What to Expect in Your First 30 Days of a Colorado Divorce Involving a Dental Practice: An Expanded Q and A Guide for Spouses in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Parker, and Denver

By Matthew C. Clawson, Colorado Family Law Attorney

Divorce is never simple, but a divorce involving a dental practice creates financial questions and legal challenges that most spouses are not prepared for. The first 30 days of a Colorado divorce are the most important. This is when the court issues protections, financial disclosures begin, experts are hired, temporary support is addressed, and the groundwork for valuation of the dental practice is created. What happens in this first month will affect every part of the case moving forward.

This expanded guide explains what spouses in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Parker, and Denver can expect during the first 30 days and how to protect themselves.

Q1: What happens immediately after filing for divorce in Colorado

Once the petition is filed, the court issues two immediate protections. The first is the Mandatory Financial Disclosure requirement under Rule 16.2. Both spouses must exchange information about income, assets, debts, and financial records. This ensures full transparency and prevents financial surprises. The second protection is the Automatic Temporary Injunction. This injunction goes into effect the moment the case is filed and prevents either spouse from moving money, hiding assets, changing insurance, altering business structures, taking on new loans, or transferring property. It also prevents shutting off utilities or cancelling credit cards. These protections are applied in every county, including Denver, El Paso, Douglas, and Pueblo. You are protected right away, even before any hearing takes place.

Q2: How does the Automatic Temporary Injunction protect me when my spouse owns a dental practice

The injunction prevents the dentist from lowering income, reducing work hours, inflating expenses, shifting patients to another entity, transferring goodwill, selling the practice, closing the practice temporarily, modifying retirement accounts, or engaging in any DSO negotiations without disclosure. It keeps the dental practice stable and ensures that the valuation completed later in the case reflects the true financial condition of the business.

Q3: Will I need to gather any documents

Yes, but only personal and household documents, not business documents. You should not access office computers, practice software, QuickBooks, or confidential patient records. That information will be obtained through attorney channels. You may need to gather your pay stubs, bank statements, credit card statements, family budget notes, mortgage information, loan records, childcare and education expenses, insurance details, lifestyle documentation, and any financial information that your spouse has voluntarily shared with you. You may also take photos of major assets in the home. This information provides your attorney with a snapshot of spending, financial needs, and lifestyle.

Q4: When will a financial expert get involved and what will they do

In most dental practice divorces, a financial expert becomes involved within the first two to four weeks. The expert reviews financial statements, evaluates the dental practice, separates personal goodwill from enterprise goodwill, analyzes production and collections, reviews hygiene and associate performance, examines accounts receivable, looks for financial changes, evaluates whether income is understated, checks for pending DSO negotiations, and assesses the long-term earning potential of the practice. Early involvement ensures the marital value is not understated or misclassified.

Q5: What happens at the first attorney strategy meeting

Your first strategy meeting typically occurs within the first ten to fourteen days. During this meeting, you will discuss your current financial needs, temporary spousal maintenance, child support, temporary parenting time, exclusive use of the home if needed, protection of joint accounts, expected valuation of the dental practice, the possibility of income manipulation, the involvement of experts, and long-term goals. Your attorney will outline a plan for the first 90 days, so you know what to expect.

Q6: How soon will temporary support be addressed

Temporary support is usually addressed within the first 30 days. Your attorney may file motions for temporary spousal maintenance or temporary child support. Support is calculated using the Colorado Child Support Guidelines and the dentist’s true income. Counties move at different speeds. Cases in Colorado Springs often move quickly. Denver may require mediation before a temporary hearing. Douglas County, which includes Parker, has a structured timeline. Pueblo County may move at a moderate pace. Your attorney will select the filing strategy that works best for your county.

Q7: When will I begin receiving dental practice financial documents

Dentists must provide disclosure within the first 42 days, although many cases begin earlier. Expect to see practice tax returns, profit and loss statements, payroll documents, depreciation schedules, business bank statements, production and collections reports, associate income information, referral patterns, loan and lease agreements, and any letters of intent or communication with DSOs. These documents allow the financial expert to begin valuation work.

Q8: What financial red flags should I watch for

You do not need to determine whether something is a red flag, but you should communicate anything unusual to your attorney. Concerning signs include sudden reductions in pay, unexplained changes in production, sudden equipment purchases or remodels, shifting work to associates, delayed bonuses or distributions, changes in office hours, cancelled clinic days, unusual staff turnover, or increases in business expenses. These could indicate attempts to depress the marital value of the practice or hide income.

Q9: How will parenting time be handled

A temporary parenting plan is usually created within the first 30 days. Courts in Colorado prioritize predictability and stability for children. Dental schedules often involve early appointments, late evenings, and weekend coverage. Your attorney will help create a schedule that reflects the dentist’s clinical availability, your availability, transportation needs, children’s school schedules, and upcoming holidays. If communication issues or safety concerns exist, the court may implement additional protections or restrictions.

Q10: When will I understand the dental practice’s value

Most spouses gain a preliminary understanding between 30 and 90 days. The timeline depends on how quickly records are produced, the complexity of the practice, associate contributions, DSO negotiations, financial health, and the level of cooperation from the dentist. Full valuation reports are usually completed within 90 to 120 days. However, early income patterns and valuation indicators will appear much sooner.

Q11: What happens with bills and living expenses during this time

Your attorney will address this early. Temporary support may be requested to help cover living costs. The court may assign responsibility for the mortgage, utilities, insurance, and childcare. Joint accounts may be monitored or temporarily restricted. The goal is to ensure the lower-income spouse is not left without access to funds. Colorado courts do not allow a high-earning spouse, such as a dentist, to cut off financial support during divorce.

Q12: What emotional challenges should I expect

The first 30 days are often the most stressful. Many spouses experience financial fear, disrupted routines, uncertainty about the dental practice, emotional volatility, and confusion as information begins to arrive. This is normal. Your attorney and financial expert will help bring stability and clarity.

Q13: What is the most important thing I can do in the first 30 days

The three most important actions are clear communication with your attorney, consistent organization of personal documents, and avoiding confrontation with the dentist about the practice or finances. All questions, concerns, and information should be routed through your attorney to protect your rights.

Final Thoughts for Spouses in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Parker, and Denver

A divorce involving a dental practice requires careful planning in the first 30 days. With the right attorney and a qualified financial expert, you can ensure that the dental practice is valued correctly, personal and enterprise goodwill are separated, income is accurately assessed, temporary support is handled quickly, and your long-term financial future is protected. The uncertainty of the first month becomes manageable with experienced guidance and a strategic plan.

Support for Spouses During the First 30 Days of a Dental Divorce

We can be reached at www.clawsonattorney.com, and Matthew can be contacted directly at Matthew@clawson.law. For more information about our top-rated legal services, fill out our online form or call (719) 602-5888 to schedule a free initial consultation.