Family Law & Divorce Attorneys Serving Denver, Eagle County & Summit County
Lewis & Matthews, P.C. is a Colorado family law firm with more than 30 years of experience representing clients in divorce, child custody, marital agreements, mediation, and estate planning. Attorney Jennifer Lewis serves clients throughout the Denver metro area, Eagle County (including Vail, Avon, and Edwards), and Summit County (including Breckenridge, Frisco, and Dillon). Every case is handled with direct partner-level attention — no handoffs to junior associates.
Whether you are navigating a contested divorce, protecting your parental rights, or planning your estate, Lewis & Matthews provides straightforward legal counsel focused on outcomes that hold up long after the courtroom.
Schedule a Consultation — (303) 329-3802
Divorce
Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, which means the only legal grounds for dissolution of marriage is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. That legal simplicity, however, does not make divorce simple. Division of marital property, spousal maintenance, parental responsibilities, and debt allocation all require careful negotiation and, when necessary, litigation.
Jennifer Lewis has handled hundreds of divorce cases across Denver, Summit County, and Eagle County — from straightforward uncontested divorces to high-asset cases involving closely held businesses, real estate, and retirement accounts. Her approach is to resolve as much as possible outside of court, keeping costs down and timelines manageable, while being fully prepared to litigate if the other side won’t negotiate in good faith.
Lewis & Matthews handles all types of divorce, including:
- Contested Divorce — When spouses cannot agree on one or more issues (property, maintenance, parental responsibilities), the court decides. We prepare thoroughly for hearings and trial.
- Uncontested Divorce — When both parties have already reached agreement, we prepare and file the required documentation efficiently, minimizing cost and delay.
- Collaborative Divorce — A structured process in which both parties and their attorneys commit to resolving all issues outside of court, often preserving the co-parenting relationship.
- High-Asset Divorce — Complex cases involving business valuations, stock options, real property, pensions, and inherited assets require experienced financial and legal analysis.
- Men’s Rights — Men face distinct challenges in divorce proceedings, particularly around parental responsibilities and financial exposure. We advocate assertively for fathers and husbands.
- Post-Decree Modifications — Circumstances change. We handle modifications to maintenance, child support, and parenting plans when a material and substantial change justifies it.
Learn more about Divorce in Colorado
Family Law
Family law in Colorado covers a wide range of legal matters beyond divorce — including parenting disputes between unmarried parents, child support enforcement, and parenting plan creation or modification. Colorado uses the term “parental responsibilities” rather than “custody,” which reflects the state’s preference for arrangements that serve the child’s best interests rather than treating parenting time as a win/lose outcome.
Lewis & Matthews represents parents in all stages of family law matters — initial orders, enforcement, and modification — in Denver, Eagle County, and Summit County courts.
Child Custody & Parental Responsibilities
Colorado courts allocate two types of parental responsibilities: decision-making (legal custody) and parenting time (physical custody). Judges determine both based on the best interests of the child, considering factors such as each parent’s relationship with the child, work schedules, geographic proximity, and the child’s own preferences when age-appropriate.
Jennifer Lewis has represented both mothers and fathers in parental responsibility disputes — including relocation cases, high-conflict modifications, and cases involving allegations of domestic violence or substance abuse. If your parenting relationship with your child is at stake, the quality of your legal representation directly affects the outcome.
Learn more about Child Custody in Colorado
Child Support
Colorado uses an income shares model to calculate child support — meaning both parents’ incomes, the parenting time split, childcare costs, and health insurance premiums are factored into the calculation. Deviations from the guideline amount are possible but require the court’s approval.
We help clients establish initial child support orders, enforce orders when the other parent is non-compliant, and modify orders when income or parenting time has materially changed.
Learn more about Child Support in Colorado
Parenting Plans
A parenting plan is a legally binding document that outlines how parents will share time and decision-making responsibilities for their children. A well-drafted parenting plan anticipates conflict before it happens — covering holidays, school transitions, medical decisions, extracurricular activities, communication protocols, and dispute resolution procedures.
Jennifer Lewis drafts parenting plans that are detailed enough to prevent future disagreements and flexible enough to accommodate life as your children grow.
Learn more about Parenting Plans in Colorado
Marital Agreements
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are legal contracts that establish how assets, debts, and financial rights will be handled if the marriage ends in divorce or death. In Colorado, these agreements are enforceable when properly drafted, voluntarily signed, and entered with full financial disclosure by both parties.
Contrary to the common misconception, marital agreements are not only for the wealthy. They are valuable for anyone entering a marriage with business interests, real property, children from a prior relationship, or significant debt — or simply for couples who want financial clarity from the start.
Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement is signed before marriage and can address property division, spousal maintenance, business ownership, debt allocation, and inheritance rights. A well-drafted prenup protects both parties — not just the wealthier spouse — and can prevent years of costly litigation in the event of divorce.
Learn more about Prenuptial Agreements in Colorado
Postnuptial Agreements
A postnuptial agreement covers the same subject matter as a prenup but is entered into after the marriage has begun. Couples often pursue postnups after a significant financial change (a business launch, an inheritance, a major asset purchase) or as part of reconciliation after a period of marital difficulty.
Learn more about Postnuptial Agreements in Colorado
Cohabitation Agreements
Colorado does not recognize common-law marriage entered after September 1, 2006 — meaning couples who live together without marrying have no automatic legal protections if the relationship ends. A cohabitation agreement establishes property rights, financial responsibilities, and asset division terms for unmarried partners, providing legal clarity that Colorado law does not supply by default.
Learn more about Cohabitation Agreements in Colorado
Mediation Services
Mediation is a structured negotiation process in which a neutral third party — the mediator — facilitates discussion between the parties to help them reach a voluntary agreement. In Colorado, mediation is required in most family law cases before a contested hearing can be scheduled.
Lewis & Matthews provides mediation services for divorce, parenting disputes, post-decree modifications, and other family law matters. Jennifer Lewis is a trained mediator who brings the same depth of Colorado family law knowledge to the mediator role that she brings to litigation — helping parties reach agreements that are legally sound, durable, and enforceable.
Mediation is not appropriate in all cases, particularly where there is a history of domestic violence or a significant power imbalance. We discuss whether mediation is the right approach during your initial consultation.
Learn more about Mediation Services
Estate Planning
Estate planning determines what happens to your assets, your dependents, and your healthcare decisions when you can no longer make those decisions yourself. A complete estate plan includes a will or living trust, durable power of attorney, medical power of attorney, and an advance healthcare directive (living will). Without these documents, Colorado law — not your wishes — determines the outcome.
Lewis & Matthews integrates estate planning into family law representation for clients going through divorce, post-decree transitions, and life changes such as remarriage or the birth of a child. We also serve clients who simply want a sound estate plan in place.
Living Trusts
A revocable living trust allows your assets to pass directly to your beneficiaries without going through probate — saving time, legal costs, and privacy. Trusts are especially valuable for clients who own real property in multiple Colorado counties or across state lines.
Living Wills & Advance Directives
A living will (advance healthcare directive) documents your end-of-life care preferences — including decisions about life-sustaining treatment — so that medical providers and family members are not left guessing. This is one of the most important and most frequently overlooked documents in an estate plan.
Power of Attorney
A durable financial power of attorney designates someone to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. A medical power of attorney designates a healthcare agent to make medical decisions on your behalf. Both should be in place before a health crisis occurs, not after.
Asset Protection
We advise clients on legal structures — including trusts and entity formation — that protect assets from creditors, litigation exposure, and adverse judgments, while remaining compliant with Colorado and federal law.
Learn more about Estate Planning in Colorado
Serving Colorado Families Across Three Communities
Lewis & Matthews, P.C. operates offices in Denver and Summit County, with representation extending throughout Eagle County. We routinely appear in Denver County District Court, Summit County District Court, and Eagle County District Court.
DENVER METRO
1325 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 503, Denver, CO 80222
(303) 329-3802
Serving clients throughout Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Douglas, and Adams counties.
SUMMIT COUNTY
114 Village Place, Suite 206, Dillon, CO 80435
(970) 468-0240
Serving Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone, and the surrounding area.
EAGLE COUNTY
(970) 468-0240
Serving Vail, Avon, Edwards, Eagle, and the surrounding mountain communities.
Clients with properties or legal matters that span multiple counties — a common situation for Colorado mountain-area residents — benefit from having one legal team that practices across all three jurisdictions.
Contact the Office Nearest You
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of family law cases does Lewis & Matthews handle?
Lewis & Matthews handles divorce (contested and uncontested), parental responsibilities, child support, parenting plans, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, mediation, and estate planning. All matters are governed by Colorado law and handled in Colorado courts.
Do you serve clients outside of Denver — including Summit County and Eagle County?
Yes. Lewis & Matthews has offices in Denver and Dillon (Summit County) and regularly represents clients throughout Eagle County, including Vail, Avon, and Edwards. We appear in Denver County, Summit County, and Eagle County district courts.
What is the difference between divorce mediation and collaborative divorce in Colorado?
In divorce mediation, a neutral third party facilitates negotiations between the spouses, who may or may not have attorneys present. In collaborative divorce, both spouses retain attorneys and all parties — including the attorneys — sign a participation agreement committing to resolve all issues outside of court. Both approaches aim to avoid litigation; collaborative divorce is more structured and attorney-driven, while mediation is more flexible.
How long does a divorce take in Colorado?
Colorado has a mandatory 91-day waiting period from the date the divorce petition is served before a dissolution can be finalized. Most uncontested divorces are completed within three to six months. Contested divorces — particularly those involving complex property, business valuation, or contested parenting matters — commonly take one to two years.
Can I modify a child support or custody order after the divorce is final?
Yes. Colorado courts can modify child support and parental responsibility orders when there has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Common triggers include a significant change in either parent’s income, a parent relocating, or a material change in the child’s needs. Modifications require a court filing and, in most cases, a hearing.
Do I need a prenuptial agreement in Colorado?
A prenuptial agreement is not legally required, but it is worth considering if you or your future spouse own real estate, a business, or significant financial assets; have children from a prior relationship; or carry substantial debt. Colorado courts will enforce a valid prenuptial agreement, but the document must be signed voluntarily, with full financial disclosure, and with adequate time before the wedding.
What should I look for when choosing a family law attorney in Colorado?
Look for an attorney who focuses exclusively or primarily on family law, has trial experience (not just settlement), is licensed and in good standing with the Colorado Bar, and communicates directly with you rather than delegating to staff. Ask how many cases the attorney personally handles versus manages, and how accessible they are between court dates.
