Many people who’ve been through a divorce talk about sticker shock—the surprising expense of the divorce itself. But if you’re thinking about ending your marriage, or you’ve already started the process, you probably want specifics. Just how expensive is a typical divorce (or “dissolution”) in Colorado? And what factors can increase or decrease the cost?
The Cost of Divorce Lawyers in Colorado
Many people hire a lawyer to help them through the divorce process. If you choose to work with a divorce lawyer, paying for the attorney will likely be your most significant expense. The total amount of the bill will depend on your lawyer’s hourly rate and the number of hours the lawyer spends on your case.
How Much Do Colorado Divorce Lawyers Charge per Hour?
In 2019, we studied the fees and billing practices reported by family law attorneys practicing in Colorado. The Colorado lawyers in our study reported their minimum and maximum hourly rates. Across the state, the average minimum was $230 per hour, while the average maximum was $280 an hour.
Average hourly rates are likely to be higher now. According to Clio, a legal technology company, the average hourly for a Colorado family law attorney in 2023 was $332, which was higher than the national average rate for family law attorneys that year ($312).
Lawyers consider many factors when setting their rates, including:
- Location. Attorneys who work in large metropolitan areas like Denver or Colorado Springs generally charge more per hour than their counterparts in smaller towns with a lower cost of living.
- Expertise in family law. As is true in many professions, lawyers typically raise their hourly rates as they gain more experience and specialized knowledge in family law practice. However, that expertise could also mean that it takes them less time to resolve difficulties in your case, compared to lawyers who have less experience or don’t specialize in family law.
- The cost of support staff. Lawyers often rely on specially trained paralegals and other support staff. Support staff can bill for substantive legal work but at a much lower rate than lawyers, which can potentially save you money. As reported by Clio, the average hourly rate for a non-lawyer working on a case in Colorado in 2023 was $142.
What’s the Typical Total Cost for a Colorado Divorce Lawyer?
Most people who hire divorce lawyers choose what’s called “full-scope representation,” meaning the lawyer takes care of everything in the divorce from start to finish. Consulting attorneys, on the other hand, offer “limited scope” or “unbundled” services to help with a clearly defined part of the case, such as reviewing a separation agreement or preparing for a divorce settlement conference.
In 2019 and, before that, in 2015, we surveyed readers who had recently gotten divorced. Our survey revealed that the total cost of a full-scope attorney in a typical Colorado divorce ranged from $9,700 to $11,800. But you could end up paying significantly more or less depending on your circumstances.
How Much Does a DIY or Online Divorce Cost in Colorado?
You don't have to hire a lawyer in Colorado to get a divorce. You can choose to do it yourself or file for divorce online.
DIY Divorce (“Pro Se Divorce”)
If you decide to handle your own divorce, you’ll have to:
- follow state and local divorce laws and procedures
- find and complete all of the necessary divorce forms
- serve your spouse with the forms
- go to court, and
- get a final divorce decree.
Many of the forms you’ll need are published by the Colorado Judicial Branch. And Colorado Legal Services offers an online tool you can use to complete forms for certain uncontested divorces and provides answers to many common questions about divorce in Colorado. But even a DIY divorce isn’t free—you’ll still have to invest your time and pay filing fees.
Online Divorce
Online divorce is an increasingly popular option for people who want to keep costs down and save themselves some time. An online divorce service guides you through the paperwork you need for your situation and then tells you how to file it. The cost of online divorce services varies, but it's typically in the $150 to $750 range, with extra charges for additional services (such as filing the paperwork with the court for you).
DIY and online divorce aren't appropriate in all situations. You might be a good candidate for these lower-cost options if:
- you and your spouse agree on all of the important issues in your divorce
- you're aware of all of your marital assets and have access to your financial records
- your spouse isn't represented by a lawyer, and
- a power imbalance or domestic violence hasn't been a part of the relationship.
How Disputes and Trial Affect the Cost of Divorce in Colorado
Many divorcing couples fight over one or more important issues, especially:
- child custody and support
- alimony (called "spousal maintenance" in Colorado), and
- the division of marital property and debts.
These disputes—and how they’re resolved—are why some divorces are more costly than others. Unless you and your spouse can settle these matters quickly on your own, it will take time for your lawyer to go through the process known as discovery—collecting financial documents, conducting depositions, hiring outside experts when needed, and so on. Your attorney might also have to prepare motions and attend court hearings if your spouse is uncooperative. The same is true if either spouse requests a temporary order for support or child custody.
Once the discovery process is finished, your lawyer will try to negotiate a settlement agreement, which can take a lot of time depending on the complexity of the issues involved and the differences you have with your spouse. And if you can’t reach a settlement, it’ll take even more work for your lawyer to prepare for and represent you in a divorce trial.
We looked at the impact of disputes involving important issues on divorce costs in our 2019 survey and learned the following:
- The average total cost of a Colorado divorce with no disputed issues was $3,500 to $4,200.
- Divorces involving one dispute that settled before trial cost an average of $5,100 to $6,200.
- Cases involving two or more disputes but no trial cost more—$8,800-$10,600.
- At the high end of the scale, average costs were $16,400-$19,900 when spouses went to trial on two or more issues.
Filing Fees and Other Divorce Costs in Colorado
Whether you hire an attorney or represent yourself in your divorce, you’ll have to pay court fees to file your divorce papers, unless you request and qualify for a waiver. As of 2024, the filing fee for a divorce in Colorado is $230, but fees are always subject to change.
Other potential divorce expenses include:
- mediation costs
- a child custody evaluation, and
- fees for other experts like appraisers and financial analysts.
Our 2019 survey showed that the national average for these non-lawyer divorce costs is $1,600. Here again, your actual costs will depend on the complexity of your case.
Beyond the legal costs directly associated with a divorce, you’ll also have to plan for the so-called “soft” costs of divorce, such as the cost of moving, setting up and maintaining separate households, therapy, and changes in your insurance and tax status.
How Long Does Divorce Take in Colorado?
To get a divorce in Colorado, you or your spouse must have lived in Colorado with the intent of staying in the state permanently for at least 91 days. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-10-106 (2024).)
After you’ve filed your divorce papers, you and your spouse must wait at least 91 days before a judge can issue a divorce decree. Your divorce might take much longer than that depending on factors such as the amount of marital property to divide, the level of cooperation (or conflict) between you and your spouse, and the court’s schedule. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-10-106 (2024).)
More Information and Resources on Colorado Divorce
Divorce can be costly—emotionally and financially. If your situation involves a custody dispute, complex financial issues, or significant conflict, talk to a divorce lawyer.
But not everyone needs (or can afford) a lawyer for their divorce. Other options include representing yourself, using an online service, and going to mediation. For help choosing the right path for your divorce, you can check out Divorcenet’s quiz.
And here are more resources on divorce in Colorado:
- Colorado Court’s self-help instructions for divorce or legal separation
- Colorado Law Help on family matters
- Colorado’s Child Support Services Program,
- Colorado child-support guidelines.
