Lafayette 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 Lafayette — cases filed at the Boulder County Justice Center in the 20th 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 Lafayette attorney who knows which courthouse your case goes to
Lafayette's Old Town and its newer east-side neighborhoods along US-287 share one court system: city-ordinance and many traffic matters go to Lafayette Municipal Court, while state charges, divorces, and probate go to Boulder County.
Lafayette has about 30,000 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate). Lafayette is a short drive south of Longmont on 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 Lafayette matter from the first call to the last filing.
Where Lafayette cases are heard
- District court (divorce, custody, felonies, probate): Boulder County Justice Center, 1777 6th St., Boulder — 20th Judicial District.
- County court (misdemeanors, traffic, small claims): Boulder County Justice Center, 1777 6th St., Boulder. Boulder County also holds court in Longmont at 1035 Kimbark St.
- Municipal court (city-ordinance and local traffic matters): Lafayette Municipal Court.
- Prosecutor: the Boulder County District Attorney (20th Judicial District), with offices at the Boulder Justice Center and at the Longmont courthouse.
- Law enforcement: Lafayette Police Department.
Lafayette Divorce & Family Law Attorney
A Lafayette divorce, custody case, or child-support matter is filed in district court at the Boulder County Justice Center (1777 6th St., Boulder). 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 Lafayette 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 Boulder 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.
Lafayette Criminal & DUI Defense Attorney
A Lafayette arrest by the Lafayette Police Department is prosecuted by the Boulder County District Attorney (20th Judicial District), with offices at the Boulder Justice Center and at the Longmont courthouse if the State files charges; a city-ordinance violation stays in Lafayette 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 20th Judicial District.
- Domestic violence defense — the mandatory protection order and what it really means.
- Record sealing — clear a Lafayette record when you are eligible.
Lafayette Estate Planning & Probate Attorney
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives protect Lafayette families now; when a loved one passes, probate for the estate is opened in district court at the Boulder County Justice Center (1777 6th St., Boulder). Attorney Liken keeps estate planning plain-English and probate manageable for Lafayette executors and heirs.
- Wills, trusts & powers of attorney — a plan that fits your family and adapts over time.
- Probate & estate administration — guiding Lafayette 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 Lafayette. Start with a free call.
Start here: a no-charge 20-minute phone call directly with Attorney Liken.
Questions Lafayette clients ask
Where will my Lafayette divorce or custody case be filed?
Divorce, custody, child support, and maintenance cases for Lafayette are district-court matters, filed at the Boulder County Justice Center (1777 6th St., Boulder) in Colorado's 20th Judicial District.
What is the difference between Lafayette Municipal Court and county court?
Lafayette Municipal Court hears violations of Lafayette's own ordinances, including many local traffic tickets. Charges filed by the State of Colorado — misdemeanors, DUI, and felonies — go to Boulder County courts and are prosecuted by the Boulder County District Attorney (20th Judicial District), with offices at the Boulder Justice Center and at the Longmont courthouse.
I was arrested for DUI in Lafayette. 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 Lafayette?
No. Consultations are by phone or video, and in-person meetings can be arranged. Lafayette is a short drive south of Longmont on US-287.
Who handles probate for a Lafayette estate?
Probate for a Boulder County estate is filed in the district court at the Boulder County Justice Center (1777 6th St., Boulder). Attorney Liken handles wills, trusts, and estate administration for Lafayette 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.