Colorado Springs Military Divorce Lawyers — The Federal and State Complexity Done Right
Colorado Springs is one of the most military-concentrated communities in the country. Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the Air Force Academy mean that military divorce is not a specialty here — it’s a core part of family law practice. Burnham Law’s Colorado Springs military divorce attorneys handle the federal layer of these cases — retirement division, SCRA protections, SBP elections, deployment parenting — with the same depth we bring to the Colorado family law issues that run alongside them.
Browse our Colorado Springs military divorce attorneys below — attorneys with deep experience handling the federal statutes and Colorado family law that intersect in every military divorce case.
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 Colorado Springs, Colorado
Military divorce in Colorado Springs involves two parallel legal frameworks: Colorado’s domestic relations statutes, which govern property division, support, and parenting arrangements, and a set of federal laws that create specific rules and protections for servicemembers and military families. Getting both frameworks right — and coordinating them in a single El Paso County proceeding — requires attorneys who handle these cases regularly.
The Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA) is the foundational federal statute in military divorce. It authorizes state courts to treat military retired pay as marital property subject to division and establishes the framework for direct payment of the former spouse’s share through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). The technical requirements for a Military Retired Pay Division Order — how the marital share is calculated, how the order is worded, and how it interacts with disability compensation waiver — are precise. Errors are expensive and sometimes irreversible after the decree is entered.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides active-duty servicemembers with the right to request a stay of civil proceedings when military service materially affects their ability to participate. The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) provides annuity coverage for a surviving former spouse — but only if it’s properly addressed in the divorce decree within one year of the divorce. TRICARE coverage for former military spouses has eligibility thresholds tied to the length of the marriage and years of service overlap. Each of these issues requires attention and correct handling.
What Our Colorado Springs Military Divorce Attorneys Handle
Military retirement division under USFSPA — calculating the correct marital share, drafting the Military Retired Pay Division Order to DFAS specifications, and coordinating the retirement division with other financial terms of the case. El Paso County District Court processes a high volume of these orders, and our attorneys know exactly what the court and DFAS require.
Survivor Benefit Plan coverage — ensuring SBP elections and protective language are included in the divorce decree, addressed within the required one-year window, and coordinated with the retirement division order. Failure to address SBP correctly forfeits coverage permanently.
TRICARE former spouse coverage — advising clients on eligibility under the 20/20/20 and 20/20/15 rules, ensuring eligibility is preserved where applicable, and addressing transitional coverage options when full eligibility isn’t met.
VA disability compensation and retirement offset — addressing the interaction between VA disability compensation and military retired pay, including CRDP and CRSC provisions, which affects the amount of retirement actually available for division.
Deployment and PCS parenting provisions — drafting parenting plans with deployment protocols, return-from-deployment parenting restoration procedures, virtual visitation provisions, and PCS relocation contingency language that makes plans functional across the full range of military service scenarios.
SCRA stay management — asserting SCRA protections for servicemember clients and navigating the options available to a military spouse who needs the case to move forward despite a stay request.
How Colorado Springs Military Divorce Cases Work
Military divorce cases in El Paso County follow Colorado’s standard domestic relations procedure, with federal considerations at every stage. The petition is filed in El Paso County District Court. At least one party must meet Colorado’s 91-day residency requirement — for servicemembers stationed at Fort Carson or the Springs’ other installations who maintain legal domicile in another state, the residency analysis requires specific attention.
Financial disclosures in military cases require documentation specific to military compensation: Leave and Earnings Statements, retirement points records, VA disability award letters, SBP election records, and any CRDP or CRSC documentation. Obtaining complete military financial documentation sometimes requires formal requests through military personnel channels. Our attorneys handle this regularly and know what documentation is needed and how to obtain it.
The Military Retired Pay Division Order is drafted as a separate document — distinct from the divorce decree — that must be incorporated by reference and meet DFAS technical requirements for direct payment. This order specifies the marital share calculation method, the formula for applying it to the retired pay amount, and the survivor benefit provisions. It is submitted to DFAS after the divorce is final for review and approval. Our attorneys draft these orders to DFAS specifications from the start, minimizing back-and-forth and errors.
Why Burnham Law for Military Divorce in Colorado Springs
Military divorce is core to our Colorado Springs practice. Fort Carson, Peterson, Schriever, and the Air Force Academy mean we handle military divorce cases constantly — not occasionally. The federal issues aren’t an add-on for us; they’re standard.
DFAS-compliant retirement order drafting. The Military Retired Pay Division Order must satisfy DFAS requirements to trigger direct payment. We draft these orders correctly the first time — because fixing a deficient order after the divorce is final is expensive and time-consuming.
Deployment parenting plans that actually work. A parenting plan that doesn’t account for deployment realities fails immediately when the servicemember deploys. We build plans that function across the full range of military service scenarios, protecting the servicemember’s parenting relationship through service obligations.
Both sides of military divorce. We represent servicemembers and military spouses equally, with the same preparation and depth of knowledge regardless of which party we represent.
Frequently Asked Questions — Colorado Springs Military Divorce
How does USFSPA affect military retirement division in Colorado Springs?
USFSPA authorizes El Paso County District Court to treat military retired pay earned during the marriage as marital property subject to equitable division. The court can order DFAS to pay the former spouse’s share directly, provided the marriage lasted at least 10 years overlapping with 10 years of creditable service (the 10/10 rule). Below that threshold, the servicemember must pay the former spouse’s share directly. The marital share is calculated using the coverture fraction.
What happens to military retirement if the servicemember is medically retired?
Medical retirement produces retired pay that is generally subject to division under USFSPA, similar to standard retirement. However, if a portion of retirement pay is waived in favor of VA disability compensation, that waived portion is not divisible. The interaction between VA disability and retired pay — including CRDP and CRSC — affects the actual amount available for division and requires careful analysis in the retirement order.
What are my TRICARE rights as a military spouse getting divorced in Colorado Springs?
Former military spouses who meet the 20/20/20 rule — 20 years of marriage, 20 years of creditable service, 20 years of overlap — are entitled to full TRICARE coverage after divorce. Former spouses who meet a 20/20/15 rule (15 years of overlap) may qualify for one year of transitional TRICARE coverage. Below those thresholds, TRICARE coverage ends at divorce finalization, and the former spouse must obtain other coverage.
Can my spouse file for divorce while I’m deployed to Fort Carson or overseas?
Yes. Your spouse can file for divorce in El Paso County District Court if they meet the residency requirement. Once served, you can request an SCRA stay if your deployment materially affects your ability to participate in the proceedings. The stay provides time to arrange legal representation and participate meaningfully in the case. A servicemember who wants to be involved in their divorce proceedings should engage an attorney immediately upon receiving notice of the filing.
How long does military divorce typically take in El Paso County?
Straightforward military divorces without contested property or custody issues can finalize within a few months of the 91-day waiting period. Cases involving contested retirement division, SBP disputes, or custody issues typical of military families run 9 to 18 months. Cases involving SCRA stays or complex financial structures can take longer. Early preparation — getting the financial documentation assembled and the retirement order drafted — is the most effective way to manage timeline.
Schedule a Consultation with a Colorado Springs Military Divorce Lawyer
Military divorce done right requires attorneys who understand both Colorado family law and the federal statutes that govern military benefits. In Colorado Springs, that’s not a specialty — it’s a baseline requirement. Our military divorce team meets that standard.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Colorado Springs military divorce attorneys will walk you through the Colorado and federal issues specific to your situation.
