Divorce in Colorado

For many people, the decision to get a divorce usually comes after much deliberation and stress. Fortunately, the actual divorce process in the state of Colorado can be fairly simple. As long as you and your spouse are in agreement about the need for divorce, you both agree on how your property will be divided and you agree on child custody issues, you can get a divorce in Colorado without much difficulty. You simply need to fill out the appropriate Colorado divorce papers, submit them to the court and wait for approval.

Of course, if you and your spouse are not in agreement on any issues, the court will require you to come to an agreement through divorce mediation, or as a last resort, through a hearing with a judge. If you suspect there will be major disagreements during this process, or if you are concerned about property or child custody issues, it is advisable to seek the help of a divorce attorney.

If you believe that you and your spouse can come to an agreement about property and custody, the least expensive and least stressful way to get a divorce is to complete Colorado’s divorce papers and submit them yourself. Many people have found that using an online divorce document service such as CompleteCase.com to be the best way to prepare divorce papers.  With CompleteCase.com, you know you are filling out all the correct divorce documents for your specific situation, and that those documents are filled out correctly – preventing possible delays and allowing you complete the divorce as quickly as possible.

Colorado Divorce Facts

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2011 the divorce rate in Colorado was 4.4 for every 1,000 residents. This divorce rate puts Colorado at the higher end for divorce rates in the U.S. where its divorce rate has remained fairly constant over the years.

Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. No-fault means that divorcing couples do not need to place blame on one spouse or the other to obtain a divorce from the court. You simply need to state that the marriage is “irretrievably broken”.

You or your spouse must be a resident of Colorado for at least 90 days before you are able to submit divorce documents.

Colorado Divorce Papers and Forms

The Colorado Judicial Branch offers all divorce papers and forms on its website, along with instructions on how to fill out these documents. When you visit the site, you will discover that there are a number of possible forms to complete. There are options for those with no children and options for those with children. You can expect to at least fill out a Case Information Sheet, a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and a Sworn Financial Statement. If your spouse is not filing with you, then you will also need to serve your spouse with a Summons for Dissolution or Marriage.

Looking over the Colorado Judicial Branch website and the available forms, it is easy to get overwhelmed. There are numerous options and many divorce forms to choose from. You will also discover that some of these forms are quite detailed as Colorado requires complete and accurate information.

CompleteCase.com offers an online service to help you navigate the required divorce papers in Colorado. Our experts help you ensure that you get the right forms for your specific circumstances and that they’re filled out completely and correctly.  By using a divorce document preparation service like  CompleteCase.com, you’ll feel confident that when you file your divorce forms, they will be accepted by the court, and your divorce process will be underway.

How to File Divorce Papers in Colorado

Now that you have completed all of your Colorado divorce paperwork, you are ready to submit it to your local county clerk in your specific district.  You can find a map of the Colorado Judicial Districts on the Colorado Judicial Branch website.

Avoid signing any sworn statements or affidavits before you go to the court, because these documents need to be notarized. Most courts will have a notary on hand, although you may want to call ahead to make sure. Also, make copies of all of your documents before you file. You will want at least two copies along with the original – one to give to the court and one to serve to your spouse.

The Colorado Judicial Branch lists the fee for filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage at $230. Be sure to check with the court on the cost and acceptable forms of payment to the state.

How To Serve Divorce Papers In Colorado

If you did not file for divorce jointly with your spouse, you will need to serve him or her the divorce paperwork. There are several ways to do this, including:

• Waiver And Acceptance Of Service Form – Your spouse can accept your divorce documents and give you this form, which he or she must sign in front of a notary.
• Sheriff – Your local sheriff’s office will serve your spouse for a fee.
• Private Process Server – This option costs more, but is often faster than waiting on the sheriff.
• Friend Or Relative – You can have someone you know who is over 18 serve your spouse. Make sure this person has nothing to do with the divorce.

When your spouse is served, the party that served the divorce paperwork will give you a return of service form, which you will need to file with the court.

If you have no way of locating your spouse, it is important that you let the court know. Your county clerk can give you other options so you can move forward with the divorce.