Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. That means neither spouse has to prove wrongdoing to end the marriage. But no-fault does not mean simple.
Aurora divorce lawyers at The Law Office of Andrew Bryant represent husbands and wives filing for dissolution of marriage in the Arapahoe County District Court and Adams County District Court.
We handle contested and uncontested cases involving property division, parental responsibilities, spousal maintenance, and debt allocation.
Filing the right paperwork is the easy part. Protecting your financial future and your relationship with your children takes preparation, local court knowledge, and an attorney who understands how Colorado divorce law applies to your specific situation.
Call (720) 548-4440 to understand your options before you file.
Why Do Aurora Families Hire The Law Office of Andrew Bryant for Divorce?
Our firm has handled contested divorce and family law cases across Colorado since 2012. Andrew Bryant’s background as a former Deputy District Attorney in El Paso County gives him a trial-tested approach to family law that most divorce attorneys do not share.
He has tried nearly 100 cases in front of juries and handled well over 150 contested family law hearings in Colorado courts. That courtroom instinct shapes how we prepare every divorce case, from the first financial disclosure to the final orders hearing.
How We Handle Divorce Cases Differently
Divorce cases touch finances, children, and daily life all at once. We approach each one by breaking down the legal issues into pieces you actually understand and building a strategy around your priorities, not a one-size-fits-all template.
Our attorneys represent clients in both Arapahoe County and Adams County courts on matters that include:
- High-conflict and contested divorces involving property, parenting, or maintenance disputes
- Uncontested dissolutions where both spouses agree on terms but need legally sound documentation
- Military divorce cases involving service members stationed at Buckley Space Force Base
- Complex property division involving real estate, retirement accounts, business interests, or significant debt
- Post-decree modifications when circumstances change after the divorce is finalized
The firm holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Third-party review platforms show over 100 Google reviews and a 4.7-star rating.
Ratings and reviews reflect past client experiences and do not predict future results. Our Greenwood Village office at 8480 E Orchard Rd, Suite 1300 is convenient for Aurora-area clients.
What Are the Requirements to File for Divorce in Aurora?
Colorado requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for 91 days before filing for dissolution of marriage.
Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106 (Colorado dissolution statute), the only legal ground for divorce in Colorado is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Neither spouse needs to prove fault, adultery, or abuse to file.
Where Do Aurora Divorce Cases Get Filed?
Aurora spans two counties, and the county you live in determines where your case goes. Residents in southern and eastern Aurora typically file in the Arapahoe County District Court. Residents in northern Aurora file in the Adams County District Court.
Each court has its own judges, docket pace, and local procedural expectations. An attorney familiar with both courthouses may help you anticipate timing and prepare accordingly.
What Does the Divorce Timeline Look Like in Colorado?
Colorado law requires a minimum 91-day waiting period between filing and finalizing a divorce. An uncontested case where both spouses agree on all terms may wrap up close to that 91-day mark.
Contested cases involving disputes over property, parenting time, or maintenance often take six months to over a year depending on the complexity and the court’s calendar.
How Does the Divorce Process Work in Aurora?
The Aurora divorce process begins with one spouse filing a petition for dissolution of marriage. The other spouse then receives formal notice and has 21 days (or 35 days if served outside Colorado) to respond. From there, the case moves through several stages.
Temporary Orders
Many Aurora divorce cases involve a temporary orders hearing within the first few weeks. Temporary orders address immediate concerns like who stays in the family home, how bills get paid during the case, and where the children live while the divorce is pending.
These orders are not permanent, but they set a baseline that often influences the final outcome.
Disclosure and Discovery
Both spouses must exchange full financial disclosures under Colorado law. That includes income, assets, debts, retirement accounts, and business interests.
Hiding assets or providing incomplete disclosures may lead to court sanctions and may affect how a judge divides property.
Mediation and Settlement
Colorado courts encourage mediation in divorce cases. A neutral mediator helps both spouses negotiate terms for property division, parenting plans, and support.
Many Aurora divorces settle at mediation without a trial. If mediation fails, the case proceeds to a permanent orders hearing where a judge decides the unresolved issues.
Reaching a fair settlement typically depends on having complete financial information and realistic expectations about what Colorado law allows.
An attorney who has handled divorce cases in both Arapahoe County and Adams County may help you evaluate offers and avoid agreeing to terms that do not reflect your actual rights.
Have questions about what to expect during your divorce? Call (720) 548-4440 for a free consultation.
How Does Colorado Divide Property in an Aurora Divorce?
Colorado follows equitable distribution, not equal distribution. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-113 (Colorado property division statute), the court divides marital property in a way that is fair based on the circumstances. Fair does not always mean 50/50.
What Counts as Marital Property?
Marital property includes most assets and debts acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the title. Common examples in Aurora divorce cases include:
- The family home or other real estate
- Retirement accounts, pensions, and 401(k) balances accumulated during the marriage
- Bank accounts, investment portfolios, and stock options
- Business interests and professional practices
- Vehicles, furniture, and other personal property acquired during the marriage
Separate property generally includes assets one spouse owned before the marriage, inheritances received by one spouse, and gifts given specifically to one spouse.
However, separate property may become commingled with marital property over time, which complicates the division.
What Factors Does the Court Consider?
The court considers several factors when dividing property, including:
- Each spouse’s financial situation after the divorce
- Whether one spouse contributed to the other’s education or career during the marriage
- Any increase or decrease in the value of separate property during the marriage
- The length of the marriage
- Each spouse’s economic circumstances at the time of division
Equitable distribution gives the judge flexibility, but that flexibility also means the outcome is harder to predict without experienced legal guidance.
What seems like a straightforward split may involve tax consequences, pension valuations, or hidden debt that changes the picture entirely.
How Does Spousal Maintenance Work in Aurora Divorces?
Spousal maintenance (called alimony in other states) is not automatic in Colorado.
Under C.R.S. § 14-10-114 (Colorado maintenance statute), the court first determines whether maintenance is appropriate based on each spouse’s income, earning capacity, and financial needs.
If the court awards maintenance, Colorado provides an advisory guideline formula for marriages lasting between 3 and 20 years.
Advisory Guidelines for Colorado Maintenance
The advisory guideline formula calculates a suggested amount and duration of maintenance based on the combined income of both spouses.
The formula provides a starting point, not a guaranteed result. A judge may deviate from the guidelines based on the specific facts of the case.
For marriages under 3 years, the court has full discretion. For marriages over 20 years, the court may award maintenance for an indefinite period.
The advisory guidelines apply to combined annual incomes up to $240,000 (subject to periodic statutory adjustment).
What Happens With Children During an Aurora Divorce?
Colorado addresses children’s living arrangements and decision-making authority through the allocation of parental responsibilities, not through a separate custody ruling.
Under C.R.S. § 14-10-124, the court determines parenting time and decision-making responsibility based on the child’s best interests.
Parenting Plans in Divorce Cases
Both parents must submit a proposed parenting plan to the court. The plan addresses where the child lives, how holidays and vacations are divided, and how major decisions about education, healthcare, and religious upbringing are handled.
If the parents agree on a plan, the court typically approves it. If they disagree, the court may order mediation or appoint a Child and Family Investigator (CFI) to evaluate both households and make recommendations.
A CFI is a court-appointed professional who interviews both parents, observes the child in each home, and files a report with the judge.
Parenting disputes often become the most contested part of an Aurora divorce. Having an attorney who has handled both the family law and criminal defense sides of domestic cases provides perspective that a purely civil practitioner may lack.
How Do Military Families in Aurora Handle Divorce?
Military divorce in Aurora involves additional layers of federal law on top of Colorado’s dissolution statutes. Buckley Space Force Base makes this a common issue for families in the area.
Federal Protections for Service Members
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) allows active-duty service members to delay divorce proceedings if military duties prevent them from participating.
The Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA) governs how military retirement pay may be divided in a divorce.
Colorado courts treat disposable military retirement pay as marital property subject to equitable distribution. Military divorces also raise questions about:
- Tricare health insurance eligibility after divorce
- Base housing and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) during separation
- Deployment-related adjustments to parenting time
- Jurisdiction when one spouse is stationed outside Colorado
The Law Office of Andrew Bryant offers military discounts and has direct experience representing service members and military spouses in Aurora divorce cases.
Ask The Law Office of Andrew Bryant
Do I need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce in Aurora?
No, Colorado does not require an attorney for an uncontested divorce. However, even when both spouses agree, the paperwork involves financial disclosures, parenting plans, and property division terms that carry long-term consequences.
An attorney review before signing may help you identify issues you might otherwise miss.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Aurora?
Divorce attorney fees in Aurora depend on whether the case is contested or uncontested. Uncontested divorces with no children and limited assets cost less than contested cases involving property disputes, maintenance, or parenting evaluations.
We offer a free initial consultation to give you a realistic picture of the costs involved.
What if my spouse is hiding assets during the divorce?
Both spouses must provide complete financial disclosures under Colorado law. If you suspect your spouse is hiding assets, your attorney may use formal discovery tools such as subpoenas, interrogatories, and depositions to uncover the full financial picture.
Courts take disclosure violations seriously and may impose penalties.
FAQs for Aurora Divorce Lawyers
How long do I have to live in Colorado before filing for divorce?
Colorado requires at least one spouse to have been a resident of the state for 91 days before filing for dissolution of marriage.
You do not need to have lived in Aurora or any specific county for that full period. You file in the county where you currently reside.
Is Colorado a 50/50 divorce state?
No. Colorado follows equitable distribution, which means the court divides marital property fairly but not necessarily equally.
The judge considers each spouse’s financial circumstances, contributions to the marriage, and earning capacity when deciding how to split assets and debts.
Can I date during my divorce in Colorado?
Yes, Colorado law does not prohibit dating during a pending divorce. However, dating may complicate parenting evaluations if the court appoints a CFI.
Spending marital funds on a new relationship may also affect property division. Discussing your specific situation with an attorney before making decisions that affect your case is a practical step.
What is the difference between legal separation and divorce in Colorado?
Legal separation divides property, allocates parental responsibilities, and may include maintenance, but it does not end the marriage.
Some Aurora families choose legal separation for religious reasons, insurance purposes, or because one spouse is not yet ready to divorce. Either spouse may later convert a legal separation into a dissolution of marriage.
Get Clarity on Your Aurora Divorce Before You Make Your Next Move
The financial and parenting decisions you make during a divorce follow you for years. Filing without understanding Colorado’s property division rules, maintenance guidelines, or parental responsibilities framework may leave you locked into terms that do not reflect your rights under the law.
The Law Office of Andrew Bryant represents spouses across Aurora in both the Arapahoe County and Adams County court systems. We bring a former prosecutor’s preparation to every contested hearing and a practical approach to every negotiation.
Call (720) 548-4440 to talk through your situation and understand your options in a free consultation.
This page provides general information about divorce in Colorado and does not constitute legal advice.
