Clear Creek County Dissolution Of Marriage Search

Clear Creek County processes dissolution of marriage cases through the Combined Court in Georgetown, which is part of the 5th Judicial District. This court handles domestic relations matters for residents of Clear Creek County and the mountain communities in the area. Filing for dissolution requires meeting Colorado's 91-day residency requirement and following standard state procedures. You can access dissolution records by contacting the clerk's office in Georgetown, submitting an online records request through the Colorado Judicial Branch system, or visiting the courthouse in person. Most case records are public, though some documents may be restricted or confidential under state law.

Clear Creek County Court Details

The Clear Creek County Combined Court in Georgetown is part of the 5th Judicial District. This district serves Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake, and Summit counties in Colorado's mountain region. The courthouse handles both District Court and County Court matters. District Court processes dissolution cases along with felony criminal cases and larger civil matters. County Court deals with traffic violations, misdemeanors, and small claims.

For dissolution filings, you work with the District Court clerk in Georgetown. Staff can answer questions about forms, fees, and filing procedures. The court website at coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/clear-creek-county provides contact information and basic details about court services.

The filing fee for a petition is $260 under C.R.S. § 13-32-101. A response costs $146. These fees are set by state statute and apply uniformly across all Colorado counties. If you cannot pay the fees, request a fee waiver form from the clerk. The court evaluates your financial information to determine waiver eligibility.

Filing Requirements For Dissolution

To file in Clear Creek County, one spouse must satisfy the 91-day residency requirement from C.R.S. § 14-10-106. At least one person must have lived in Colorado for 91 days before filing the petition. This rule applies throughout the state. 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 for dissolution. The only ground required is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing or fault. This approach simplifies the process and reduces conflict. You can file jointly with your spouse or one spouse can file and serve the other.

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

Get forms from coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/divorce-and-separation or the clerk's office. Standard forms include the petition, response, financial affidavits, and parenting plan if children are involved. Fill out forms carefully before filing.

Obtaining Case Records

Clear Creek County dissolution records are generally public. Exceptions include sealed files, confidential documents, or records restricted under CJD 05-01. Parties to a case have more access than the general public. Identify yourself as a party when requesting records.

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

You can also contact the clerk by phone or email. Phone calls work well for questions or help finding a case. Email is efficient for simple requests when you have the case number. Staff can search by party name and inform you about available records and copy costs.

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

Copy Fees And Charges

Clear Creek 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 with no maximum.

Certified copies are $20 per document. The clerk stamps and signs certified copies to verify they are authentic court records. Banks, government agencies, and other institutions often require certified copies. Regular copies work for personal reference when verification is not needed.

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

Property Division And Maintenance

Clear Creek County courts apply Colorado's equitable division standard from C.R.S. § 14-10-113. Equitable means fair, not necessarily equal. Courts consider marriage duration, each spouse's contribution to marital property, economic circumstances, and other relevant factors.

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 marriage. The court divides marital property after determining what is separate and what is marital.

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

Legal Assistance And Resources

Colorado Legal Services offers free help to low-income residents in civil matters including dissolution. Check eligibility based on income and household size. If you qualify, they may provide advice or representation.

The court's self-help center provides forms and information for self-represented parties. Staff cannot give legal advice but can help with forms and explain procedures. Many handle uncontested dissolutions on their own when issues are straightforward.

Private attorneys in Georgetown and surrounding mountain communities can represent you. Fees vary by attorney and case complexity. Many offer free or low-cost initial consultations.

Adjacent Counties

Clear Creek County is located in the Colorado mountains west of Denver. Nearby counties include:

• Summit County to the west
• Park County to the south
• Gilpin County to the north
• Jefferson County to the east

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