A

Affidavit - A sworn statement made in front of a notary or other official outside of court that certain facts are true.

Alias - Typically, in reference to an “alias summons.” It is another summons issued by the court because the original summons could not be served on the defendant in time.

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities - what Colorado calls custody. The Court will enter orders about parenting time, decision-making, and child support.

Amend - To change something in a court form.

Authenticated Copy - Means certified, when used in reference to copies of official documents, and only certification by the official having custody is required.

Apostille - A certificate used to authenticate documents for use in foreign countries. In Colorado, the Secretary of State’s Office handles requests for apostille.

B

Currently no terms are available. 

C

Caption - The heading or title on legal paperwork usually including the name of the court and the court's address, the names of the people involved in the case, the case number, and the attorney for whomever is filing the paperwork.

Certificate of Service - A signed statement that tells the court when, where, and to whom a document was sent. Typically, they are at the very end of many Court forms.

Child and Family Investigator (CFI) - The CFI’s role is to investigate, report and make recommendations to the court, as directed in the order of appointment, regarding the best interests of the children. Learn more about CFIs on our web page.

Child's Legal Representative (CLR) - A CLR is an attorney appointed to represent the best interests of children and youth in domestic relations proceedings that involve allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. Go to Colorado Child's Representative website to learn more.

Clerk and Recorder - The Clerk and Recorder issues and records marriage licenses, records all real estate transactions, issues liquor licenses, registers voters, manages all primary, general and county elections, and sometimes city and school district elections. The Clerk and Recorder also operates the Motor Vehicle Divisions in the State of Colorado for titling vehicles and issuing license plates. There is a Clerk and Recorder in each county in Colorado.

Codicil - An amendment to a will. 

Complaint - The document that starts a court case. See also “petition.”

Conservator - A person at least 21 years of age, resident or non-resident, who has been appointed to manage the financial affairs of another person.

Contempt - Disobedience of a Court order.

Conviction - A judge or jury’s finding after trial that the accused defendant is guilty of the crime, or a judge’s acceptance of a defendant’s plea of guilty. Conviction does not include infractions that constitute civil matters. 

Co-Petitioner - A party joining the Petitioner on a court case.

County Court - The type of authority or “jurisdiction” a court has to hear a case. For example: small claims, residential evictions, misdemeanor criminal cases, and money cases under $25,000 are typically heard in County Court.

D

Decedent - The person who passed away.

Decision-Making - The types of decisions a parent is court-ordered to make on behalf of the child. 

Defendant - The person charged in a court of law.

Default - Failure to do something required. For example, failure to respond to a lawsuit or attend a hearing.

Devisee - A person or entity designated in a Will to receive real or personal property.

Discovery - The pre-trial process where opposing parties exchange information and evidence to learn about the other party’s case.

Dissolution of Marriage or Civil Union - what Colorado calls divorce. 

District Court - The type of authority or “jurisdiction” a court has to hear a case. District Courts hear many different types of cases including: divorce, custody, felony criminal, juvenile, probate, mental health, and money cases over $25,000. District court decisions may be appealed to the Colorado Court of Appeals (in some cases directly to the Colorado Supreme Court).

E

Eligible Non-Conviction - A criminal case that did not result in a conviction and was eligible to be sealed by the court automatically.

Emancipation - The legal process by which an individual is granted the rights and responsibilities of an adult before reaching the age of 18. Note – there is no emancipation statute in Colorado. 

Estate - All of the property (real or personal) owned by a person on the date of death that may be subject to a probate case. 

Eviction - Also known as an “FED” or “Forcible Entry and Detainer.” An Eviction is the legal process a landlord must use to remove a tenant from a property.

Executor - See “Personal Representative.”

Exemplified Copy - A copy of a court document that has a court seal or certification from the out-of-state court verifying the authenticity of the document(s).

Exhibit - A document, photograph, object, etc. formally introduced as evidence during a court case.

Expungement - A specific term used to describe the process of sealing juvenile delinquency (i.e. criminal) records.

F

Federal Court - A U.S. court that handles certain cases regarding federal law violations, disputes between states, and constitutional matters. 

File - To deposit with the clerk of the court a written complaint or petition which is the opening step in a lawsuit and subsequent documents, including an answer, motions, petitions, orders etc.

• A record of the court. A paper is said to be filed when it is delivered to the court to be kept on file as a matter of record and reference. 

Foreign Decree - A final order issued by a court outside of Colorado.

Formal (PR) - Opening an estate after prior notice to Interested Persons.

G

Garnishee - The person or entity (often a bank or employer) that receives a court order garnishing wages or funds it owes to a debtor. 

Garnishment - A court-ordered procedure for taking money or property from someone to satisfy a debt. For example, a debtor's wages might be garnished to pay child support, back taxes, or a lawsuit judgment.

Guardian - A person at least 21 years of age, resident or non-resident, who is appointed by the Court to make decisions about the wellbeing of another person (minor or adult).

Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) - A GAL is an attorney appointed by a judge or magistrate to investigate and represent the best interests (health, safety, and well-being) of children and youth. Learn more about Guardian Ad Litem at The Colorado Child's Rep Website.

H

Currently no terms are available. 

I

Informal (PR) - Opening an estate without prior notice to Interested Persons.

Interested Person(s) (PR) - Person(s) identified by Colorado Law who must be given notice of a court proceeding

Interrogatories - A set of written questions sent by one party in a lawsuit to the other party.

Interstate Compact - A coordination of states to transfer the supervision of offenders across state boundaries. 

Intervenor - 3rd party requesting to intervene into an existing case.

Intestate - Estate in which the Decedent did not leave a will.

Initial Status Conference (ISC) - An ISC is a meeting to discuss the progress of a family/juvenile case with a Family Court Facilitator (FCF), a Magistrate, or a Judge. 

J

Judge - An official appointed by the Colorado Governor who is authorized to decide questions of fact and law in their District. 

Judgment - A court’s final determination of the rights and obligations of the parties in a case.  The term includes a decree and any order that can be appealed.

Judgment Creditor - The person(s), company or group who should receive a specific amount of money according to the Court’s order. Also known as a “garnishor,” "obligee", "obligor", or simply “creditor.” 

Judgment Debtor - The person(s), company or group who owes a specific amount of money according to the Court’s order.

Jurisdiction - A court’s power to decide a case or issue a decree. 

K

Currently no terms are available.  

L

Legal Separation - allows two individuals to stay legally married, but the Court can separate finances, order child support, and make custody plans.  

Lien - A claim that a person has upon the property of another as security for a debt owed.