What Would Divorce Look Like for Me?
Divorce is rarely something anyone plans for, yet when it becomes a possibility, questions quickly surface—how will property be divided, where will the children live, and what will life look like afterward?
Every divorce is unique—and understanding how the process works and what to expect can help you prepare for each step. The decisions made during a divorce can affect your finances, relationships, and emotional well-being for years to come.
At Juniper Family Law, LLC, we proudly serve the residents of Jefferson County and the greater Denver-metro area of Colorado, providing legal guidance rooted in compassion and professionalism to individuals facing divorce.
As a family law lawyer, I help my clients make informed choices about their futures. Divorce doesn’t just dissolve a marriage—it reshapes the structure of a family. By understanding how the process unfolds, you can better manage what lies ahead.
The Emotional and Practical Start of Divorce
When a marriage begins to break down, emotions often run high. Feelings of loss, confusion, and frustration can cloud your ability to think clearly. At the same time, practical concerns—such as living arrangements and financial planning—require attention. Divorce is both an emotional and legal process and managing those two sides often feels like balancing on uneven ground.
Preparing for divorce starts with gathering information. Before filing, it helps to:
Assess your finances: Gather details about income, debts, assets, and expenses. This includes pay stubs, tax returns, and mortgage documents.
Consider your living situation: Think about whether you’ll remain in the family home or need alternative housing.
Plan for children’s needs: If you have kids, prepare for how their routines, schools, and emotional health will be affected.
Taking these steps can help you feel more grounded once legal proceedings begin. While it’s natural to focus on emotional recovery, addressing practical matters early enables you to navigate the legal stages with greater confidence.
Filing for Divorce in Colorado
Once you decide to move forward, the first official step is filing a petition for dissolution of marriage. Colorado is a “no-fault” divorce state, which means you don’t have to prove wrongdoing—an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is enough.
The process involves submitting documents to your local district court and then serving the other spouse with the paperwork.
Divorce filings involve a series of legal steps. These include:
Initial paperwork: Filing the petition and financial disclosures.
Service of process: Delivering the petition to the other spouse.
Temporary orders: Setting guidelines for finances, child support, or parenting time while the divorce is pending.
Final hearing: If agreements are reached, a judge reviews and approves them. If not, the case goes to trial.
This process can vary in length depending on whether the divorce is uncontested or contested. A contested divorce—where spouses disagree on key issues such as custody or asset division—can significantly extend the timeline. That’s where my guidance as a family law lawyer becomes especially valuable.
Child Custody and Parenting Plans
When children are involved, their well-being becomes the top priority. Colorado uses the term “parental responsibilities” instead of “custody,” but the meaning is similar—it refers to parenting time and decision-making authority.
Courts encourage parents to create their own parenting plans whenever possible. These plans outline how time with the children is divided, who makes decisions about education and healthcare, and how holidays or vacations are shared.
If parents can’t agree, the court decides based on what serves the child’s best interests. Some of the factors include:
The child’s relationship with each parent: Judges look at the quality and stability of these bonds.
The parents’ ability to cooperate: Courts favor arrangements where both parents support the child’s emotional and developmental needs.
The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community: Consistency and stability are key considerations.
As a family law lawyer, I can help draft or review a parenting plan that reflects your child’s best interests and protects your parental rights. As your situation changes—such as through relocation or changes in employment—these plans can be modified to remain fair and practical. When possible, I work collaboratively with both parents, which often leads to more peaceful outcomes for everyone involved.
Child Support and Spousal Maintenance
After custody arrangements are determined, financial support is the next major issue. Both parents share responsibility for supporting their children, regardless of custody arrangements. Colorado uses state guidelines to calculate child support, factoring in:
Each parent’s income: Both earned and unearned income are considered.
The number of children involved: More dependents typically increase the support obligation.
The cost of healthcare, education, and childcare: These ongoing expenses can significantly affect calculations.
Parenting time allocation: Time spent with each parent influences the amount of support.
Spousal maintenance—often called alimony—is separate from child support and is intended to help one spouse maintain financial stability after divorce. It’s not automatically awarded but depends on the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income, and their ability to become self-supporting.
As a family law lawyer, I can explain how these formulas work and help present a clear financial picture to the court. This is especially important if one spouse earns significantly more than the other, or if one parent stayed home primarily to raise the children.
Mediation and Settlement Options
Divorce doesn’t always have to end in a courtroom. Many couples find resolution through mediation, where a neutral third party helps facilitate discussion and compromise. Mediation often leads to faster, less stressful outcomes compared to traditional litigation.
Benefits of mediation include:
More control over decisions: Couples craft their own agreements rather than having a judge decide.
Less emotional strain: The process focuses on cooperation rather than confrontation.
Lower cost and faster timeline: Avoiding a trial can save time and money.
Even if mediation doesn’t settle every issue, it often helps narrow disputes, which makes any subsequent court process smoother. Working with a lawyer familiar with family law assures your rights are protected during mediation while still keeping discussions productive and respectful.
The Finalization of Divorce
When both parties reach an agreement on all key issues, the final hearing is often straightforward. A judge reviews the documents, confirms that both parties understand the terms, and issues a final decree of dissolution of marriage.
However, if the dispute persists, the case proceeds to trial. Each spouse presents evidence and testimony, and the judge makes the final decisions on property, custody, and support. After the decree is issued, the divorce is legally complete—but the adjustment period is just beginning.
The finalization of divorce brings closure, yet it also opens the door to new challenges—such as co-parenting and rebuilding financial independence. Staying organized and following the court’s orders helps you transition smoothly into the next stage.
Consult With a Divorce Lawyer
If you’re asking yourself, “What would divorce look like for me?”, the answer depends on your personal situation, finances, and family structure. Having the proper guidance makes all the difference in managing each stage with clarity and care.
At Juniper Family Law, LLC, we provide compassionate, informed representation to individuals and families in Jefferson County and the greater Denver-metro area of Colorado. If you’re facing questions about divorce, property division, custody, or financial support, reach out today to discuss your next steps and start building a foundation for your future.
