Colorado Springs Prenup Lawyers — Protecting What You’ve Built Before the Wedding
A prenuptial agreement is one of the most practical legal documents a couple can sign — it establishes clear financial terms before the wedding, when both parties can think clearly and negotiate without pressure. For Colorado Springs couples who bring military retirement benefits, business interests, real estate, or assets from prior relationships into a marriage, the reasons to have clear written terms are concrete and significant. Burnham Law’s Colorado Springs prenup attorneys draft agreements that are enforceable, comprehensive, and built to hold up.
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....
Prenuptial Agreements in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado prenuptial agreements are governed by the Colorado Uniform Premarital and Marital Agreements Act (CUPMAA). For a prenup to be enforceable, it must be in writing, signed voluntarily by both parties, and based on full and honest financial disclosure from each side. An agreement signed under duress, without adequate time for review, or without honest disclosure can be challenged in a later divorce proceeding — and successfully invalidated at significant cost to both parties.
Colorado Springs’ military community creates a distinct set of prenup considerations. Military retirement benefits — one of the most valuable assets a career servicemember accumulates — vest over a 20-year career and can be divided as marital property in a divorce. A prenup can establish clear terms for how military retirement is treated, protecting benefits earned before the marriage and establishing what portion of future retirement accrual remains separate. For servicemembers entering a second marriage, protecting retirement benefits and assets designated for children from a prior relationship is a particularly common and practical prenup objective.
Beyond military-specific situations, Colorado Springs couples enter marriages with business interests, professional practices, investment real estate, family wealth, and diverse asset situations that benefit from clear written terms. A prenup drafted carefully and reviewed by independent counsel for both parties is not an expression of distrust — it’s a practical document that protects both people by removing financial ambiguity before it ever becomes a source of conflict.
What Our Colorado Springs Prenup Attorneys Handle
Drafting prenuptial agreements tailored to each client’s specific asset situation and objectives. We don’t use generic templates — every agreement we draft reflects the client’s actual financial situation, the specific assets they want to address, and the terms they’ve agreed in principle to include. Enforceability under CUPMAA is the primary drafting objective.
Military retirement prenup provisions specifically — addressing what portion of military retirement is treated as separate property, how future accrual is characterized, and how the retirement division formula is handled in the event of divorce. These provisions require familiarity with how Colorado courts treat military retirement in divorce.
Reviewing proposed prenups for clients who have been presented with an agreement drafted by the other party’s attorney. Independent legal review before signing is essential — we evaluate the terms, assess the financial disclosure, and give clients a direct assessment of what they’d be agreeing to.
Postnuptial agreements for couples who want to establish or update financial terms after they’re already married — often prompted by a significant change in circumstances such as a business launch, an inheritance, or a military retirement approaching.
Second-marriage prenuptial agreements addressing the unique asset protection needs of clients entering a second marriage with children from a prior relationship, existing support obligations, and accumulated assets they want to protect.
How Colorado Springs Prenup Cases Work
The prenup process begins with both parties independently disclosing their financial situations — assets, debts, income, and any financial obligations from prior relationships. For servicemembers, this includes documentation of military retirement accrual, current entitlements, and any existing support orders. Full and honest disclosure is not optional — it’s a legal requirement for enforceability.
Once disclosure is complete, the drafting attorney prepares an initial agreement based on the terms both parties have agreed in principle to include. The other party should have their own independent attorney review the draft. Independent review significantly strengthens the enforceability of the agreement — courts view independently reviewed agreements much more favorably than ones signed without separate legal counsel.
Both parties need adequate time between receiving the agreement and signing it — not days, but weeks. Last-minute prenups presented close to a wedding date are the agreements most often successfully challenged on voluntariness grounds. We build the drafting and review timeline with that legal standard in mind from the start.
Why Burnham Law for Prenups in Colorado Springs
Military retirement prenup expertise. Understanding how military retirement is treated in Colorado divorce — and how to draft prenup provisions that hold up in that context — requires familiarity with both CUPMAA and Colorado’s military divorce framework. We have both.
Drafting built for enforceability. A prenup that gets invalidated is worse than no prenup. Every agreement we draft is built to satisfy CUPMAA’s requirements and withstand scrutiny if it’s ever challenged.
Independent representation. We represent one party per agreement. Our advice is unambiguous — we tell clients exactly what the terms mean and whether the agreement is fair before they sign anything.
Experience with Colorado Springs asset situations. Military retirement, defense contractor equity, professional practices, and multi-property real estate portfolios — these are the asset situations we draft around regularly.
Can a prenup protect my military retirement from division in a future divorce?
Yes. A prenuptial agreement can specify that military retirement accrued before the marriage remains separate property, and can establish how retirement accrued during the marriage is treated. Without a prenup, military retirement earned during the marriage is generally treated as marital property subject to equitable division under USFSPA. A well-drafted prenup provision is one of the most effective ways to protect retirement benefits in a military divorce.
What if I’m a second-time spouse with support obligations from a prior marriage?
Existing support obligations — alimony or child support from a prior divorce — affect the financial disclosure component of a prenup and should be addressed explicitly in the agreement. A prenup can also establish protections for assets held for the benefit of children from a prior relationship, ensuring those assets aren’t subject to division in a subsequent divorce.
Can a prenup waive spousal maintenance entirely?
Colorado prenups can include provisions addressing spousal maintenance — including provisions that limit, structure, or waive maintenance in certain circumstances. However, courts have the ability to disregard maintenance waiver provisions that would leave one spouse in a position requiring public assistance. Complete maintenance waivers in situations of significant financial disparity are the prenup provisions most likely to face enforceability challenges.
How long before the wedding should we start the prenup process?
Starting the process at least 60 to 90 days before the wedding is strongly advisable. This allows time for financial disclosure, drafting, independent review by both parties, negotiation of any disputed terms, and signing — without creating the time pressure that courts identify as a voluntariness risk. For complex financial situations, starting even earlier is prudent.
Is a prenup signed in another state valid in Colorado?
Generally yes. Colorado follows the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act framework, which provides for recognition of prenuptial agreements validly entered in other states. However, the agreement must still meet basic enforceability requirements — voluntary execution, financial disclosure, and conscionable terms — as evaluated under Colorado law if it’s presented to a Colorado court.
Schedule a Consultation with a Colorado Springs Prenup Lawyer
Whether you’re entering a first marriage with significant assets, a second marriage with prior obligations, or a military career with retirement benefits worth protecting, a well-drafted prenup is worth the investment.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Colorado Springs prenup attorneys will walk you through the process and help you get an agreement that does exactly what you need it to do.
