Brighton Divorce, Criminal & Estate Attorney
By Attorney Charles E. Liken Jr., 30+ years in the legal field. Divorce & family law, criminal & DUI defense, and estate planning for Brighton — cases filed at the Adams County Justice Center in the 17th Judicial District. Free 20-minute call with Attorney Liken.
Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq. — On the Legal Front Lines · Former Government Investigator, Denver Human Services · Licensed Colorado Attorney · 20+ Years in Private Practice · Former Colorado Deputy District Attorney · Colorado Court-Appointed Child and Family Investigator
A Brighton attorney who knows which courthouse your case goes to
Brighton is the Adams County seat, so the Justice Center and the District Attorney's office are both in town. A portion of Brighton also extends into Weld County, which can change the venue for a case that arises on that side of the line.
Brighton has about 45,000 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate). Brighton is the Adams County seat. Brighton is southeast of Longmont via I-25 and E-470 or US-85. Attorney Charles E. Liken Jr. — a former Colorado Deputy District Attorney, a Colorado court-appointed Child and Family Investigator, and a licensed Colorado attorney — personally handles every Brighton matter from the first call to the last filing.
Where Brighton cases are heard
- District court (divorce, custody, felonies, probate): Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton — 17th Judicial District.
- Weld County side of Brighton: Weld County Combined Court, Greeley (Centennial Center, 915 10th St.) — 19th Judicial District.
- County court (misdemeanors, traffic, small claims): Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton. District and county court share the Justice Center on Judicial Center Drive.
- Municipal court (city-ordinance and local traffic matters): Brighton Municipal Court.
- Prosecutor: the 17th Judicial District Attorney (Adams & Broomfield Counties), headquartered in Brighton (1000 Judicial Center Dr.) with an office in Broomfield (17 DesCombes Dr.).
- Law enforcement: Brighton Police Department.
Brighton Divorce & Family Law Attorney
A Brighton divorce, custody case, or child-support matter is filed in district court at the Adams County Justice Center (1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton). Colorado allocates parental responsibilities under the best-interests standard in C.R.S. § 14-10-124, and when a court appoints a Child and Family Investigator to report on a family, that investigator's report can carry significant weight with the court. Attorney Liken is himself a court-appointed Child and Family Investigator and can explain to a Brighton parent what the investigation involves. For straightforward filings the firm drafts your Colorado JDF documents for a flat fee quoted within 24 hours; run the numbers first with the child support calculator and maintenance calculator.
- Divorce & legal separation — property, debt, and the 91-day waiting period explained up front.
- Custody & parenting time — parenting plans built for Adams County judges.
- Child support & maintenance — calculated, argued, and enforced.
- Modifications & enforcement — when life changes after the decree.
- Mediation — resolve it without a trial when that serves your family.
Brighton Criminal & DUI Defense Attorney
A Brighton arrest by the Brighton Police Department is prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District Attorney (Adams & Broomfield Counties), headquartered in Brighton (1000 Judicial Center Dr.) with an office in Broomfield (17 DesCombes Dr.) if the State files charges; a city-ordinance violation stays in Brighton Municipal Court. Attorney Liken is a former Colorado Deputy District Attorney. Arrested for DUI? The DMV's 7-day Express Consent deadline runs separately from the criminal case — start here.
- DUI & DWAI defense — first offense through felony, plus the DMV hearing.
- Criminal defense — misdemeanors to felonies in the 17th Judicial District.
- Domestic violence defense — the mandatory protection order and what it really means.
- Record sealing — clear a Brighton record when you are eligible.
Brighton Estate Planning & Probate Attorney
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives protect Brighton families now; when a loved one passes, probate for the estate is opened in district court at the Adams County Justice Center (1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton). Attorney Liken keeps estate planning plain-English and probate manageable for Brighton executors and heirs.
- Wills, trusts & powers of attorney — a plan that fits your family and adapts over time.
- Probate & estate administration — guiding Brighton personal representatives from filing to final distribution.
- Guardianship & conservatorship — protecting those who cannot protect themselves.
Court locations and jurisdictions above are from the Colorado Judicial Branch and county and city government sources, reviewed September 2026. General information, not legal advice.
The Longmont Law Firm handles cases for residents of Brighton. Start with a free call.
Start here: a no-charge 20-minute phone call directly with Attorney Liken.
Questions Brighton clients ask
Where will my Brighton divorce or custody case be filed?
Divorce, custody, child support, and maintenance cases for Brighton are district-court matters, filed at the Adams County Justice Center (1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton) in Colorado's 17th Judicial District. Brighton spans a county line, so the correct county is confirmed first.
What is the difference between Brighton Municipal Court and county court?
Brighton Municipal Court hears violations of Brighton's own ordinances, including many local traffic tickets. Charges filed by the State of Colorado — misdemeanors, DUI, and felonies — go to Adams County courts and are prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District Attorney (Adams & Broomfield Counties), headquartered in Brighton (1000 Judicial Center Dr.) with an office in Broomfield (17 DesCombes Dr.); for the small Weld County portion of Brighton, the case goes to Weld County courts and the 19th Judicial District Attorney.
I was arrested for DUI in Brighton. What is the first deadline?
The DMV deadline. Under Colorado's Express Consent law you generally have 7 days from a notice of revocation to request a DMV hearing, separate from the criminal case. Attorney Liken handles both.
Do I have to come to Longmont from Brighton?
No. Consultations are by phone or video, and in-person meetings can be arranged. Brighton is southeast of Longmont via I-25 and E-470 or US-85.
Who handles probate for a Brighton estate?
Probate for an Adams County estate is filed in the district court at the Adams County Justice Center (1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton). Attorney Liken handles wills, trusts, and estate administration for Brighton families.
Is the first call free?
Yes. Every matter starts with a free 20-minute call with Attorney Liken — no charge, no obligation.
Ready when you are.
A no-charge 20-minute call with Attorney Liken starts it.