Highlands Ranch, Douglas County
Protect what matters mostPrepared for every stage of your divorce.
Divorce changes almost everything at once: where you live, your finances, and how you share time with your children. A Highlands Ranch divorce attorney can help you slow down, understand your options, and make each decision with a clear head. Trust Johnson Law represents Highlands Ranch clients from our office at 5600 Greenwood Plaza Blvd in Greenwood Village, a short drive up C-470 and I-25.
Our firm is led by Managing Attorney Malinda Johnson, a former prosecutor. Whether your divorce is cooperative or contested, we’ll explain how Colorado law applies to you, tell you honestly what to expect, and prepare every filing and negotiation with care. Learn more about divorce in Colorado and our family law work in Highlands Ranch.
Divorce in Colorado
How divorce works in Colorado
Colorado is a no-fault state. The court does not ask who is to blame; it only needs to find that the marriage is irretrievably broken. A few other basics under C.R.S. 14-10-106:
- At least one spouse must have lived in Colorado (been domiciled here) for 91 days before the case is filed.
- The court cannot enter a final decree until at least 91 days after it has jurisdiction over both spouses, usually counted from service or from the date both spouses file together as co-petitioners.
- Legal separation is also available for couples who are not ready to end the marriage.
Most divorces come down to four core issues:
Property and debt
Homes, retirement accounts, businesses, savings, and debts acquired during the marriage.
Spousal maintenance
Whether one spouse will pay support to the other, how much, and for how long.
Parenting time
A parenting plan covering your schedule and who makes major decisions for your children.
Child support
Calculated under Colorado’s guidelines and closely tied to the parenting time schedule.
The Process
What to expect, step by step
Most Colorado divorces follow the same general path:
- Filing. Either spouse can file a petition, or both can file together as co-petitioners.
- Automatic temporary injunction. Once the case begins, both spouses are restrained from hiding or disposing of marital property (outside the usual course of business or necessities of life), removing the children from Colorado without consent or a court order, and canceling certain insurance without notice and consent.
- Financial disclosures. Under C.R.C.P. 16.2, each spouse must provide a sworn financial statement and other required financial documents to the other within 42 days after the petition is served.
- Negotiation or mediation. Many couples resolve some or all issues by agreement. Issues that can’t be resolved go to the court.
- Final orders. The court enters a decree once the 91-day period has passed and all issues are resolved by agreement or decided by the court.
In some cases, final orders can be entered on affidavit without a hearing (C.R.S. 14-10-120.3), for example when there are no minor children, the spouses have agreed on how to divide their property, and there is no genuine dispute about the facts. Still deciding? Read our guide on what to do before filing for divorce.
Property Division
Dividing property and debt fairly
Under C.R.S. 14-10-113, property either spouse acquires during the marriage is presumed to be marital property, no matter whose name is on the title. Property received as a gift or inheritance, property acquired in exchange for property owned before the marriage, and property excluded by a valid agreement are generally not marital property.
Colorado divides marital property equitably, which means fairly, not automatically 50/50. The court divides it without regard to marital misconduct, after considering factors such as each spouse’s contributions (including as a homemaker), the value of each spouse’s separate property, and each spouse’s economic circumstances.
Spousal Maintenance
Maintenance (alimony) in Colorado
Colorado’s maintenance statute, C.R.S. 14-10-114, includes advisory guidelines for the amount and length of maintenance. The guideline calculation applies when the marriage lasted at least three years and the spouses’ combined annual adjusted gross income is $240,000 or less. The guidelines are a starting point, not a presumption. The court decides what is fair and equitable based on the totality of the circumstances, including each spouse’s financial resources, the lifestyle during the marriage, the property division, and each spouse’s income and employability.
Children and Divorce
When you have children
If you have children, your divorce will include a parenting plan that allocates parenting time and decision-making responsibility based on the children’s best interests under C.R.S. 14-10-124, along with a child support order under Colorado’s guidelines. For more detail, see our Highlands Ranch child custody page.
Douglas County Courts
Where Highlands Ranch divorces are filed
Highlands Ranch is in Douglas County, so Highlands Ranch divorces are generally filed in Douglas County District Court, part of the 23rd Judicial District. The 23rd Judicial District, made up of Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties, began on January 14, 2025. Before then, Douglas County was part of the 18th Judicial District, so older paperwork may still refer to the 18th. The Douglas County courthouse is in the Robert A. Christensen Justice Center at 4000 Justice Way in Castle Rock.
Divorce Situations We Handle
Support for every kind of divorce
- Uncontested divorce
- Contested divorce
- High-asset divorce involving businesses or retirement accounts
- Military divorce
- Divorce involving domestic violence
- Ending a common law marriage
How We Help
Working with a Highlands Ranch divorce attorneySteady guidance, careful preparation.
Our Highlands Ranch divorce lawyers, Managing Attorney Malinda Johnson and Associate Attorney Nate Sarros, bring careful preparation to every case. Malinda’s experience as a prosecutor taught her how to organize evidence and present it clearly. We start by listening to your goals, then help you gather the right documents, weigh settlement options, and prepare for court if it comes to that.
We represent clients in Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, Centennial, Castle Rock, Parker, and across the Denver metro area. Your first consultation is free and confidential. Call (720) 334-7305 or contact us online.
FAQ
Highlands Ranch divorce questionsStraight answers about your situation.
How long does a divorce take in Colorado?
The court cannot enter a final decree until at least 91 days after it has jurisdiction over both spouses. Many cases take longer, depending on how many issues are disputed.
Do I have to prove my spouse did something wrong?
No. Colorado is a no-fault state. The court only needs to find that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
How long do I have to live in Colorado before filing?
At least one spouse must have been domiciled in Colorado for 91 days before the case is filed.
Is property split 50/50 in a Colorado divorce?
Not automatically. Colorado divides marital property equitably, meaning fairly based on the circumstances, without regard to marital misconduct.
Will I have to go to court?
Not always. Many couples resolve their issues by agreement, and some cases can be finalized on affidavit without a hearing. Contested issues are decided by the court.
Can I move money or take the kids out of state once the case is filed?
An automatic temporary injunction restrains both spouses from hiding or disposing of marital property outside the usual course of business or necessities of life, and from removing the children from Colorado without consent or a court order.
Do I need a Highlands Ranch divorce lawyer if we agree on everything?
Colorado doesn’t require one, but having a lawyer review your agreement before you sign helps make sure the paperwork says what you intend.
Don’t see your question? Call (720) 334-7305 for a free consultation.
Keep reading
Related servicesWhere to go next.
Divorce Attorney in Colorado
Contested, uncontested, high-asset, and military divorce.
Family Law Attorney in Highlands Ranch
Divorce, custody, and support for Highlands Ranch families.
Child Custody Attorney in Highlands Ranch
Parenting time, decision-making, moves, and modifications.
Property Division Attorney in Colorado
Equitable division of homes, retirement, businesses, and debt.
Spousal Maintenance in Colorado
Maintenance guidelines, factors, and modifications.
Contact Trust Johnson Law
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Tell us what is happening. We will listen, explain your options in plain language, and give you a clear next step. Your consultation is free and confidential.
This page provides general information about Colorado law, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different, and past experience does not guarantee a particular outcome.