Appellate Practice in Denver

Divorce and Civil Appeals throughout Colorado

Appealing a Divorce or Other Family Court Decision?

When you receive a bad result, you may need to file an appeal. One appeal is all you get, so you need an experienced attorney who has a track record of success.

Marc Kaplan has the knowledge and experience needed to represent you in the appellate court. Not all lawyers who handle divorce appeals understand the practical aspects of working on a case from the start. With more than 30 years of experience, our founding attorney has not only handled a broad range of family law matters but has shaped Colorado law through successful divorce appeals and other family law appeals.

Only about 20 Percent of Cases Are Reversed on Appeal.

Apellate courts do not re-try cases, and they are usually limited to reviewing evidence presented at the original hearing. Most reversals occur after a lower court judge interprets the law incorrectly, admits evidence in error, or does not support the judgment with sufficient facts.

The odds against reversal mean that the initial presentation of a case at the trial court is critical and that the record created can make or break the appeal. On appeal, the key is to focus on legal issues that could sway the appellate judges to rule in your favor. Making a persuasive argument and being able to identify the key issues are legal arts. This is one reason why so few lawyers are successful on appeal.

To learn more about our appellate practice, please call us at (303) 458-5500
 or contact us via our secure online form. We also accept referrals from other family law practitioners who do not handle divorce appeals or family law appeals.

A Snapshot of a Few Cases We Have Handled on Appeal

  • A Snapshot of a Few Cases We Have Handled on Appeal

    Husband successfully challenged the trial court’s determination that court lacked jurisdiction to modify his spousal support obligation. Appellate Court adopted husband’s position that the trial court retained jurisdiction to modify spousal maintenance, where decree provided that the court specifically retained jurisdiction “as provided by law.”

  • A Snapshot of a Few Cases We Have Handled on Appeal

    In post-dissolution of marriage proceeding, the trial court denied father’s bill of costs following his successful appeal of an earlier judgment and sentence for contempt. Father appealed.

  • A Snapshot of a Few Cases We Have Handled on Appeal

    Former husband appealed from order of the Morgan County District Court valuing his interest as beneficiary in trust in dissolution action.

  • A Snapshot of a Few Cases We Have Handled on Appeal

    The appellate court agreed with mother that the trial court failed to make findings sufficient to modify decision-making and exceeded its statutory authority pertaining to relocation orders.

  • A Snapshot of a Few Cases We Have Handled on Appeal

    Wife appealed from decision of the Douglas County District Court dividing parties’ property and denying her request for attorney fees.

  • A Snapshot of a Few Cases We Have Handled on Appeal

    Legal malpractice case. Plaintiff contends the trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of the defendants. The Court of Appeals agrees. If a trial court judgment is based on determinations of multiple issues — any of which standing independently would be sufficient to support the result — the judgment is not conclusive with respect to any of the issues standing alone.

What Sets Us Apart?

  • Results-Driven

    We maxmize settlement through mediation & obtain your goals by being well prepared at hearings and trials.

  • Client-Focused

    On the front end, we listen to you to understand your goals.

  • Creative Solutions

    Our attorneys think outside the box to develop a strategy within your budget.

  • Preparation

    To implement our plans of action, we identify key facts, experts and conduct aggressive discovery.

Don’t Go At It Alone

Contact us with one of our experienced family law attorneys, please call us today!

Marc Kaplan, Attorney at Law

Marc Kaplan, Attorney at Law