RESOURCES & INFORMATION:
PREPARATION
Experience suggests that it is always better to be properly informed. It is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the details and the big picture:
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Focusing only on the details you will lose the the possibility of seeing novel or unique negotiated possibilities.
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Focusing only on the big picture, you lose the interconnections that can help guide you through your decision making.
Preparation is key to understanding your choices; they are essential to gauging the impact your decisions may have on you, and your family in the short and long term.
MEDIATION
As the artist in the background, Mediation let's you design the outcome of your case.
Mediation enables the parties to work through a neutral, the mediator, to find mutual solutions to their differences.
As a practical matter, Mediation is the only opportunity the parties have in the judicial process for self-determination: to exercise their Decision Making and Influence to determine a mutually accepted outcome as resolution to their conflict without having a judge decide for them.
Key Practical Aspects
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It's an alternative to a litigated outcome.
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The parties have control over the process; they define their own resolution.
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The agreement is intentional and relevant to the parties.
On Mediation:
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Mediation is not a practice of law. Mediators do not give legal advice or tell the Parties their legal duties. The Mediator is a neutral third party and will not offer legal advice. The Parties have a right to obtain their own attorney for legal advice and are encouraged to do so.
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Mediators will not make decision about the case and will not tell the Parties what to do regarding the case. Mediators will not tell the court anything about the mediation except that the case did or did not reach a resolution.
GETTING READY
Preparation has to do with understanding yourself as much as you do the other person.
PREPARATION
Prepare for mediation so that:
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You are clear about what is important to you,
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About what you want to present and how you want to present it, and
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What you want the other party to understand.
COMMITMENT
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As you think about the dispute, what is at the heart of the matter for you. What factors contributed to this dispute?
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Expect to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the other party.
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Imagine the other party's concerns and your possible options for addressing those concerns.
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Come to mediation with possible options for resolution - think out of the box, be creative.
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Consider open communication without losing respect for yourself and the other person.
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Gather and organize any documents you believe may help you explain your points, however, remember mediation is not a trial or arbitration; there is no burden of proof to be met.
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Review and bring to mediation your court documents as they may be applicable to the resolution of the matter.
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Are there any related concerns that need to be addressed in mediation.
Disclaimer: The content offered in this website is of public domain; it is intended only as a public service for information purposes. For updated information, court documents and procedures, visit the Colorado State Court website. For legal advice specific to your case contact a licensed attorney.
WHERE TO START?
Information at a Glance
Colorado Judicial Branch
Colorado State Court
https://www.courts.state.co.us
Self Help Forms
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/Index.cfm
All Court Forms & Instructions
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/Index.cfm
Colorado Court Location / Information
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/District/Choose.cfm
OTHER SOURCES
CU Law - University of Colorado Law School
https://lawweb.colorado.edu/law/careers/files/CO-PI-OrgDirectory.pdf
DU Sternum - Colorado Legal Services and Organizations
https://www.law.du.edu/the-colorado-law-project/colorado-legal-services-and-organizations
Disclaimer: The content offered in this website is of public domain; it is intended only as a public service for information purposes. For updated information, court documents and procedures, visit the Colorado State Court website. For legal advice specific to your case contact a licensed attorney.
JUDICIAL RESOURCES: PAPERWORK
Self Help Information Portal
Colorado Legal Help Center
http://www.coloradolegalhelpcenter.us
Colorado Legal Services
https://www.coloradolegalservices.org
Self Help Resources
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/resources.cfm
Self Represented Litigant Coordinators (Sherlock)
https://www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/file/Self_Help/Contact%20list%20for%20public(15).pdf
Colorado Legal Aid / Services
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/resources.cfm
Colorado Judicial Branch / Legal Resources
https://www.courts.state.co.us/resources.cfm
Free or Low Cost Legal Services - Colorado.gov
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/legalservices.pdf
Self Help and General Resources
https://www.denverda.org/self-help-and-general-resources
Disclaimer: The content offered in this website is of public domain; it is intended only as a public service for information purposes. For updated information, court documents and procedures, visit the Colorado State Court website. For legal advice specific to your case contact a licensed attorney.
FAMILY / DIVORCE
JUDICIAL RESOURCES: VIDEO SERIES
Self Help Resources / Information
Part One: Meet the Professionals
https://www.newfamiliesnewfuture.org/video-part-one
Part Two: The Legal Process and Paperwork
https://www.newfamiliesnewfuture.org/video-part-two
Part Three: Parenting Plan Overview
https://www.newfamiliesnewfuture.org/video-part-three
Service of Process
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Caq1IWUVih8
CONTEMPT OF COURT
Video One: Contempt Basics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EHJ7HKvjCc
Video Two: Contempt Forms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EHJ7HKvjCc
Video Three: Remedial Contempt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1kLNCAf4Fg&t=192s
Video Four: Punitive Contempt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EHJ7HKvjCc
Disclaimer: The content offered in this website is of public domain; it is intended only as a public service for information purposes. For updated information, court documents and procedures, visit the Colorado State Court website. For legal advice specific to your case contact a licensed attorney.
FORMS: FAMILY
Standard Instructions
Self Help Information Portal
FAMILY
Divorce, Family Matters, Civil Unions (General Domestic Information)
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/SubCategory.cfm?Category=Divorce
Sworn Financial Statement (Form JDF 1111)
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/JDF%201111%20Sworn%20Financial%20Statement.pdf
Parenting Plan (Form JDF 1113)
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/JDF%201113%20Parenting%20Plan.pdf
Separation Agreement (Form JDF 1115)
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/JDF%201115%20Separation%20Agreement.pdf
Spousal/Partner Maintenance Advisement
Calculate Child Support / Maintenance (Family Law Software)
https://www.familylawsoftware.com/download_client_edition_co/
Disclaimer: The content offered in this website is of public domain; it is intended only as a public service for information purposes. For updated information, court documents and procedures, visit the Colorado State Court website. For legal advice specific to your case contact a licensed attorney.
FORMS: CIVIL COUNTY
Standard Instructions
Self Help Information Portal
CIVIL
INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions for a County Court Civil Case
Form: JDF 110 (Money Demand)
Instructions for Filing an Answer and/or Counterclaim Form
Form: JDF 96
FORMS (Basic Forms)
CRCCP 1 - County Civil Summons
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/C.R.C.C.P.%20Form%201%20Summons.pdf
CRCCP 2 - County Civil Complaint
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/C.R.C.C.P.%20Form%201%20Summons.pdf
Civil (All Other Forms)
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/Forms_List.cfm?Form_Type_ID=27
Disclaimer: The content offered in this website is of public domain; it is intended only as a public service for information purposes. For updated information, court documents and procedures, visit the Colorado State Court website. For legal advice specific to your case contact a licensed attorney.
FORMS: CIVIL DISTRICT
Standard Instructions
Self Help Information Portal
General Information for District Civil Cases
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/morethan25000/
Affidavit of Service (Form JDF 98)
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/Forms_List.cfm?Form_Type_ID=203
Summons by Publication (Form 1.1)
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/Form%201.1%20Summons%20by%20Publication%20R1-12.pdf
District Court Civil Summons (Form 600)
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/JDF%20600%20District%20Court%20Civil%20Summons.pdf
District Court Civil (CV) Case Cover Sheet (Form JDF 601)
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/JDF%20601%20clean.pdf
Instructions to Complete District Court Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form JDF 603)
Notice and Order to File JDF 601 Case Cover Sheet
Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure (C.R.C.P.)16.1
Simplified Procedure for all District Civil actions filed on or after July 1, 2004
C.R.C.P. 16.1 https://www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/morethan25000/
Disclaimer: The content offered in this website is of public domain; it is intended only as a public service for information purposes. For updated information, court documents and procedures, visit the Colorado State Court website. For legal advice specific to your case contact a licensed attorney.