Colorado Springs Family Law Attorney Serving El Paso County and the 4th Judicial District
Colorado Springs families navigating divorce, custody, or military-specific family law matters deserve an attorney who understands both Colorado law and the unique pressures this community faces. I'm Susan Pesch, a Colorado family law attorney licensed since 1991 and exclusively focused on family law since 1993. I serve El Paso County clients through virtual consultations and in-person meetings, bringing more than 30 years of experience to every case I take.
Family Law in El Paso County Has Its Own Complexities
The 4th Judicial District, which covers El Paso and Teller Counties, handles one of the highest volumes of family law cases in Colorado. Military families, in particular, face layers of complexity that general-practice attorneys often underestimate. Pension division under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act, deployment-related parenting time adjustments, and jurisdictional questions involving the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act all require careful handling from the start. I work with Colorado Springs clients on the full range of family law matters, including cases where military service is a central factor.
How I Can Help Colorado Springs Families
Divorce in El Paso County
Whether your divorce is straightforward or involves contested assets, a family business, or a military retirement account, the process in the 4th Judicial District follows Colorado's equitable distribution framework. I help clients understand what that means in practical terms: what is marital property, how courts value and divide it, and what a realistic outcome looks like given your specific circumstances. If your divorce can be resolved without prolonged litigation, I will tell you that honestly. If it cannot, I am prepared to advocate for you in court.
Military Divorce in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is home to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the United States Air Force Academy. Military divorce here involves questions that civilian divorce does not: how to divide a military pension under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, how to structure parenting time around deployment cycles, and how the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act may affect the timing and venue of your case. I handle these matters with the precision they require, and I work with clients regardless of whether they are the service member or the non-military spouse.
Child Custody and Parenting Time
Colorado does not use the term "custody" in its statutes. Instead, courts allocate parental responsibilities, which encompasses both parenting time and decision-making authority over education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. In El Paso County, as throughout Colorado, the governing standard is the best interests of the child. I help parents build parenting plans that reflect that standard and hold up over time, whether the case settles in mediation or proceeds to a hearing.
Child Support
Colorado uses an income shares model to calculate child support, taking both parents' gross incomes into account alongside parenting time, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. When income is variable, disputed, or involves self-employment, the calculation becomes more complex. I handle child support matters at the time of divorce or separation and return to court for modifications when circumstances change materially.
Modifications and Enforcement
Life changes after a court order is entered. A job loss, a relocation, a change in the child's needs, or a parent who stops following the parenting plan can all require a return to court. I help El Paso County clients seek modifications to parenting time, decision-making, and support, and I handle contempt proceedings when the other party is not complying with an existing order.
Protection Orders
Civil protection orders in Colorado can be filed on an emergency basis and have immediate legal consequences for both parties. Whether you need to file for a protection order or you have been served with one and need to respond, the hearing process moves quickly and the stakes are high. I represent both petitioners and respondents in El Paso County protection order proceedings.
Why Colorado Springs Clients Work With Me
Choosing a family law attorney in Colorado Springs means choosing someone who will handle your case personally, not pass it to a junior associate once the retainer clears. As a solo practitioner, I take a limited number of cases so that every client receives my direct attention from the first consultation through the resolution of their matter. My practice is built on three decades of exclusively family law work, competitive pricing relative to large Denver firms, and a philosophy that treats this as a transition your family is navigating, not a conflict to be won at all costs.
- Licensed in Colorado since 1991, exclusively family law since 1993
- Solo practice: your case is handled personally by Susan, every time
- Trained mediator in Colorado and Illinois
- Experienced in military divorce, high-asset division, and complex custody matters
- Virtual consultations available for El Paso County clients statewide
- Recognized by ALIGHT for commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Colorado Springs
What court handles divorce and custody cases in Colorado Springs?
Family law cases in Colorado Springs are filed in the 4th Judicial District Court, which covers El Paso and Teller Counties. The courthouse is located in downtown Colorado Springs. Most hearings are conducted in person, though some procedural matters may be handled remotely.How does military service affect a divorce in Colorado Springs?
Military divorce in Colorado Springs involves several issues that civilian divorces do not. These include division of military retirement benefits under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act, parenting time adjustments during deployment, and questions about whether Colorado has jurisdiction if the service member is stationed elsewhere. An attorney familiar with military family law can help you navigate these issues from the beginning.Can I get a divorce in Colorado if my spouse is deployed?
Yes, but the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act may allow an active-duty service member to request a stay of proceedings while deployed. This does not prevent a divorce from being filed, but it can affect the timeline. The specifics depend on the circumstances of the deployment and the nature of the legal proceedings.What is the difference between parenting time and decision-making in Colorado?
Colorado law divides parental responsibilities into two components. Parenting time refers to the schedule governing when the child is physically with each parent. Decision-making responsibility refers to the authority to make major decisions about the child's education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. These can be allocated jointly or solely, and they are determined independently based on the child's best interests.Do I need a Colorado Springs attorney, or can I work with a Denver-based attorney?
You do not need an attorney physically located in Colorado Springs. I represent El Paso County clients through virtual consultations and appear in the 4th Judicial District as needed. Many clients in Colorado Springs find it practical to work with an experienced Denver-area attorney who offers remote access and handles their case personally.