Will My Divorce Case Be Part of Public Record?

Whether your divorce case will become part of public record will depend on the details of your situation, as well as how your case ends up being resolved.

When Divorce Is Part of Public Record

In general, cases that proceed through the court system will become part of public record, and divorce is no different. So, when someone files a divorce petition with the court, that petition will typically be part of public record, meaning that anyone can see when it was filed, who filed it and what is requested in the case.

The same generally holds true for:

• The response filed to the initial divorce petition (for contested divorce cases)
• The final divorce decree if it is ultimately up to the court to resolve the issues of the divorce.

When Divorce Is NOT Part of Public Record

Although traditional divorce cases proceeding through court can (and often are) part of public record, divorce may NOT be part of public record if or when:

• Abuse or domestic violence may be involved – In these sensitive cases, the details of divorce cases can be kept from the public record to protect the victim(s), especially when those victims may be minors.
• Either party in the divorce requests that the records be kept under seal – Divorcing couples can specifically ask the court to keep their divorce case under seal, preventing it from becoming part of public record, when they want to protect the identities of the involved children or when other special circumstances may come into play. What constitutes a “special circumstance” can vary from case to case and will ultimately be left up to a judge to determine.
• The divorce can be resolved via mediation – Whether the court orders mediation or a couple voluntarily decides to mediate their divorce, when mediation leads to divorce settlements, the details of the divorce will also not become part of public record (as mediation proceedings and resolutions remain private). This can be a big incentive for some couples, potentially motivating them to be more open to compromising with an ex to work out a resolution that will remain private.

Contact a Littleton Divorce Lawyer at Littleton Lawyers™

For effective, experienced representation in Colorado divorce, contact a trusted Littleton divorce lawyer at Littleton Lawyers™. Since 1983, our attorneys have been committed to vigorously advocating our clients’ rights and protecting their interests in divorce and other family legal matters.

To find out more about your best options for moving forward with a divorce case, contact a Littleton divorce attorney at Littleton Lawyers™. Since 1983 we have been aggressively advocating our clients’ rights to help them successfully resolve their family legal issues.

From our law offices in Littleton, we represent clients throughout Colorado, including in the Denver Metro Area, Arapahoe County, Adams County, Jefferson County and the cities of Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Rock, Westminster, Centennial and Aurora.