This legal portion of the site is designed for Domestic Relation Cases in Colorado for unrepresented parents. In legal terms, unrepresented litigant is called pro se. This however doesn't mean that this site is not useful for other cases, or other states.
It goes without saying that this site is not to be used as official legal help. We are not lawyers. But we did go through the 'meat grinder' and survived. And protected our kids. So, learn from us.
The legal system is one big Narcissistic Pyramid. If you have a lawyer, unless you know him/her personally to be a good person, odds are you will be dealing with a Narcissist. Not all lawyers are narcissists but the legal system draws them like bees honey. So be aware of this. Naivety is your biggest enemy. The legal system can be outright abusive and it does not give a damn about you or your child. But it gives a lot of damn about your money and manipulating and controlling you - as you suffer. This gives them source of a narcissistic supply.
So, perhaps neither you or your opposing party have a lawyer. And you both agree on everything and need just rubber-stamping the agreement. Or perhaps your opposing party is a Narcissist with a lot of resources (and a lawyer, or two). Most people will be somewhere in-between these categories. This site is intended to provide enough details, no matter how deep you need to go.
Your required level of involvement in educating yourself in the legal matters will heavily depend on the opposing party. If you are dealing with a narcissist with a lot of resources, you will have an uphill battle. Yet a battle that can be won. If this is your case, you probably already know what you are dealing with. On the other hand, if this is not your situation, perhaps this site will give you guidance about how to navigate some steps.
Lastly, legal system hates unrepresented people that are educated and know what they are doing. It's like a slap in their face and their education. So if you start showing your legal knowledge, expect retaliation. So be humble. In front of the judge, always state things in the form "in my amateur understanding of the law (rule) I believe this..." - even if the law or rule is clear. The judge is the King (or Queen). Don't try to dethrone them, or show them you know what they should rule. Pick you battles wisely. This is not a fair system, so don't expect it. Yet, educate yourself and stand your ground assertively, but be humble. They still hate it, but it is harder for them to punish you (or your child). And honestly, under the surface what they really want is your narcissistic supply. So take this advice seriously: Best Advice for Victims of Abuse Fighting in a Legal System.
Online Portal
First of all, create an account with the court system here: https://www.jbits.courts.state.co.us/efiling/web/login.htm
Then follow the instructions to get access to your case. This access will give you as much information as a lawyer has about your case. You will be able to access all past pleadings and orders, and you will be able to file your own pleadings, exhibits, notices, everything - from anywhere in the world. This is a MUST. It is a must even if you have an attorney.
Be Organized
Create a folder for all the pleadings and orders. Then create a folder for each individual pleading (sometime it has attachments that's why a folder is better). Name the folder with "year-month-date [X] and brief description of the pleading", so it properly orders in your computer. Then download all the pleadings and keep it neat. The [X] above is D for Dad (or make it R for Respondent if you want), M for Mom, C for Court, and J for Joint. This way, if you look at a folder that says '20250101 M Motion to Reconsider', you'll know right away what it is and who filed it and when. Organization is key.
References
If you haven't already, go to the 00 Useful Links and Files and download all the files. Browse through to them get familiar with what they are. Know what you don't know. Learn where to find stuff. This site will e.g. reference CRCP rule (Colorado Rule of Court Procedure) or CRS (Colorado Revised Statutes) many times. Be familiar where to find a word for word rule so you can read it yourself if you want.