Barbara Lynn Ornelas

Barbara (Lunt) Ornelas has been practicing family law in Larimer County for nearly 30 years. Barb graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley with a 4.0 grade point average, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She attended the University of Denver - College of Law while raising her three sons, who were 2, 4 and 5 when she started law school.

Barb has diversified her knowledge and experience by completing mediation training and interdisciplinary training as a Colorado Collaborative Family Lawyer. In order to maintain and build on her knowledge base, Barb attends the Family Law Institute annually as well as other continuing legal education classes. The Family Law Institute is an interdisciplinary multiple-day seminar where mental health professionals, lawyers and judges convene to learn the most up-to-date laws and mental health issues impacting families today.

Barb has managed numerous businesses from medical clinics to restaurants, from freight brokerages and trucking companies to water treatment companies. Her business experience combined with her education made her a natural for complex property cases.

Her intrinsic love of people makes her a natural for "kid cases," a strong advocate for the oppressed, and a natural negotiator.

The law firm of Lunt, Smith & Associates, LLP, handles exclusively family law cases! Our firm is committed to providing you with the best legal representation available for complex property issues, International Child Abduction, divorce, child parental responsibility (custody), parenting time (visitation), maintenance (alimony), and child support issues.

Taking the right approach makes all the difference in the world . . .

After years of practicing exclusively family law, Barbara (Lunt) Ornelas is familiar with how to approach your case. She has a sensible, diversified approach to cases. She brings to the table nearly 30 years experience of representing both men and women, so she is familiar with both the male and female perspectives. Her philosophy and the way she approaches cases is to try very hard to reach agreements. The truth of the matter is that any time you put the decision in the hands of a third party (like a judge), you never know for sure what’s going to happen . . . so generally, it is best to reach a fair resolution of your issues. But if resolution of your family law dispute is not possible, she is ready, willing, and able to provide you with the most assertive representation possible. She pridesherself on her detail-oriented trial preparation and professional representation of you.

She speaks plain English.

She wants you to understand the legal aspects of the divorce, custody or other situation you may find yourself in, so she speaks plain English. If you can’t understand your attorney, what good is she? Also, it is important to us that you are not intimidated nor scared to talk to her. You need to be able to speak freely to whomever you choose to represent you.  She is down-to-earth and approachable.

Honesty is the best policy!

She doesn't pull any punches with you. She strongly believes that you benefit by knowing the truth and what to expect given your individual circumstances. She empowers you by informing you of your options and helping you to make choices that are best for you and your family.

So what are your options now?

If you are in circumstances where you just need information, she is more than happy to talk to you on the telephone or to schedule you for an initial consultation. She offers no-stone-unturned representation for International Child Abduction cases, large asset and complex cases.

Choose the firm that cares . . .

There are two ways to handle family law cases: go through the motions, divide the property and the kids, and get the court order OR relieve your client of his or her stress, assist your client in caring for your client’s children and needs, help educate your client, assist him or her in making sound decisions about their options, empathize with his or her situation, be a strong advocate for your client, and make a positive impact in a difficult situation . . . by truly caring about him or her. I care about our clients, not just because I should . . . but because it’s who I am . . .