At Jones Law Firm, PC, we have handled Colorado family law and since 2000, standing beside more than 4,000 Colorado families along the way. For Centennial clients, that means contested divorce, custody, protection orders, and property division handled by attorneys who appear in the Arapahoe County courts constantly.
Founding attorney, April D.Jones is Vice President of the Colorado Bar Association and its 2027 President. The firm holds an A+ BBB rating and a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent peer review rating.
Family law covers the legal side of ending a marriage and sorting out what comes next, like parenting time, child support, and the fair split of your home equity, retirement accounts, and shared debt.
Colorado is an equitable division state, which means property is divided fairly rather than automatically down the middle. Those decisions shape your finances and your time with your kids for years.
If your situation touches more than one area of family law, the same team handles it start to finish.
What Clients Say About Jones Law Firm
“April is well prepared and understands the law and court processes well beyond anything I have experienced.” J.M.
Twenty-six years in Colorado family law means knowing how a courtroom will move before you walk into it.
“You get the power of a firm behind the attorney. The support staff is efficient, thorough and friendly.” A.M.
Every case gets an attorney and a paralegal, so calls get answered even during court weeks.
“It takes a truly talented firm to represent a father and ensure full custody of his daughter remains intact.” C.D.
Parenting time gets fought for on the facts, not on assumptions about which parent should get the kids.
“Not a day went by without a document, question, or answer. I had two prior attorneys where I felt out of the loop.” A.A.
That is the Communication Guarantee in practice, backed by a secure client portal you can check between meetings.
“She encouraged me to settle as much as possible to cut down on costs.” J.B.
Strong representation means knowing which battles actually change your outcome, not fighting over everything.
What Sets Jones Law Firm Apart in Centennial
25+ years, one practice area
Colorado family law only since 2000, and more than 4,000 Colorado families served. That depth means the team can usually tell you what will likely happen in your case before it happens.
A team on your case, not one overloaded attorney
Every client gets a named attorney paired with a paralegal, backed by a 44-person firm with 17 attorneys and 13 paralegals. Your calls still get answered when your attorney is in court.
The Round Table Brain Trust
Multiple attorneys and staff review every case in collaborative strategy sessions. Your case never lives in one person’s head, and no deadline rides on one calendar.
Courthouse familiarity where it counts
Six Front Range offices, including the Greenwood Village headquarters minutes from Centennial, cover the Arapahoe, Douglas, Denver, Jefferson, and Adams county courts the firm appears in constantly.
A Communication Guarantee, in writing
Proactive updates, responsive staff, and a secure client portal with your documents and messages. You are never left guessing where your case stands.
Family Lawyer Services in Centennial
- Divorce
- Contested Divorce
- Uncontested Divorce
- Collaborative Divorce
- Military Divorce
- Child Custody
- Visitation and Parenting Time
- Child Support
- Spousal Maintenance
- Post-Decree Modifications
- Contempt of Court
- Protection Orders
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Estate Planning
Speak With a Trusted Family Law Attorney
For clear guidance through divorce, custody, and family law matters in Colorado, contact Jones Law Firm. Call 303-799-8155 to schedule your confidential consultation.
Understanding Your Family Law Case Timeline in Centennial
Five things drive how long a Colorado family law case takes: whether it is contested, whether temporary orders are needed, how complicated the financial disclosures are, the mandatory waiting period, and the court’s docket.
Colorado law requires at least 91 days between the date your spouse is served and the date a judge can sign your decree. That is the floor, not the average. An uncontested case with agreement on parenting time and property can finish close to it. A contested case involving the house, retirement accounts, or the kids usually runs longer.
Temporary orders add time but often save money. If you need a decision now on who stays in the home, how bills get paid, or how the children split their weeks, the court sets a hearing early in the case.
Disputes over the children are the single biggest timeline driver, which is why understanding how a judge decides parenting time matters before you agree to anything.
Financial disclosures are mandatory for both spouses in Colorado. When one side delays producing statements and pay records, discovery stretches the case out. At Jones Law Firm, PC, we communicate clearly so you always know where you case stands.
Understanding Mediation vs. Litigation in Arapahoe County
Most Arapahoe County divorces settle. The court requires you to attempt mediation before a contested hearing, and cases with a home, retirement accounts, and a parenting plan usually resolve there once both sides see the real numbers.
Mediation fits when you and your spouse disagree on terms but not on facts. A neutral mediator works between you, often in separate rooms, and you leave with a written agreement the judge signs. It is faster, cheaper, and you control the parenting time schedule instead of a judge who meets your family for twenty minutes.
Litigation fits when the other side hides assets, refuses to negotiate in good faith, or when safety is a concern. If there is abuse involved, that changes the timeline entirely, and sorting out what a protection order does is usually the first step.
Either way, preparation decides the outcome. We build your case as if it is going to trial at the Arapahoe County District Court in Centennial, because a spouse who knows you are ready for a hearing negotiates very differently at the mediation table.
What Types of Family Law Orders Can Be Modified in Colorado?
Common modification requests include:
- Parenting time modifications
- Parental responsibility modifications
- Child support modifications
- Spousal maintenance modifications
- Relocation-related parenting changes
- Changes tied to job loss or income increases
- Schedule changes affecting parenting plans
- Post-decree enforcement and contempt issues
The requirements depend on what type of order you want to change and how significantly circumstances have changed. A family law attorney can review the existing order, determine whether modification is available, and help present the request to the appropriate Colorado court.
Our Process for Centennial Clients
1. Agreement Signed And Retainer Processed
You sign the fee agreement and your initial retainer is processed. That locks in your representation so work on your case starts right away.
2. Your Attorney And Paralegal Team Is Assigned
You get a named attorney and a named paralegal. Your intake information goes straight to both of them so no one is starting from scratch.
3. Strategy Session Scheduled
Your team sits down with you to map out the plan for your kids, your home, and your finances. This is where you hear the honest read on your case, good and bad.
4. Ongoing Support Through The Case
Your legal team, admin staff, and billing department stay accessible while your case moves forward. Calls get answered even when your attorney is in court, and updates come through the secure client portal.
5. Case Closed And Follow-Up
Once your case wraps, we check in on how things landed and what you need next. Many clients come back for a modification or estate planning, and your file stays with the team that already knows your history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Centennial
How Much Does A Contested Divorce Actually Cost In Colorado, And Why Won’t Attorneys Give Me A Straight Number?
Cost depends almost entirely on how much you and your spouse disagree, not on the attorney’s hourly rate. Most firms, including Jones Law Firm, work from a retainer and bill against it, so a case settled at mediation costs a fraction of one that goes to a contested hearing.
If My Case Is In Centennial, Do I File In Arapahoe County Or Douglas County?
Centennial sits in both counties, so jurisdiction follows your home address, not the city name. Most Centennial residents file at the Arapahoe County District Court in the Justice Center on East Alameda Drive, but homes south of the county line go to Douglas County in Castle Rock.
Does Colorado Favor Mothers Over Fathers For Custody?
No. Colorado law does not use “custody” at all. Courts allocate parental responsibilities and parenting time based on the best interests of the child, and gender is not a listed factor.
Who Gets The House If We Both Have Our Names On The Mortgage?
Colorado is an equitable division state, which means the court splits marital property fairly, not automatically 50/50. Usually one spouse buys out the other’s share of the equity, or the home is sold and the proceeds divided.
How Long Does A Divorce Take In Arapahoe County?
Colorado requires a 91-day waiting period after the petition is served before a decree can enter. Uncontested cases often finish near that mark.
Do I Need A Protection Order Right Now, Or Can It Wait Until I File For Divorce?
If you or your children are in danger, do not wait. Colorado courts can issue a temporary civil protection order the same day, with a hearing on a permanent order typically set within 14 days.
Will I Be Stuck Taking Days Off Work For Court?
Most of your case happens outside a courtroom: filings, disclosures, negotiation, and mediation. You will need to appear for key hearings, but many status conferences and mediations happen remotely or in short blocks.
If I Hire A Big Firm, Will My Case Get Handed Off To Whoever Is Free That Day?
No. Every case at Jones Law Firm is staffed with a named attorney and a paralegal, so someone who knows your file answers when you call.
Can We Change Parenting Time Or Child Support Later If My Job Or Schedule Changes?
Yes. Colorado allows post-decree modifications when circumstances change substantially, such as a job loss, a raise, or a move.
Local Resources in Centennial for Family Law Cases
- Arapahoe County District Court, Centennial Courthouse
- Arapahoe County Justice Center
- Douglas County Combined Courts
- Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder
- Colorado Office of the Child’s Representative
- Arapahoe County Child Support Services
- Arapahoe County Department of Human Services
- Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help Center
- Arapahoe County Bar Association
- Colorado Legal Services, Denver Office
- The Gathering Place
- Gateway Domestic Violence Services
- Family Tree
- Colorado Crisis Services
- Centennial Police Services, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
Schedule a Free Family Law Consultation in Centennial
Your kids, your home, and your savings are what’s on the line. You deserve a straight answer about where you stand before you spend a dollar. Jones Law Firm, PC has handled Colorado family law only since 2000, and we know the Arapahoe County courts our Centennial clients walk into.
Start with a free 45-minute consultation with a Client Relationship Specialist. No pressure, no obligation. You get a clear picture of your options, a realistic read on your case, and honest talk about cost before you decide anything.
We schedule around demanding work hours, and with six Front Range offices near Centennial, meeting with your attorney and paralegal team is simple. If a protection order or an urgent filing is involved, tell us when you call so we can move quickly.
Call us to book your free consultation and take the first step.
