Johnstown 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 Johnstown — cases filed at the Weld County Courthouse in the 19th or 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 Johnstown attorney who knows which courthouse your case goes to
Most of Johnstown is in Weld County, with a western portion in Larimer County. The county line decides the courthouse and the prosecutor, so the address of the home, or the location of the traffic stop, is the first question.
Johnstown has about 22,000 residents, up nearly 30% since 2020 (U.S. Census Bureau estimate). Johnstown is northeast of Longmont at I-25 and US-34. 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 Johnstown matter from the first call to the last filing.
Where Johnstown cases are heard
- District court (divorce, custody, felonies, probate): Weld County Courthouse, 901 9th Ave., Greeley — 19th or 8th Judicial District.
- Larimer County side of Johnstown: Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins — 8th Judicial District.
- County court (misdemeanors, traffic, small claims): Weld County Centennial Center, 915 10th St., Greeley. Weld-side cases go to Greeley; Larimer-side cases go to Fort Collins or the Loveland county court.
- Municipal court (city-ordinance and local traffic matters): Johnstown Municipal Court.
- Prosecutor: the Weld County District Attorney (19th Judicial District) or the 8th Judicial District Attorney (Larimer County), depending on where the incident occurred.
- Law enforcement: Johnstown Police Department.
Johnstown Divorce & Family Law Attorney
A Johnstown divorce, custody case, or child-support matter is filed in district court at the Weld County Courthouse (901 9th Ave., Greeley). 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 Johnstown 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 Weld and Larimer Counties 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.
Johnstown Criminal & DUI Defense Attorney
A Johnstown arrest by Johnstown Police Department is prosecuted by the Weld County District Attorney (19th Judicial District) or the 8th Judicial District Attorney (Larimer County), depending on where the incident occurred if the State files charges; a city-ordinance violation stays in Johnstown Municipal Court. Attorney Liken served as a Colorado Deputy District Attorney — he has built the State's file from the inside and reads a Johnstown 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 19th or 8th Judicial District.
- Domestic violence defense — the mandatory protection order and what it really means.
- Record sealing — clear a Johnstown record when you are eligible.
Johnstown Estate Planning & Probate Attorney
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives protect Johnstown families now; when a loved one passes, probate for the estate is opened in district court at the Weld County Courthouse (901 9th Ave., Greeley). Attorney Liken keeps estate planning plain-English and probate manageable for Johnstown executors and heirs.
- Wills, trusts & powers of attorney — a plan that fits your family and adapts over time.
- Probate & estate administration — guiding Johnstown 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.
Johnstown 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 Johnstown clients ask
Where will my Johnstown divorce or custody case be filed?
Divorce, custody, child support, and maintenance cases for Johnstown are district-court matters, filed at the Weld County Courthouse (901 9th Ave., Greeley) in Colorado's 19th or 8th Judicial District. Johnstown spans a county line, so the correct county is confirmed first.
What is the difference between Johnstown Municipal Court and county court?
Johnstown Municipal Court hears violations of Johnstown's own ordinances, including many local traffic tickets. Charges filed by the State of Colorado — misdemeanors, DUI, and felonies — go to Weld and Larimer Counties courts and are prosecuted by the Weld County District Attorney (19th Judicial District) or the 8th Judicial District Attorney (Larimer County), depending on where the incident occurred.
I was arrested for DUI in Johnstown. 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 Johnstown?
No. Consultations are by phone or video, and in-person meetings can be arranged. Johnstown is northeast of Longmont at I-25 and US-34.
Who handles probate for a Johnstown estate?
Probate for a Weld estate is filed in the district court at the Weld County Courthouse (901 9th Ave., Greeley). Attorney Liken handles wills, trusts, and estate administration for Johnstown 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.