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

FAMILY LAW

DIVORCE AND SEPARATION

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?

COLORADO COMMON LAW MARRIAGE

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

ADOPTION - STEP PARENT

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 ORDERS

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

MEDIATION ARBITRATION WHERE CAN I FIND THE LAW?

FAMILY LAW SELF HELP  &  PRO SE CLINICS

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

Colorado Springs FIRST CONSULTATION - NOTICE El Paso County Attorney welcomes representation inquiries however the purpose is not to provide free legal advice to the general public.  Unless seeking to retain counsel, please do not email or call.  Attorney does not provide legal opinions, answers or information in response to questions submitted from non-clients, & attorney is not the phone company 411 center for phone number information.  Given the scope of internet accessibility, I can not be the free "Colorado answer man" and will politely decline such requests.  Family law cases occur across Colorado - please refer to attorney travel. Travel Policies & Trade Area *  Itemized Travel Expenses *  Colorado Map common fees have been quoted and information provided attorney is prepared to provide legal representation attorney comparison is understandable, but before calling please be prepared to retain if I am counsel of your choice

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 Major Charge Cards Accepted Third Party Payment Authorization charge card merchant discount

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. Alternatives FIND A LAWYER 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. Alternatives FIND A LAWYER 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. Alternatives FIND A LAWYER 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. Alternatives FIND A LAWYER

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. Alternatives FIND A LAWYER

ATTORNEY TRADE AREA & TRAVEL CASES OUTSIDE EL PASO COUNTY   GEOGRAPHIC DISTANCE ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS Colorado is a big state ease of internet access, email & toll free phone doesn't change that fact   TRAVEL  RATES TRAVEL TIME  *  MILEAGE  *  EXPENSE 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. Colorado MAP Southern Colorado Area 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. COUNTIES CITIES / TOWNS El Paso County Colorado Springs / Manitou Springs / Fountain I welcome new cases.  Intent is not to be harsh or to discard potential new business, but to be practical. Chaffee County Salida Crowley County Ordway Metro Denver Area Custer County Westcliffe COUNTIES CITIES / TOWNS Douglas County Castle Rock City and County of Denver Denver Elbert County Kiowa / Simla Adams County Brighton / Thornton / Federal Heights Fremont County Canon City / Florence / Penrose Arapahoe  County Court   District Court Littleton / Centennial / Englewood Huerfano County Walsenburg Arapahoe County - East Aurora Las Animas County Trinidad Broomfield County Broomfield Lincoln County Hugo (county seat) / Limon Gilpin County Blackhawk / Central City Otero County La Junta Jefferson County Golden / Wheat Ridge Park County Fairplay FIND A LAWYER ALTERNATIVES Pueblo County Pueblo Teller County Cripple Creek / Woodland Park

please feel free to call or email if you are a client or are seeking representation	Major Charge Cards Accepted Third Party Payment Authorization charge card merchant discount
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