Divorce A Fresh, Modern Approach to Law

Centennial Divorce Attorney

Guiding You Through the Divorce Process

Divorce is the legal process by which a marriage is formally dissolved. It involves terminating the marital rights and obligations between the spouses, typically requiring court approval. Divorce proceedings address various aspects of the marital relationship, including finances, property, and, if applicable, child custody and support. The goal is to equitably resolve the issues that arise when ending the marriage, ensuring that both parties can move forward independently.

Divorce is a legally complex and highly personal process that can last months or years. Continuing disputes over assets and money only serve to prolong a resolution and, ironically, deplete financial resources. Regardless of the length of the proceedings or tone of the divorce, the best interests of the children should remain a priority.

At the Law Office of Alexandra White, PC, we can help you understand your options and guide you through the divorce process.

Our Centennial attorneys provide guidance through all aspects of divorce, including:

Property division: Involves the division of assets and debts acquired during the marriage. States generally follow either community property (equal division) or equitable distribution (fair but not necessarily equal division) principles.
Spousal support/alimony: One spouse may be required to provide financial support to the other after divorce, either temporarily or permanently, depending on factors like the length of the marriage, earning capacity, and the recipient spouse's need.
Marital agreements: These include prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, which are contracts entered into before or during marriage outlining the division of assets, debts, and spousal support in the event of divorce.
Post-decree divorce modifications: After a divorce is finalized, circumstances may change, necessitating modifications to existing court orders regarding child custody, support, or spousal support.
Common law marriage: Couples who live together and present themselves as married may be considered legally married without a formal ceremony. Divorce for common law marriages involves the same legal processes as traditional marriages.
Domestic violence: In cases involving abuse, additional legal protections such as restraining orders or protective orders may be necessary during the divorce process to safeguard the victim.
Multi-state & international divorce: Divorce may be complicated when spouses reside in different states or countries. Jurisdictional issues can arise, especially regarding property division, spousal support, and child custody.
Divorce mediation: A method where both parties work with a neutral third-party mediator to resolve issues and reach a settlement without going to court. Mediation can be less adversarial and more cost-effective than traditional litigation.
Child custody & visitation: Deciding where the children will live and the arrangements for visitation or parenting time. The court often prioritizes the best interests of the child, which includes the stability of their environment and relationships with both parents.
Child support: Financial payments from one parent to the other to ensure the child’s needs are met. Support is typically calculated based on both parents' incomes, the number of children, and the custody arrangement.

Whether a marital dissolution is resolved through mediation or trial, the financial toll on parents may be calculable, but the emotional trauma on children placed in the middle of heated decisions cannot.

Filing for Divorce in Arapahoe County

In a divorce, each spouse takes on a unique role. The party that files for divorce is the "petitioner," while the other party is the "respondent."

To file for divorce in Colorado, you and/or your spouse must meet the following requirements:

At least one party must have been a resident of Colorado for 91 days or more before filing for divorce;
Whichever party receives a summon must be under the jurisdiction of Colorado;
If you share children, they must have made Colorado their primary residence for at least 181 days;
The court must wait at least 91 days after the respondent receives their summons to finalize the divorce.

The petitioner must file various forms with the court to initiate the divorce process. These forms include:

A petition detailing the circumstances of your divorce, why you wish to dissolve your marriage, your proposed terms for divorce-related processes such as property division, alimony, child custody, and child support, and information about your finances and circumstances such as tax returns, mortgage and income statements, pension plan information, benefits statements, etc.
A summons for the respondent notifying them of the divorce;
Various other forms depending on the circumstances of your case and whether you share children, wish to pay for or receive alimony or child support, etc.

After filing these forms, a third party such as a sheriff or process server must serve the respondent with a notice informing them of the divorce. The respondent then has the opportunity to respond to the petitioner by filing a response.

How the divorce proceeds from this point often depends on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested.

What is the Difference Between Uncontested and Contested Divorce?

When two parties agree on all terms for their divorce and divorce-related processes such as child custody and support, property division, and alimony, they can file for an uncontested divorce.

Alternatively, if the parties have any disagreements over these subjects, they must file for a contested divorce.

In an uncontested divorce, the parties can draft and sign an agreement stating their agreed-on terms for the divorce.

If the respondent agrees with the petitioner's terms for divorce and the parties have a divorce agreement, they may elect not to respond or to waive their right to respond, allowing the court to move forward and finalize the divorce.

Alternatively, if the respondent disagrees with the petitioner's terms, they can file a response stating their own preferred terms. At this stage, the court may order the parties to engage in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to resolve their differences or move forward with litigating the divorce in court.

Divorces that begin as contested can transition into an uncontested dispute if the parties use a form of ADR such as mediation or collaborative law to resolve their differences.

If the parties move forward with a contested divorce, the court may hold hearings to implement temporary orders dictating how the spouses handle issues such as custody or property division during the divorce. Finally, the court will hold a trial. After hearing evidence from both parties, the court will draft what the judge considers to be an equitable divorce decree, setting for terms for the divorce and finalizing it.

While uncontested divorces can take as little as 91 days to resolve, contested divorces can take years to finalize. Our Centennial divorce attorneys can help you identify the best path forward in your divorce, working with you to secure your future.

Navigating Divorce in Centennial

Living in Centennial means being part of a vibrant community that values family and well-being. However, facing the challenges of divorce requires the support of a local attorney who understands the unique aspects of our area. At the Law Office of Alexandra White, PC, we are well-acquainted with the local legal landscape and the specific needs of Centennial residents.

Centennial falls under the jurisdiction of the Arapahoe County District Court. This court oversees all divorce filings and proceedings for Centennial and surrounding areas. Our familiarity with the procedures and requirements of this local court can significantly impact the efficiency and outcome of your case.

Compassionate Legal Support for Families

A common concern for families in Centennial is the high cost of living, which can complicate financial negotiations during a divorce. Our attorneys are skilled in navigating these financial complexities to pursue a fair resolution that takes into account the cost of living in Centennial.

We also understand the need to maintain stability for your children during this challenging time. Centennial boasts excellent schools and family-friendly amenities, and we advocate for fair custody arrangements that help your children thrive in their familiar environment.

If you're considering divorce in Centennial, trust the Law Office of Alexandra White, PC, for compassionate and knowledgeable guidance. We can help you navigate the complexities of the local legal system and work towards a brighter future for you and your family.

Protecting Your Personal & Financial Interests

Centennial divorce attorney Alexandra White knows that our clients often come to us after experiencing the slow deterioration of their marriage over months and years. Some are ready for battle; others just want the process to be over.

The founder of the Law Office of Alexandra White, PC, strips away the personal issues and gets to work on strategies and cost versus benefit analyses. She recognizes the emotional toll of divorce on her clients and their children may not be calculable, but is still a significant factor.

Divorce does not have to be a battle that damages relationships between parents and their children and depletes money. That does not mean that you should give in on all the issues to keep the peace. Your rights, best interests, and assets require aggressive protection as well.

For a free consultation with an experienced divorce lawyer in Centennial, contact the Law Office of Alexandra White, PC, through our online form or call (303) 647-4245.

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Stories From Our Clients

We're Here to Guide You through Every Step

"Kind and empathetic"
Megan was fantastic. Not only did she handle the legal side of my child custody/support filing, but she was kind and empathetic too. And, we were able to settle before the hearing, so that was the best outcome I could've asked for given the circumstances. I'd definitely recommend the firm as a whole, as Alex was a huge help in settling my divorce seven years ago too. They're overall mindful of costs, supportive, and knowledgeable, and I'm very grateful for them.

- Hilary H.
"Very nice professional team"
Very nice professional team, Krista took the time to listen to me vent, helped me every step of the way and gave me an alternative solution for my complicated situation. As well as gave me a few referrals for the right law firm that will be able to provide me with the best representation.

- Angelica L.
"Mr.murphy is truly a subject matter expert."
Kevin D Murphy was my lawyer for my divorce which was very very complicated and multifaceted more so than your average divorce. He is very professional and is able to break down complicated legal jargon into a single comprehensible format. Mr. Murphy always showed up on time and professionally dressed. He always kept me updated me as soon as he got new information in the divorce. A divorce is a very long and stressful ordeal. Mr. Murphy took the stress out of the entire situation and had my back at every point in the divorce. I was able to call and or email him 24-7 365 with any questions comments or concerns always promptly replied to the phone call or email with all the information I needed and then some. Mr. Murphy was an advocate for me and my children and facilitated the best possible outcome of the divorce. Mr. Murphy sent me a well documented monthly invoice with all of the fees associated which always checked out. He was worth every penny, and also is a pleasure to be around he's very charismatic and very experienced. To list a few of the items that Mr Murphy did are as follows.

1. He sat down with me and took the time to establish my sworn financial statement that a corporate accountant could go through with a fine-tooth comb.
2. He set up a private investigator.
3. He helped triangulate between child support payments and the payment registry as well as triangulate with the child support enforcement office technician.
4. He recommended and gave excellent tax advice for the fiscal year of which we got divorced which was very complicated.
5. He triangulated with CPS caseworker and local sheriff's involved.
6. Here ran background checks on Associated individuals involved.
7. He was able to pull from all of the information I had given him and extract what he needed to write very professional legal documents.

These are just some of the skills that mr. Murph has. His attention to detail is amazing he caught things that I totally missed. If you are going through a divorce I would personally and only recommend Kevin D Murphy he is a multi-tasker extraordinaire and truly a subject matter expert at what he does. He has improved me and my children's quality of life significantly and alleviated the stress out of the whole entire situation.

- Anonymous
"Mike has been an incredible asset in resolving my contentious case"
I wanted to share a final note of gratitude, as Mike has been an incredible asset in resolving my contentious case. His unwavering attention to detail and dedication to advocating for his client’s best interests are truly unmatched. I’m beyond grateful to finally bring this chapter to a close and look forward to moving ahead peacefully. Sending positive thoughts and hope for the future.

- Carrie
"They help you stay calm and in control so you can make the right decisions."
I worked with Megan Fiesinger and Christian Cunningham extensively over the course of almost a year in order to resolve issues that arose during my separation and divorce. I couldn’t imagine a more competent, diligent, and supportive team than the two of them, and at the end of the whole process, I found that everything they said and did was for the best. In the end, divorce is never positive, but Megan and Christian helped me secure THE most favorable outcome that was even possible.

Beyond that, they understand how emotional and chaotic the whole process can be, which is why they provide more than just legal support - they help you stay calm and in control so you can make the right decisions.

Additionally, they were supremely thorough in explaining my options and tradeoffs. That meant I spent way less on legal fees than I expected because they were perfectly willing to advise me NOT to give them money that wouldn’t ultimately contribute to a better outcome for myself. Their advice was always solely for my benefit.

I couldn’t recommend a better team than the folks at Alex White’s firm, and specifically Megan and Christian.

- Andrew R.
"Great Trusting Attorney!!!"
I have already referred Kevin to a few friends that are going to through the same things I went through for custody. During my first conversation with Kevin, he was very informative, knowledgeable, and felt very trustworthy and genuine. I had debating on hiring an attorney because of the cost and experiences in the past with other attorneys that I had, but after our initial conversation, I knew he was the right one for my case. Kevin always made me aware of all my options and helped me threw probably one the toughest times in my life. I will use him and his firm again if any issues should ever arise. The relief I felt knowing that he was on my side and fighting for what I wanted for my child was wonderful.

- Cari

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