Status Conferences & Divorce with Dignity

Summary:   Under newer Colorado court rules, the court must begin actively managing the case through the use of an initial status conference. Initial orders can be entered at that time. Use your status conferences as mediation sessions. Additional status conferences are often used to mediate a settlement. This is a part of the Colorado Divorce With Dignity project.

The Initial Status Conference for Colorado Divorces

Colorado law now requires an initial status conference within 40 days of the filing of a divorce petition.

This requirement is a part of the Colorado Divorce With Dignity project.

The purpose is to get the court involved early to manage the case and attempt to reach a settlement without having to resort to a divorce court trial.   All parties and their attorneys must attend this initial status conference. The purpose of the initial status conference is to allow the court to begin an active participation in the case.

Special circumstances of the case should be brought to the court’s attention. Whether additional discovery beyond the initial disclosures is needed can also be addressed.  Permission to file certain motions may also be obtained at the initial status conference.

Temporary (initial) child support and/or maintenance (alimony) may be ordered at the initial status conference if the parties are not living together. The initial status conference is not always handled by a judge or magistrate.

Additional status conferences are often held, at the direction of the court. Additional status conferences are often used as an effort to settle a case. A judge or magistrate will sometimes actively participate in order to mediate a settlement.

You should use your status conferences to determine the agreements which can be made and which issues remain undecided. Don’t go to a status conference without an attempt to resolve issues.

In other words, treat the initial status conference as a mediation session at the court.