Divorce Lawyer in Aurora, CO
Supporting Aurora Families Through Difficult Transitions
Divorce can affect your home life, finances, relationships, and your children’s sense of stability. The legal process can add even more pressure, which is why having a supportive legal team is so important. At Griffiths Law PC, our divorce lawyers have spent decades helping families throughout the Denver Metro Area. We are known for our legal skill, practical solutions, and steady guidance. Many of our attorneys are also parents, so we understand the emotional weight behind decisions involving your children, your property, and your future.
We have extensive experience handling both amicable divorces and high-conflict cases. Whether your situation involves complex financial issues, sensitive parenting matters, or the need for strong trial advocacy, our Aurora divorce lawyers are committed to protecting your rights and securing a positive outcome.
Laws That Will Affect Your Colorado Divorce
Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, which means you do not need to prove that misconduct led to the end of your marriage. Instead, you only need to show that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” under C.R.S. § 14-10-106. Our experienced divorce attorneys can guide you through this requirement and ensure the court has the information it needs to move your case forward.
There are also certain residency requirements for a divorce in Colorado. Before filing for divorce, at least one spouse must have lived in Colorado for a minimum of 91 days. Once the case begins, several important timelines and requirements apply. These include:
- A mandatory 91-day waiting period after filing before the court can finalise the divorce, even if both spouses agree on all issues.
- Initial financial disclosures, which must typically be exchanged within 42 days of filing.
- Temporary arrangements for parenting time, decision-making, child support, or spousal maintenance may be addressed early in the case if needed.
While Colorado has a statewide legal framework for divorce, every family’s circumstances are unique. The divorce attorneys at Griffiths Law PC will ensure you meet each legal requirement and that all filings are completed accurately and on time.
Property Division: Ensuring a Strong Financial Future
Colorado follows the principle of equitable distribution in property division, which means that assets must be divided in a way the court considers fair. To determine this, the court applies the guidelines in C.R.S. § 14-10-113, which explain how marital property and separate property should be identified, valued, and divided during a divorce.
Marital Property
Marital property generally includes the assets and debts acquired during the marriage. This can include real estate, vehicles, savings and investment accounts, and other property accumulated while you were together. Even if only one spouse’s name appears on a title or account, assets gained during the marriage are usually considered marital. All marital property must be fully disclosed so the court can ensure a fair and accurate division.
Separate Property and Commingled Assets
Separate property is a common concern for spouses going through divorce. Assets such as inheritances, gifts, or property owned before the marriage are often considered separate, but this is not always straightforward. When marital funds or joint efforts increase the value of separate property, those assets can become commingled and partially subject to division. In these situations, a detailed financial analysis is essential to trace where funds came from and ensure that the final property division remains fair.
High-asset divorce cases can make property division significantly more complex in Colorado. Valuing businesses, investment portfolios, and other substantial assets requires skill and close attention to detail. The Aurora divorce lawyers at Griffiths Law PC have decades of experience working with financial experts to ensure every asset is accurately identified, traced, and valued. Our priority is to protect your long-term financial interests and secure a fair outcome.
Alimony and Spousal Support: Achieving Financial Stability After Divorce
A divorce often means the household shifts from two incomes to one, which can place financial pressure on one or both spouses. Alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance, is intended to prevent either spouse from experiencing a significant financial setback after the marriage ends.
Alimony may be temporary or long-term depending on your circumstances. The court considers several factors, including each spouse’s financial resources, the length of the marriage, and the standard of living established during the relationship. Temporary support may help a spouse re-enter the workforce or complete additional education, while long-term maintenance is more common in lengthy marriages where there is a substantial income disparity.
Whether you are seeking alimony or may be required to pay it, the divorce lawyers at Griffiths Law PC will review your financial circumstances in detail. We will clearly explain how the court evaluates spousal support and advocate for an arrangement that is fair, realistic, and aligned with your long-term stability.
Child Custody in Colorado: Supporting Fair Parenting Time and Decision-Making
When children are involved, the stakes in a divorce are significantly higher. The family court makes all decisions based on one legal standard: the best interests of the child, as set out in C.R.S. § 14-10-124. Parents often share this same priority, even when they disagree on what arrangement is best.
Parenting time determines where the child lives and how time is shared between parents, which is often referred to as physical custody. Legal custody, or decision-making responsibility, covers major choices about the child’s healthcare, education, and overall welfare.
When determining what arrangement best supports the child’s best interests, the courts examine:
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s physical and emotional needs
- The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community
- The willingness of each parent to encourage a positive relationship with the other parent
- Any history of domestic violence or safety concerns
- The ability of both parents to communicate and cooperate
At Griffiths Law PC, several of our divorce attorneys in Aurora are parents themselves. We understand how significant these decisions are, and we take a child-centred approach to every custody case to ensure your child’s well-being remains the top priority.
Child Support: Ensuring Your Children Have What They Need
Colorado law requires both parents to contribute financially to their child’s upbringing, and child support is the tool that ensures this continues after a divorce. During the divorce process, the court works to establish a payment schedule that provides financial stability for the child and covers essential needs such as food, housing, clothing, education, and healthcare.
How Colorado Calculates Child Support
Colorado uses an income-based formula to determine child support. The court evaluates each parent’s gross income, how parenting time is allocated, childcare and medical expenses, and any additional costs related to the child’s unique needs. Disputes often arise when parents have fluctuating income, bonuses, commissions, or complex financial portfolios, which can make calculating an accurate support amount more challenging.
Modifications and Enforcement
Child support orders are legally binding, and the court takes violations seriously because non-payment can harm a child’s well-being. If a parent fails to meet their obligations, the court may use enforcement tools such as wage garnishment, contempt proceedings, or additional orders to secure compliance. Support orders can also be modified when circumstances change. To request a modification, a parent must show a substantial and ongoing shift in income, childcare costs, or parenting time.
At Griffiths Law PC, our family-focused divorce lawyers serving Aurora understand how critical financial stability is for your children. Whether you are seeking support or may be required to pay it, we will work to ensure that the final arrangement accurately reflects your financial situation and fully meets your child’s needs.
Reduce Stress and Conflict Through Mediation and Collaborative Divorce
Courtroom battles rarely benefit families, especially when emotions are already high. This is why mediation and collaborative divorce have become increasingly popular options. These approaches allow spouses to resolve issues and create legally binding agreements with far less court involvement. By choosing mediation or collaborative law, you maintain greater control over the outcome and can work toward solutions that preserve dignity, reduce stress, and support healthy co-parenting.
Mediation: A Less Formal Approach
For couples who value privacy and aim to remain cooperative post-divorce, mediation can work very well. The process involves working with a neutral third party to reach mutually acceptable solutions. Discussions may involve parenting time, property division, and even financial support. Mediation is usually more efficient and cost-effective than litigation, but it may not be suitable for high-conflict spouses or when safety is a concern.
Collaborative Divorce: Structured and Communication-Focused
Collaborative divorce follows many of the same principles as mediation but offers a more structured framework. Each spouse is represented by a collaboratively trained divorce attorney, and all parties sign an agreement committing to resolve the case without going to trial. The process may also involve professionals such as forensic accountants, child specialists, or mental health experts to address financial and emotional considerations. This team-based approach helps ensure that outcomes are informed, balanced, and tailored to your family’s needs.
Griffiths Law PC: Committed to Resolving Your Divorce Efficiently
Our Aurora divorce lawyers are trained in both mediation and collaborative law. We will help you determine which approach best suits your situation and ensure that your rights, priorities, and long-term interests are protected at every stage of the process.
The Unique Aspects of High-Asset Divorces
Some couples in Aurora own multiple properties, hold business interests, or have executive compensation packages or inherited wealth. When these couples separate, their divorce becomes a high-asset divorce, which requires a more detailed and strategic analysis. Although the same equitable distribution laws apply, the financial issues involved are significantly more complex.
Dealing With Substantial Assets During Divorce
A high-asset divorce raises questions that do not typically arise in standard cases, such as:
- How should a privately owned business be valued?
- Are bonuses, commissions, or stock options considered marital property?
- Is one spouse underreporting or hiding income?
- Have separate and marital funds become commingled over time?
At Griffiths Law PC, we work with trusted business valuators, tax professionals, and forensic accountants to ensure the court has a complete and accurate picture of your marital estate. Whether through negotiation or litigation, we focus on achieving a fair outcome that protects the full value of your financial interests.
Common Questions About Divorce in Aurora, CO
A divorce is one of the most emotionally challenging experiences a family can face, and it is completely normal to feel uncertain about the process. Our goal is to ease as much stress as possible by giving you clear, practical guidance. Below are answers to some of the questions our divorce attorneys hear most often:
What happens if my spouse refuses to participate in the divorce process?
Unfortunately, some spouses refuse to participate in the divorce process or ignore required filings. If this happens, you still have options. The court can issue a default judgment and move forward based on the information it has, even without the other spouse’s cooperation. The divorce lawyers at Griffiths Law PC will make sure your case is properly presented so your rights and interests are fully protected throughout the process.
How can I keep my divorce private?
Privacy is a major concern for many divorcing couples, particularly those with substantial assets or public-facing careers. Choosing out-of-court options such as mediation, collaborative divorce, or negotiated settlements helps keep sensitive financial and personal information private and provides a more discreet path to resolution.
Will my spouse automatically get half of everything?
No. Under Colorado’s equitable distribution laws, marital property is divided fairly, not necessarily equally. What the court considers “fair” depends on several factors, including each spouse’s financial situation, contributions to the marriage, and the nature of the assets involved.
Do I need a divorce attorney even for mediation?
It is always wise to seek guidance from an experienced divorce lawyer during mediation. A mediator must remain neutral and cannot provide legal advice or advocate for either spouse. Having your own attorney ensures that any agreements you reach are legally sound and genuinely protect your best interests.
Contact Our Divorce Attorneys Serving Aurora, CO
Griffiths Law PC has helped families throughout Aurora and the Denver Metro Area for decades. We are known for our meticulous preparation and unwavering commitment to clients. Families trust us because we combine legal acumen with genuine compassion.
If you are preparing for divorce or need clarity about your next steps, we are here to help. Our divorce attorneys will fight for an outcome that best serves your future. To schedule a consultation with divorce lawyers dedicated to supporting Aurora families, contact our law firm today. You can also call us at (303) 858-8090.
