Thank you for visiting our new clients page. We are here to help you understand what it is like to work with our attorneys and staff. You will find that everyone at the firm is professional, considerate and focused on your legal needs.
Frequently Asked Questions From New Clients
Below are some commonly asked questions from people who hire our firm. Please take a look and then let us know if you have further questions for us.
After I officially hire your firm, what happens in the first few days?
First, you’ll start with a dedicated meeting with your attorney to discuss your goals, questions and what success looks like for you.
Then you’ll be connected with the firm’s experienced paralegal to begin gathering the financial documents we need for your first case deadline.
From there, we will assess what next steps make sense, whether that’s bringing in an appraiser, consulting an expert or preparing for mediation.
How will I be kept informed throughout my case, and what’s the best way to reach you?
You’ll be apprised at every step. Any time the court issues something or opposing counsel takes action, your attorney will reach out.
The best way to contact us is by email, as it allows for a thoughtful response in between other obligations.
Simple questions get a quick email reply; more complex matters may warrant a phone to call to make sure you understand the issues and your options.
Who will actually be handling my case day to day?
The attorney you hire is the attorney who handles your case. You will not be handed off to someone else.
Other attorneys may occasionally cover a brief hearing when necessary, but your attorney remains your primary guide throughout the entire case.
How does the Colorado divorce process typically unfold from start to finish?
We begin by gathering your financial information and determining if any additional resources (appraisals, expert opinions) are needed.
Once prepared, the case moves toward mediation. If successful, a property/financial agreement and parenting plan are drafted and a settlement is reached.
If mediation does not resolve everything, the matter may proceed to court, though that outcome is genuinely rare.
Whatever direction your case takes, we are thoroughly prepared and will be with you at every milestone.
What factors can make a case more complex or take longer to resolve?
Complex or hard-to-classify assets and disagreements about marital versus separate property can add significant complexity to a divorce.
Anything involving parenting can become deeply nuanced depending on the family dynamics and how willing each person is to negotiate and discuss custody issues.
When complex issues arise, our firm brings in specialists, such as financial experts for asset questions and parenting professionals when children are involved.
You will always receive honest, realistic expectations, not a sugarcoated picture that sets you up for disappointment.
How does billing and the retainer work?
We bill in six-minute (0.1 hour) increments, and only for time actually spent on your case. There is no bulk billing or unnecessary rounding.
You’ll receive a monthly statement clearly showing every task, how long it took and how much retainer remains.
To help keep costs manageable, consider using email for shorter or non-urgent questions, as it typically takes less time to process than a phone call.
If temporary orders are needed for things like custody or support, how does that process work?
Temporary orders are treated as a priority. The first step is always attempting to reach an agreement without a hearing.
If that’s not possible, we will file a notice with the court as quickly as possible to get on the docket.
If the situation warrants an emergency hearing, the appropriate motion will be filed to make that happen.
Once the divorce is finalized, is that the end of your firm’s involvement?
Not at all. We help with immediate post-divorce logistics such as dividing retirement accounts and other practical steps.
Shawn’s former clients call him with questions all the time, and he’s happy to help, whether it’s a quick clarification or revisiting a previous matter.
You will always have someone to call who knows your history and is invested in your outcome.
Let Us Know If You Have A Question
Please call us at 970-387-6858 or send us an email so we can help. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.