Colorado law permits married parties to end their marital relationship by decrees of either dissolution (divorce) or legal separation. Both legal separation and divorce decrees require a Colorado residency by one of the parties for at least 90 days plus an additional minimum 90 day waiting period after the filing of the action for decree. Both decrees require the resolution of parenting plans for any children of the relationship, property and debt division, support for children and/or spouse, and allocation of attorneys’ fees and costs. After a decree of legal separation, the parties remain married, albeit able to live separate lives, while a decree of dissolution of marriage or divorce terminates the marriage. Since children cannot be divorced, a co-parenting relationship will remain as long as any child of the parties remains unemancipated. 

Unmarried persons can utilize the same procedures for the dissolution of a partnership or joint venture coupled with equitable processes and statutes designed to provide for and protect children to achieve some of the same results as those available to married persons. 

In all situations, the parties have a fiduciary relationship with one another during the legal process that requires complete disclosure of all relevant matters. As your legal counsel or consultant, we will assist you in the collection and disclosure of all relevant information, as well as in locating any third-party advisors or experts as may be appropriate in your case. In addition, we will prepare and file all necessary documentation and present legal arguments and justifications for the resolutions you seek. 

After the assembly of all relevant information and counsel during pending actions, we will assist you in determining the best method of dispute resolution: negotiation, mediation, litigation or collaborative processes, and in pursuing resolution through your chosen method.

We anticipate providing you with advice and guidance as to both the process and the resolution of substantive issues while recognizing that the ultimate decisions must be made by you and your partner or a judge/arbitrator or some combination thereof. Ultimately, we seek resolutions which will provide the most fair and equitable solutions for you and appropriately provide for your children.