Self Help - Family Law

 

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Robert D. Gustafson, Attorney At Law
COLORADO SPRINGS TRIAL LAWYER

6538 Charter Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918-1335

Phone (719) 260-1002
Toll Free (800) 410-1002
E-MAIL    ATTORNEY


Attorney Business Hours
Attorney Availability Status
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
 
Fax (719) 260-1003
 

SELF-HELP CLINICS
EL PASO COUNTY, COLORADO

WELCOME
I appreciate your interest
perhaps I will become your attorney

PRIVATE ATTORNEY
NOT
A CLINIC PROVIDER

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

COLORADO SPRINGS SELF HELP 
PRO SE CLINICS
Do It Yourself Dissolution of Marriage - Colorado Springs
El Paso County & Surrounding Colorado Counties - Attorney Trade Area
Colorado Springs Attorney - Family Law Trial Practice 25+ Years in Colorado State Courts
PARENTING CLASS - MANDATORY GENERAL INFO SAFE HOUSE
PRO SE  I  - STARTING YOUR DISSOLUTION LEGAL FORMS DIVORCE RECOVERY WORKSHOPS
PRO SE  II - FINALIZING YOUR DISSOLUTION ADOPTION PRO SE CLASS
SINGLE PARENTING AND CHILD SUPPORT MAPS & DIRECTIONS

ATTORNEY POLICIES
 Cases Outside Colorado Springs - Travel

No Pro Bono Assistance  *  No Installment Payment
 Legal Advice Limited to Clients - Not General Public
Representation Now - Another Attorney or Self
Attorney Representation & Declined Matters
Post Decree Representation

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, and attorney is not the phone company 411 center for telephone number information.  Given the scope of internet accessibility, I can not be the free "Colorado answer man" and will politely decline requests of this nature.

Family law cases occur across Colorado - please refer to travel. Travel Policies & Trade Area *  Itemized Expenses *  Colo 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
 
Dissolution of Marriage Legal Separation Support Enforcement
Child Support Paternity Step Parent Adoption Restraining Orders
Debt Collection Sealing Civil Records Sealing Criminal Records Criminal & Traffic Defense
 

Colorado Springs Dissolution of Marriage Self-Help Clinics & Pro-Se Clinics - do it yourself Colorado dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, property division, debt division, El Paso County, Colorado family law courts


FREE CLINICS 
FOR PERSONS REPRESENTING THEMSELVES
IN DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE LAWSUITS

        The pro-se clinics are a public service at the courthouse 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.  The clinics are referred to as pro-se - that means self representation without legal counsel.  There is no sign up, simply appear with a smile on your face - it's absolutely free.

        Assistance with Other Family Law Matters.  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



FIND A LAWYER ANYWHERE


Dissolution of Marriage Overview
Page Overview

Page Top

 


LEGAL FORMS AND INFORMATION

SELF HELP LEGAL FORMS hardcopy packets and on-line forms
        a.  Dissolution of marriage, 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
 
************************* ************************* *************************

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

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
The above links are provided as a public service, but if you attempt "do it yourself" dissolution
please refer to attorney policy

ALTERNATIVES TO PRIVATE LEGAL COUNSEL

        1. The El Paso County Bar Association sponsors the Call-A-Lawyer Program. On the third Thursday of each month from 7pm to 9pm you may call (719) 471-0380 and obtain free legal advice by telephone from an attorney. As the program is a public service, to avoid the appearance of solicitation, the attorney will not identify himself or herself, but will answer your questions. You may ask the attorney if he or she is competent in domestic violence defense. The phone is the same as Pikes Peak Legal Services / Arkansas River Legal Aid, however local attorneys staff it only at the hours given. Do not call at other times as the legal aid office does not handle criminal matters. This is free.

        2. The El Paso County Bar Association sponsors the Lawyer Referral Service Program. You may call (719) 636-1532 during normal business hours and receive a referral to an attorney for a first consultation. Ask the cost of the consultation, if any. You may possibly find a slow pay private attorney through this program if payment of fees is a problem; mention your needs when calling. The private counsel slow pay list may be maintained by the public defender's office.

        3.  Pikes Peak Legal Services / Arkansas River Legal Aid - local legal aid.
                a.  If you are indigent, you may qualify for representation by the local legal aid office.  This is free or low cost.
                b.  If you are indigent, you may qualify for assistance pro se classes (representing yourself and completing paperwork) in your dissolution of marriage, paternity, custody, support or restraining order case. This is free or low cost.
                c.  If you are indigent, you may qualify for pro-bono (free) representation.  Local legal aid maintains a list of attorneys who are willing to accept a limited number of cases on a pro-bono basis.  Pro-bono attorneys reserve the right to seek attorney's fees and costs from the opposing party.
                        "Call a Lawyer Program" same phone - LIMITED HOURS - 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm on 3rd Thursday of every month.  See ALL CASES (1) above.

        4.  CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT or SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE ENFORCEMENT.
                a.  You may qualify for assistance by the local governmental Child Support Enforcement Unit (CSE).  Refer to link for contact information.
                b.  Refer to the Support Enforcement page for information pertaining to enforcement by private counsel of child support, spousal maintenance or property / debt orders.

        5.  SELF HELP LEGAL FORMS hardcopy packets and on-line forms

        6.  SELF HELP CLINICS  Link to above clinics dates, times and locations.

        7.  Additional community resources, links and Colorado forms may be found by accessing my primary website Resources Gateway page.


ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION
AND DECLINED MATTERS

 
FAMILY LAW DEBT COLLECTION COMMUNITY RESOURCES FIRST CONSULTATION
TRAFFIC DEFENSE CRIMINAL DEFENSE SEALING CRIMINAL RECORDS ATTORNEY SELECTION
DRUNK DRIVING - DUI DEFENSE PRIMARY WEBSITE INDEX RETAINING GUSTAFSON
DRIVER LICENSE DEFENSE ADVICE BY LAYMEN ACCOUNTING STRUCTURE
 

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

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.

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.

 
 
ATTORNEY TRADE AREA & TRAVEL
OUTSIDE EL PASO COUNTY
GEOGRAPHIC DISTANCE
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

Colorado is a big state.  Ease of internet access, email and toll free phone doesn't change that fact.  Due to frequency of court appearances, it is not economically justifiable for a client to pay travel time or expenses beyond nearby counties.

Attorney has limited his trade area due to cost considerations.

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 from out of state or are 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
COUNTIES CITIES / TOWNS

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.

El Paso County

Colorado Springs / Manitou Springs / Fountain

Arapahoe County

Littleton / Centennial / Englewood

Douglas County

Castle Rock

Elbert County

Kiowa / Simla

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

Ordway

Fremont County Canon City / Florence / Penrose
Pueblo County Pueblo
Teller County Cripple Creek / Woodland Park

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

BEFORE USING ANY INFORMATION IN THIS WEBSITE, PLEASE REFER TO BELOW LINKS
NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
Notice to Website Visitors
please read before using website
ATTORNEY ETHICS & CLIENT DISCLOSURES
Prior Convictions or Bad Acts
important warning information before disclosure
CONTACT AND 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
attorney is a sole practitioner with need to manage his caseload
attorney reserves the right to decline any legal matter
 

PRIMARY WEBSITE

HOMEPAGE  

   FAMILY LAW
 

GUSTAFSON LAW OFFICE TOPICAL WEBSITES

DUI DEFENSE - DWAI & DEAC DRUNK DRIVING DEFENSE MIP - UNDERAGE ALCOHOL
TRAFFIC TICKET DEFENSE DRIVING UNDER RESTRAINT SPEEDING TICKET DEFENSE
HIT AND RUN DEFENSE DRIVER LICENSE DEFENSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEFENSE
PROSTITUTION DEFENSE NUISANCE FORFEITURE DEFENSE CRIMINAL DEFENSE
SEALING CRIMINAL RECORDS COLORADO DIVORCE DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE
LEGAL SEPARATION SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT CHILD SUPPORT
PATERNITY - LEGAL PARENTAGE STEP-PARENT ADOPTION GRANDPARENT ADOPTION
RESTRAINING ORDERS FAMILY LAW DEBT COLLECTION PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

MAJOR SEARCH ENGINES

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

Topical Website Copyright © 2003 - All Rights Reserved - Document Revised December 01, 2008
no copyright claimed to images other than photograph and law office logo
Topical Website Initial Publication Date: January 25, 2004

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

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FIND A LAWYER ANYWHERE


Dissolution of Marriage Overview
Page Overview

Page Top

 

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