Colorado Radio Discusses Out-of-Court Divorce with Those Who Have Done It

In a recent Colorado Public Radio/Colorado Matters story, the Center for Out-of-Court Divorce was featured as a promising alternative to the traditional lengthy, expensive, and often contentious in-court divorce.

Dr. Megan Quinn utilized the Center’s services with her ex-husband to recently finalize their divorce. Even when recognizing that their marriage was over, she and her ex-husband wanted to honor their intentions as a family:

This is somebody you created a family with, somebody you are forever going to have a relationship with since you have kids together, and figuring out that relationship for the remainder of your lives is very important.

The two first went to the Center while it was still in its pilot phase at the University of Denver after a referral from friends who had benefited from the services. Quinn particularly appreciated the wrap-around services offered at the Center, beyond just those associated with a typical divorce—especially the counseling sessions for her children. When asked if she recommended the Center, Quinn was quick to respond that she had already recommended it to many people, advising them to “look at who you want to be to this person going forward and how do you build it not operating from a place of fear.”

Executive Director Sue Carparelli and Retired Judge Robert Hyatt also participated in the broadcast. Judge Hyatt volunteers his time at the Center and oversees the financial and parenting agreements that couples create as well as the permanent orders hearings that finalize the divorce. Because Judge Hyatt comes to the Center to oversee the legal proceedings, couples avoid ever going to court, which aids greatly in making matters less adversarial and more amicable. The process truly takes children’s best interests to heart and fosters collaboration between parents and guardians. When asked about the difference between his time on the bench overseeing divorce proceedings and his work at the Center, Judge Hyatt responded:

It is night and day. It is such a pleasure to sit in a room with parents who have crafted their own parenting plan and who understand that this marriage may be over and they may be divorced, but they will be parents forever.

Hunter Metcalf is a third-year law student at the University of Colorado Law School and contributes to IAALS Online. Please direct inquiries about this post to iaals@du.edu.