Getting divorced in Aurora? Start with a clear head and the right lawyer.
Top Divorce Lawyers in Aurora, CO
Colorado is a no-fault state, so you do not have to prove wrongdoing to divorce. What you do need is a lawyer who can protect your finances and your time with your kids while the process runs its course.
Updated May 05, 202612 min readEditorially independent
Divorce in Colorado is called a dissolution of marriage, and it is no-fault - the court does not care who is to blame, only how to divide property fairly and what is best for the children. Aurora cases are filed mostly in Arapahoe County District Court, with the north end of the city in Adams County.
One number to plan around: Colorado imposes a 91-day waiting period from the date the second spouse is served (or files jointly) before a judge can finalize anything. Even the friendliest uncontested divorce takes at least that long. A contested case with disputes over custody or a business can run a year or more.
The firms below all maintain verifiable Aurora-area family law practices and appear across Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, and Martindale-Hubbell. We confirmed seven firms with a clear Aurora or Arapahoe County footprint; we list those rather than pad the page with names we could not verify.
A practical Colorado note before you hire anyone: the state strongly encourages mediation, and many Arapahoe County judges will expect you to try it before taking a contested issue to a hearing. A good Aurora divorce lawyer treats mediation as a tool, not a surrender - they prepare you for it, protect your position, and only push to court the issues that truly cannot be settled. That mindset usually saves both money and months.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Aurora-area divorce practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
CNL Law Firm
Aurora, COFamily law only
Practice focus: Divorce, child custody and parenting time, child support, maintenance, modifications
An Aurora family law firm where every attorney practices family law exclusively. Founder Christopher N. Little and Director of Litigation Veronica E. Martinez handle both negotiated and litigated dissolutions.
Why they made the list: Little holds an AV Preeminent rating, a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating, and Super Lawyers Rising Star recognition (2022-2026).
Practice focus: Divorce, high-asset divorce, child custody, child support, maintenance
A family-law-only firm serving the Denver metro, including Aurora, since 1978. The practice handles complex and high-asset dissolutions as well as standard cases.
Why they made the list: Shareholders John H. Tatlock (Super Lawyers Top 100 Colorado) and Tina Patierno (Colorado Super Lawyer, Best Lawyers in America) anchor the firm.
Founded in 1999, this Arapahoe County firm practices family law exclusively and serves Aurora clients from its Greenwood Village office. Founders Stephen J. Plog and Laura Stein lead the practice.
Why they made the list: Long-established Arapahoe County family practice with a dedicated Aurora service area and consistent directory listings.
Practice focus: Divorce, child custody, child support, maintenance, mediation, appeals
One of Colorado's largest family-law-only firms, serving Aurora and the wider metro with a team that covers everything from mediation to contested trials and appeals.
Why they made the list: Widely listed in Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers and recognized as a leading Colorado family law practice.
Tell us about your situation - custody, property, support - and we will match you with vetted Aurora divorce attorneys. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Aurora
Decide how much fight you expect. An uncontested divorce needs an efficient drafter; a custody battle or a business valuation needs a litigator. Be honest about which one you are, and hire accordingly.
Ask who actually handles your file. At larger firms a partner may sell the case and an associate may run it. Ask for the name and rate of the person doing the day-to-day work.
Talk about the kids early. Colorado calls it parenting time and decision-making, not 'custody.' A good lawyer will focus on a workable parenting plan, not on scoring points.
Get the fee structure in writing. Most Aurora divorce work is hourly against a retainer. Ask for the hourly rate, the retainer amount, and what happens when the retainer runs low.
What divorce help typically costs in Aurora
Aurora divorce cost depends almost entirely on how much the two sides fight:
Uncontested divorce. Flat fees commonly run $1,500 to $3,500 when both spouses agree on the terms.
Contested divorce (hourly). Experienced Aurora family lawyers bill about $250 to $450 per hour.
Typical retainer. Often $3,000 to $7,500 up front for a contested case, replenished as it is used.
All-in contested case. Frequently $7,000 to $30,000 or more when custody, support, or a business is in dispute.
The single biggest cost driver is conflict. Mediation, full financial disclosure, and staying out of unnecessary fights are the most reliable ways to keep the bill down.
How long it takes
Plan around Colorado's mandatory waiting period:
Filing to service. A few days to a few weeks, depending on how the other spouse is served.
Mandatory waiting period. At least 91 days from service (or joint filing) before a judge can finalize.
Temporary orders. If needed, a hearing on temporary support or parenting time happens within the first couple of months.
Final resolution. An uncontested case finishes near the 91-day mark; a contested case can take 9 to 18 months.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a divorce lawyer in Aurora
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many divorce matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Aurora consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most divorce matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Divorce attorney in Aurora
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about divorce lawyers in Aurora
Is Colorado a no-fault divorce state?
Yes. You only have to state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. The court does not assign blame, and an affair or misconduct generally does not change the property split by itself.
How long does a divorce take in Aurora?
At least 91 days from the date of service, because of Colorado's mandatory waiting period. An uncontested case can finish around then; a contested case often takes nine months to a year and a half.
How is property divided?
Colorado follows equitable distribution, which means a fair - not necessarily equal - division of marital property. Separate property you brought in or inherited usually stays yours, but its growth can get complicated.
Does Colorado favor mothers for custody?
No. Colorado law is gender-neutral and decides parenting time and decision-making on the best interests of the child. Both parents start on equal footing.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Aurora?
An uncontested divorce often runs $1,500 to $3,500 flat. A contested case is billed hourly at roughly $250 to $450 per hour, usually against a $3,000 to $7,500 retainer.
How is child support calculated?
Colorado uses a statewide formula based on both parents' incomes, the number of overnights, and costs like health insurance and childcare. A lawyer can run the numbers before you agree to anything.
Do we have to go to court?
Often, no. Many Aurora divorces settle through negotiation or mediation and only need a judge to sign off. Court time is mostly for disputes the two sides cannot resolve.
What is maintenance, and will I pay or receive it?
Maintenance is Colorado's term for spousal support. Courts use a guideline formula based on incomes and the length of the marriage, then adjust for fairness. It is not automatic in every case.
Can I change custody or support after the divorce is final?
Yes. Colorado lets parents return to court to modify parenting time, decision-making, or child support when circumstances change substantially - a move, a job loss, or a child's changing needs. Several firms on this list handle these post-decree modifications as well as the original case.
What is a legal separation, and is it different from divorce?
A legal separation resolves the same issues - property, support, and parenting - but leaves the marriage legally intact, which some couples choose for religious, insurance, or personal reasons. In Colorado it can later be converted to a full divorce. A lawyer can explain whether it fits your situation.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
Helpful next steps
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