Family Law
Family law touches the most personal aspects of people’s live: relationships, children, finances, and what comes next. At Andersen Law PC, our attorneys bring decades of Colorado family law experience to every case, from divorce and custody disputes to prenuptial agreements, protection orders, guardianships, and more. Whether your situation is straightforward or high-conflict, we work to understand your goals and guide you through the legal process with clarity and care.
Andersen Law PC’s family law services include the following:
- Divorce
- Prenuptial agreements (also called prenups)
- Postnuptial agreements (also called postnups)
- Cohabitation agreements
- Legal separations
- Annulments
- Mediation
- Adoptions including step-parent adoptions
- Parenting time
- Maintenance (also called alimony or spousal support)
- Division of property
- Child support
- Civil unions
- Allocation of parental responsibilities
- Dependency and neglect proceedings
- Contempt
- Protection orders
- Post-decree issues
- Enforcement of court orders
- Relocations
- Grandparent proceedings
- Guardianships
If you’re facing a family legal matter and aren’t sure where to start, Andersen Law PC offers free consultations to help you understand your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law
Legal Separation vs. Divorce
What is the difference between legal separation and divorce in Colorado?
A legal separation allows a couple to live apart, and divide finances and parenting responsibilities without officially ending the marriage. The court issues orders covering property, debt, parenting time, and support — similar to a divorce decree — but the parties remain legally married. Couples sometimes choose separation for religious reasons, to maintain health insurance coverage through a spouse’s plan, or when they’re not ready to fully divorce. If circumstances change, a legal separation can be converted to a divorce.
Can a legal separation become a divorce later?
Yes. Either spouse can convert a legal separation into a divorce in Colorado. The waiting period for conversion is six months from the date the separation decree is entered — separate from the 91-day waiting period that applies to divorce filings. Property and support terms from the separation are typically carried over into the divorce.
Does Colorado recognize common-law marriage?
Yes. Colorado is one of a small number of states that still recognizes common-law marriage — established when two people mutually agree to be married, live together, and hold themselves out to others as a couple, without a formal ceremony or license. Common-law marriages carry the same legal status as formal marriages and must be dissolved through divorce if the relationship ends. Because common-law marriages have the same legal standing as formal ones, disputes about whether a common-law marriage existed — and what property rights follow — can be legally complex. An attorney at Andersen Law PC can help clarify your rights if you’re in this situation.
Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
What can a prenuptial agreement cover in Colorado?
A prenuptial agreement can address how property and debts will be divided if the marriage ends, whether spousal maintenance will be paid and in what amount, and how finances will be managed during the marriage. Prenups cannot determine child custody arrangements or adversely affect a child’s right to support. Courts retain authority over both issues based on circumstances at the time of divorce.
Is a prenuptial agreement enforceable in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado has its own statute governing prenuptial agreements — the Uniform Premarital and Marital Agreements Act — which sets clear standards for enforceability. A prenup must be in writing, signed voluntarily by both parties before the marriage, with fair financial disclosure from each side. Courts are more likely to enforce agreements where each party had independent legal counsel and adequate time to review the terms before signing.
What is a postnuptial agreement and when does it make sense?
A postnuptial agreement covers the same ground as a prenup but is entered into after the couple is already married. Both parties must consent and can enter into a postnup anytime in the marriage. Postnups are common when one spouse starts a business, when there’s a significant change in financial circumstances, such as with an inheritance, or when a couple wants to clarify financial expectations going forward. Colorado applies similar enforceability standards to postnups as to prenups.
Modifications & Post-Decree Issues
What qualifies as a substantial change in circumstances for a modification to post-decree orders?
Colorado courts require a substantial change in circumstances before modifying most post-decree orders. For child support, a change in either parent’s income of 10% or more typically qualifies. For parenting time, examples include a significant schedule change, a relocation, or a shift in the child’s needs. For spousal maintenance, a change in employment or the receiving spouse’s remarriage may qualify. Courts don’t modify orders simply because one party is unhappy with the current arrangement. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies for a modification, Andersen Law PC attorneys can help.
Can my ex and I agree to modify our divorce decree on our own?
You can agree to changes, but they aren’t enforceable until a court approves them. Both parties can submit a stipulated motion outlining the agreed changes, which is generally faster and less expensive than a contested modification. A judge must still review and sign off.
What can I do if my ex isn’t following the court’s orders?
Noncompliance with a court order — whether on parenting time, child support, or property division — can be addressed through a contempt of court motion. Consequences may include fines, wage garnishment, loss of a driver’s license and even jail time. An attorney at Andersen Law PC can help you assess your options and file the appropriate motion.
For more on how child support and parenting time are established initially, see our Divorce FAQ.
Protection Orders
What is a civil protection order in Colorado?
A civil protection order restricts one person’s contact with another. In family law, protection orders are commonly sought in situations involving domestic violence, harassment, or threats. An order can prohibit the restrained person from contacting or coming near the protected person, their home, workplace, or children’s school. Violating a protection order is a criminal offense in Colorado.
How do I get an emergency protection order in Colorado?
A temporary protection order can be requested at the courthouse without notifying the other party first. If a judge finds sufficient grounds, the order can be issued the same day. A hearing is then scheduled — typically within two weeks — where both parties can appear and the court decides whether to make the order permanent. Legal representation is strongly recommended for the permanent order hearing. Contact Andersen Law PC at 720-922-3880 for a consultation on your case.
Can a protection order affect custody and parenting time?
Yes, significantly. A protection order restricting contact between a parent and the other party can directly affect that parent’s parenting time, particularly if children are also protected parties. A history of domestic violence is also a factor courts consider in the best-interests analysis for custody. If you are involved in a protection order situation alongside a parenting case, it’s important to have an attorney who can address both.