Colorado
- File the initial divorce petition with the local court system. Two criteria must be met – one person must file for divorce in the State of Colorado and one partner must have lived in Colorado for more than 90 days.
- Review divorce documents from the court. Divorce documents you will receive from the courts include orders for potential counseling classes, necessary documentation that needs to be filled out and a date for your Initial Status Conference.
- Provide Personal Service and Proof of Service documents to the Colorado court system.
- Complete Colorado divorce forms. Forms to begin the divorce process in the State of Colorado include – a Certificate of Compliance, Financial Statements, a Separation Agreement, a Parenting Plan, a Divorce Decree, a Support Order, a Pretrial Statement and a Child Support Worksheet when needed.
- Attend an Initial Status Conference. The Initial Status Conference is your first appearance in a courtroom and you will need to submit the Certificate of Compliance and Financial Statements.
- Attend Divorce Mediation. In a contentious divorce, Divorce Mediation may be needed and can be mandated by the court to help resolve any contentious issues prior to the final hearing.
- Attend the Final Divorce Hearing. Any contested issues that cannot be resolved in Divorce Mediation will be heard and decided by a judge in court.
- Final Dissolution of Marriage. When the final divorce hearing is complete, the court will file any Support Orders and your Divorce Decree. Your divorce is final.