Find Bent County Dissolution Of Marriage Cases

Bent County processes dissolution of marriage cases in the Combined Court located in Las Animas, which is part of the 16th Judicial District. This court handles domestic relations matters for residents throughout Bent County. Filing for dissolution here requires meeting Colorado's residency requirements and following standard state procedures. You can access dissolution records by contacting the clerk's office or using the online records request system maintained by the Colorado Judicial Branch. Most records are public unless they contain confidential information or have been sealed by court order.

Bent County Court Overview

The Combined Court in Las Animas serves Bent County as part of the 16th Judicial District. This district also includes Crowley and Otero counties. The courthouse provides access to both District Court and County Court services under one roof. District Court handles dissolution cases along with felony criminal matters and civil cases above certain dollar amounts. County Court processes traffic violations, misdemeanors, and small claims.

When you file for dissolution in Bent County, the District Court clerk assists with forms, fees, and filing procedures. The staff can tell you what documents you need and answer basic questions about the process. For detailed information about court services, visit coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/bent-county.

The filing fee for a petition is $260 as specified in C.R.S. § 13-32-101. A response costs $146. These are statewide fees and cannot be changed by individual counties. If you cannot pay the fees, you may qualify for a waiver. Ask the clerk for the fee waiver form and fill it out completely. The court reviews your financial information and decides whether you qualify.

Historical Dissolution Records

Bent County has some historical divorce records stored at the Colorado State Archives. According to the Archives, Bent County divorce cases from 1907 to 1921 are available in the Archives Search database. These old records can be useful for genealogical research or historical inquiries. If you need records from that time period, contact the State Archives at 303-866-2358 or visit archives.colorado.gov.

Records from outside that time frame are held by the District Court in Las Animas. Contact the clerk to request records for any cases filed after 1921 or before 1907. Staff can search by party name if you do not have a case number. Most modern records are easier to find because they are indexed electronically. Older paper records may take longer to locate and retrieve.

Full case files at the Archives are restricted for 100 years. Only the Decree of Dissolution is publicly accessible for records under 100 years old, and even that may be restricted if it contains financial or parenting agreements. If you are a party to the case, you have broader access but must provide a government-issued photo ID to prove your connection to the case.

File A Dissolution Petition

To file in Bent County, you must meet the 91-day residency requirement in C.R.S. § 14-10-106. At least one spouse must have lived in Colorado for 91 days before filing the petition. This rule applies to all Colorado counties. You can file in the county where you live, where your spouse lives, or where the marriage took place.

Colorado is a no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not have to prove adultery, abuse, or any other fault. Both parties can agree the marriage is over, or one spouse can assert it and the other cannot successfully contest it if the assertion is made in good faith. This standard simplifies the process and reduces conflict.

Filing a petition triggers an automatic temporary injunction under C.R.S. § 14-10-107. This stops both spouses from selling property, changing insurance beneficiaries, moving children out of state, or taking other major actions without court permission or written agreement. The injunction stays in effect until the case is resolved. Its purpose is to maintain the status quo while the dissolution proceeds.

You can download forms from coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/divorce-and-separation or get them from the clerk's office in Las Animas. Standard forms include the petition, response, financial affidavits, and parenting plan if you have children. Fill them out carefully and make sure all information is accurate before filing.

Access Dissolution Case Records

Most Bent County dissolution records are public. Exceptions include sealed cases, records with confidential information, or files restricted under CJD 05-01, the Chief Justice Directive on access to court records. Parties to a case have more access than the general public. If you are requesting your own records, mention that when you contact the clerk.

Use the online records request form at coloradojudicial.gov/recorddocument-request-form to request records. Provide both party names, the case number if you have it, and specify what documents you need. The clerk will respond with information about fees and how to obtain the records. Most requests are processed within three business days unless the file requires special handling or is stored off-site.

You can also call or email the clerk's office directly. Email works well for straightforward requests where you know the case number. Phone calls are better if you need help finding the case or have questions about what records are available. The clerk can search by party name and tell you what is in the file and how much it will cost to get copies.

Third-party vendors like CoCourts.com provide access to case registers of actions. These sites show case activity and filings but not the actual documents. You must get copies from the court if you need decrees, orders, or other specific documents. Vendors charge fees for their search services, separate from court copy fees.

Copy Costs And Fees

Bent County uses the statewide copy fee schedule. Regular copies are $0.25 per single-sided page and $0.50 per double-sided page. If you are a party to the case, you pay a maximum of $15 for copies regardless of the number of pages. Non-parties pay per page with no maximum limit.

Certified copies cost $20 per document. The clerk stamps and signs certified copies to verify they are true copies of court records. Banks, government agencies, and other institutions often require certified copies. Regular copies work fine if you only need the documents for personal reference and do not need to prove authenticity.

Additional fees may apply if the file is stored off-site or requires extensive research or redaction. Off-site retrieval costs the actual expense to get the file. Research or redaction that takes more than one hour costs $30 per hour, charged in 15-minute increments. Ask the clerk for an estimate if you think your request will involve extra work.

Property Division And Maintenance

Bent County courts follow the equitable division standard from C.R.S. § 14-10-113. Equitable means fair, not necessarily equal. The court considers the length of the marriage, each spouse's contribution to marital property, economic circumstances, and other factors. The goal is a fair distribution based on the specific facts of each case.

Separate property stays with the spouse who owned it before marriage or received it as a gift or inheritance. Marital property includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage. The court identifies which is which, then divides the marital property. If one spouse gave up career opportunities or supported the other's career, the court considers that when dividing assets.

Spousal maintenance may be awarded under C.R.S. § 14-10-114. The statute includes advisory guidelines for amount and duration based on the length of the marriage and the parties' incomes. Judges use these guidelines as a starting point but can deviate based on factors like age, health, and ability to earn income. Maintenance can be temporary or long-term.

Legal Assistance Options

Colorado Legal Services provides free help to low-income residents in civil cases including dissolution. Check their website or call their intake line to see if you qualify. Eligibility is based on income and household size. If you qualify, they may advise you or represent you in court.

The court's self-help resources include forms and instructions for people who represent themselves. Staff cannot give legal advice but can help you fill out forms and explain procedures. Many people handle uncontested dissolutions on their own, especially if there are no complex property or custody issues.

Private attorneys in Las Animas or nearby towns can represent you if you prefer to hire a lawyer. Fees vary by attorney and case complexity. Some offer free initial consultations where you can discuss your situation and get a fee estimate. Ask about payment plans if you need them.

Nearby Counties

Bent County is located in southeast Colorado. Nearby counties include:

• Otero County to the west
• Crowley County to the northwest
• Prowers County to the east
• Baca County to the southeast

If you are not sure where to file, use the county where you or your spouse lives. The court must have jurisdiction over at least one party to hear the case.