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If you have filed for a Colorado divorce, or if you are considering filing for one, you are likely to have many questions about the divorce process. Since the process usually proceeds quite quickly, you could be left stunned and confused if you don't educate yourself about what to expect. Colorado divorce starts with filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. This petition will be served on your spouse who will then be able to respond to it with a formal Response to Petition. In the Petition you will have to address the following matters: assets, debt, alimony, child support, visitation, custody, decision-making and attorney fees.

After you have filed the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, a judge will likely set your divorce case for a Status Conference after the petition has been officially filed with the court. This first court date can be very helpful if you are well prepared. Being prepared for your Colorado divorce Status Conference means that you should be able to provide any and all relevant financial statements, a case management plan, a proposal for Colorado Child Support and alimony as well as visitation and parenting time. The court is going to want your input on these issues in order to make an informed decision at the Conference.

At the Initial Status Conference, the judge might decide that your case would benefit from a Temporary Orders Hearing. This hearing is a chance for you to get the court to issue temporary orders for such things as child support, parenting time, maintenance, payment of debts associated with the marriage or attorney fees. These orders are only valid until your divorce becomes final, but they allow you to maintain your current lifestyle, support your children, and pay your bills.

Colorado divorce laws state that you must have a 90 day waiting period after the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage has been served upon your spouse, "the other party". After the 90 day waiting period has ended, it is possible that the court may set a final hearing for your divorce case. During this Permanent Orders Hearing, a judge will hear testimony and see evidence that will allow him to issue final orders on all matters in your case. After both parties and their attorneys read and agree with all of the orders, you will sign a Divorce Decree and the marriage will officially be over.