Index - Family Law
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GUSTAFSON LAW OFFICE
INDEX - COLORADO FAMILY LAW

WELCOME Phone (719) 260-1002 Fax (719) 260-1003 

perhaps I will become your attorney
Address  *  Maps  *  Directions
 

Robert D. Gustafson  *  Attorney at Law  *  Colorado Springs
Business Hours  *  Attorney Availability  *  Trade Area
 
Toll Free (800) 410-1002
 
 

INDEX

COLORADO FAMILY LAW

Colorado Springs Family Law Attorney - Trial Practice 25+ Years in Colorado State Courts
DIVORCE AND SEPARATION COMMON LAW MARRIAGE
ADOPTION - STEP PARENT ADOPTION - STRAIGHT
PATERNITY SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
DOMESTIC RESTRAINING ORDERS MEDIATION & ARBITRATION
ATTORNEY POLICIES
Attorney Representation & Declined Matters
Legal Advice Limited 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
 

Divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, declaration of invalidity, annulment, allocation of parental responsibilities, child custody, parenting time, visitation, alimony, child support enforcement, paternity, adoption, domestic abuse restraining orders

WEBSITE TOPICAL INDEXES
  

ALCOHOL & DUI  OFFENSE TRAFFIC OFFENSE / INFRACTION
CRIMINAL LAW DOR - DMV
FAMILY LAW DEBT COLLECTION
ATTORNEY MATTERS COMMUNITY RESOURCES & LINKS

FOLLOW OVERVIEW - TOPICAL LINKS TO SUBSTANTIVE PAGES
to facilitate loading speed, family law matters have been separated into multiple pages
 

 

 
COMMON LAW MARRIAGE DOMICILE - LEGAL RESIDENCE LEGAL TERMS GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE
PROCEDURE - HOW DO I? REMOVAL OF SPOUSE ANNULMENT - INVALIDITY LEGAL SEPARATION
CUSTODY and VISITATION PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY PREPARATION FOR COURT DIVORCE RECOVERY WORKSHOPS
CHILD SUPPORT ALIMONY - MAINTENANCE PROPERTY - CLASSIFIED & DIVISION GENERAL INFORMATION
MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION AWARD OF FEES & COSTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & ABUSE INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROVIDERS
NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY? ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?
 

 
FACTORS & SYNOPSIS - COMMON LAW MARRIAGE
        CASE LAW EFFECT OF COMMON LAW DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?
 

 
GENERAL INFORMATION VOLUNTARY RELINQUISHMENT INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION BEST INTEREST OF CHILD
PETITION - FACTS REQUIRED PROCEDURE FINALITY OF FINAL DECREE NOTICE TO BIRTH PARENT
NO PROMISES TO BIRTH PARENT GRANDPARENT ADOPTION ADOPTION BY RELATIVE ESTATE PLANNING
ADOPTION INFORMATION ACCESS ADOPTION CONSIDERATIONS POTENTIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FILING FEES & BIRTH CERTIFICATE
DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY? ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?
CAN I FIND THE LAW?
 

ADOPTION - STRAIGHT
No Prior Family Relation

 
STRAIGHT ADOPTION RELINQUISHMENT STATUTE WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?
 

PATERNITY
Legal Parentage

 
COMMON LAW MARRIAGE LEGAL TERMS AND PRINCIPLES PRIOR CONDUCT SKIP TRACING MISSING PARENT
PROCEDURE - Filing Lawsuit PATERNITY DETERMINATION COURT PROCEEDINGS GENERAL INFORMATION
CHILD SUPPORT AND EXPENSES PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY PROPERTY AND RESIDENCE "PALIMONY" OR MAINTENANCE
OTHER POTENTIAL PROCEEDINGS Divorce from Present Spouse Domestic Violence & Abuse POTENTIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY? ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER PATERNITY SELECTED STATUTES
WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?
 

FAMILY SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
Child Support & Spousal Maintenance Enforcement
Divorce Property Division & Debt Enforcement

 
GENERAL INFORMATION
        Definitions
        Types of Support
        Statutory Interest
        Legal Parentage
        Basic Concepts
        Skip Tracing Obligor
 
GOVERNMENT CHILD SUPPORT
ENFORCEMENT UNITS
        CSE Admin Powers
ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDINGS
        Registry Fund
        Income Assignment
        Health Assignment
        Judgment Enforcement
        Clerk Comish to Convey
        Administrative Action
        Contempt of Court
       
Overview
 
WELFARE INFORMATION

INTERSTATE ENFORCEMENT 
    Foreign Order - 
    Colorado Obligor
          Foreign Decree
          Foreign Judgment
    Colorado Order - Obligor
    Living Out of State
 

INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROVIDERS
 
DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY?
 
ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS
 
ALTERNATIVES & OTHER OPTIONS
 
WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?
 

 
DOMESTIC ABUSE RESTRAINING ORDER
        STATUTORY AUTHORITY
        LEGAL FORMS
       
FILING THE RESTRAINING ORDER LAWSUIT
       
TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
       
CITATION TO APPEAR
       
PERSONAL EFFECTS PENDING FINAL ORDERS
       
FINAL ORDERS HEARING
       
PERMANENT ORDERS
       
MUTUAL RESTRAINING ORDERS
       
SERVICE OF RESTRAINING ORDERS
       
PRO MODIFICATION or DISMISSAL
OTHER SANCTIONS and RELIEF
        EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE ORDERS - PRO
        DIVORCE OR PATERNITY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
        VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT or SANCTIONS

OTHER CONSEQUENCES
       
CBI CENTRAL REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION
       
FEDERAL LAW - FIREARMS & AMMUNITION
       
POTENTIAL JOB LOSS or JOB UNAVAILABILITY
       
FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS

OTHER POTENTIAL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
       
DIVORCE FROM PRESENT SPOUSE
       
PATERNITY - LEGAL PARENTAGE
       
CRIMINAL PROSECUTION
        RESTRAINING ORDERS - NOT DOMESTIC ABUSE
       
SEALING CIVIL LAWSUIT RECORDS
        SEALING CRIMINAL RECORDS

GENERAL INFORMATION
        STATUTORY DEFINITIONS
        ABUSE OCCURRENCE
        ABUSE REPORTING

OTHER ISSUES
        CHILD CUSTODY and VISITATION
       
CHILD SUPPORT
       
"PALIMONY\" or MAINTENANCE
        PROPERTY and RESIDENCE
       
"NUDIE PICS " or "SEX PICS"

OTHER RESOURCES
       
COUNSELING and THERAPY
       
SAFE HOUSING

DEFENSE OF RESTRAINING ORDERS AWARD OR DENIAL OF FEES & COSTS POTENTIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
ATTORNEY'S ROLE AND ASSISTANCE DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY? ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?
 

SEALING CIVIL COURT RECORDS
Domestic Abuse Restraining Orders

 
GENERAL INFORMATION FILING - NOTICE HEARING - CRITERIA - ORDER SEALING ORDER - NOTICE
SEALING ORDER - EFFECT EVIDENCE OF PRIOR BAD ACTS UNSEALING RECORDS DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY?
  ATTORNEY'S FEES and COSTS WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?  
 

 
MEDIATION ARBITRATION WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?
 

 
PRO SE  I  - STARTING YOUR DIVORCE PRO SE  II - FINALIZING YOUR DIVORCE SINGLE PARENTING ^ CHILD SUPPORT
PARENTING CLASS - MANDATORY LEGAL FORMS AND INFORMATION - AVAILABILITY WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?

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

BEFORE USING ANY INFORMATION IN THIS WEBSITE, PLEASE REFER TO MY HOMEPAGE DISCLAIMER
NOTICE, DISCLAIMER and INFORMATION TO WEBSITE VISITORS

WARNING - REFER TO ATTORNEY ETHICS & CLIENT DISCLOSURES
REGARDING ATTORNEY OBLIGATIONS IN THE EVENT CLIENT DISCLOSES PRIOR CONVICTIONS OR BAD ACTS

PLEASE REFER TO CONTACT & PRIVACY
REGARDING CONFIDENTIALITY CONCERNS - E-MAIL AND CORDLESS, WIRELESS OR CELL PHONES
website and attorney privacy statements are located here

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

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