Fort Collins Divorce, Criminal & Estate Attorney
By Attorney Charles E. Liken Jr., 30 years in the law. Divorce & family law, criminal & DUI defense, and estate planning for Fort Collins — cases filed at the Larimer County Justice Center in the 8th Judicial District. Free 20-minute call with Attorney Liken.
Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq. — On the Legal Front Lines · Government Investigator, Denver Human Services · Licensed Colorado Attorney ~ 20+ Years in Private Practice · Colorado Deputy District Attorney · Colorado Court-Appointed Child and Family Investigator
A Fort Collins attorney who knows which courthouse your case goes to
Fort Collins is the Larimer County seat and home to Colorado State University, so the local docket includes student-related criminal and DUI matters alongside the divorces, custody disputes, and estates of a city of 171,000.
Fort Collins has about 171,000 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate). Fort Collins is the Larimer County seat. Fort Collins is north of Longmont via I-25 or US-287. 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 Fort Collins matter from the first call to the last filing.
Where Fort Collins cases are heard
- District court (divorce, custody, felonies, probate): Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins — 8th Judicial District.
- County court (misdemeanors, traffic, small claims): Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins. District and county court sit together at the Justice Center on LaPorte Avenue, next to Old Town.
- Municipal court (city-ordinance and local traffic matters): Fort Collins Municipal Court, 215 N. Mason St..
- Prosecutor: the 8th Judicial District Attorney (Larimer County) in Fort Collins (the office is in the Justice Center).
- Law enforcement: Fort Collins Police Services.
Fort Collins Divorce & Family Law Attorney
A Fort Collins divorce, custody case, or child-support matter is filed in district court at the Larimer County Justice Center (201 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins). 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 CFI's work often decides the case. Attorney Liken is himself a court-appointed CFI — he knows what the report looks for and how to prepare a Fort Collins parent for it. 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 Larimer 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.
Fort Collins Criminal & DUI Defense Attorney
A Fort Collins arrest by Fort Collins Police Services is prosecuted by the 8th Judicial District Attorney (Larimer County) in Fort Collins (the office is in the Justice Center) if the State files charges; a city-ordinance violation stays in Fort Collins Municipal Court. Attorney Liken served as a Colorado Deputy District Attorney — he has built the State's file from the inside and reads a Fort Collins police report the way the prosecutor will. 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 8th Judicial District.
- Domestic violence defense — the mandatory protection order and what it really means.
- Record sealing — clear a Fort Collins record when you are eligible.
Fort Collins Estate Planning & Probate Attorney
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives protect Fort Collins families now; when a loved one passes, probate for the estate is opened in district court at the Larimer County Justice Center (201 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins). Attorney Liken keeps estate planning plain-English and probate manageable for Fort Collins executors and heirs.
- Wills, trusts & powers of attorney — a plan that fits your family and adapts over time.
- Probate & estate administration — guiding Fort Collins 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.
Fort Collins deserves senior-level counsel. Start with a free call.
Your choice: no-charge 20-minute phone call OR in-depth hour ($300) — both directly with Attorney Liken.
Questions Fort Collins clients ask
Where will my Fort Collins divorce or custody case be filed?
Divorce, custody, child support, and maintenance cases for Fort Collins are district-court matters, filed at the Larimer County Justice Center (201 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins) in Colorado's 8th Judicial District.
What is the difference between Fort Collins Municipal Court and county court?
Fort Collins Municipal Court hears violations of Fort Collins's own ordinances, including many local traffic tickets. Charges filed by the State of Colorado — misdemeanors, DUI, and felonies — go to Larimer County courts and are prosecuted by the 8th Judicial District Attorney (Larimer County) in Fort Collins (the office is in the Justice Center).
I was arrested for DUI in Fort Collins. 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 Fort Collins?
No. Consultations are by phone or video, and in-person meetings can be arranged. Fort Collins is north of Longmont via I-25 or US-287.
Who handles probate for a Fort Collins estate?
Probate for a Larimer County estate is filed in the district court at the Larimer County Justice Center (201 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins). Attorney Liken handles wills, trusts, and estate administration for Fort Collins families.
Is the first call free?
Yes. Every matter starts with a free 20-minute call with Attorney Liken — no charge, no obligation. An in-depth one-hour consultation is $300.
Ready when you are.
A no-charge 20-minute call with Attorney Liken starts it.