Uncontested Divorce in Colorado — The 91-Day Rule, Decrees on Affidavit and Flat Fee Pricing

Colorado calls divorce a "dissolution of marriage" and uses a simple no-fault standard. This guide to uncontested divorce in Colorado explains the 91-day rules, the separation agreement and flat fee pricing.

In many agreed Colorado cases, the decree can be entered without a court hearing. Moreover, both spouses can file jointly. Consequently, the main task is preparing complete paperwork.

From Denver and Colorado Springs to Aurora, Fort Collins and Boulder, the law is the same. However, each judicial district has its own procedures.

Residency and the 91-day waiting period

At least one spouse must have lived in Colorado for 91 days before filing. Therefore, recent movers may need to wait.

Colorado also has a waiting period. The court cannot enter the decree until at least 91 days after the petition is filed with both spouses' signatures or after service. Consequently, an agreed Colorado divorce usually takes at least three months.

Joint petitions

Spouses can file jointly as co-petitioners. As a result, no service is needed, and the 91 days start at filing.

The separation agreement

Agreed Colorado couples file a separation agreement. It divides property and debts and sets maintenance. Furthermore, the court must find it is not unfair before approving it.

Colorado is an equitable distribution state. Marital property is divided fairly. Meanwhile, separate property generally stays separate, though increases in its value during marriage may be marital. Our Marital Settlement Agreement service drafts the agreement to Colorado standards.

Retirement accounts often require a QDRO. Therefore, include them in the agreement.

Children, custody and support in Colorado

If you have children, the court must approve the parenting arrangement even when you agree. Colorado uses "allocation of parental responsibilities", covering decision-making and parenting time, and requires a parenting plan. Courts in every state focus on the child's best interests. Consequently, specific schedules are approved more readily than vague ones.

Our parenting plan service drafts the weekly schedule, holidays, school breaks and decision-making rules. In addition, it covers exchanges, communication and how future disagreements will be handled.

Child support follows the Colorado child support guidelines, based on both parents' incomes and overnights. Our child support calculation worksheet estimates the guideline amount before you sign. As a result, there are no surprises at the final step.

Decree on affidavit — no hearing needed

Colorado allows many agreed divorces to be finalized without a hearing. Spouses file an affidavit for decree without appearance. If the court is satisfied, it signs the decree on the papers.

This option is generally available when the spouses have agreed every issue and filed the required documents. However, some courts still require a hearing in certain cases. Consequently, follow your district's practice.

Mistakes that delay a Colorado divorce

Several errors commonly slow Colorado divorces. For instance, Colorado requires mandatory financial disclosures, including sworn financial statements and supporting documents. Missing disclosures delay approval.

Another issue is an incomplete parenting plan or child support worksheet. Similarly, the affidavit for decree must match the agreement. Therefore, use a complete checklist.

Flat fee divorce pricing and courts in Colorado

Our Uncontested Divorce Documents start at $149 for Colorado. The standard package tailors every form to your facts and county. Meanwhile, the premium package adds attorney review and extra revisions.

Court filing fees are separate and paid to the clerk. If you cannot afford them, Colorado courts allow you to apply to waive or reduce the fees based on income. Therefore, cost should not stop you from filing.

Divorces are heard in district court in each judicial district. For example, Denver cases are heard in Denver District Court, and El Paso County cases in Colorado Springs.

For a second opinion before you file, book an uncontested divorce consultation. If your spouse has already filed, our response to divorce petition service protects your position before the deadline. For the national picture, read our flat fee uncontested divorce guide.

A realistic Colorado timeline

First, you agree the terms and gather records. Next, the joint petition is filed, or the petition is filed and served. Then the 91-day waiting period begins.

During that time, financial disclosures and the agreement are completed. After that, the affidavit for decree is filed. Finally, the judge signs the decree. Consequently, many agreed Colorado divorces finish shortly after 91 days.

After your Colorado divorce: the final checklist

The decree is not quite the finish line. Several practical steps turn the agreement into reality. Therefore, make a checklist the day the judgment is signed.

Names, licenses and records

First, if you are restoring a former name, update your Social Security record before anything else. Then update your driver's license with the Colorado DMV, followed by banks, employers and passports. Colorado decrees can restore a former name, so request it in the petition.

Property and accounts

Next, transfer the house if one spouse is keeping it. Usually, that means recording a new deed with the county clerk and recorder. In addition, the spouse keeping the home should refinance any joint mortgage by the deadline in the agreement. Meanwhile, close or separate joint bank accounts and credit cards, because creditors are not bound by your agreement.

Retirement, insurance and estate plans

After that, send any QDRO to the retirement plan administrator promptly. Delays can cost the receiving spouse money. Similarly, review health insurance: a spouse losing employer coverage may have continuation rights for a limited time. Finally, update beneficiary designations, your will and any powers of attorney. Otherwise, an ex-spouse could still inherit or make decisions for you.

Consequently, a short checklist after the decree prevents expensive problems later. If you need new estate documents, our Estate Plan Bundle covers a will, power of attorney and healthcare directive for Colorado.

When an uncontested divorce is not right in Colorado

An agreed divorce is not safe for everyone. For example, if there has been domestic violence, pressure to sign or hidden assets, you need advice first. Similarly, if your spouse controls the finances and you lack information, a quick settlement may be unfair.

In those situations, Colorado law offers a contested dissolution with temporary orders instead. Therefore, book a contested divorce consultation or read our guide to contested divorce litigation. Consequently, you protect your rights before signing anything.

Our Uncontested Divorce services in Colorado

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in Colorado. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

Uncontested Divorce across Colorado — cities we serve

We work with clients in every part of Colorado, entirely online. Therefore, it does not matter whether you live downtown or hours from the nearest courthouse. Your documents follow Colorado law and your county's local practice. Choose your city below to see local details and prices.

• Denver: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Denver · Uncontested divorce consultation in Denver · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Denver
• Colorado Springs: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Colorado Springs · Uncontested divorce consultation in Colorado Springs · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Colorado Springs
• Aurora: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Aurora · Uncontested divorce consultation in Aurora · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Aurora
• Fort Collins: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Fort Collins · Uncontested divorce consultation in Fort Collins · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Fort Collins
• Lakewood: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Lakewood · Uncontested divorce consultation in Lakewood · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Lakewood
• Boulder: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Boulder · Uncontested divorce consultation in Boulder · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Boulder
• Pueblo: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Pueblo · Uncontested divorce consultation in Pueblo · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Pueblo
• Thornton: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Thornton · Uncontested divorce consultation in Thornton · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Thornton
• Arvada: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Arvada · Uncontested divorce consultation in Arvada · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Arvada

More Colorado services

Uncontested divorce consultation in Colorado · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Colorado · Parenting Plan / Custody Agreement in Colorado · Child Support Calculation Worksheet in Colorado · Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) in Colorado · Response to Divorce Petition in Colorado. See all legal services in Colorado.

Nearby states

Moving between states, or is the other party elsewhere? We also cover Uncontested Divorce Documents in Utah, Uncontested Divorce Documents in Wyoming, Uncontested Divorce Documents in Nebraska, Uncontested Divorce Documents in Kansas, Uncontested Divorce Documents in New Mexico. See every location we cover.

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This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.