Self-Help Clinics
Home Up

 

 

GUSTAFSON LAW OFFICE

COLORADO SPRINGS DO-IT-YOURSELF DIVORCE - DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE - LEGAL SEPARATION
COLORADO SPRINGS SELF HELP & PRO SE CLINICS - DIVORCE & ADOPTION
 

FAMILY LAW SELF HELP & PRO SE CLINICS
COLORADO SPRINGS
Colorado Springs Family Law Attorney - Trial Practice 25+ Years in Colorado State Courts

PARENTING CLASS
MANDATORY IF CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED
SINGLE PARENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES & 
CHILD SUPPORT ISSUES
PRO SE  I  - STARTING YOUR DIVORCE GENERAL INFORMATION - CLINICS LEGAL FORMS
PRO SE  II - FINALIZING YOUR DIVORCE MAPS & DIRECTIONS 
ADOPTION PRO SE CLASS
 Family Law Gateway
RETAINING GUSTAFSON WARNING
LEGAL RESEARCH ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ATTY - CLIENT DOCS ALTERNATIVES FIND A LAWYER
NOTICE & DISCLAIMER ADVICE BY LAYMEN
ATTORNEY POLICIES
Attorney Representation & Declined Matters
Legal Advice to Clients - Not General Public
Pro Bono Representation or Installment Payment
Representation Now - Another Attorney or Self
Post Decree Representation
Cases Outside Colorado Springs - Travel

FAMILY LAW

Divorce & Legal Separation  *    *  Common Law Marriage  *    *  Support Enforcement OTHER TOPICS Debt Collection
Step Parent Adoption  *    *  Straight Adoption - Unrelated  *    *  Paternity - Legal Parentage DUI  Defense Traffic Defense
  Domestic Violence Defense  *   *  Domestic Abuse Restraining Orders  *   *  Sealing Civil Records Criminal Defense Colorado DMV
Mediation & Arbitration  *    *  Self Help Clinics  *    *  Self Help Legal Research Resources & Links Attorney - Client
 

Colorado Springs Divorce & Adoption Self-Help Clinics & Pro-Se Clinics - "do it yourself" divorce, mandatory parenting class, legal separation, annulment, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, adoption

Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5 or later is required to view .pdf files    Free Download

FREE CLINICS 
FOR PERSONS REPRESENTING THEMSELVES
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE LEGAL SEPARATION
DIVORCE ADOPTION

        The pro-se clinics are a public service sponsored by the El Paso County Combined Courts and the El Paso County Bar Association to assist persons in dissolution of marriage actions.  An adoption class has been added.

        Assistance with Other Family Law Issues.  Volunteer attorneys frequently answer questions regarding other family law matters during the first 30 minutes while a video is shown or at the end of the clinic.  examples - adoption, paternity, child custody, support enforcement, restraining orders.  

        Attorneys volunteer their time and appear without compensation to answer questions or assist in filling out paperwork if time permits.  To avoid the appearance of solicitation and make certain the public perceives this as a strictly volunteer activity, usually the volunteer attorneys neither identify themselves except by first name nor accept cases from a clinic.

ADDITIONAL CLINIC INFORMATION
for answers to questions regarding any clinic - call either below agency

El Paso County Combined Courts

El Paso County Bar Association

 

MAPS & DRIVING DIRECTIONS - COMMUNITY RESOURCE LOCATIONS
at the linked site, type in the address of the location for which you seek a map or driving directions

DRIVING DIRECTIONS & LIMITED MAPS
first site via MapQuest
DRIVING DIRECTIONS & LIMITED MAPS
second site via Microsoft MapPoint
DRIVING DIRECTIONS & MAPS
third site via FindLaw

MANDATORY PARENTING CLASS
final orders will not be entered or hearing set unless class is completed

 
THIS CLASS IS MANDATORY FOR
ALL DIVORCING PARENTS WITH CHILDREN
regardless of whether or not case is settled or parties agree
 
1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month
12:00 Noon - 1:30 pm
* *   AND   * *
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
 
El Paso County Judicial Complex
270 South Tejon Street  -  West Tower  -  Jury Assembly Room W113
Colorado Springs, CO  80903-2203
 
Questions ??? -  El Paso County Combined Courts
status: mandatory  --  cost: paid for both parents by petitioner with initial filing fee  -- 
MAPS & DIRECTIONS
 

IF ONE PARENT RESIDES OUT OF STATE

Contact the local court for a parenting class or if none, then an equivalent program must be arranged with a local social worker, child therapist or psychologist.
Proof of attendance will be required to obtain a final decree.

PRO-SE 1
FORMS  *  STARTING YOUR DIVORCE
overview of divorce process and initial forms
volunteer attorneys are present to answer questions/help fill out paperwork if time permits

 
1st and 3rd Thursday of each month
12:00 Noon - 1:30 pm
 
El Paso County Judicial Complex
270 South Tejon Street  -  West Tower  -  Jury Assembly Room W113
Colorado Springs, CO  80903-2203
 
status: voluntary  --  cost: free  --  MAPS & DIRECTIONS
Questions ??? -  El Paso County Combined Courts

PRO-SE II
FORMS  *  FINALIZING YOUR DIVORCE
overview of divorce after service of process and interim to finalization forms
volunteer attorneys are present to answer questions / help fill out paperwork if time permits

 
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month 
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
 
El Paso County Judicial Complex
270 South Tejon Street  -  West Tower  -  Jury Assembly Room W113
Colorado Springs, CO  80903-2203
 
status: voluntary  --  cost: free  --  MAPS & DIRECTIONS
Questions ??? -  El Paso County Combined Courts

SINGLE PARENT
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD SUPPORT ISSUES
assistance with legal forms pertaining to custody and / or child support issues for single parents

 
2nd Thursday of each month
12:00 Noon - 1:30 pm
 
El Paso County Judicial Complex
270 South Tejon Street  -  West Tower  -  Jury Assembly Room W113
Colorado Springs, CO  80903-2203
 
status: voluntary  --  cost: free  --  MAPS & DIRECTIONS
Questions ??? -  El Paso County Combined Courts

ADOPTION PRO-SE CLASS
overview of adoption process and forms
volunteer attorneys are present to answer questions / help fill out paperwork if time permits

 
3rd Wednesday of each month
12:00 Noon - 1:30 pm
 
El Paso County Judicial Complex
270 South Tejon Street  -  West Tower  - 
Div. Z Courtroom No. 260 - 2nd Floor
Colorado Springs, CO  80903-2203
 
status: voluntary  --  cost: free  --  MAPS & DIRECTIONS
Questions ??? -  El Paso County Combined Courts

LEGAL FORMS AND INFORMATION

SELF HELP LEGAL FORMS hardcopy packets and on-line forms
        a.  Dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity & genetic testing, adoption, allocation of parental responsibility, parenting time, child support guideline computations, civil injunction, including domestic abuse.  My office is computerized, therefore I will not use these forms.
        b.  Any person may obtain a packet of family law legal forms:                        
                1.  Hardcopy Legal Forms - local access to forms
                2.  Colorado Supreme Court Legal Forms - available by internet download
                3.  Colorado Supreme Court Child Support Guideline Computation Worksheets - on-line instructions & downloads or 
                4.  Child Support and Spousal Maintenance Software  (commercial site - cost involved & computer installation required)
                5.  Military and Civil Service Defense Employee Pay and Benefits - links to military and civil service defense employee pay and benefits
                6.  Form DD-2058 - affidavit of residency.  Obtain at your finance office or refer to link.  Military personnel must claim Colorado as their home of record to file for dissolution of marriage in Colorado.

*        *        *        *        *        *        *        *

       Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) are available in the local law library supported by the
                El Paso County Bar Association - you may ask a librarian for assistance in locating statute books.
       Colorado Bar Association - additional on-line legal research
 

WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?
Self Help - Free Links to Legal Research

        Governmental agencies contact information - refer to the Courts and Government Agencies Community Resources page.
       
Additional community resources, links and Colorado forms - refer to the Resources Gateway page.

 

WEBSITE PUBLISHED BY
 
GUSTAFSON LAW OFFICE

 

Address  *  Maps  *  Directions Phone (719) 260-1002 Fax (719) 260-1003 
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
 
 
Robert D. Gustafson, Attorney at Law
Business Hours  *  Attorney Availability  *  Trade Area
 
Toll Free (800) 410-1002
 
 

PRIVATE ATTORNEY
NOT
A CLINIC

I welcome representation inquiries
but please do not call thinking this office is a clinic or provides the identified classes

ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION
AND DECLINED MATTERS

 
CRIMINAL DEFENSE DUI DEFENSE & TRAFFIC DEFENSE DRIVER LICENSE DEFENSE
FAMILY LAW & DIVORCE DEBT COLLECTION

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

FIRST CONSULTATION ACCOUNTING STRUCTURE WEBSITE INDEX GATEWAY
ATTORNEY SELECTION RETAINING GUSTAFSON ADVICE BY LAYMEN
 

I welcome representation inquiries however please refer to first consultation - the purpose is not to provide free legal advice to the general public.  Unless seeking to retain counsel, please do not email or call.  I do not provide legal opinions, answers or information in response to questions submitted from non-clients.  Given the scope of internet accessibility I can not be the free "Colorado answer man" and will politely decline.

 

ALTERNATIVES

FIND A LAWYER

if you are seeking the below
please refer to above links for helpful information
sole practitioner attorney does not accept these matters

 

a.  a pro-bono (free) lawyer
b.  an attorney who may take lower fees - economic hardship
c.  an attorney who may take installment payments

Attorney Welcomes
 

MID-LITIGATION REPRESENTATION
alternatives and find a lawyer links provided as a courtesy

Attorney Policies
Litigant Pro Se - Attempt to Prepare or Defend Own Family Law Case

1.  Adequate Time.  If sufficient time exists to adequately prepare your family law case or defense and if prospective client approves this attorney's fees and costs structure, attorney will likely accept representation.  This shall not constitute an offer of representation; attorney and prospective client retain discretion through first consultation.

2.  Insufficient Time.  If you've waited until the eleventh hour and there is not sufficient time to adequately prepare your case or defense before a contested court proceeding, please do not call.  I decline.

3.  Limited Assistance.  Please do not call requesting instruction, directions, legal theory, forms completion or limited document drafting, partial representation, or an explanation of applicable law to assist you in preparation or defense of your own case.  I decline.

Attorney Policies
Representation by Previous Attorney

1.  Current Attorney.  Until an order has entered withdrawing representation by an attorney, an ethical rule violation exists if counsel knowingly speaks to another attorney's client without current attorney's consent.  This ethical rule governs all attorneys.  Please do not call until after you have terminated representation by a former attorney.  After other counsel's withdrawal it may take significant effort for the the new attorney to "catch up."  Please be aware fees and costs will be associated with procuring the court file and coming up to speed in the case.

2.  Adequate Time.  If prospective client terminates employment of the former attorney, if sufficient time exists to adequately prepare your family law case, and if prospective client approves this attorney's fees and costs structure, attorney will likely accept representation.  This shall not constitute an offer of representation; attorney and prospective client retain discretion through first consultation.

3.  Insufficient Time.  If you've waited until the eleventh hour and there is not sufficient time to adequately prepare your case or defense before a contested court proceeding, please do not call.  I decline.

4.  Second Opinion.  I will not arm chair quarterback another attorney's case preparation, trial tactics or theory of the case.  Please do not call for a second opinion or an opinion regarding the competence of preparation or defense in your current family law case.  I decline.

 
 

POST DECREE MATTERS
alternatives and find a lawyer links provided as a courtesy
former clients are naturally welcome to call anytime regarding any legal matter

1.  Post Decree Support, Property or Debt Enforcement.  I accept most post decree requests to enforce a prior court order with respect to child support, spousal maintenance, property or debt.  This shall not constitute an offer of representation; attorney and prospective client retain discretion through first consultation.

2.  Post Decree Modification.  I will consider post decree modification of support, parental responsibility or parenting time or setting aside a former property or debt order, however I do consider the amount of time elapsed since last order, circumstances surrounding the modification and number of prior attorneys retained by a prospective client.  This shall not constitute an offer of representation; attorney and prospective client retain discretion through first consultation.

3.  Appeals.  I do not accept appellate matters unless I provided representation at hearing or trial and am familiar with the facts, testimony and exhibits received into evidence and meritorious issues for appeal.  That's been my policy for years.  Please do not call or inquire regarding appellate matters if you are not a former client.

 
 
CASES OUTSIDE EL PASO COUNTY
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
Geographic Distance - Travel Time, Mileage and Expense
Colorado is a big state.  Ease of internet access, email and toll free phone doesn't change that fact.

Attorney is very willing to travel outside the Colorado Springs area to present or defend a case, but please be aware travel time, mileage and expense would apply.  If you are out of state or unfamiliar with Colorado geography, refer to the map to determine where Colorado Springs is located in relation to the county of your court case or hearing.

If travel is necessary, a trust deposit would be required to cover anticipated travel time, mileage & expenses.  If it is not economically justifiable to retain my services with travel, please contact counsel in the locale of your case.

FIND A LAWYER

Colorado MAP

I welcome new cases.
Intent is not to be harsh or to discard potential new business, but to be practical.

ATTORNEY TRADE AREA
COUNTIES CITIES / TOWNS COUNTIES CITIES / TOWNS
El Paso County Colorado Springs / Fountain Pueblo County Pueblo
Teller County Cripple Creek Fremont County Canon City
Chaffee County Salida Custer County Westcliffe
Park County Fairplay Huerfano County Walsenburg
Douglas County Castle Rock Las Animas County Trinidad
Arapahoe County Littleton Crowley County Ordway
Arapahoe County - East Aurora Otero County La Junta
City and County of Denver Denver Bent County Las Animas
Jefferson County Golden Las Animas County Trinidad
Adams County Brighton Alamosa & Rio Grande  Alamosa & Del Norte
Elbert County Kiowa Costilla County San Luis
Lincoln County Hugo (county seat) / Limon Conejos County Conejos / Antonito

WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?
Self Help - Free Links to Legal Research

Free Self-Help Clinics
Colorado Courts - Forms - Divorce, Paternity, Support & Family - Index & Download
Colorado Courts - Forms - Restraining Orders Domestic Abuse - Index & Download
Colorado Courts - Forms - Adoption - Index & Download
The above links are provided as a public service, but if you attempt a "do it yourself" family lawsuit
please refer to
attorney policy
Domestic Abuse Restraining Order Matters
*        *        *        *
Plaintiff - Alleged Victims
T*E*S*S*A has forms - will assist in completion - will accompany to court as moral support
T*E*S*S*A workers are not attorneys, but free or low cost
*        *        *        *
Defendant - Alleged Perpetrator
It is unlikely T*E*S*S*A would assist - their mission is prevention of domestic violence.
Serious potential consequences & repercussions - it's time to defend.

BEFORE USING ANY INFORMATION IN THIS WEBSITE, PLEASE REFER TO THE BELOW LINKS
NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
HomePage Disclaimer
 information to website visitors
ATTORNEY ETHICS & CLIENT DISCLOSURES
Prior Convictions or Bad Acts
important warning information before disclosure
CONTACT & PRIVACY
Confidentiality & Privacy Policy
email, and cordless, wireless or cell phones

please feel free to call or email if you are a client or are seeking representation

FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
not an offer for free legal advice - refer to link for terms
I am a sole practitioner with need to manage my caseload & reserve the right to decline any legal matter

Secure On-Line Payment

MAJOR SEARCH ENGINES

All the Web AltaVista AOL Search Ask Jeeves - Teoma Dogpile
Excite Google HotBot InfoSeek - Go LookSmart
Lycos Microsoft Network Netscape Overture Search
  WebCrawler   Yahoo!  

 
self-help clinics, pro-se clinics, do it yourself, divorce, dissolution of marriage, parenting class, mandatory parenting class, legal separation, annulment, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, property division, debt division, adoption, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, lawyer, attorney
 

Serving Colorado Springs Area Zip Codes

80918 80920 80919 80917 80915 80908 80132 80909 80913 80916 80921 80922 80925 80901 80902 80903 80904 80905 80906 80907 80910 80911 80912 80914 80921 80926 80928 80929 80930 80931 80933 80934 80935 80936 80937 80940 80941 80942 80943 80944 80945 80946 80947 80949 80950 80960 80962 80970 80977 80995 90997

Copyright © 1998 - All Rights Reserved - Document Revised: January 14, 2008
no copyright claimed to merchant logo, software logo, flag, envelope or drawing images

Hit Counter