We are excited to announce, on May 8, 2026, Governor Jared Polis appointed Leslee K. Balten to the Eagle County Court in Colorado’s 5th Judicial District. The new judgeship, created under Senate Bill 25-024, takes effect July 1, 2026. Balten brings nearly two decades of legal experience to the bench. She currently serves as a partner and Breckenridge office manager at Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C., where she has practiced since 2011, focusing on domestic and civil matters. Since 2023, she…

Separation and divorce are distressing and chaotic prospects, but one of the most pressing first questions is often, “Who keeps the family home?”Under Colorado 14-2-201, the court requires divorcing spouses to divide their marital property in a way that’s fair and equitable if not exactly 50/50, during a legal separation or a divorce. This rule…

Most people feel that family is the most important aspect of their lives. Unfortunately, family relationships can evolve and change, sometimes requiring legal processes to set new boundaries, establish guidelines, and settle crucial legal matters to allow each party to move forward. An experienced Colorado family lawyer combines an in-depth understanding of family law, the…

We’d all like to believe that a walk down the aisle ends in happily-ever-after, but sometimes life takes spouses on different paths. If you’ve determined that divorce is the right choice, you’ve probably already begun preparing yourself for the inevitable split, but what else can you do to ready yourself emotionally? No divorce is ever…

A divorce is an emotional and financial upheaval for spouses and their children, requiring the transformation of one household into two. Reaching fair divorce settlement terms allows spouses to obtain an uncontested divorce without requiring a judge to resolve disputes. Sometimes, negotiations between spouses with their attorneys are not enough. In these cases, spouses may…