FAQs Divorce

This is a difficult question to answer without knowing more about your matter. The cost of a divorce varies significantly depending on various factors such as the complexity of the case, if it is an amicable divorce, or highly contested, and the attorney’s fee structure.

It is essential to discuss fees and costs upfront with your attorney. Don’t be shy in asking questions about how services are charged and billed. We recommend asking how far an initial retainer paid may go in the case and how subsequent requests for payments are managed.

Review your bill each month, when received. If you disagree with any of the charges, please discuss with the attorney or firm administrator at the time of receipt.

Overall, the total cost of your divorce will depend on your specific circumstances and the approach taken by yourself, your spouse, your attorney, and your spouse’s attorney.

In Colorado, there is a 91 day waiting period from the date the other spouse is served with a petition for dissolution or waives service. This time is a jurisdictional limit and the court cannot issue a decree of dissolution of marriage until the time has expired.

Outside of the 91-day waiting period, the average duration of a divorce can varies widely depending on several factors, including the jurisdiction, the complexity of the case, and the amount of contention between the parties. An uncontested divorce can take between three to six months, depending on the needs of the case. A contested divorce may take from several months to 2 years.

Some of the factors that can affect how long a divorce may take include:

• Ability to obtain disclosures from both parties

• The need for negotiation on key issues such as asset division, parenting time, and support allocation

• Willingness of both parties to come to agreements and compromises

• The backlog and schedule of the courts in your jurisdiction

To determine an estimated timeline for your divorce action in Colorado, please feel free to reach out to our team at 5280 Law Group by calling (303) 747-4686 or emailing us at admin@5280lawgroup.com.

Divorce or child-related matters do not need to be expensive. Over the years we have found several strategies for clients to reduce the cost of attorney’s fees, such as:

Be Organized: Gather all necessary documents and information related to your case, such as financial records, assets, and debts, before you meet with your attorney.

Be Responsive: Providing necessary documents when first requested can save time, which translates into money.

Set Time for Questions: Keep a list of questions and concerns and then set a time to talk about the questions and concerns with your attorney. This is more efficient than asking each question or addressing each concern as they come up.

Set Realistic Goals: Takes some time to determine what is a priority and what is not a priority as it relates to your matter. Review this list with your attorney to determine if your priorities are realistic expectations.

Utilize Technology: Take advantage of technology for communication and document sharing to streamline the process and reduce administrative costs. For our firm, we send a link for clients to upload their documents directly into our filing system. Client’s that utilize the system save money than those that do not.

Prior to determining what you need, you should first choose what process you will use for a divorce. Once you determine your process, you can decide what type of professionals you believe will work best for your situation.

A mediator is a great option to try and work out a settlement with your spouse. The drawback is that mediators cannot provide you with legal advice and cannot ensure that your paperwork is complete and accurate. A better solution is to use a mediator to work out a settlement and use an attorney to review the paperwork and settlement to ensure it complies with all Court requirements and that it is fair and reasonable for you. An attorney can also explain to you the legal terms and significance of the agreement.

While cost should be a consideration, it should not be the sole consideration. At 5280 Law Group we often work with mediators and assist clients in the background to help keep their costs down.