Castle Rock Family Law Attorney: Douglas County Divorce, Custody, and Complex Family Matters

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Dedicated Family Law Services for Douglas County Residents

Family law encompasses a broad range of domestic matters, each with profound personal and legal implications. Perrino Law Firm is fully equipped to handle the legal issues that reshape your family structure within the 18th Judicial District, focusing on core areas such as:

Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)

In the Castle Rock area, the legal process for ending a marriage is formally called a Dissolution of Marriage (§ 14-10-101§ et seq., C.R.S.). Colorado operates as a no-fault state, which means that you are not required to provide evidence of fault or wrongdoing by your spouse; the only legal prerequisite is for the court to determine that the marriage is irretrievably broken (§ 14-10-107§, C.R.S.). At the Perrino Law Firm, we leverage our deep experience with Colorado Dissolution of Marriage cases to advocate tirelessly for the optimal resolution for our clients right here in Douglas County!

Key Issues in a Colorado Divorce:

• Jurisdiction in Castle Rock (Douglas County): To file a divorce petition in the Douglas County District Court, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Colorado for a minimum of 91 days before the filing date (§ 14-10-106(1)(a), C.R.S.). We ensure proper venue and jurisdiction is established within the 18th Judicial District.
• Division of Property and Debt (Equitable Distribution): Colorado mandates equitable distribution, meaning all marital property and debts—defined as property acquired by either spouse after the marriage but before the decree (§ 14-10-113, C.R.S.)—must be divided fairly, though not necessarily equally.
• Maintenance (Alimony/Spousal Support): The court may award spousal maintenance based on factors including the length of the marriage, the income and economic status of each party, and the physical/mental condition of the spouse seeking support (§ 14-10-114, C.R.S.).
• Procedural Compliance: All divorce proceedings in the Douglas County District Court are governed by the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure (CRCP). Strict adherence to CRCP Rule 16.2 requires both parties to fully and honestly disclose all material financial facts (Mandatory Disclosures).

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (Custody)

In any Douglas County family law case involving minor children, the court must issue orders concerning the Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR). This encompasses both Parenting Time (physical custody/visitation) and Decision-Making Responsibility (legal custody) (§ 14-10-124, C.R.S.).

The Paramount Standard: Best Interests of the Child

Every decision regarding children is governed by the best interests of the child standard. The court must consider all relevant factors, with paramount consideration given to the child’s safety and their physical, mental, and emotional needs. Colorado law generally favors frequent and continuing contact between the child and each parent, provided it is appropriate (§ 14-10-124(1.5) and §(1.7), C.R.S.).

Parenting Time (Physical Custody)

In keeping with the state’s goal of preserving the parent-child relationship, the court shall not restrict a parent’s parenting time unless it finds, based on evidence, that the parenting time would endanger the child’s physical health or significantly impair the child’s emotional development (§ 14-10-129(1), C.R.S.).

Decision-Making Responsibility (Legal Custody)

This responsibility covers major decisions affecting the child, such as educational choices, non-emergency medical care, and religious upbringing. Decision-making may be allocated mutually between both parents or individually to one party (§ 14-10-124(5), C.R.S.).

Navigating Military Divorce in the South Metro Area

While Castle Rock may not host a major installation, many Douglas County residents are active duty or retired service members, reservists, or military spouses stationed at bases like Buckley Space Force Base or supporting commands in the Denver area. These cases introduce complex federal law into the state proceedings.

Key Military Divorce Considerations:

• SCRA Protection (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act): The federal SCRA allows active-duty service members to request a stay or postponement of the Douglas County court proceedings, including divorce, while they are deployed or unable to attend due to military service obligations. This crucial protection prevents default judgments against deployed service members.
• Residency for Filing: A spouse may file for divorce in Colorado if the military member is stationed in Colorado or if they have continuously resided in the state for at least 90 days.
• Division of Military Retirement: Military retirement pay is considered marital property subject to equitable division in Colorado courts. The division is governed by the federal Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA), which specifically allows state courts to treat the pension as marital property. We help you understand the 10/10 rule, which governs whether a former spouse can receive their share directly from the military pay center.
• Deployment and Parenting Plans: Parenting plans for military families must strategically account for the inevitability of deployments and Permanent Changes of Station (PCS). State laws, including the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody & Visitation Act (UDPCVA), protect the military parent’s right to bond with their children and allow for clear, temporary orders and family care plans to be established during periods of service.