In Colorado, no authorized course of exists for “widespread regulation divorce.” Colorado doesn’t acknowledge widespread regulation 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 equivalent 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 tasks (custody and baby assist). Terminating a relationship resembling a wedding however not legally acknowledged as one might contain property division primarily based on property regulation rules, not household regulation.
Understanding the excellence between casual relationships and authorized marriage is essential. Whereas events in a relationship might imagine they’ve a standard regulation marriage, the authorized necessities are particular and sometimes misunderstood. If a legitimate widespread 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 vital problems relating to property division and different authorized rights and tasks.
