actual damages
Money given to you by the other party to cover losses like hotel costs or lost belongings.
A
affidavit
A written statement you sign under oath, swearing that the facts in it are true.
Affidavit of Service
A court form (JDF 98) that is completed and signed by the person who delivered the papers. The form gives the details of service.
affirmative defense
A legal reason you shouldn't have to pay, even if the underlying facts are true—like the debt being too old to sue over. You must raise it in your first response or you may lose the right to use it.
Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR)
Colorado's name for what used to be called "custody." It covers parenting time, decision-making, and child support.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
An opportunity to come to some agreements outside of court.
alternative service
A way to deliver legal papers when you can't serve someone in person after making genuine efforts to find them.
answer (legal)
The written response you file with the court explaining your side of a lawsuit.
assign income (imputed income)
When a judge calculates child support based on what a parent could be earning. Does not matter if that parent isn't earning that much or currently working.
attachment of property
A court order letting the sheriff take and sell your property to pay off a judgment.
automatic stay
A rule that goes into effect the moment you file bankruptcy. Immediately stops most withholding of wages, repossessions, and lawsuits against you.
B
bench warrant
A judge's order for your arrest. Usually issued when you don't show up to a required court hearing.
C
Case Information Sheet
A court form (JDF 1000) filed with the court that lists basic information about the parties in the case.
Certificate of Service
A section on a court form (JDF 70) where you state how and when you gave the other party a copy of what you filed.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
A type of bankruptcy that would clear most debts. You might have to sell certain types of property.
Child and Family Investigator (CFI)
A person the court can appoint to talk with your child and family. Then they write a report recommending what custody arrangement is best for the child.
Claim of Exemption
A court form (Form 30) that tells the judge that certain money or property a creditor is trying to take is not allowed to be taken.
closing argument
The final summary each side gives the judge at the end of a trial to explain why they should win.
co-petitioner
What both people are called when they file for divorce or legal separation together.
coercive control
A pattern of behavior used to control or scare someone else. Examples include isolating them, monitoring them, controlling their money, or putting them down.
collection proof (judgment proof)
When all of your income and property are protected by law. A creditor cannot legally take anything from you even if they win a lawsuit against you.
complaint (legal)
A court document that explains why someone is suing and what they want the court to do.
constructive eviction
When a landlord makes a home unlivable (like shutting off utilities), forcing a tenant to move out.
contempt of court
When a judge finds that someone broke a court order on purpose. For example, a parent who had the money to pay child support but chose not to.
contestación (legal)
La respuesta por escrito que usted presenta ante el tribunal explicando su versión de una demanda.
continuance
A short delay in a court hearing or trial. It is granted when a side has a good reason for needing more time.
counterclaim
A claim you file back against the person suing you. You are saying they owe you money too.
county court
A Colorado court that handles civil cases involving amounts of money ranging from $7,500 to $25,000.
court order
A decision by the judge about the rights and responsibilities of each party to the case.
creditor
A company or person you owe money to.
cross-examine
When you ask questions to a witness from the other side after they finish testifying.
cure
To fix, correct, or resolve a problem before the other person takes legal or financial action.
D
debt collector
A person or company paid to collect a debt that you owe to someone else.
debtor
The person who owes money.
decision-making (legal)
The legal right to make major decisions for a child. These include decisions about medical care, education, religion, and activities.
default judgment
When a court automatically rules against you without ever hearing your side. This might happen because you missed a deadline, you did not file an Answer, or you did not show up to court.
deficiency balance
The amount you still owe if your repossessed car is sold for less than what you owed on the loan.
demand for compliance or possession
A formal written notice from your landlord saying you broke a rule in your lease (like not paying rent). It may include a set number of days to fix it or move out.
Dependency & Neglect (D&N)
A court case started by a state child welfare agency. It may be started when there are concerns that a child may be abused, neglected, or without a safe home.
deposition
An in-person meeting where the person or witness is asked questions, under oath, about the case.
discharge (bankruptcy)
A court order that cancels your legal duty to pay certain debts after bankruptcy.
discovery
The legal process of requesting documents and records from the other side to build your case.
dispute a debt
Telling a debt collector in writing that you disagree with a debt. For example, that the debt isn't yours, the amount is wrong, or you already paid it.
district court
A court for civil and criminal cases, such as family law, probate, and felonies. Colorado has 23 district courts across its 64 counties.
domestic violence
Acts or threats of violence against a partner, family member, or child to control or scare them. It can include stalking, sexual assault, coercive control, economic abuse, or threats against property or pets.
E
economic harm
Money a landlord lost because a tenant ended their lease early.
emancipation
When a child is considered a legal adult, ending a parent's child support duty. In Colorado, this usually happens automatically at age 19.
eviction
The legal court process a landlord must use to remove a tenant from a rental home. A landlord cannot force you out without going through this process.
evidence
Information you give to the judge to support your case. Examples are documents, photos, or witness statements.
evidentiary hearing
A court hearing where each side presents evidence and testimony. The judge will decide contested facts. At the hearing, the judge will decide whether to make a protection order permanent.
exempt
Income or property that the law protects so it cannot be taken by a creditor. Even if the creditor wins a judgment against you.
exhibit
A piece of evidence that you formally show the court during a trial. Examples include a document, receipt, or photo.
F
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
A federal law that gives you rights around credit reports and tenant screening reports. This law gives you the right to dispute wrong information.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
A federal law that protects you from debt collection that is abusive, unfair, or dishonest.
Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED)
Colorado's legal name for an eviction lawsuit. A civil case a landlord files in court to remove a tenant from a rental property.
foreclosure
When someone you owe money to tries to sell your home to pay off the debt. Usually because you're behind on mortgage payments.
foreign order
A divorce, custody, or child support order from a different state or country. A Colorado court can't enforce or change it until it's registered here.
G
garnishment
A court process that lets creditors take some of your paycheck or money from your bank account to pay off your debt.
grandparent time (grandparent family time)
Visitation time for a grandparent or great-grandparent and grandchild. The court can order this visitation when certain kinds of court cases are already open.
gross income
A parent's income before taxes and other deductions are taken out.
Guardian ad Litem (GAL)
A lawyer appointed by the court to represent a child's legal interests in a case.
H
hearsay
A statement someone made outside of court that a witness repeats in court. This usually isn't allowed as evidence.
housing discrimination
When a landlord, property manager, or other housing provider treats someone worse than other people because of a legally protected trait. These traits include race, disability, or family status.
I
illegal eviction
When a landlord forces a tenant out without a court order. Examples include locking the tenant out, removing belongings, or turning off utilities.
interrogatories
Written questions you must answer about your income and property. A judgment creditor can send them to you after you lose a case.
J
judgment
A court's official decision that you owe money. It gives the person you owe the legal right to try to collect it.
judgment creditor
The person or business you owe money to who won a court judgment against you.
jurisdiction
A court's legal authority to hear a case and make binding decisions about it.
L
late fee
Extra money a landlord can charge if you pay rent late. Colorado law sets strict limits on this.
lender
A person or company, like a bank, that lends you money (for example, to buy a car or home) and you are required to pay it back.
lien
A legal claim against your property that says you owe someone money. It uses your home as security for that debt.
M
maintenance
Money a judge may order one spouse to pay the other after a divorce. Colorado calls this maintenance instead of alimony or spousal support.
mandatory mediation
Mediation that a landlord must offer to the tenant or complete with the tenant before filing an eviction. It is required in certain situations like when a tenant receives public benefits.
marital property
Property and belongings that a couple got during their marriage.
mediation
A meeting where a neutral person (a mediator) helps both sides try to reach an agreement. The mediator does not decide the case for you.
month-to-month tenancy
A rental agreement that renews every month instead of running for a set lease term. Either side can usually end with proper notice.
motion
A written court paper or form asking the judge to do something specific in your case.
Motion to Intervene
A request to the court to join an existing court case as a party when you weren't originally part of it.
Motion to Set Aside Judgment
A request asking a judge to cancel a judgment against you. For example, because you weren't properly notified of the case or a legal mistake was made.
Motion to Waive Fees
A court form (JDF 205) asking the court to let you file your case without paying the filing fee.
N
no-fault divorce
A type of divorce where you don't have to prove your spouse did anything wrong to get the divorce.
no-fault eviction
An eviction that isn't based on anything the tenant did wrong. For example, because the landlord wants to sell, renovate, or move a family member in.
non-marital property
Property that belongs to only one spouse. For example, something owned before the marriage or a gift or inheritance. Generally it isn't divided in a divorce.
normal wear and tear
Regular damage that naturally happens over time, like faded paint or worn carpet. A landlord cannot deduct this from a security deposit.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy
A written notice ending your right to stay. It is given after a repeat lease violation, usually giving 10 days to move out with no chance to fix the problem.
O
objection (trial)
Speaking up during a trial to challenge something the other side said or a piece of evidence. Your side must use a specific legal reason like relevance, speculation, or hearsay.
original creditor
The company you originally borrowed money from. Or the bank you opened an account with.
P
parenting plan
A written agreement that includes the schedule and rules for when each parent has the children, how major decisions and child support will be handled, and other key aspects of the children's lives.
parenting time
The schedule for when a child is with each parent.
permanent orders hearing
The final hearing in a custody case. The judge makes lasting decisions about parenting time, decision-making, and child support.
personal service
Court papers delivered directly to you or to an adult family member at your home. They can also be delivered to an authorized person at your workplace.
Petition for Divorce
The form you file to start a divorce case in Colorado.
Petition for Parental Responsibilities
A court form (JDF 1031) to start a custody case in Colorado.
petitioner
The person who files the case first.
plaintiff
The person or company that files a lawsuit against you.
process server
A person legally authorized to deliver court papers to someone. This cannot be anyone involved with the case.
protected class
A characteristic that the law says a housing provider cannot use to treat you unfairly. Examples include race, religion, disability, or source of income.
protection order
A court order that legally forces someone to stay away from you or stop contacting you.
Public Trustee
A county official in Colorado who manages the foreclosure process.
Q
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)
A court order you need to divide certain retirement accounts, like a 401(k) or pension, between divorcing spouses. This order prevents tax penalties.
R
reasonable accommodation
A change to a landlord's rule, policy, or service that helps a tenant with a disability. A change such as allowing a service animal.
rent abatement
A reduction in the rent you owe. This reduction is usually because your rental home was in a bad, unsafe, or unlivable condition for some period of time.
repayment plan
An agreement that lets a tenant pay past due rent over time instead of all at once.
replevin
A legal action you can file to get back personal property that another person, like a landlord, is keeping from you.
repossession
When a lender takes back property, like a car, because you fell behind on loan payments.
respondent
The person who did not file the case first and is responding to it.
restrict parenting time
When a judge limits or puts conditions on a parent's time with a child.
Return of Service
A court form (JDF 1014) that confirms the other party received the case papers.
right to redeem
Your right to get your car back after repossession before it's sold. You must pay the full loan balance plus repossession costs.
S
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
A government program that helps pay part of your rent. Your share is usually tied to your income rather than the full rent amount.
security deposit
Money you pay a landlord when you move in. It is still your money. The landlord can only keep part of it under specific rules.
security interest
A lender's legal right to take back property (like a car) if you don't pay back what you borrowed.
self-help eviction
A landlord trying to force a tenant out without going to court first. They may try to do this by changing locks or removing belongings. This is illegal in Colorado.
service (legal)
Officially delivering court papers to the other person in a case. This gives them legal notice that the case exists.
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
A federal law that protects active-duty military members from repossession or foreclosure. Applies if military service affects their ability to pay.
Sherlock (Self-Represented Litigant Coordinator)
Court staff in every judicial district in Colorado who help people who are representing themselves in court. They can help with legal questions.
show cause hearing
A court hearing where you must explain why you didn't do something you were legally required to do. For example, answering interrogatories.
small claims court
A Colorado court that handles civil cases involving smaller amounts of money (up to $7,500).
standing (legal)
Whether the person or company suing you has the right to do so. For example, whether they truly own your mortgage.
statute of limitations
A legal deadline for how long someone has to file a lawsuit against you. If they wait too long, you may be able to get the case dismissed.
stipulation (settlement agreement)
A written agreement between you and the other side that settles some or all of a court case without a trial.
subpoena
A court order requiring someone to come to a hearing or trial. Sometimes they must bring specific documents with them.
substantial and continuing change in circumstances
A significant, lasting change in a parent's or child's situation like a big income change. This change may be serious enough for a judge to consider changing a child support or parenting time order.
substantial violation
A serious lease violation like a violent or drug-related crime on or near the property. The violation lets a landlord give only 3 days' notice with no chance to fix the problem.
summons
An official court document that tells the other person a case has been filed against them. It lists the rules they must follow and explains how and when they must respond.
Sworn Financial Statement
A form (JDF 1111SC) where you report your income, expenses, and finances to the court under oath.
T
temporary injunction
A set of automatic rules that start as soon as a party files a family case. These rules may include not taking a child out of state or not selling shared property without an agreement.
Temporary Protection Order (TPO)
A court form (JDF 398) you give a judge, asking them to order someone to stay away from you or stop contacting you. This is short-term and only lasts until the permanent order hearing (usually within 14 days).
Tenant Screening Report (TSR)
A report landlords use to decide whether to rent to you. It usually includes your rental history and the same information found in a credit report.
transcript
A written document that gives details of what was said during a court hearing, trial, or deposition.
treble damages
Money a court can award as a penalty for a landlord who wrongly kept a deposit on purpose. The awarded amount is equal to three times the amount owed plus court costs and attorney's fees.
V
venue
The specific county where a case should be filed and heard.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
A federal law that gives extra housing protections to domestic violence survivors living in subsidized or public housing.
W
waiver of service
When the other party agrees to accept court papers even though a sheriff or process server didn't serve them.
warranty of habitability
A Colorado law that requires landlords to keep rental homes safe, healthy, and livable.
witness
A person, with personal knowledge, who you ask questions to at the hearing.
writ of garnishment
A court order telling your employer or bank to take some of your money to pay off a debt to your creditor.
writ of restitution
A court order that allows the sheriff to physically remove you and your property from a rental home. This order comes after an eviction judgment.