Checklist for Filing as Co-Petitioners

You’ve decided to file for divorce, and your spouse agrees. You have decided to file as co-petitioners, but now you’re wondering what you need to do next? This article gives you a checklist of steps to take to get your divorce filed.

Download the Court Forms

The Colorado Judicial Branch has all the forms you will need available in PDF and Word formats.

You’ll want to start with the Instructions for Filing a Divorce. In that document, you’ll find a list of all the documents you need, as well as step-by-step instructions for what to file.

Talk to Your Spouse about Property Division and Parenting Time

Once you complete your financial disclosures, you’ll need to complete a Separation Agreement, which outlines how you’ll be dividing property you acquired during the marriage.

If you have children, you’ll also need to fill out a Parenting Plan, which will specify how much parenting time each parent has, how decisions will be made, and

Schedule Mediation

If you run into areas where you can’t agree with your spouse, it may be helpful to schedule mediation. A mediator can help you reach an agreement, and can offer creative suggestions for how to resolve the issues. You can find a list of mediators by county on the Colorado Judicial Branch website.

Have an Attorney Review Your Agreements

I promise this is not a shameless plug for my services! I’ve previously outlined what can go wrong if you do a completely DIY divorce. You’re far better off spending an hour or two (or even several hours!) with an attorney now, rather than ending up in litigation a few years down the road. Let me put my experience with other families to work for you, so that you can avoid some of the pitfalls.

Are you filing as a Co-Petitioner, and feeling overwhelmed by the process? I’m here to offer guidance.