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Centennial Divorce Lawyers

Centennial Divorce Lawyers

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Divorce changes more than your marital status. It can affect your home, finances, parenting arrangements, retirement accounts, business interests, and plans for the future. For families in Centennial, navigating these issues can become particularly complicated when spouses disagree about property division, parenting responsibilities, support, or how the divorce should be resolved.

At Ascent Legal Group, our Centennial divorce attorneys help individuals and families navigate the legal and financial issues involved in the dissolution of a marriage. We take the time to understand your circumstances, explain your options, and develop a legal strategy based on the issues that matter most to you. Whether you are considering an uncontested divorce, facing a high-conflict separation, or dealing with complicated marital assets, our Colorado family law attorneys can guide you through the process. Contact our law offices to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with a Centennial divorce attorney.

Going through a divorce is never easy, but having the right legal guidance can make all the difference. At Ascent Legal Group, our Centennial divorce lawyers are committed to helping you navigate this challenging time with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Whether you’re dealing with contested divorce issues, child custody disputes, or the division of complex assets, our experienced team is here to protect your rights and advocate for your best interests every step of the way.

Divorce is never easy, even if it’s something you want. Our divorce attorneys are skilled at helping our clients navigate the tricky, emotionally complex waters of divorce. Contact us today to schedule a free 30-minute confidential consultation with a Colorado divorce attorney.

Getting Divorced in Colorado

Colorado is a no-fault state, meaning, you do not need to allege any wrong doing by the other party to get divorce. You simply need to allege that your marriage is irretrievably broken. While you might want to get divorced for a variety of reasons (such as cheating), you don’t have to allege or prove any of these issues to get divorced in Colorado.

Before filing, you must meet certain residency requirements. These rules are in place to prevent forum shopping, or someone from another state seeking to get divorced in Colorado because they view the laws as more favorable. To file, either you or your spouse must have lived in Colorado for a minimum of 91 days. If you have children together, then they must have lived in Colorado for at least 182 days for a Colorado court to have jurisdiction over them.

If you and your spouse can agree on all of the key issues in your divorce, then the divorce is considered an uncontested divorce. This requires coming to an agreement on any legal matter that may be at issue in your divorce, such as property division, spousal support, and/or child custody and support. An uncontested divorce is typically less expensive and faster. It is still a good idea to hire a Centennial divorce lawyer to help you draft an agreement that protects your rights.

If you can’t come to an agreement with your spouse about any of these issues, then you will have to go before a judge for the judge to make a decision. This is what is known as a contested divorce. Even if you are willing to compromise, you might have no option but to fight your way through a contested divorce if your soon-to-be-ex is less agreeable. It is still possible to come to an agreement and avoid going to trial. In fact, our Centennial divorce attorneys are skilled at helping our clients negotiate agreements that protect their rights.

In any divorce, having a smart, capable lawyer is important. Even if you think that you can come to an agreement with your spouse, there are a lot of thorny legal issues in divorce that can affect other parts of your life (such as your taxes). Ascent Legal Group can provide strategic legal advice that is designed to help you achieve your goals in a divorce, whatever your priorities may be.

Property Division and Alimony in a Centennial Divorce 

If you and your spouse own any property or have any debts between the two of you that was incurred during the marriage, then property division will likely be an issue in your divorce. In some cases, one party may also be entitled to alimony/spousal maintenance.

In Colorado, property is divided based on a rule of equitable distribution. With equitable distribution, assets and debts aren’t required to be divided 50-50. Instead, a judge will weigh various factors to decide what is fair to both parties. With these factors in mind, your Colorado divorce lawyer can also advise you of what a court will likely do if you want to work out an agreement with your ex.

To start, each spouse has to make a full financial disclosure of all of their assets and liabilities. Each item will then be characterized as either marital property or separate property. Generally, marital property is anything that the couple acquires after they get married (including debt). Separate property is anything that one spouse acquired before marriage or through gift or inheritance during marriage.

Only marital property is subject to equitable distribution. For this reason, it’s a common tactic in a divorce to characterize assets as separate instead of marital property. This can get somewhat complex, which is why it is important to have legal representation during this process. We can analyze the facts of your case in light of Colorado law and make an argument for how a particular asset or debt should be characterized.

All property on the financial disclosures must then be assigned a value. In many cases, this is a straightforward process of simply listing the value of a retirement account. Some assets are simply more complicated to put a value on, such as a closely-held business or real estate holdings. Our team works with financial experts who can assist in the process of valuing assets in a divorce.

With all assets and debts characterized and assigned a value, a court will then make a decision about how to divide the property. A judge will analyze multiple factors when deciding how to divide property, these include:

  • The contribution of each spouse to the acquisition of the marital property, including the contribution of a spouse as a homemaker;
  • The value of the property set apart to each spouse;
  • The economic circumstances of each spouse at the time the division of property is to become effective; and,
  • Any increases or decreases in the value of the separate property of the spouse during the marriage or the depletion of the separate property for marital purposes.

Understanding these factors can also help you come to a settlement agreement with your spouse. Negotiating an agreement offers more certainty and often costs far less in terms of time and money. Our experienced Centennial divorce attorneys will work with you to determine what is important to you in terms of assets and help you negotiate an agreement to protect your financial well-being.

In some cases, one spouse may request alimony. This typically happens in cases where one spouse either does not work or earns significantly less money than the other spouse. A court may award spousal maintenance in some situations, but it is not automatically granted.

Colorado Child Custody and Support 

If you and your soon-to-be-ex share minor children, then your divorce must address child custody. In Colorado, this is known as decision-making (legal custody) and parenting time (physical custody). Both types of custody are determined based on the best interests of the child.

Colorado courts are prohibited from considering gender when making custody decisions. In other words, a mother does not automatically have an advantage in custody proceedings. 

Decision-making ability involves the ability to decide important issues in a child’s life, such as healthcare, religion, and education. Typically, courts will order shared legal custody if the parents are able to cooperate. If there is a good reason to do so, a court might give decision-making authority over a particular issue (such as medical care) to one parent.

When it comes to parenting time, the parent who has more overnight visits in a year is considered to have  primary physical care (custody). If each parent has 92 overnight visits per year and they both contribute to expenses for the child(ren), then they have shared physical care (joint custody).

The main focus for child custody decisions is the best interests of the child. A judge will examine:

  • The wishes of the child’s parents as to parenting time;
  • The wishes of the child, if he or she is sufficiently mature to express reasoned and independent preferences as to the parenting time schedule;
  • The interaction and interrelationship of the child with his or her parents, his or her siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child’s best interests;
  • The child’s adjustment to his or her home, school, and community;
  • The mental and physical health of all individuals involved, except that a disability alone shall not be a basis to deny or restrict parenting time;
  • The ability of the parties to encourage the sharing of love, affection, and contact between the child and the other party; except that, if the court determines that a party is acting to protect the child from witnessing domestic violence or from being a victim of child abuse or neglect or domestic violence, the party’s protective actions shall not be considered with respect to this factor;
  • Whether the past pattern of involvement of the parties with the child reflects a system of values, time commitment, and mutual support;
  • The physical proximity of the parties to each other as this relates to the practical considerations of parenting time; and
  • The ability of each party to place the needs of the child ahead of his or her own needs.

As with property issues, you can come to an agreement about child custody with your spouse. Our seasoned Centennial divorce lawyers can talk you through likely outcomes if your case goes to court. You can then make a decision about how to move forward – working out an agreement or going to court – based on this advice and your goals.

In Colorado, the parent with primary custody typically receives child support from the non-custodial parent. There is a specific formula that is used to calculate child support. We can help you determine what your child support obligations might be based on your unique situation.

Call Our Law Firm for a Free Consultation with a Centennial Divorce Lawyer

Getting divorced is a difficult decision to make, but it is often the right one. Our goal as family law attorneys is to help you get through the process in a way that minimizes stress and costs. We will help you understand your legal rights under Colorado law so that you can make an informed choice about how you want to move forward with your divorce.

At Ascent Legal Group, we help clients who are dealing with divorce and other family law matters in Centennial and throughout Arapahoe County. We will work with you to help you find a solution that best meets your needs in a Colorado divorce. Call our law offices at 719-256-0067 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with a Centennial divorce attorney.

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Divorce in Centennial, Colorado

Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. This means that you do not have to prove that your spouse cheated, abandoned you, or otherwise caused the marriage to fail. Instead, a Colorado court may dissolve a marriage when the parties allege that it is “irretrievably broken.”

Although the legal basis for divorce may be straightforward, resolving everything that comes with ending a marriage often is more complex. Depending on your circumstances, your divorce may involve:

Colorado requires at least one spouse to have been domiciled in the state for a minimum of 91 days before a petition for dissolution of marriage can be filed. When minor children are involved, they must have lived in the state for 182 days for the court to have jurisdiction over the allocation of parental responsibilities (APR).

If you meet these requirements, one or both spouses can file for divorce in Arapahoe County. Our Centennial divorce lawyers can help you understand your rights and help you make informed decisions throughout the process.

Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce in Colorado

In Colorado, your divorce may either be contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce generally means that spouses are able to reach an agreement regarding all of the issues that must be resolved before the marriage can be dissolved. Depending on the circumstances, that may include agreements about property division, spousal maintenance, parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, and child support.

Reaching an agreement can eliminate the need for a judge to decide disputed issues at trial. However, it is always a good idea to have a lawyer look over any agreement that you may reach with your spouse. The language of a separation agreement and parenting plan can affect your finances and family for years. An experienced Centennial divorce attorney can review proposed agreements, identify potential problems, and help ensure that your legal interests are addressed before you sign. 

When spouses cannot agree on one or more significant issues in their case, the divorce is considered contested. A disagreement can arise over virtually any aspect of a divorce, including:

  • Who keeps the marital home
  • How retirement accounts are divided
  • Whether a business is marital or separate property
  • The value of real estate or other assets
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Parenting time
  • Decision-making responsibilities
  • Child support

A contested divorce does not necessarily mean that your case will go to trial. Negotiation and mediation may offer opportunities to resolve some or all of the disputed issues. When an agreement cannot be reached, however, the court may ultimately decide the remaining matters.

Our Centennial Divorce Legal Services

Every divorce presents a different combination of legal, financial, and family issues. At Ascent Legal Group, we tailor our representation to the circumstances of each client. We help clients in Centennial with:

Property Division

Colorado follows an equitable distribution approach to dividing marital property. This does not necessarily mean that every marital asset and debt will be divided equally. Instead, the focus is on dividing the marital estate equitably. Before assets and debts can be divided, they must be identified, classified, and valued. Marital property may include assets acquired during the marriage, while property acquired before the marriage or by gift or inheritance during the marriage may qualify as separate property. Determining whether an asset is marital or separate can become complicated when separate and marital funds have been combined or when separate property has increased in value during the marriage. Potentially significant assets may include:

  • The marital residence
  • Other real estate
  • Bank accounts
  • Investment accounts
  • Retirement plans
  • Business interests
  • Vehicles 
  • Stocks and other investments
  • Valuable personal property

In addition, debts must be addressed during property division. Our attorneys can help investigate financial information, evaluate property classifications, and work toward a property settlement that accounts for your circumstances.

High-Asset and Complex Divorce

Some divorces require substantially more financial analysis than others. If either spouse owns a business, holds multiple properties, has significant investments, or has complex compensation arrangements, determining the marital estate can require careful investigation and professional valuation. For example, business interests may raise questions about ownership, valuation, income, and whether some or all of the business interest constitutes marital property. Retirement assets can present their own complications. Dividing a retirement account may require specific documentation and procedures to ensure that the final agreement can actually be implemented. When appropriate, Ascent Legal Group can work with financial professionals and other outside experts to help address complicated valuation and financial issues.

Spousal Maintenance

Sometimes referred to as alimony, spousal maintenance may be an issue when there is a significant difference in the spouses’ financial circumstances. Generally, a court may order alimony after considering the amount of property that each spouse will receive from the divorce, how much income each spouse can earn, and their reasonable needs based on the standard of the marriage. A judge will then consider factors such as the length of the marriage, the parties’ financial resources, and more to determine the amount and duration of maintenance. Spousal maintenance can become an important point to negotiate in a settlement. Our Centennial divorce attorneys can help you understand how Colorado’s maintenance laws may apply to your circumstances and whether maintenance should be addressed as part of your divorce strategy.

Parenting Time and Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

When parents divorce, decisions concerning their children can become some of the most important and emotionally difficult parts of the case. Colorado uses the concept of allocation of parental responsibilities to address parenting issues. This includes the ability to make decisions about a child’s upbringing, or decision-making responsibility, and the time that each parent spends with the child (parenting time). Parents may need to develop a parenting plan to address:

  • Regular parenting schedules
  • Holidays and school breaks
  • Transportation
  • Vacation and travel arrangements
  • Communication between parents
  • Decision-making regarding education, religion, medical and healthcare decisions, and extracurricular activities
  • Other issues affecting the kids

Colorado courts focus on the best interests of the child when making determinations concerning parental responsibilities. For Centennial families, creating a workable parenting plan often requires looking beyond the immediate divorce. School schedules, activities, work obligations, transportation, and each parent’s proximity to the children’s school and activities can all affect how a parenting plan functions in everyday life. Our lawyers can help you evaluate proposed parenting arrangements and advocate for your interests throughout the process.

Centennial’s long east-to-west footprint can make parenting schedules more complicated than the distance between two Centennial addresses initially suggests. A parent living near SouthGlenn may be a substantial drive from a parent living east of I-25 near Smoky Hill Road or E-470, particularly during weekday traffic.

When we help Centennial parents evaluate a parenting plan, we look beyond the number of overnights. We also consider where each parent lives in relation to the child’s school, how exchanges will work during rush hour, who can respond to school-related needs, and whether the schedule remains practical once extracurricular activities are added. A schedule that appears equal on paper may create unnecessary disruption if the transportation requirements are not carefully considered.

Child Support

Child support is another important component of many Colorado divorces involving children. Colorado uses the income shares model to determine child support, which determines the amount of financial support that a child would have received had the parents stayed together. This amount is then divided between the parents based on their income and their share of parenting time. Typically, the parent with less parenting time pays child support to the parent with more parenting time. Ascent Legal Group can help you understand how Colorado’s child support rules apply to your situation and will address child support as part of your overall divorce case.

The Marital Home

For many couples, the family home is one of the largest assets involved in a divorce. A marital residence can also carry substantial emotional significance, making decisions about the property more complicated than simply determining its market value. 

Centennial divorces may involve homes that have appreciated substantially during the marriage, especially when the property was purchased years before the divorce. Questions can arise when one spouse bought the home before the marriage, marital funds were later used to pay the mortgage or make improvements, or the property was refinanced into both spouses’ names.

In established Centennial neighborhoods, remodeling projects, finished basements, solar installations, and major exterior improvements may affect the home’s value. HOA obligations, special assessments, property taxes, and the cost of maintaining a larger home should also be considered when determining whether one spouse can realistically keep the property. The relevant question is not simply whether a spouse wants the home, but whether that person can refinance it, complete a buyout, and afford the ongoing ownership costs after the divorce.

Depending on the circumstances, spouses may consider options such as:

  • Selling the home and dividing the proceeds
  • One spouse buying out the other’s interest
  • Refinancing the mortgage
  • Temporarily keeping the home
  • Negotiating a different arrangement as part of the property settlement

The best approach depends on the couple’s financial circumstances, the property’s value and equity, mortgage obligations, and the other assets and debts involved in the divorce. A Centennial divorce lawyer can help you evaluate the legal considerations before you agree to transfer or sell an interest in your home.

Where Are Centennial Divorce Cases Filed?

Divorce and other domestic-relations cases involving Centennial residents are handled by the Arapahoe County District Court in Colorado’s 18th Judicial District. The Arapahoe County Justice Center is located at 7325 South Potomac Street in Centennial, near East Arapahoe Road and Centennial Airport.

The Justice Center handles domestic-relations matters such as divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities, child support, spousal maintenance, and post-decree disputes. Although having the courthouse nearby may make in-person appearances more convenient for Centennial residents, some conferences or proceedings may be conducted remotely depending on the division and circumstances of the case.

Before filing, it is important to confirm that Arapahoe County is the appropriate venue based on where the spouses reside and the facts of the case. Our attorneys can help determine where your case should be filed and prepare the required documents.

Can I Resolve My Divorce Outside of Court?

Not every divorce needs to be resolved by a judge. Negotiation and mediation can give spouses an opportunity to reach agreements without asking the court to decide every disputed issue. Mediation involves a neutral third party who helps the spouses work toward a resolution. Negotiation can take place more informally between the parties and their lawyers.

A settlement is more likely when both spouses are willing to negotiate in good faith and have enough information to make informed decisions. However, settlement is not appropriate for every situation. Cases involving significant power imbalances, domestic violence, hidden assets, or extreme conflict may require a different approach.

Our attorneys understand that resolving a case outside of court is often the most cost-effective and least stressful option. It can also take far less time to resolve a case through negotiation compared to litigation. We advise our clients about likely outcomes for their divorce based on Colorado law so that they can make informed choices about how to move forward.

Any divorce agreement can have a significant impact on your finances and time with your kids for years into the future. For example, there are often tax implications associated with divorce settlements. That is why it is so important to have a lawyer to represent you in negotiations and help you draft a settlement agreement.

Finally, any divorce agreement will have to be reviewed by the court before the final decree is issued. The court will make sure that the agreement complies with Colorado law. Our Centennial divorce attorneys can help to ensure that any agreement that you sign protects your interests and will be approved by the court so that you can finalize your divorce and move forward with your life.

Divorce Considerations for Centennial Professionals and Business Owners

Centennial’s proximity to the Denver Tech Center means local divorces may involve compensation arrangements that extend beyond a traditional salary. Bonuses, commissions, restricted stock units, stock options, deferred compensation, partnership interests, and employer retirement plans may all need to be identified and evaluated.

The timing of an award does not always determine whether it is marital or separate property. For example, compensation granted during the marriage but vesting after separation may require additional analysis. Business owners may also need to distinguish business income from ownership value and determine whether the company’s value increased during the marriage.

These cases often require more than reviewing a recent tax return. Employment agreements, equity-award documents, vesting schedules, business records, and historical financial statements may be relevant to the property division and support analysis.

What to Expect When You Work with a Centennial Divorce Lawyer

Divorce can feel overwhelming when you don’t know what comes next. Our goal is to make the legal process more understandable and to give you the information necessary to make smart decisions. While every case is different, the general timeline typically includes the following steps:

  • Initial Consultation: Your case begins with a conversation about your circumstances and concerns. In a free 30-minute appointment, we discuss the issues that may need to be resolved and explain the legal process as it applies to your situation.
  • Case Evaluation: If you retain our firm, we review the details of your case more closely. Depending on your circumstances, this may include financial information, real estate, business interests, existing agreements, and parenting concerns.
  • Legal Strategy: We develop a strategy based on the facts of your case and your priorities. Some clients benefit from an approach focused on a negotiated settlement, while others may need to prepare for contested litigation.
  • Negotiation or Mediation: When appropriate, we work to resolve disputed issues through negotiation or mediation. Reaching a settlement can allow you to maintain greater control over the final terms of your divorce.
  • Litigation: If important issues cannot be resolved outside of court, we can represent you in litigation. While litigation can be stressful and time-consuming, in some situations, it is the best option to protect your financial interests and parental rights.
  • Finalizing the Divorce: Once the necessary issues have been resolved, the appropriate agreements and court documents can be finalized. We help you understand the terms of your final orders and what they mean going forward.

Why Choose Ascent Legal Group for Your Centennial Divorce?

Choosing a divorce attorney is an important decision. You need a lawyer who understands Colorado family law and can apply that knowledge to the specific circumstances of your case.

At Ascent Legal Group, family law is a core area of our practice. Our team handles divorce, legal separation, parenting matters, child support, spousal maintenance, and post-decree modifications. We bring our experience to every case, helping to guide our clients and provide them with strategic legal advice.

We understand that our clients may have very different goals when they start the divorce process. Some want to resolve the matter as efficiently as possible, while others realize that their spouse is unlikely to agree about major issues in the case. Our approach is to understand the issues first and then develop a strategy around the circumstances of your case.

Reach Out for a Free 30-Minute Consultation with a Centennial Divorce Attorney

You don’t have to navigate the legal and financial complexities of divorce on your own. Whether you are still thinking about whether divorce is the best option, have already been served with papers, or are struggling to reach an agreement with your spouse, getting legal advice early can help you understand your options.

Ascent Legal Group represents clients in Centennial and throughout Arapahoe County in divorce and other family law matters. We can help you understand your rights, evaluate your options, and determine the best path forward based on your unique circumstances. To learn more or to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with a Centennial divorce lawyer, give us a call at 719-626-8625 or fill out our online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions about Divorce in Centennial, Colorado

Colorado law imposes a minimum 91-day waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. However, the total duration of a case depends on the circumstances. An uncontested divorce can often be resolved in a shorter time frame, while a contested divorce can take a year or longer to resolve.

You don’t necessarily need legal representation to come to an agreement with your spouse, but having an attorney review the document can help you understand what you are agreeing to and identify potential issues before the divorce is finalized. Even an apparently straightforward divorce can have long-term financial and parenting consequences, so it’s a good idea to have a lawyer look over your agreement before it is finalized.

It is possible to sell your marital home before the divorce is final. However, doing so comes with legal, financial, tax, and practical considerations. It is important to understand how the sale of the house and the distribution of the proceeds of the sale will fit into your overall property settlement before listing your house.

One spouse generally cannot prevent the legal process from moving forward simply by refusing to participate. However, a lack of cooperation can make the case more complicated and may require additional court involvement. An attorney can explain the available options for resolving a divorce with an uncooperative spouse based on the facts of your case.

Post-decree modifications may be possible when there has been a change in circumstances and a modification would be in the best interests of the child. Changes in employment, school schedules, a child’s needs, or the parent’s home may be a reason to revisit an existing parenting arrangement.

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