Chaffee County Dissolution Of Marriage Database

Chaffee County dissolution of marriage cases are handled through the Combined Court in Salida, part of the 11th Judicial District. This court processes domestic relations matters including divorce, legal separation, and annulment. Residents of Chaffee County and surrounding areas file dissolution petitions with the District Court clerk. You can request records through the online system provided by the Colorado Judicial Branch, by phone, or in person at the courthouse. Most case records are available to the public, though some documents may be confidential or sealed under state law and court directives.

Chaffee County Court System

The Chaffee County Combined Court in Salida is part of the 11th Judicial District, which also serves Custer, Fremont, and Park counties. The courthouse handles both District Court and County Court matters. District Court processes dissolution cases, felony criminal cases, and civil cases above a certain dollar amount. County Court deals with traffic tickets, misdemeanors, and small claims.

For dissolution filings, you work with the District Court clerk. Staff can answer questions about forms, fees, and filing procedures. The courthouse is located in Salida, the county seat. Contact information and directions are available at coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/chaffee-county.

Filing a petition costs $260 under C.R.S. § 13-32-101. A response costs $146. These fees are set by state law and apply in all Colorado counties. If you cannot afford the fees, ask for a fee waiver form. The court reviews your financial information to determine if you qualify for a waiver or reduction.

Filing For Dissolution In Chaffee County

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

Colorado uses a no-fault standard. The only ground needed is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. No one has to prove fault or wrongdoing. This approach reduces conflict and simplifies the process. You can file jointly with your spouse or file alone and serve the other party with the petition.

When you file, an automatic injunction takes effect under C.R.S. § 14-10-107. This injunction prevents both parties from selling property, moving children out of state, changing insurance beneficiaries, or taking other major financial actions without court permission or mutual written agreement. It remains in effect until the case is resolved.

Download forms from coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/divorce-and-separation or pick them up at the courthouse. Forms include the petition, response, financial affidavits, and parenting plan if you have children. Complete all forms carefully before filing.

Obtaining Dissolution Records

Chaffee County dissolution records are generally public. Exceptions include sealed files, confidential documents, or restricted records under CJD 05-01. Parties to a case have broader access than the general public. If you are a party, mention that when requesting records.

Use the online form at coloradojudicial.gov/recorddocument-request-form to request records. Provide party names, case number if available, and the documents you need. The clerk will contact you about fees and delivery. Most requests are processed within three business days unless special handling is required.

You can also contact the clerk's office by phone or email. Phone works well if you have questions or need help finding a case. Email is efficient for simple requests when you know the case number. Staff can search by party name and tell you what records are available and the cost for copies.

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

Fees For Copies And Records

Chaffee County follows the statewide copy fee schedule. Regular copies cost $0.25 per single-sided page and $0.50 per double-sided page. Parties to a case pay a maximum of $15 for copies regardless of page count. Non-parties pay per page without a cap.

Certified copies are $20 per document. The clerk stamps and signs certified copies to verify authenticity. Use certified copies when you need to prove the record is genuine to a bank, government agency, or other institution. Regular copies are fine for personal reference.

Extra fees may apply for off-site retrieval or extensive research. Retrieval from off-site storage costs the actual expense. Research or redaction taking more than one hour costs $30 per hour in 15-minute increments. Ask the clerk for an estimate if you expect your request to require extra work.

Property Division And Spousal Maintenance

Chaffee County courts use Colorado's equitable division standard from C.R.S. § 14-10-113. Equitable means fair, not necessarily equal. Courts consider marriage length, each spouse's contribution to marital property, economic circumstances, and other relevant factors. The goal is fair distribution based on case-specific facts.

Separate property remains with the spouse who owned it before marriage or received it as a gift or inheritance. Marital property includes assets and debts acquired during marriage. The court divides marital property after identifying what is separate and what is marital. Contributions like supporting a spouse's career or raising children are considered.

Spousal maintenance may be awarded under C.R.S. § 14-10-114. This statute includes advisory guidelines for amount and duration based on marriage length and income. Judges use the guidelines as a starting point but can adjust based on factors like age, health, and earning capacity.

Legal Help And Support

Colorado Legal Services offers free assistance to low-income residents in civil matters including dissolution. Check their website or call to see if you qualify based on income and household size. If eligible, they may provide advice or representation.

The court's self-help center provides forms and information for those representing themselves. Staff cannot give legal advice but can help with forms and explain procedures. Many people handle uncontested dissolutions on their own when property and custody issues are not complex.

Private attorneys in Salida and surrounding areas can represent you if you prefer professional help. Fees vary by attorney and case complexity. Many offer free or low-cost initial consultations to discuss your case and provide fee estimates.

Adjacent Counties

Chaffee County is located in central Colorado. Nearby counties include:

• Fremont County to the south
• Park County to the north
• Gunnison County to the west

File in the county where you or your spouse resides. The court must have jurisdiction over at least one party to handle the case.