FORT COLLINS
DIVORCE LAWYER

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in colorado?

The majority of family law attorneys and divorce lawyers working in Colorado will bill their services by the hour. Your attorney should provide you with a clear breakdown of how they plan to bill their time. The longer your case requires your attorney’s services, the more expensive it will ultimately be for you in legal fees. Before agreeing to the representation of any Fort Collins divorce lawyer, make sure you fully understand their billing practices and determine how long you expect your case to take, so you have an idea of how much your legal representation will cost.

What can i expect from my first divorce lawyer?

Experiencing the divorce process for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. A good Fort Collins divorce lawyer should be able to clearly describe the services they can provide to you during this process. First, your attorney should help you determine the best approach to the situation. Are you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse agreeable enough to mediate your divorce? If so, alternative dispute resolution could allow the two of you to reach a more personalized divorce agreement than litigation.

Your attorney will assist you with all the procedural elements of your divorce. This includes court filings, submitting your financial disclosure, and navigating the various proceedings your case will entail, whether that includes mediation sessions or courtroom appearances.

What questions should i ask a divorce lawyer?

Before you accept any attorney’s services, you should take time to schedule a consultation to allow yourself to interview the attorney before signing any contracts with them. Consider a few important questions to ask a potential Fort Collins divorce attorney:

• “How long have you practiced family law?” Experience should always be a major determining factor in choosing the right attorney for your case.
• “Do you notice any unique factors in my case?” A good attorney should quickly identify any challenges or opportunities you are likely to face in your divorce proceedings.
• “What approach will you take to handle my case?” Most modern divorce attorneys encourage their clients toward alternative dispute resolution whenever possible. Find out how the attorney intends to handle your case and what kind of legal philosophy they uphold regarding alternative dispute resolution.
• “How do you bill your time?” Most divorce lawyers bill their services based on every hour spent working on a case, typically counted in quarter-hour increments. Find out how much your attorney charges by the hour before agreeing to their counsel.
• “How long do you think my case will take to conclude?” Once you know how the attorney bills their time and how long they expect the case to take to resolve, you should have an idea of the total cost of your divorce in terms of legal fees.

These are just a few example questions that you should ask during an initial consultation. Be sure to devise some of your own questions that are more specific to your situation so you can hire your Fort Collins divorce lawyer with confidence.

What will my divorce case entail?

Divorce is more than just the end of your marriage; it is also the legal process of dividing your marital property, assigning custody rights over your children, and arranging terms for child support and spousal maintenance, as necessary. Most Fort Collins, CO, divorce cases involve:

• Property division. Colorado is an equitable distribution state, meaning that if you litigate your divorce, the judge will want to divide your property in a manner that is fair to both parties. The result may not necessarily be equal, but it should be equitable in relation to you and your spouse’s respective financial situations.
• Child custody. If you and your spouse have children, the most important facet of your divorce will be determining custody rights. Your attorney can help you make the most compelling case for custody, identify any issues that are likely to arise, and influence the judge’s decision.
• Child support. When divorced parents split custody of their children, one parent will almost always end up paying child support to the other. The amount paid in support depends on multiple factors, including each parent’s custody rights and overall financial situations.
• Spousal support. In some cases, a divorce will involve alimony or spousal support paid from a higher-earning spouse to a lower-earning spouse. The amount paid and the payment term typically depend on the length of the marriage, the difference in income between the spouses, and each spouse’s unique needs.
• Domestic violence and protective orders. In the event you have suffered any type of domestic violence at the hands of your spouse, your Fort Collins divorce lawyer can secure protective orders on your behalf to prevent any further abuse. They will also ensure your spouse’s actions are appropriately addressed in your divorce proceedings.

Every divorce case is unique and will involve different factors. If you and your spouse have been married for years and have children together, your divorce proceedings will be more time-consuming and complex than a divorce between spouses who were only together for a year and have no children. One common thread for all divorces is the value of reliable legal representation as you navigate the Colorado divorce process.