Thornton Divorce, Criminal & Estate Attorney

A Thornton attorney who knows which courthouse your case goes to

Thornton is one of the largest cities in the Denver metro, but it is not the county seat: a Thornton divorce, felony, or probate case is filed in Brighton. City-ordinance and many traffic matters stay in Thornton's own municipal courthouse on Civic Center Drive.

Thornton has about 148,000 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate). Thornton is southeast of Longmont via I-25 or US-85. 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 Thornton matter from the first call to the last filing.

Where Thornton cases are heard

• District court (divorce, custody, felonies, probate): Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton — 17th Judicial District.
• County court (misdemeanors, traffic, small claims): Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton. Adams County's district and county courts share the Justice Center in Brighton; Thornton has no state courthouse of its own.
• Municipal court (city-ordinance and local traffic matters): Thornton Municipal Court (Charles J. Rose Courthouse), 9551 Civic Center Dr.
• Prosecutor: the 17th Judicial District Attorney (Adams & Broomfield Counties), headquartered in Brighton with an office in Broomfield.
• Law enforcement: Thornton Police Department.

Thornton Divorce & Family Law Attorney

A Thornton divorce, custody case, or child-support matter is filed in district court at the Adams County Justice Center (1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton). 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 Thornton 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 Adams 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.

Thornton Criminal & DUI Defense Attorney

A Thornton arrest by the Thornton Police Department is prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District Attorney (Adams & Broomfield Counties), headquartered in Brighton with an office in Broomfield if the State files charges; a city-ordinance violation stays in Thornton Municipal Court (Charles J. Rose Courthouse). 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 17th Judicial District.
• Domestic violence defense — the mandatory protection order and what it really means.
• Record sealing — clear a Thornton record when you are eligible.

Thornton Estate Planning & Probate Attorney

Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives protect Thornton families now; when a loved one passes, probate for the estate is opened in district court at the Adams County Justice Center (1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton). Attorney Liken keeps estate planning plain-English and probate manageable for Thornton executors and heirs.

• Wills, trusts & powers of attorney — a plan that fits your family and adapts over time.
• Probate & estate administration — guiding Thornton 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.