Colorado Springs Divorce Attorney

Colorado Springs Divorce Lawyer

Helping Our Clients in El Paso County, Colorado, Preserve Their Best Interests

At Knies, Helland & McPherson Law, our Colorado Springs divorce lawyers partner with each client to come up with a personalized solution that will fit their specific situation. Only you know what support you need at this moment in time, and our family lawyers will listen to your thoughts and goals before crafting a personalized strategy to help you achieve these goals.

Knies, Helland & McPherson Law works with couples to find the most dignified path for them. They handle traditional divorces but also have experience in mediation and offer divorce coaching and other a la carte services. They understand that going through a divorce is excruciating, and with sensitivity and grace, they partner with each client to come up with a customized solution that meets each person’s needs and goals.

Contact our Colorado Springs Divorce Attorneys today at (719) 626-8530!

What Is Divorce?

When we begin a marriage, we all assume it will last. We even dream that we will spend the rest of our lives together. And while that happens for some, for others, life circumstances change, personalities change, and relationships change. As that happens, there are some instances when divorce is a better option than remaining in a failing marriage, or worse, in an abusive or toxic one. If that is the case for you, it is important that you understand your options.

To put it simply, a divorce is a legal action taken by married people to lawfully terminate the marital relationship. In some cases, it is referred to as the dissolution of a marriage, which essentially is the legal action that ends the marriage prior to the death of either spouse.

There are essentially five types of divorce, some of which can coexist, they are:

No-Fault: In this type of divorce, the necessity to find fault is taken away, and the divorce is based on the grounds of the breakdown of the marriage itself. Colorado is a no-fault divorce state.
Collaborative: In this type of divorce, each spouse hires his or her own attorney, and the parties meet to amicably settle the terms of the divorce.
Mediated: In a mediated divorce, the spouses together hire a mediator or facilitator to oversee the communication regarding the divorce and outcome.
Contested: When the spouses are unable to agree on all terms and conditions of their divorce and must go to a hearing with different positions.
Uncontested: When the spouses can agree on the terms of the divorce without a legal proceeding, it is known as an uncontested divorce.

What Are Grounds for Divorce in Colorado?

Colorado is a no-fault state, which means that the only grounds for dissolving a marriage is if just one spouse states that it is irretrievably broken. However, what if one spouse disagrees, and states that the marriage can be fixed, what are the next steps? The court may consider the following:

What events led to the divorce filing?
What is the potential that the marriage can be saved?
That the couple attend counseling prior to the proceedings taking place.

How Long Can the Divorce Process Take?

Before filing for divorce, most individuals want to know how long the process will take. In all reality, there is no “standard” for how long a divorce takes. The length of the process depends on a number of different factors.

The length of time a divorce takes is based on:

Your state of residence
The type of divorce for which you are filing
The ease with which you can locate your spouse
The assets involved
The issue of child custody
Your concern over hidden assets
Whether or not you or your spouse are self-employed or own a business
Your local family court’s log of cases
Appointment of an expert

There are several ways you can expedite the divorce process. If you want to make the experience as quick and painless as possible, then you and your spouse will need to come to an agreement on several issues, including property and debt, parenting time and decision-making, child and spousal support, health and life insurance, and any other issues specific to your case.

Likewise, making sure that you first meet your state’s residency requirements and that your papers are correct and complete when filing will make the process move more efficiently.

If you choose to do so, working with a knowledgeable firm like Knies, Helland & McPherson Law can help.

Contact our divorce attorneys in Colorado Springs and the Greater Denver Area online today or call us at (719) 626-8530 to schedule your personalized consultation to discuss your case in full confidentiality.

Is Colorado a 50 50 divorce state?

No, Colorado is considered an “equitable distribution” state, not a ”community property state.” Therefore, your house is marital property and is not automatically divided equally during the divorce. Instead, a Colorado judge examines your circumstances and proposes a “suitable” distribution.

How Long Do You Have To Be Separated Before Divorce in Colorado?

In Colorado, couples do not have to be legally separated before filing for divorce and can begin the divorce process once the other requirements are met.

The basic requirements for getting a divorce in Colorado are:

One of the spouses must have been resident of Colorado for at least 91 days prior to filing the Petition;
91 days have passed since the summons was served on the other spouse;
Colorado must have personal jurisdiction over the respondent spouse; and
If there are children, Colorado has been their home state for at least 181 days.

Creating a Parenting Plan That Puts Your Children First

At Knies, Helland & McPherson Law, we understand that one of the most important aspects of divorce is ensuring the well-being and best interests of your children. That's why we are dedicated to helping our clients in El Paso County, Colorado, create comprehensive parenting plans that prioritize the needs and happiness of their children.

A parenting plan is a legally binding agreement that outlines how parental responsibilities and parenting time will be divided between both parents after the divorce. By working with our experienced Colorado Springs divorce attorneys, you can create a customized parenting plan that addresses important factors such as:

Child custody arrangements
Visitation schedules
Decision-making authority
Child support obligations
Communication guidelines
Education and healthcare decisions

Our team of dedicated divorce lawyers in Colorado Springs will guide you through the process of creating a parenting plan that is fair, practical, and in the best interests of your children. We understand the complexities and sensitivities involved in child custody and support matters, and we are committed to helping you navigate this challenging time with compassion and expertise.

By working together to create a parenting plan, you can minimize conflict, promote healthy co-parenting, and provide stability and consistency for your children during and after the Colorado divorce process. Let us help you protect your children's best interests and create a positive future for your family.

Is Counseling Mandatory Before Divorce?

If reconciliation seems possible, or if you and your spouse do not agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken, then the Colorado court may order a counseling period between 30 to 60 days after you file for divorce. Mediation may also be ordered to resolve any parenting issues such as custody, visitation and support.

Do You Need a Lawyer To Get a Divorce in Colorado?

You’ve likely known people who have gone through a long, drawn-out divorce process as well as a few who have ended their marriage without a lot of fuss. So, what’s the difference, and how do you know if you need to call a divorce attorney serving Colorado Springs and the Greater Denver Area, like Knies, Helland & McPherson Law?

The answer depends on several different factors. If you and your spouse are struggling to come to mutual decisions over your children, finances, and property, you may benefit from the legal counsel of a divorce lawyer. Likewise, if the marriage has already turned emotionally distressing or is charged with a lot of anger, call an attorney can help you peaceably work through your differences and come to a resolution.

Just be sure that you and your spouse hire individuals who are amicable to not “pour more fuel on the fire,” so to speak.

It likely goes without saying, but if you suspect or have evidence of abuse–spousal, child, sexual, or substance–then it is best to hire divorce lawyers in Colorado Springs to negotiate appropriately and to advise you of your legal rights and responsibilities.

Finally, it is also wise to hire a lawyer if your spouse has already hired an attorney, particularly if you have children and/or are facing complicated financial decisions.

Contact our divorce attorneys in Colorado Springs by calling (719) 626-8530 today!

Can I File for Divorce Without a Lawyer?

Many couples are tempted to file for divorce on their own using court-provided documents and information. While going this route can work in some cases, it is typically in your best interest to hire an attorney to represent your interests or to ensure that the agreement that you craft is thorough.

An attorney can:

Provide expert advice: An experienced divorce lawyer will help ensure your rights are protected in the event of a divorce. Likewise, he or she will help settle any complicated issues regarding custody, debt, income, or other concerns.
Reduce stress: If you choose to work with an attorney, you will need to provide him or her with relevant information regarding the grounds of the divorce, but beyond that, the attorney will do the work for you and act as a sounding board for your decisions.
Avoid mistakes: It is easy to make mistakes when completing your own divorce because the legal system is complicated, and you are likely under a lot of stress. An attorney can help you navigate these issues.
Present a binding agreement: The court system will review any divorce documents presented; however, working with an attorney will ensure that the agreement that is delivered is clear and binding both in your eyes and the eyes of the court.
Circumvent delays: While any individual can use the court-provided documents to file, should you make any mistakes or complete improper forms, you may run into delays. Working with an attorney will help you avoid such issues.

Whatever you do, do not try to complete your divorce on your own. Ultimately, it will not likely cost you less. There is too much at risk and chances are, you will miss important steps in the process.

At Knies, Helland & McPherson Law, our inexpensive divorce lawyers in Colorado Springs and the Greater Denver Area will not only represent you in the court of law, but we are there to support you emotionally throughout the process.

Let Our Colorado Springs Divorce Lawyers Guide You

At Knies, Helland & McPherson Law, all of our Colorado Springs divorce lawyers focus on family law. Divorce court can be messy and complex. Going with experienced lawyers who know the local laws, court, attorneys, and bench will be to your advantage. In most cases, we can avoid the courtroom and settle the divorce in mediation – that will save you time, money, and heartache, but also best assure you get a fair outcome.

However, if your case needs to go to a contested hearing, we have years of success in the courtroom and with arbitration.

When you hire our Colorado Springs divorce attorneys, you will get a real-life assessment of your case from start to finish in real time. We will discuss the financial and emotional pros and cons of each option and assist you in looking at both short- and long-term consequences of your decisions. While we will guide you in making decisions in your case with real advice, you ultimately hold the power to make final decisions.

At Knies, Helland & McPherson Law, we have created a new approach to divorce. We provide traditional divorce services, but we also provide coaching, mediation, and a la carte services to help fit your needs. Our divorce lawyer in Colorado Springs, CO and the Greater Denver Area will work with you to come up with the personalized solution that will help you the most.