Westminster High Asset Divorce Lawyers — Northern Metro Assets Handled With Depth and Precision
Westminster’s position along the US-36 technology and aerospace corridor, combined with its strong real estate market, active small business community, and significant public sector workforce, produces a high asset divorce profile that requires attorneys who understand the specific financial landscape of the northern Denver metro. Burnham Law’s Westminster high asset divorce attorneys bring the financial preparation, expert coordination, and dual-county litigation experience these cases demand.
Meet our Westminster high asset divorce team below — attorneys who handle complex financial cases for executives, business owners, aerospace professionals, and public employees throughout Adams and Jefferson County.
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....
High Asset Divorce in Westminster, Colorado
Westminster’s economic profile creates a high asset divorce landscape that reflects the city’s dual character — part technology and aerospace corridor, part established suburban community with deep trades and small business roots. High asset cases in both Adams and Jefferson County courts regularly involve aerospace employer equity packages from companies along the US-36 corridor, PERA pension benefits accumulated by public school teachers, county employees, and healthcare workers, investment real estate portfolios in a market that has seen sustained appreciation, and closely held businesses serving Westminster’s commercial economy.
Colorado’s equitable distribution framework creates meaningful room for advocacy in high asset Westminster cases. How assets are classified as marital or separate, the methodology used to value closely held businesses or employer equity, the treatment of PERA pension accrual relative to the marriage, and how appreciation on investment real estate is handled all involve legal arguments that experienced attorneys make more effectively than general practitioners. In Westminster high asset cases, the financial difference between adequate and thorough representation is frequently substantial.
High asset divorces in Adams and Jefferson County courts typically involve forensic accountants, business valuators, real estate appraisers, and PERA benefit analysts working alongside legal counsel. Our Westminster attorneys coordinate those expert teams, challenge opposing valuations that don’t hold up, and present complex financial evidence in a format that is compelling and credible at mediation and trial.
What Our Westminster High Asset Divorce Attorneys Handle
Aerospace and technology equity compensation — RSUs, stock options, employee stock purchase plan shares, and deferred compensation from Westminster’s US-36 corridor employers. We analyze grant dates, vesting schedules, marital coverage fractions, and tax consequences of different division approaches, working with financial professionals who understand how these compensation structures work.
PERA pension division for Westminster public employees — Adams County and Jefferson County government workers, public school teachers, healthcare professionals employed by public institutions, and other Colorado public sector employees. PERA defined benefit pensions require a COAP rather than a QDRO, with specific PERA technical requirements that must be met for the division to be effective.
Investment real estate portfolios in Westminster’s northern metro market — residential investment properties, multi-unit rentals, commercial real estate, and raw land that have appreciated significantly and require current appraisals, cash flow analysis, and thoughtful division strategy accounting for tax basis and financing.
Business valuation and division for Westminster’s small business community — construction and trades businesses, professional services firms, retail operations, and technology service companies. We work with qualified business valuators and argue for division approaches that reflect actual value without destroying business viability.
Multiple retirement account coordination — Westminster households often accumulate multiple retirement accounts across careers in aerospace, technology, public sector, and small business. Coordinating QDROs, COAPs, and IRA transfers requires careful sequencing and technical precision.
Separate property tracing — particularly when significant assets were brought into the marriage or inherited during it, and where commingling with marital funds over a long Westminster marriage has blurred the separate/marital line.
How Westminster High Asset Divorce Cases Work
High asset divorces in Adams and Jefferson County courts follow Colorado’s standard dissolution procedure with greater complexity at every stage. The financial disclosure phase requires comprehensive documentation — aerospace equity plan records, PERA benefit statements, business financial statements, real estate appraisals, investment account records, and multiple years of tax returns. Getting these documents assembled completely and early is the most important early task in a Westminster high asset case.
Expert retention is an early priority. Business valuators, PERA benefit analysts, real estate appraisers, and forensic accountants all need time to conduct their work. Getting expert teams retained and working early — before mediation is scheduled, not after — compresses the overall timeline and produces better-prepared cases at every subsequent stage.
Formal discovery is frequently necessary in Westminster high asset cases. Business finances not fully reflected in standard disclosures, aerospace equity compensation structures that require employer documentation, and real estate holdings that benefit from independent appraisal rather than owner estimates all create situations where formal discovery produces meaningfully better financial pictures than voluntary disclosure alone.
Why Burnham Law for High Asset Divorce in Westminster
US-36 corridor equity compensation experience. RSUs, stock options, and deferred compensation from Westminster’s aerospace and technology employers are not novel issues for our practice — they’re what we handle regularly. Our financial preparation for equity compensation issues starts where general practitioners stop.
PERA expertise. PERA pension division requires a COAP drafted to PERA’s specific technical requirements. We handle PERA COAPs regularly in both Adams and Jefferson County proceedings and know exactly what PERA requires for approval.
Dual-county litigation capability. Westminster high asset cases can land in either Adams or Jefferson County. Our attorneys are prepared to litigate in both, and the other side knows it — which changes how they approach settlement.
Expert team quality. The forensic accountants, business valuators, and PERA analysts we work with understand both the subject matter and what Adams and Jefferson County courts expect from expert testimony.
Frequently Asked Questions — Westminster High Asset Divorce
How is employer equity from an aerospace company along US-36 handled in divorce?
Employer equity — RSUs, stock options, ESPP shares — from Westminster’s aerospace and technology employers is analyzed based on grant date, vesting schedule, and what portion was earned during the marriage. Awards granted and vested entirely within the marriage are generally fully marital. Awards that span the marriage require a coverture fraction to identify the marital component. The specific terms of the employer’s equity plan, including any performance conditions and tax treatment, affect how division is structured.
What makes PERA division different from dividing a 401(k) in Westminster?
PERA is a defined benefit pension — it pays a monthly benefit at retirement based on years of service and final average salary, not a balance you can simply split. This makes valuation and division structurally different from defined contribution plans. PERA requires a COAP (not a QDRO) submitted to and approved by PERA before the division is effective. PERA COAPs specify how the marital share is calculated, how survivor benefits are addressed, and the formula for ongoing payment. Errors in the COAP create enforcement problems that are costly to correct.
How is a construction or trades business valued in a Westminster divorce?
Construction and trades businesses in Westminster are typically valued using an income approach — capitalizing the business’s normalized earnings or using a discounted cash flow analysis — or a market approach based on comparable transactions. Owner compensation in owner-operated businesses is scrutinized carefully to distinguish personal goodwill from enterprise value, since personal goodwill is generally not marital property subject to division. These businesses also frequently have equipment and real property that require separate appraisal.
What if my spouse’s business income is inconsistent year to year?
Variable business income is addressed by averaging income over multiple years — typically three to five — rather than using a single year that may be anomalously high or low. In cases where one year is significantly different from the trend, the specific reasons for the variation are examined to determine whether it reflects a true change in the business’s financial position or a temporary fluctuation. Both the maintenance and child support calculations are affected by how business income is characterized.
How long do high asset divorces typically take in Adams or Jefferson County?
High asset divorces in Adams and Jefferson County typically take 12 to 24 months, sometimes longer when business valuation disputes require expert testimony or when formal discovery is extensive. Starting the financial documentation process early — gathering records, retaining experts, and initiating discovery before or immediately upon filing — is the most effective way to manage both timeline and legal costs.
Schedule a Consultation with a Westminster High Asset Divorce Lawyer
Westminster’s financial complexity requires attorneys who are prepared for it across both Adams and Jefferson County. The difference between adequate and thorough preparation in a Westminster high asset divorce is real and measurable. Getting the right legal and expert team in place early is the most important decision you can make.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Westminster high asset divorce attorneys will assess your financial situation directly and help you understand what thorough representation looks like.
