In this series, the Andersen Law PC blog is spelling out the 12 steps of divorce one month at a time. The intent is to walk you through the process one simple step at a time. This month, we cover step 11 of divorce: witnesses, pretrial deadlines and the Colorado permanent orders hearing process.
(To see the process in a more personalized, real-world context, follow the blogs on the Aingel and DeVille families: the Aingels relatively soaring through the process while the DeVilles crash and burn.)
To discuss your specific situation, feel free to call us at 720-922-3880 or email beth@andersenlawpc.com. We are happy to walk you through your own next steps and to answer questions in your complimentary initial phone or videoconference consult.
What is a Permanent Orders Hearing?
A Permanent Orders Hearing is the final hearing where a judge decides on unresolved issues. It is a bench trial meaning there is no jury.
The court reviews evidence and testimony to make final decisions about:
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Parenting time and parental responsibilities.
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Child support and maintenance (spousal support).
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Division of property, assets, and debts.
Judges apply Colorado law and rely on the evidence presented, not emotion or blame, to reach fair and final orders.
Pretrial Deadlines and Documents You Must Meet
Each case has strict pretrial deadlines that help the court and parties prepare for the hearing. Missing these deadlines can cause delays, sanctions, or exclusion of your evidence.
Key pretrial requirements include:
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Joint Trial Management Certificate (JTMC): Attorneys and courts in Colorado typically rely on this in lieu of an opening statement. The JTMC summarizes the case, positions and disputed issues.
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Witness Disclosures: Experts such as appraisers or child and family investigators (CFIs) must be disclosed by set deadlines.
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Exhibit Lists and Exchange: Label and share evidence such as financial documents, photos and communications before the hearing.
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Motions and Briefs: Must be filed on time and legally supported. Frivolous or late motions can harm your case.
Organization and timeliness show the court you are credible, prepared, and acting in good faith.
Choosing and Preparing Witnesses for a Colorado Divorce Hearing
You’ll have a limited amount of time for your scheduled permanent orders hearing. It could last only half a day, so you need to make the most of it. Courts favor concise, relevant testimony. Avoid cumulative witnesses: multiple people saying the same thing. Keep in mind that your witnesses can be cross-examined by the other party’s attorney.
Effective witnesses may include:
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You and your spouse.
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Experts like business appraisers, CFIs, and vocational evaluators.
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Other relevant third parties such as teachers, child care providers or financial professionals.
Prioritize witnesses who add facts that matter to the legal issues such as:
- Best interests of the children.
- Income, assets and debts.
- Needs and ability to pay.
Expect witness sequestration, which means that witnesses will need to wait outside the courtroom until it’s their turn to take the stand.
Courtroom Realities and What Judges Consider
Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, meaning the court is not concerned with who caused the divorce. Instead, the judge considers:
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The best interests of the children under Colorado Revised Statute §14-10-124.
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Accurate and verified financial disclosures.
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Each party’s credibility and conduct in following court orders and deadlines.
Personal grievances, anger or attempts to prove fault rarely affect the outcome. Staying professional, organized, and factual during your permanent orders hearing is far more effective than emotional arguments.
Issues that can sway a judge’s decision relate to parenting concerns around safety or reliability or financial issues such as marital waste, when a spouse intentionally misuses or spends property or funds.
Be prepared, be on time, and stick to facts. Judges assess credibility and will keep the hearing moving.
After the Permanent Orders Hearing
You may see the judge typing on their computer during the hearing, preparing their orders. The judge may read orders from the bench at the end of the hearing or opt to take more time and set a date for the orders to be read via telephone conference. The court will use the final orders to issue your Decree of Dissolution, or your official divorce degree. The permanent orders will include the judge’s decisions on all aspects of the divorce including:
- The allocation of parental responsibilities, including child support, decision-making and parenting time.
- How any debt and assets will be divided.
- Amount of maintenance (AKA spousal support or alimony).
Your attorney will ensure all final documents are filed, signed and distributed. Following the court’s orders carefully helps prevent post-decree disputes or modification requests later.
For a free consult on your divorce case, contact Andersen Law PC at 720-922-3880. You can also check out our related blog posts, YouTube videos, Beth’s podcast “Breaking Upward,” and sign up for our monthly newsletter. All of these are full of information that can help you navigate divorce and other family law issues.
