Colorado has following divorce laws:
Residency
In Colorado to file a petition for dissolution of marriage, you have to make sure the court has authority over your case. Colorado divorce laws allow the court to make an announcement of dissolution only when:
- One of the parties has been domiciled in Colorado for ninety days preceding the start of the proceeding.
Documents Required to File Divorce
According to Colorado divorce laws the most important documents needed for starting and finalizing the dissolution of marriage are:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Decree of Dissolution of Marriage
There are some other documents which you may require, which are:
- Notice to Set Non-contested Hearing
- UCCJEA Information Sheet
- Summons for Dissolution of Marriage
- Domestic Relations case Information Sheet
Distribution of Property
Colorado divorce laws settle the issues of property and debt between the spouses by a signed agreement called:
- Marital Settlement Agreement or the property award
This agreement is declared by the court within the Decree of Dissolution of Marriage.
Change of Name or Restoration of Name
In a divorce, there is no hard and fast rule for obtaining the previous name. But usually it is achieved by requesting the court.
Mediation Counseling
According to the Colorado divorce laws, if the spouses do not agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court may request a counseling period, which is minimum one and maximum 2 months long. To settle other disputes the court may order arbitration.
Alimony
In Colorado divorce laws, a complicated formula is used in order to award alimony. When alimony is requested in a temporary order, it is assumed to be from the higher income spouse to the lower income spouse. The formula that the Colorado divorce laws use is that if the total income of both spouses is less than $75000 then the amount awarded is 40 percent of the higher income less fifty percent of the lower income. If the value comes in negative or is zero then alimony is not awarded. If the total income is more than $75000 then other factors are taken in consideration by the divorce court.
Child Custody
Colorado divorce laws gives priority to the best interest of the children when deciding child custody issue. However, the parents may also submit a parenting plan along with the request for joint custody. The non-custodial parent is awarded visitation rights.
Child Support
A model called The Income Shares Model is used to determine Child support in Colorado. It is based on the gross income of both parents as set forth by Colorado divorce laws. It is paid until the child turns 18 or until the child has graduated high school, child support is expected to be paid.
Contact a professional divorce attorney or divorce lawyer for comprehensive divorce laws information in your state.
