Boulder Military Divorce Lawyers — Navigating Federal and State Law When Service Complicates Everything
Military divorce involves two sets of rules — Colorado family law and federal law governing military benefits, retirement, and servicemember protections — and getting both right requires attorneys who understand the intersection. Whether you’re an active-duty servicemember, a veteran, or a military spouse, Burnham Law’s Boulder military divorce attorneys handle the full complexity of these cases without shortcuts.
Browse our Boulder military divorce attorneys below — attorneys who understand how military benefits, retirement, and service obligations interact with Colorado family law.
She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice before earning her law degree with high honors from Drake University Law School. During her time in law school, she was actively involved in several organizations, including the Children’s Rights Clinic, where she represented children in Dependency and Neglect cases, as well as the Student Bar Association and Law Review. She also gained experience as a Legal Writing Fellow and was a member of the Client Counseling Team. Before joining the Colorado bar, Ali was admitted to practice in Iowa. She worked at a general practice firm, where she gained extensive experience in family law, juvenile law, real estate, and business and estate planning. Ali is dedicated to being a compassionate and zealous advocate for her clients, recognizing the emotional and often high-conflict nature of family law, civil demand letters and probate matters. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys running, skiing, and traveling...
Allison brings a unique blend of business and legal expertise to her practice. After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Georgia, she worked full-time while attending Georgia State University College of Law in the evenings, where she earned her JD. Although born in Texas, Allison’s upbringing included time in Colorado and Georgia. After completing her education in Georgia, she decided to return to Colorado to begin her legal career. She started as a Deputy District Attorney in the 4th Judicial District, prosecuting a variety of cases from misdemeanors to sex offenses. Allison then transitioned to a role as a Senior Contracts Representative at Honeywell, where she worked closely with the United States Air Force. Since 2015, Allison has exclusively practiced family law, a field she discovered to be her true passion. She brings compassion and empathy to her work, ensuring clients understand the legal process every step of the way. While she always strives...
Annie is dedicated to helping clients navigate some of life’s most challenging transitions with clarity and compassion. Her practice focuses primarily on family law, where she represents clients in divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities, post-decree disputes, guardianships, DHS finding appeals and child-related matters. Before joining Burnham Law, Annie gained extensive experience representing clients in district court on guardianship, conservatorship, and expungement cases. From that experience, she learned to approach every case with a balance of empathy and assertiveness, understanding that family law matters are deeply personal and often contentious. Outside the office, Annie enjoys exploring Colorado’s hiking trails and discovering local thrift stores.
Barry has over 35 years of experience handling divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, maintenance, high asset property division, and post decree modification cases. Barry successfully handled the landmark case (Spahmer v. Gullette), which changed child relocation law in Colorado. The case serves as the current governing law for relocation cases in Colorado that arise as part of a divorce proceeding. Barry takes great pride in not only delivering the highest quality legal services, but also developing strong and reliable relationships with his clients. He understands how stressful it is to be involved in a divorce or family law proceeding and considers it his responsibility to take care of his clients and be their trusted advisor when resolving their legal issues.
Brooke Shafranek is an experienced family law attorney with a client-focused approach to her practice. She was born and raised on Long Island, New York, and attended North Carolina State University, where she received her bachelor’s in English and graduated as valedictorian of her graduating class. Brooke attended law school at the University of Florida, where she received several awards, honors and scholarships. Brooke has been recognized as a SuperLawyers Rising Star since 2023, and brings her passion and expertise to every family law matter. Outside of work, Brooke enjoys traveling and watching live music.
Christopher Sutton is an experienced litigator, focusing his current practice on a mix of Criminal Defense and Family Law. He brings over a decade of high-stakes courtroom experience to his practice, having spent nearly ten years as a District Attorney for El Paso County. During this time, he served for three years as a Special Victim's Attorney, handling complex cases including sex crimes, felony child abuse, and multiple homicides. This experience instilled in him a deep commitment to finding justice for clients and giving back to the community. Mr. Sutton's path to law began with a strong interest in the environment. After earning his B.A. in Biology from Washington and Lee University, he worked as an environmental scientist, identifying liabilities in properties. A key experience working on a Superfund site solidified his decision to pursue law. He earned his J.D. from the University of Denver (DU), where he concentrated on environmental and criminal law. Originally from Pottstown, PA, Christopher developed...
Cindy graduated cum laude from The Pennsylvania State University before earning her law degree from Penn State Law. During her time in law school, she gained invaluable practical experience as a student attorney for the Penn State Family Law Clinic, where she successfully represented clients on a variety of complex family law issues. Throughout her legal career, Cindy has distinguished herself as a highly skilled Family Law strategist and a zealous litigator. Her extensive experience has given her a unique ability to navigate the complexities of family law and provide powerful advocacy for her clients. Cindy understands the profound emotional and financial strain that contentious family disputes inflict on families. She is deeply committed to being a steady, supportive force during these tumultuous times. Cindy is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of her clients; she provides individualized representation, developing unique and thoughtful strategies to help clients achieve their specific case objectives and find stability. Committed to...
Daniel is an experienced litigator who has solely focused on family law since 2012 and has significant experience handling complex and high-conflict cases. Daniel started practicing law at a large family law firm in Florida, where he represented hundreds of clients over the years, before moving to Colorado. He has extensive experience in virtually all areas of family law, ranging from original dissolution actions, allocation of parental responsibilities actions, relocation actions, modifications of parenting time, child support and maintenance. Daniel is a proud alum of Florida State University, where he earned both his undergraduate and law degrees. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the state with his wife and daughter.
Jennifer brings two decades of family law paralegal experience to her role as a Licensed Legal Paraprofessional. She began her legal career as a legal assistant at a well-established New York firm specializing in foster care and adoption, where her passion for supporting families and children in vulnerable circumstances took root. After dedicating time to raise a family and complete her Bachelor of Social Work, she returned to the legal environment in 2011, working with a seasoned Colorado family law attorney and further honing her skills in domestic litigation. Jennifer is proud to be part of Colorado’s inaugural class of Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals (LLPs), a groundbreaking initiative expanding access to legal services in family law. She believes in a cooperative, client-centered approach, emphasizing clear communication, practical solutions, and compassionate advocacy. Her social work background reinforces her ability to guide clients through emotionally charged legal matters with both tenacity and empathy. Outside the office, Jennifer enjoys exploring Colorado’s backcountry trails with...
Jennifer is a Partner at Burnham Law. She is an accomplished litigator with expertise in domestic relations law and is often called upon to handle complex dissolutions and post-decree matters. She received the Super Lawyers Rising Star award, a distinction that fewer than 2.5% of lawyers in the state meet. Jennifer got her start practicing criminal law as an Associate Criminal Defense Attorney and she represented clients in court throughout the state of Colorado on a daily basis. Jennifer joined Willoughby and Associates, a premier family law firm in downtown Denver, and has specialized in family law ever since. She is experienced in cases of domestic violence, restrictions and modifications of parenting time, child support, decision making, high conflict APR/dissolution cases, and both pre-decree and post-decree relocation cases. Jennifer enjoys being a source of comfort and guidance to families going through difficult times. She is sensitive to client’s needs while firmly managing their expectations. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending...
Jeremy Wooten, is a seasoned trial attorney who specializes in criminal defense and family law, leveraging a wealth of experience honed over five years at the Colorado State Public Defenders’ Office. Rising to Senior Deputy Public Defender, he successfully managed a diverse caseload, including serious charges like first-degree homicide, drug distribution, and economic crimes, always maintaining an unwavering commitment to client advocacy. Licensed in both Texas and Colorado, Jeremy's legal expertise is defined by strategic planning—meticulously crafting and executing well-thought-out trial strategies—and remarkable resourcefulness in finding innovative solutions to complex legal challenges in both the criminal and family law arenas. His practice is characterized by agile, client-centered advocacy, which relies on adaptability, active listening, and quick thinking essential for effective trial work. Jeremy prioritizes thoroughly understanding his clients' objectives and adapting his strategies dynamically to the evolving nature of trials. His resilience and strategic agility allow him to confidently navigate unexpected developments in the courtroom, ensuring each case is expertly...
Julian Rosielle has been licensed to practice law in Colorado since 2006. Julian is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Law, where he was on the Dean’s List and an associate editor of the University of Colorado Law Review. Julian practiced exclusively in the area of criminal law for the first thirteen years of his career and has several notable case outcomes to include not guilty verdicts on charges of homicide and assault. Julian has extensive trial experience, ranging from Death Penalty cases to misdemeanor domestic violence to driving under the influence. Beginning in 2019, Julian’s practice has expanded to include domestic relations litigation and civil protection orders. Julian has lived in Colorado since 2004 and when not in Court enjoys hiking with his family and dogs.
Kaliegh is a dedicated family law attorney who understands that every family is unique. Whether she is helping clients reach an amicable solution or advocating in the courtroom, Kaliegh ensures that her clients understand the legal process and can make the best decisions for their families. Both a compassionate advisor and a zealous litigator, Kaliegh knows there is no “one size fits all” approach to representation. Kaliegh began her legal career as a staff attorney for the El Paso and Teller County Child Support Services Office. Kaliegh worked in private practice for several years before joining Burnham Law, navigating clients through divorces, child custody determinations, and post-decree modifications. Kaliegh brings a well-rounded approach centered on each client’s individual needs. In her free time, Kaliegh enjoys traveling, photography, reading, and spending time with her family.
Miguel C. Mondragon is a tenacious and dedicated attorney who is fiercely committed to his clients and their legal outcomes. Recognizing that clients facing divorce or criminal charges are often in their most vulnerable state, Miguel acts as a passionate advocate, ensuring they have a voice within the legal system. Growing up in southern Colorado, Miguel developed a strong work ethic by working in construction, lumber, and brickyards while attending college. Before becoming an attorney, his interest in law was sparked by his work within the Larimer County Corrections system. While attending the University of South Dakota School of Law, he gained valuable experience working with East River Legal Services, the Colorado State Public Defenders Office, and Samuelson Law. Upon graduation, Miguel honed his skills first as a solo practitioner, then at Weaver & Associates, P.C., before founding Mondragon Law, where he specialized in criminal defense and family law. He brings this deep experience and tenacity to his current role...
Mikayla assists clients on a variety of family law matters, such as dissolution of marriage, allocation of parental responsibilities, and child support enforcement. Mikayla began her legal career as a child support attorney for El Paso County where she helped parents obtain financial support for their children. While Mikayla has worked in private practice for a number of years, she draws on her experiences as a public child support attorney to help her current clients achieve the best possible results. Clients can expect an honest and tenacious legal advocate in Mikayla’s representation. She understands the sensitive and stressful nature of family law cases, and Mikayla will be there to guide her clients through the legal process. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and camping with her family.
Patrick has experience in the areas of family law, dependency and neglect, and juvenile delinquency. His practice currently focuses on domestic relations, dependency and neglect, and family law matters. Patrick received his Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado Law School where he earned a Juvenile and Family Law Certificate for demonstrated dedication to these fields of law. While attending CU, he also clerked for the 20th Judicial District as a judicial intern and was a student attorney with the Juvenile and Family Law Clinic, assisting low-income clients with a variety of legal issues, including adoptions, divorces, and custody disputes.
Theresa graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in political science and minor in communications in 2014. She went on to graduate third in her class at Western Michigan University Law School in 2018. While in law school she clerked for a judge in the second district court of appeals in Florida. After moving to Colorado she worked for a cannabis law firm assisting cannabis business owners with licensing and compliance/regulations. She then found her passion working in domestic relations and has practiced family law exclusively ever since. Theresa handles all issues related to custody including dependency and neglect, custody disputes, allocation of parental responsibilities, guardianship, and adoptions. Theresa also has experience with high asset cases and division of complex assets. Both in and out of the courtroom, Theresa has a reputation as a strong advocate for those she represents. She is skilled at seeing the big picture, and effectively navigates clients to their best possible outcome....
Military Divorce in Boulder, Colorado
Military divorces in Colorado are governed by both Colorado’s domestic relations statutes and several federal laws that create unique requirements and protections not present in civilian divorces. Boulder County, home to significant numbers of veterans and military-connected families due to its proximity to Buckley Space Force Base, Ft. Carson, and the broader Front Range military community, sees a meaningful volume of military divorce cases each year.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides active-duty servicemembers with the right to request a stay of civil proceedings — including divorce cases — when military service materially affects their ability to participate. This protection can delay proceedings significantly, and understanding how to work within it (or around it, when appropriate) requires familiarity with both the statute and how Boulder County District Court applies it.
The Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA) governs how military retirement pay is treated in divorce. Under this federal statute, military retirement is treated as marital property and can be divided by a state court — but the division must be handled through a specific legal mechanism to be directly paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Getting the retirement division language right in the decree is critical; errors are difficult and expensive to correct after the fact.
What Our Boulder Military Divorce Attorneys Handle
Military retirement division under the USFSPA is often the most financially significant issue in a military divorce. We calculate the marital share of retirement correctly, draft the required court order language to meet DFAS direct payment requirements, and ensure the retirement division is coordinated with other financial issues.
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) elections must be addressed in military divorce. SBP provides an annuity to a surviving former spouse, but elections must be made within specified timeframes and the decree must include specific language to protect the former spouse’s coverage. Missing these requirements forfeits the benefit permanently.
BAH and BAS in support calculations require careful handling. Basic Allowance for Housing and Basic Allowance for Subsistence are considered income in Colorado support calculations. We ensure these allowances are properly accounted for in child support and maintenance determinations.
Deployment and parenting time create real logistical challenges. Parenting plans in military families must address what happens during deployment, how parenting time is redistributed when a servicemember returns, and how to handle relocation if a military assignment requires a PCS move.
SCRA protections for active-duty servicemembers include the ability to request a stay of proceedings. We handle both the process of asserting SCRA protections for servicemember clients and the steps available to a military spouse who needs the case to move forward.
VA disability compensation is not divisible as marital property under federal law, but its interaction with retirement pay affects the actual retirement amount available for division. We account for these interactions in our financial analysis.
How Boulder Military Divorce Cases Work
Military divorce cases in Boulder County follow Colorado’s standard domestic relations procedure but with additional federal-layer considerations at each stage. Jurisdiction requires that at least one party meet Colorado’s 91-day residency requirement. For active-duty servicemembers stationed in Colorado, the domicile analysis can be more complex.
Service of process on an active-duty servicemember requires compliance with both Colorado rules and the SCRA. If the servicemember requests a stay, the case is paused. Financial disclosures in military divorce include LES documentation, retirement points records, and information about any VA disability compensation.
Retirement division requires drafting specific court order language — often referred to as a Military Retired Pay Division Order — that meets DFAS requirements for direct payment. This document requires technical precision in how the marital share is calculated and expressed, and it must be coordinated carefully with the terms of the divorce decree.
Why Burnham Law for Military Divorce in Boulder
Federal law fluency. Military divorce requires understanding USFSPA, SCRA, and how they interact with Colorado family law. Our attorneys handle this intersection regularly and don’t treat the federal layer as an afterthought.
Retirement division precision. Errors in military retirement division orders are costly to fix and sometimes impossible to correct retroactively. We draft these orders with the technical precision DFAS requires the first time.
Practical parenting plan drafting. Military families need parenting plans that actually work — not ones that assume a standard civilian schedule. We build deployment provisions, PCS contingencies, and communication protocols into every military parenting plan.
Representation for both servicemembers and spouses. We represent both sides of military divorce equally, with the same preparation and advocacy regardless of which party we represent.
Frequently Asked Questions — Boulder Military Divorce
Can my military retirement be divided in a Colorado divorce?
Yes. Under the USFSPA, military retirement pay is treated as marital property in Colorado and can be divided by the court. The marital share is typically calculated based on the ratio of years of marriage overlapping with military service to total years of service at retirement.
What is the 10/10 rule in military divorce?
The 10/10 rule is a threshold for DFAS direct payment — it requires at least 10 years of marriage overlapping with 10 years of creditable military service for the former spouse to receive their share directly from DFAS. If the threshold isn’t met, the servicemember is still required to pay the former spouse their share, but it must come directly from the servicemember.
Does VA disability compensation get divided in divorce?
No. VA disability compensation is federal property not subject to division as marital property in a state court divorce. However, it can affect the total retirement pay available for division depending on whether the servicemember has waived retirement pay to receive disability compensation.
What happens to the SBP if we don’t address it in the divorce?
If the Survivor Benefit Plan is not addressed in the divorce decree within one year of the divorce, the former spouse’s ability to be designated as a beneficiary may be permanently lost. This is one of the most commonly missed issues in military divorces handled without experienced counsel.
Can a divorce proceed if my spouse is deployed?
Yes, though the SCRA provides the deployed servicemember with the right to request a stay of proceedings. If the servicemember doesn’t respond or doesn’t request a stay, the case can move forward.
Schedule a Consultation with a Boulder Military Divorce Lawyer
Military divorce is more complex than it needs to be — but the right attorney makes the process manageable. Whether you’re a servicemember trying to protect your retirement or a military spouse navigating an unfamiliar legal process, we’re here to help.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Boulder military divorce attorneys will walk you through the federal and state issues specific to your situation.
