Johnstown 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 Johnstown — cases filed in Weld County (Greeley, 19th Judicial District) or Larimer County (Fort Collins, 8th 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 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, Weld County side (divorce, custody, felonies, probate): Weld County Combined Court, Greeley (Centennial Center, 915 10th St.) — 19th 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 in Weld County (Greeley) or Larimer County (Fort Collins), depending on which side of the county line the family lives. 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 Johnstown 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 Weld and 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.
Johnstown Criminal & DUI Defense Attorney
A Johnstown arrest by the 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 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 19th Judicial District (Weld County) or the 8th Judicial District (Larimer County).
- 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 is opened in the district court of the county where the decedent lived: Weld County (Greeley) or Larimer County (Fort Collins). 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.
The Longmont Law Firm handles cases for residents of Johnstown. Start with a free call.
Start here: a no-charge 20-minute phone call 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. Johnstown spans a county line, so they are filed in Weld County District Court in Greeley (19th Judicial District) or Larimer County District Court at the Larimer County Justice Center (201 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins; 8th Judicial District), depending on which side of the line the family lives. 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 County 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 County estate is filed in the district court in Greeley; for a Larimer County estate, in the district court at the Larimer County Justice Center (201 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins). 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.
Ready when you are.
A no-charge 20-minute call with Attorney Liken starts it.