Family Law

Colorado Divorce Attorney

Don't Face Difficult Family Law Issues Alone

Who gets the house? Who gets the car? How are the parenting rights and responsibilities divided? At Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C., we will fight to protect your rights. Backed by 30 years of experience in the field of family law and thousands of divorce, child custody, paternity and domestic violence cases, we have the skills and knowledge to safeguard your future. From simple division of property cases to complex property and business ownership cases, we have the skills and commitment to help you through the procedures for dissolution. In cases including children, we understand the concerns and are able to help you protect your children's best interests.

Why Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C.?

  • Focused on favorable results in a timely manner
  • Hundreds of Colorado families helped
  • Proven litigators and negotiators
  • Emphasis on close client communication
  • 30 years serving men and women across the state

The Divorce Process in Colorado

Establishing the grounds for divorce will be the first step in the divorce process. Colorado is a “no-fault” state which means that the grounds for divorce are not difficult to establish. The person filing can state that the marriage has been “irretrievably broken.” The state can consider fault-based arguments for the division of property or spousal support, however. The necessary steps of a divorce will depend on the specifics of your case, but there is a general procedure that will take place. Your attorney can guide you through the process and provide an explanation of what you need to do at each stage, which is why it is important to work with a knowledgeable and trustworthy divorce lawyer.

Understanding Colorado's Divorce Process

How Much Does a Divorce Cost?

Filing Costs

The bare minimum cost for a divorce includes the filing fees. In order to get divorced, the two spouses may file the petition together and share the filing fee or one spouse can file the petition and the other can file a response. The petition is a request for a divorce and gives the court the information it needs to move forward with the divorce. The response allows the other spouse to correct any misstated information and object to the information in the petition. The cost to file a petition is $230 and the cost to file the response is $116. The court has resources for parties who cannot afford the filing fee.

Mediation Costs

Divorces are complicated, and spouses often do need the assistance of a professional to help them sort out all of the issues. The court will order parties to attend mediation with a professional if they are unable to resolve all issues on their own before the court will hold a hearing to decide on these issues for the parties. Issues include the division of assets and debts, spousal support, parenting time, decision-making responsibility for the children, child support, who will take the family pets, etc. The cost of mediation ranges, from the Colorado Office of Dispute Resolution, which bills at $75 per hour per party ($150/hour per hour total) to private mediators who set their own rates and generally range from $200 to $350 per hour, to retired judges who charge around $300 per hour and up. The Colorado Office of Dispute Resolution allows for parties who cannot afford mediation to apply for reduced rates as do some private mediators.

Attorney Fees

An experienced family law attorney can handle all aspects of a divorce and guide you through the process. Attorneys generally ask for a retainer, then bill by the hour for the work that they do. You will receive a bill monthly for this work and most attorneys expect that you will pay your bills in full each month and will issue a refund of the retainer at the end of the case. The hourly rate for attorneys in Northern Colorado ranges from $200 an hour to $400 an hour and typical retainers range from $3,000 to $10,000 but may vary due to the complexity of the case

Interesting Divorce Statistics & FAQ

According to the American Psychological Association, 40 to 50 percent of married couples will divorce. The rates for second and subsequent marriages are higher. However, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of divorce have been declining over the last 20 years. In 2020, 22,592 petitions for divorce were filed in Colorado, according to the Colorado Judicial Branch.

Have Questions? Contact Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C.

If you have questions about the divorce process, we can give you all the guidance you need as you make this life-changing decision. We will help you remain calm so that you can make legally sound and strategic decisions. Our mission is to equip you with everything you need to start the next chapter of your life.

Protecting Your Interests & Rights

Whether you are dealing with a contested or an uncontested divorce, we have the tools and skills required to protect your rights and interests during the divorce process. Our divorce lawyers have proven trial skills and an impressive track record of success. Should your case need to go to trial, you can feel confident in knowing you are being represented by a reputable law firm.

In addition, we can assist you with other divorce-related issues such as:

Probate FAQ

If you have a quick question about probate law, this frequently asked questions list might have the answer. Please feel free to give it a quick review. If you have further questions please call (720) 491-3117. We look forward to seeing how we can help!

Get more information about our divorce representation

We’ve Helped Thousands Like You

The staff at Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin are professional, conscientious, and sensitive to the needs of the client. Through incredibly overwhelming situations, my concerns were validated while keeping me on track in the process. If I could give them another star, I would do so.
Terry B.

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