Westminster Military Divorce Lawyers — Federal and Colorado Law Coordinated in Adams and Jefferson County
Westminster’s northern Denver metro location, with proximity to Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora and the broader Front Range military community, means military divorce cases are a meaningful part of the family law landscape in both Adams and Jefferson County courts. Military divorce requires coordinating Colorado’s domestic relations law with federal statutes governing military retirement, servicemember protections, and benefit eligibility — and getting both layers right simultaneously. Burnham Law’s Westminster military divorce attorneys handle these cases with the depth they require.
Browse our Westminster military divorce attorneys below — attorneys with experience in both Colorado family law and the federal statutes that govern military benefits and protections.
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 Westminster, Colorado
Military divorce cases in Westminster are governed by Colorado’s domestic relations statutes alongside the federal laws that create specific rules for servicemembers and military families. Adams County District Court and Jefferson County District Court both handle these cases under the same procedural framework as civilian divorces, with the federal layer addressed through specific documentation requirements, specialized court orders, and attention to benefit eligibility timelines unique to military cases.
The Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA) authorizes Colorado courts to treat military retired pay as marital property and establishes the framework for direct DFAS payment of the former spouse’s share. The Military Retired Pay Division Order implementing the retirement division must satisfy specific DFAS technical requirements — errors in this document are expensive and difficult to correct after the divorce is final. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides active-duty servicemembers the ability to request a stay of civil proceedings. The Survivor Benefit Plan must be addressed within one year of the divorce decree or coverage is permanently forfeited.
Westminster’s proximity to Buckley Space Force Base means that Space Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard divorces appear with regularity in both Adams and Jefferson County cases. The financial and parenting issues these cases involve — including guard and reserve deployment schedules, part-time military income alongside civilian employment, and retirement benefits that combine military and civilian components — require attorneys who handle these cases regularly.
What Our Westminster 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 including any VA disability offset.
Guard and Reserve divorce issues — addressing the retirement and benefit implications for Westminster-area National Guard and Reserve members who combine military part-time service with civilian careers. Guard and Reserve retirement follows different accrual rules than active-duty retirement, and the financial analysis requires understanding both.
Survivor Benefit Plan coverage — ensuring SBP elections and protective decree language are addressed within the one-year window, coordinated with the retirement division order, and structured to protect the former spouse’s coverage.
TRICARE former spouse eligibility — advising on 20/20/20 and 20/20/15 eligibility thresholds and ensuring the decree preserves applicable coverage.
SCRA stay management — asserting protections for servicemember clients and managing the options available when a military spouse needs the proceeding to move forward despite a stay request.
Military and civilian retirement coordination — many Westminster military families have both military retirement and civilian retirement accounts, including PERA benefits from concurrent public sector employment. Coordinating the division of military retirement, PERA, and private-sector retirement accounts in a single proceeding requires careful financial analysis.
How Westminster Military Divorce Cases Work
Military divorce cases in Westminster are filed in Adams County District Court (Brighton) or Jefferson County District Court (Golden) depending on the filing party’s county of residence. At least one party must meet Colorado’s 91-day residency requirement. Buckley Space Force Base is located in Aurora (Adams County), meaning many Buckley-connected military families file in Adams County.
Financial disclosures in Westminster military cases include Leave and Earnings Statements, retirement points records, Guard or Reserve retirement points statements, VA disability documentation, and SBP election records. For Guard and Reserve members with both military and civilian employment, the financial disclosure requires documentation of both income streams and both retirement systems.
The Military Retired Pay Division Order is drafted as a separate technical document incorporated by reference into the divorce decree, then submitted to DFAS after the divorce is final. For Guard and Reserve members who haven’t yet reached retirement eligibility, the order must address how the marital share is calculated on a deferred basis — when the servicemember eventually draws retirement pay. This deferred division approach requires specific technical language that our attorneys handle regularly.
Why Burnham Law for Military Divorce in Westminster
Buckley-connected military cases handled regularly. Westminster’s proximity to Buckley Space Force Base means Guard, Reserve, and active-duty divorce cases are a regular part of our Adams County practice. The federal issues these cases involve are familiar territory.
Guard and Reserve retirement expertise. Guard and Reserve retirement accrues differently from active-duty retirement — on a points basis rather than years of service — and the division order must reflect that difference. We handle these cases with the specific knowledge they require.
Military and civilian retirement coordination. Westminster military families often have both military retirement and PERA or private-sector retirement to divide. Coordinating DFAS requirements, PERA COAP requirements, and private-sector QDRO requirements in a single case requires attorneys and financial professionals who understand all three systems.
Both courts, both sides. We practice in both Adams and Jefferson County courts and represent both servicemembers and military spouses with equal preparation and depth.
Frequently Asked Questions — Westminster Military Divorce
How is Buckley Space Force Base retirement handled in a Westminster divorce?
Buckley Space Force Base members’ military retirement is divided under the same USFSPA framework as all military retirement — the marital share is calculated using the coverture fraction (years of marriage overlapping with creditable service divided by total service years), and the former spouse’s share is paid directly by DFAS if the 10/10 threshold is met. Space Force retirement follows the same rules as other uniformed service retirements.
How does Guard or Reserve retirement differ from active-duty retirement in Westminster divorces?
Guard and Reserve retirement accrues on a points basis rather than years-of-service basis, and the retirement is typically deferred — the member draws it starting at age 60 rather than immediately upon separation. The Military Retired Pay Division Order for Guard and Reserve retirement must address the deferred nature of the benefit, using a formula that calculates the former spouse’s share when pay actually begins. The marital share calculation must account for the points-based accrual system.
What if my Westminster military spouse also has PERA benefits from a civilian job?
Many Westminster military members hold concurrent or sequential public sector employment, accumulating both military retirement and PERA benefits. Both must be addressed in the divorce decree — the military retirement through a Military Retired Pay Division Order submitted to DFAS, and the PERA benefit through a COAP submitted to PERA. These are separate documents with separate submission processes and separate technical requirements. Coordinating both correctly in a single Westminster divorce proceeding is something our attorneys handle regularly.
Can I file for military divorce in Westminster if my spouse is stationed elsewhere?
Yes, provided you meet Colorado’s 91-day residency requirement. Adams County District Court or Jefferson County District Court can assert jurisdiction over the divorce even when your spouse is stationed at an out-of-state installation. The SCRA provides your spouse the right to request a stay of proceedings if active duty service materially affects their participation, but the case can proceed if no stay is requested.
What happens if the Survivor Benefit Plan isn’t addressed in our Westminster divorce decree?
If SBP is not addressed in the divorce decree within one year of the divorce, the former spouse permanently loses the ability to receive SBP coverage — regardless of what the retirement division order says about dividing the retirement itself. This is one of the most consequential and most frequently missed issues in military divorces. We address SBP in every military divorce decree we handle, within the required timeline.
Schedule a Consultation with a Westminster Military Divorce Lawyer
Military divorce in Westminster requires attorneys who understand both Colorado family law and the federal statutes governing military benefits — and who can handle both layers in Adams or Jefferson County proceedings. If you’re facing a military divorce in Westminster, make sure your legal team is equipped for both.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Westminster military divorce attorneys will walk you through the federal and state issues specific to your situation.
