In Colorado, no authorized course of exists for “frequent regulation divorce.” Colorado doesn’t acknowledge frequent regulation marriage established after September 1, 2006. For relationships established earlier than that date and assembly particular necessities, authorized dissolution is achieved by a proper divorce course of an identical to the method for dissolving a ceremonial marriage. This includes submitting a petition for dissolution of marriage with the courtroom, addressing issues similar to property division, spousal upkeep (alimony), and, if relevant, parental duties (custody and baby help). Terminating a relationship resembling a wedding however not legally acknowledged as one might contain property division primarily based on property regulation ideas, not household regulation.
Understanding the excellence between casual relationships and authorized marriage is essential. Whereas events in a relationship might consider they’ve a standard regulation marriage, the authorized necessities are particular and infrequently misunderstood. If a sound frequent regulation 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 relating to property division and different authorized rights and duties.
