A significant portion of Heckenbach/Ammarell's practice is dedicated to representing clients throughout the process of divorce. In Colorado, divorce is known as "dissolution of marriage". Initially, we meet individually with each potential client to conduct an in-depth assessment of his or her unique situation. During this meeting, our skilled attorneys quickly identify the issues that are likely to figure prominently in the dissolution and carefully explain the process of dissolution in Colorado.

The process of dissolution of marriage involves the division of the marital assets and debts between the parties, and for parties who have minor children, a determination of the allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, and child support. In cases where one spouse is unable to meet his or her reasonable financial needs after the dissolution, the issue of spousal support, known as "maintenance" in Colorado, must be addressed. In some cases, the valuation and division of assets is a relatively straightforward matter. In cases involving large estates, complex retirement funds, substantial real estate interests, unique or intangible assets, or business interests, financial experts might be required to assist in properly valuing assets and providing consultation services related to the litigation. Similarly, in highly contested custody matters, experts might be needed to assess the best interests of the children and make recommendations to the Court regarding the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time.

Procedurally, the process of dissolution begins with the filing of a Petition by one or both parties who have satisfied Colorado's jurisdictional requirements. After the Petition has been filed and served upon the opposing party, statutory deadlines for the exchange of financial information, discovery, and trial management go effect. One or both parties may request the Court to enter orders temporarily establishing the parties' responsibilities while the case is pending. Additionally, while the proceedings are pending, the parties will engage in settlement negotiations, and in many jurisdictions, will be required to engage in alternative dispute resolution in an effort to amicably resolve the issues without the need for litigation.

The dissolution becomes final when the Court enters a Decree of Dissolution. By law, a Decree of Dissolution cannot be entered by the Court until at least 90 days have passed since service upon the opposing party. Often, a final Decree is not entered until several months after the case begins, particularly in cases where parties are unable to reach an agreement on the issues and the case must be tried before the Court.

The attorneys of Heckenbach/Ammarell have over 25 years experience representing clients in dissolution of marriage proceedings throughout Colorado. We pride ourselves on our expertise in family law and our reputation for excellence. Our highly skilled attorneys, backed by a team of knowledgeable, professional paralegals, are prepared to handle even the most difficult and highly contested dissolution matters.