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

        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.

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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.

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       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

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        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.
 

        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. 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 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. 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 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 FIND A LAWYER ALTERNATIVES Pueblo County Pueblo Teller County Cripple Creek / Woodland Park

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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

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

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