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 means of 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 court docket, addressing issues comparable to property division, spousal upkeep (alimony), and, if relevant, parental duties (custody and little one help). Terminating a relationship resembling a wedding however not legally acknowledged as one could contain property division primarily based on property legislation rules, not household legislation.
Understanding the excellence between casual relationships and authorized marriage is essential. Whereas events in a relationship could consider they’ve a typical legislation marriage, the authorized necessities are particular and infrequently misunderstood. If a sound frequent legislation marriage existed earlier than the cutoff date, it carries the identical authorized weight as a ceremonial marriage, requiring formal authorized dissolution. Making an attempt to self-resolve the termination of such a relationship with out correct authorized course of can result in important issues relating to property division and different authorized rights and duties.
