In Colorado, no authorized course of exists for “frequent legislation divorce.” Colorado doesn’t acknowledge frequent legislation marriage established after September 1, 2006. For relationships established earlier than that date and assembly particular necessities, authorized dissolution is achieved by way of a proper divorce course of an identical to the method for dissolving a ceremonial marriage. This entails submitting a petition for dissolution of marriage with the courtroom, addressing issues akin to property division, spousal upkeep (alimony), and, if relevant, parental duties (custody and youngster help). Terminating a relationship resembling a wedding however not legally acknowledged as one might contain property division primarily based on property legislation ideas, not household legislation.
Understanding the excellence between casual relationships and authorized marriage is essential. Whereas events in a relationship might imagine they’ve a typical legislation marriage, the authorized necessities are particular and sometimes misunderstood. If a legitimate frequent legislation marriage existed earlier than the cutoff date, it carries the identical authorized weight as a ceremonial marriage, requiring formal authorized dissolution. Trying to self-resolve the termination of such a relationship with out correct authorized course of can result in important problems concerning property division and different authorized rights and duties.
