Filing a Colorado Divorce as Co-Petitioners

Still not sure about filing as Co-Petitioners? Check out my article here to determine if this option is right for.

Have you decided to file your divorce as Co-Petitioners, but you’re not sure where to start? Here are some next steps.

1. Talk to your spouse. “Co-Petitioners” means that both you and your spouse sign the Petition for Dissolution, which means you’ll need to have him/her onboard.

2. Gather financial information. Colorado law requires each spouse to complete extensive financial disclosures as part of a divorce. You can find a list of those disclosures at the article here.

3. Talk to a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). Are you overwhelmed by the financial piece of divorce? If so, a CDFA can help! The CDFA can help you (and your spouse) put together a picture of your assets and debts, discuss division of property and debts, and develop post-divorce budgets.

4. Talk to a Mental-Health Professional or Mediator. Are you struggling to finalize a Parenting Plan? Do you and your spouse disagree on what the custody split should look like? A mental-health professional trained in collaborative or a mediator can help you get to the root of any disagreements and hopefully reach a resolution that both of you can live with (let’s be honest – almost everyone wants to see their kids more after a divorce). While a lawyer can give you a list of things to discuss with your spouse,

5. Talk to a Lawyer Trained in Collaborative Law. I know you’ve been waiting for this one! The reason it’s last is because the goal of hiring an attorney is to have someone advise you on the law and to help you get your agreements into the proper court format. While a lawyer can help put things in perspective as you work with the other professionals, an attorney can’t help you break through any stalemates you may reach. Hiring an attorney right away can also make your spouse feel defensive. Plus, attorneys tend to be the most expensive professionals on the team! By working cooperatively with other professionals, you and your spouse can problem-solve, save money, and hopefully reach an agreement that meets the needs of everyone in the family.

I’ve seen too many clients who don’t hire attorneys for their amicable divorce. Often, it’s because they were afraid that attorneys would make their divorce more difficult, more expensive, or more laden with conflict. Unfortunately, many of those individuals end up in my office years later because something in their agreement wasn’t clear. By having a clear strategy, and communicating early and often with your spouse, you can get divorced without a hearing. I’m here to help!