Divorce Attorney in Pueblo
Clear Guidance & Steady Support When Your Marriage Is Ending
Divorce changes nearly every part of your life, from where you live to how often you see your children. If you are thinking about filing, or you have just been served, it can be hard to know what to do next or who to trust. At Aviso Law, we help people in and around Pueblo understand their options under Colorado law and move from uncertainty toward a concrete plan.
Our attorneys have handled more than a thousand cases across Colorado since 2015, and our team brings over 50 years of combined experience to the table. We are led by a former prosecutor, and our firm includes attorneys with military service, so we bring both courtroom insight and real world perspective to your divorce. We offer a free initial phone consultation and virtual meetings.
Whether you are facing a contested custody battle or a complex division of assets, we are here to help. For a free consultation and a comprehensive review of your case by an experienced divorce attorney in Pueblo, call (719) 356-5552 or reach out through our online form.
Understanding Divorce Laws in Colorado
Colorado is strictly a "no-fault" state, meaning that under C.R.S. § 14-10-106, the only legal ground for a dissolution of marriage is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken."
As a Pueblo divorce lawyer, we often explain to clients that the court is not interested in assigning blame for the breakdown of the relationship. Infidelity, abandonment, or emotional cruelty are generally not considered when the court decides whether to grant a divorce. Instead, the law focuses on the equitable "shutting down" of the marital partnership.
Before you can file for divorce in Pueblo, you must meet specific residency requirements. At least one spouse must have been a legal resident of Colorado for 91 days prior to the commencement of the proceeding. If children are involved, Colorado must typically be their "home state" for at least 182 days (or since birth if they are under six months old) for the court to have jurisdiction over parental responsibilities.
It is also vital to distinguish between a dissolution of marriage and a legal separation. While both address property division, child custody, and support, a legal separation does not technically end the marriage, meaning the parties cannot remarry. After 182 days, either party may motion the court to convert a legal separation into a decree of dissolution.
Key Elements the Court Must Resolve After Divorce
Even though Colorado is a no-fault state, the court must address several high-stakes elements to finalize a decree. As your divorce attorney in Pueblo, we focus our proven track record on ensuring these elements are resolved in your favor:
- Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR): This involves both "parenting time" (physical custody) and "decision-making" (legal custody). The court's guiding light is the "best interests of the child," considering factors such as the child's needs and the parents' ability to cooperate.
- Equitable Distribution of Marital Property: Colorado is an "equitable distribution" state, not a "community property" state. This means the court divides marital assets and debts in a way that is fair, though not necessarily an exact 50/50 split.
- Spousal Maintenance (Alimony): Unlike child support, maintenance is not automatic. The court evaluates the needs of one spouse and the ability of the other to pay, often using statutory guidelines based on the length of the marriage and the parties' incomes.
- Child Support: Calculated using the Colorado Child Support Guidelines, this takes into account the gross income of both parents, the number of overnights each parent has, and the costs of healthcare and childcare.
The Complexity of Military Divorce in Pueblo
Pueblo's proximity to Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy means that many of our clients are active duty, reserve, or retired service members. Military divorces are governed by a combination of Colorado state law and federal statutes, such as the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA) and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
Our firm's elite military and trial experience is a critical asset here. Military divorces involve unique challenges:
- Jurisdiction: Determining which state has the authority to divide a military pension.
- Pension Division: Applying the "Frozen Benefit Rule" to ensure retirement pay is divided accurately according to years of service overlapping with the marriage.
- Deployment and APR: Protecting the parental rights of service members who may be deployed or stationed far from Pueblo.
- Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP): Ensuring that a former spouse's interests in military death benefits are protected through proper court orders.
The Colorado Divorce Process in Pueblo
Navigating the 10th Judicial District Court requires adherence to a specific timeline. We guide our clients through every phase to ensure they are never caught off guard.
- Filing and Service: The process begins with filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. If one party files, the other must be served and has 21 days to respond.
- The 91-Day Waiting Period: Colorado law mandates a "cooling off" period. A decree cannot be signed until at least 91 days have passed since the filing or service.
- Initial Status Conference (ISC): Within 42 days of filing, the parties meet with a Family Court Facilitator or Judge. This meeting sets the "Case Management Order" and identifies the contested issues.
- Financial Disclosures and Discovery: Both parties must exchange Sworn Financial Statements. In complex cases, we use our elite military and trial experience to conduct "Discovery," which involves interrogatories and depositions to uncover hidden assets or clarify conflicting testimonies.
- Mediation: Most Pueblo judges require parties to attend mediation before they will set a trial date. This is an opportunity to settle the case on your own terms rather than leaving the decision to a judge.
- Permanent Orders Hearing: If no agreement is reached, the case goes to trial. This is where a Pueblo divorce lawyer presents evidence, calls witnesses, and argues for your interest
Why Our Team Is a Strong Choice for Your Pueblo Divorce
When you search for a divorce lawyer, you are not just looking for someone who knows the law. You are looking for a legal team that can understand your situation, explain your options clearly, and stand up for you in negotiations and in court if needed. We built Aviso Law to provide that level of support for families across southern Colorado, including those whose cases go through Pueblo County courts.
Our firm is led by a former prosecutor who spent years in Colorado courtrooms. That background guides how we prepare every case. We focus on the evidence, the details, and the likely arguments on both sides. This preparation helps us negotiate from a position of strength and, when necessary, present clear arguments to the judge.
Over time, this approach has contributed to our history of handling more than 1000 cases with a reported success rate that is over 90 percent. This is our track record, not a promise about any specific result, and it reflects the effort we put into every client’s matter.
We also know that many families in this part of Colorado have ties to the military. Several of our attorneys have served themselves, so we understand the demands of deployments, training schedules, and the impact of military benefits and retirement on a divorce. Clients often tell us that this perspective helps them feel understood, not judged.
Talk With Our Team About Your Divorce Options
Reaching out to a lawyer often feels like a big step, but it is simply a way to get reliable information so you can make better decisions. When you contact Aviso Law, you can talk with an attorney about your concerns, whether you are just starting to consider divorce or are already in the middle of a case in Pueblo County District Court. We help you sort through questions about your children, your home, your finances, and your future so you are not trying to piece everything together on your own.
To schedule your free phone consultation, call (719) 356-5552 or reach out online today.
Why Choose Aviso Law?
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Clients First
Every attorney will tell you they put their clients first. That is true for Aviso Law but it’s how we go about it that sets up apart. We understand the difference between being prepared and aggressive in courtrooms, while being understanding and pragmatic in client meetings. We believe in being realistic as well as easy to work with through all the phases of your case, both in and out of court; this saves you money and time while still receiving the service you deserve with the goal of achieving desired results.
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Proven Success
To us, success isn’t measured by the years we’ve spent behind a desk but by the careers we’ve built, the contacts we’ve made, and the thousands of clients we’ve served to protect jobs, families, education, and reputations. We developed our careers in Colorado’s military and civil courts, successfully defending clients from all walks of life. We come highly rated by our clients and have received professional recognition for our work.
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Breaking the Mold
We’re not your typical law firm. We don’t wear fancy suits (unless we have to in court) and we don’t hide behind big imposing desks. Reflective on our military roots, we strive to serve. We understand the legal process can be threatening and worrisome, which is why we work with our clients to get results. We aim to be respectful, diligent, and cost-effective while practicing the highest standards of legal representation.
