Lakewood 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 Lakewood — cases filed at the Jefferson Combined Court in the 1st 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 Lakewood attorney who knows which courthouse your case goes to
Lakewood is the largest city in Jefferson County but not its seat. City-ordinance and many traffic matters are heard at Lakewood's municipal court on Allison Parkway; divorce, custody, felony, and probate cases go to Golden.
Lakewood has about 157,000 residents, the largest city in Jefferson County (U.S. Census Bureau estimate). Lakewood is south of Longmont via I-25 or US-287 and C-470. 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 Lakewood matter from the first call to the last filing.
Where Lakewood cases are heard
- District court (divorce, custody, felonies, probate): Jefferson Combined Court, 100 Jefferson County Pkwy., Golden — 1st Judicial District.
- County court (misdemeanors, traffic, small claims): Jefferson Combined Court, 100 Jefferson County Pkwy., Golden. Jefferson County's district and county courts share the Combined Court in Golden; Lakewood has no state courthouse of its own.
- Municipal court (city-ordinance and local traffic matters): Lakewood Municipal Court, 445 S. Allison Pkwy..
- Prosecutor: the 1st Judicial District Attorney (Jefferson County) in Golden.
- Law enforcement: Lakewood Police Department (445 S. Allison Pkwy.).
Lakewood Divorce & Family Law Attorney
A Lakewood divorce, custody case, or child-support matter is filed in district court at the Jefferson Combined Court (100 Jefferson County Pkwy., Golden). 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 Lakewood 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 Jefferson 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.
Lakewood Criminal & DUI Defense Attorney
A Lakewood arrest by Lakewood Police Department is prosecuted by the 1st Judicial District Attorney (Jefferson County) in Golden if the State files charges; a city-ordinance violation stays in Lakewood Municipal Court. Attorney Liken served as a Colorado Deputy District Attorney — he has built the State's file from the inside and reads a Lakewood 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 1st Judicial District.
- Domestic violence defense — the mandatory protection order and what it really means.
- Record sealing — clear a Lakewood record when you are eligible.
Lakewood Estate Planning & Probate Attorney
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives protect Lakewood families now; when a loved one passes, probate for the estate is opened in district court at the Jefferson Combined Court (100 Jefferson County Pkwy., Golden). Attorney Liken keeps estate planning plain-English and probate manageable for Lakewood executors and heirs.
- Wills, trusts & powers of attorney — a plan that fits your family and adapts over time.
- Probate & estate administration — guiding Lakewood 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.
Lakewood 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 Lakewood clients ask
Where will my Lakewood divorce or custody case be filed?
Divorce, custody, child support, and maintenance cases for Lakewood are district-court matters, filed at the Jefferson Combined Court (100 Jefferson County Pkwy., Golden) in Colorado's 1st Judicial District.
What is the difference between Lakewood Municipal Court and county court?
Lakewood Municipal Court hears violations of Lakewood's own ordinances, including many local traffic tickets. Charges filed by the State of Colorado — misdemeanors, DUI, and felonies — go to Jefferson County courts and are prosecuted by the 1st Judicial District Attorney (Jefferson County) in Golden.
I was arrested for DUI in Lakewood. 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 Lakewood?
No. Consultations are by phone or video, and in-person meetings can be arranged. Lakewood is south of Longmont via I-25 or US-287 and C-470.
Who handles probate for a Lakewood estate?
Probate for a Jefferson County estate is filed in the district court at the Jefferson Combined Court (100 Jefferson County Pkwy., Golden). Attorney Liken handles wills, trusts, and estate administration for Lakewood 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.