If you and your spouse can sit at the same table, you can divorce without paying two lawyers to fight. Resolvit Mediations helps Colorado Springs couples reach a full agreement in mediation for $300 an hour, usually split between both spouses.
Most of our sessions happen on Zoom, so you can mediate from home, from work, or from separate locations. In-person sessions are available at our Colorado Springs office, 1880 Office Club Pointe, Suite 262.
What “Uncontested” Means in Colorado
A divorce is uncontested when both spouses agree on every issue the court has to decide. In Colorado, those issues are:
- Division of marital property and debts
- Spousal maintenance (alimony), if any
- Parenting time and decision-making for minor children
- Child support
Colorado courts don’t use the word “uncontested.” It’s the everyday term for a case where nothing is left for a judge to decide. Most parties don’t start out agreeing on everything. Mediation is how they get there.
How an Uncontested Divorce Works in El Paso County
- Free consultation. We talk through your situation and whether mediation fits. No pressure and no cost.
- Mediation sessions. You and your spouse work through each issue with a neutral mediator(s). Sessions are confidential under Colorado law (C.R.S. 13-22-307).
- Written agreement. The terms you agree on are put in writing. Utilizing Family Law Software(TM), which is used by Colorado, we will generate all of the JDF forms required for the parties to file with the court.
- Filing. You file a Petition for Divorce (JDF 1011) with the El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs. Couples can file together as co-petitioners.
- Financial disclosures. Both spouses exchange financial information, including a Sworn Financial Statement (JDF 1111SC), and file a Certificate of Compliance (JDF 1104).
- Parenting class (if you have children). The 4th Judicial District requires parents to finish a Level 1 parenting class within 42 days of filing.
- The 91-day waiting period. Colorado courts can’t enter a decree until at least 91 days after the court has jurisdiction over both spouses (C.R.S. 14-10-106).
- Final decree. Some couples qualify for a decree without a court appearance by filing an Affidavit for Decree without Appearance (JDF 1018). Others attend a short uncontested hearing.
Can You Finalize Without Going to Court?
Often, yes. Under C.R.S. 14-10-120.3, a court can enter a decree on affidavit when all of the following apply:
- You have no minor children together (and the wife isn’t pregnant), or both spouses have their own attorneys and a written agreement on parenting and child support
- The other spouse has been properly served or has joined the case
- There’s no genuine dispute about the facts
- There’s no marital property to divide, or you’ve signed an agreement dividing it
If you have children and aren’t each represented by a lawyer, plan on a brief hearing to finalize. In El Paso County, that hearing is set using local form FCF 1015.
What an Uncontested Divorce Costs in Colorado Springs
Your total depends mostly on how many hours of mediation you need. Here are the fixed costs you can plan around:
| Cost | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation | $250 per hour | Usually split 50/50 |
| Court filing fee (petition) | $230 | One fee per case (the parties decide who pays) |
| Response fee (if the other spouse files a response) | $146 | Responding spouse |
| Level 1 parenting class (4th JD, through CASA of the Pikes Peak Region) | $65 per parent | Each parent |
The typical cost for Resolvit Mediation often comes out to $2,500-$3,500. Every case is different, but a couple who arrives mostly in agreement may need only a few sessions.
Compare that with a contested divorce, where each spouse pays their own attorney retainer and hourly fees through discovery and hearings. The cost of divorce can vary greatly depending on the uniqueness of the marriage. However, a contested divorce can cost between $8000 to $25,000, significantly more than mediation.
Divorce Without Paying Two Lawyers to Fight
An uncontested divorce settles the same issues a judge would decide: property and debts, maintenance, child support, and a parenting plan if you have children. Reaching those terms together in mediation, usually split between both spouses, costs a fraction of two attorney retainers carried through discovery and hearings. We are here when you are ready to start.
Schedule Your Free 30-Minute ConsultationIs Mediation Right for Your Divorce?
Mediation works best when both spouses:
- Want to settle and can communicate, even if it’s strained
- Will share financial information honestly
- Want to control the outcome instead of leaving it to a judge
Mediation isn’t the right fit for every couple. If there has been domestic violence or abuse, Colorado courts won’t order you into mediation if you’re unwilling to participate (C.R.S. 13-22-311). Your safety comes first. Talk with an attorney or a domestic violence advocate about your options.
A Neutral Mediator, Not Your Advocate
As your mediator, James Sullivan stays neutral. Mediation is efficient, stress free and cost effective. Resolvit is duty bound as a member in Good Standing of the Mediators of Colorado (MAC) to not provide legal advice or legal representation. Many couples have an attorney review their agreement before they sign, and we encourage it.
James brings more than 150 court-connected cases and legal training from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Finish This Chapter on Your Own Terms
If you and your spouse can sit at the same table, you can divorce without a drawn-out court fight. Mediation gives you a neutral, confidential space to work through every issue together, during the same 91-day waiting period the court requires, and leave with a written agreement you both stand behind. A free 30-minute consultation is a low-pressure place to begin.
Schedule Your Free 30-Minute ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
How long does an uncontested divorce take in Colorado?
At least 91 days. Colorado courts can’t enter a decree until 91 days after the court has jurisdiction over both spouses. Mediation usually happens during that waiting period, so it rarely adds time.
Do we both need lawyers for an uncontested divorce?
No. Colorado lets spouses represent themselves. If you have minor children and want to finalize without a court appearance, though, both spouses need their own attorneys under C.R.S. 14-10-120.3.
How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Colorado Springs?
The court filing fee is $230. Mediation at Resolvit is $300 per hour, usually split between spouses. Parents also pay $65 each for the required Level 1 parenting class.
What if we agree on most things but not everything?
That’s what mediation is for. Most couples come in with one or two sticking points, often the house, retirement accounts, or the parenting schedule.
Can we do the whole process online?
Mediation can be fully remote over Zoom. Colorado courts accept e-filing, and many uncontested cases finalize without an in-person hearing.
Will the judge accept our agreement?
Yes, if it’s fair. The court reviews property and maintenance terms to make sure they’re not unconscionable. Terms about children are always reviewed against the child’s best interests (C.R.S. 14-10-112).
Start With a Free Consultation
Tell us where you and your spouse stand. In 30 minutes, we’ll explain what mediation would look like for your situation and what it’s likely to cost.
Call 720-434-8581 or schedule online.