Colorado

Divorce Residency Requirements To Get Divorce In Colorado

Before a person can file for divorce in Colorado, the filing spouse must have lived in the state for a minimum of 90 days. From the date that the respondent is served, there is a 90-day waiting period before the divorce can be declared final.

Reasons For Divorce In Colorado

Colorado only recognizes one reason, or grounds, for divorce. This reason is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. In Colorado, this is NOT considered a no-fault grounds for divorce.

Custody Of The Children In Colorado

Physical and legal custody of a child or children can be agreed upon by the parties involved in the divorce. Joint legal custody would entail allowing both parties to have equal input into crucial decisions about the child. If divorce is contested, the court should determine how responsibilities would be delegated. Decisions regarding parenting time and where the child will live are decided according to the best interests of the child.

In making the decisions on physical custody, it is essential to consider the bond between the child and siblings, adjustment to school and home, wishes of the parents, desires of the child if he or she is of mature age, and any history of child or spousal abuse in the family.

Evidence of both parents’ ability to make joint decisions is a consideration when allocating legal custody.

Colorado Child Support Guidelines

Standard child support guidelines, put together by Colorado, are applied in almost every divorce case. Worksheets and forms can be obtained from any district court clerk, or they are available as part of the package from Divorce.com. Income of both parents and child-related expenses are taken into consideration in the calculation of child support. Support continues until the child reaches age 18 or until he or she finishes high school.

Divorce Mediation

Once the court has received consent, an arbitrator can be appointed to resolve disputes between parties concerning minor or dependent children. Such conflicts can include, but are not limited to, parenting time, lack of child support payments and disputed parenting decisions. Arbitration is a binding process and will be finished before the divorce forms are complete and the DIY divorce is finalized.

Filing Fees

The fees to file a case in the Colorado state court are charged in addition to the costs of Divorce.com. Filing fees can vary from county to county. For more information regarding this exact amount, we provide an easy way to look up the filing fees for your area. This ensures that you have a clear picture of all expenses specific to your situation before moving forward.