Divorce Guide to Colorado

Divorce Guide to Colorado

A woman's guide to getting a divorce in Colorado

Posted to Resources by First Wives World on Fri, 06/11/2010 - 12:03am

COLORADO DIVORCE LAWS:

The Residency Requirement: Either party must be domiciled in the state for 90 days before commencement of the suit.

Grounds: The only ground for divorce is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The marital relationship can no longer continue due to marital discord and/or marital conflict.

Property Division: Colorado is an equitable-distribution, dual-classification state. That means that property is classified as either separate or marital; separate property must go to the property owner, while marital property is divided between the parties “equitably.” Equitable means fairly, based on how the parties acquired and treated the property during the marriage; it does not mean equally. (click the following for an expert's tips on dividing up property through divorce).

Alimony: The court may order alimony for either spouse, if that spouse lacks sufficient property to provide for his or her reasonable needs and that spouse is unable to support himself or herself through appropriate employment, or that spouse is custodian of a child whose age or condition makes it inappropriate to seek employment outside the home.

Child Custody and Child Support: As in every state, custody is based on “the best interests of the child.” Legal and/or physical custody may be awarded to the father or the mother. If the judge assigns custody, the decision will be based on, among other things: The wishes of the parents; the wishes of the child, if he or she is old enough to express a reasoned preference; the spouses’ system of values; any evidence of abuse, violence, or neglect; the mental and physical health of everyone involved; the ability of the parents to place the needs of the child first. (click the following for an overview and list of articles on child custody and child support).

Colorado child-support guidelines are based on an income-shares model: the total obligation is divided between the mother and father according to their incomes.

For a combined gross monthly income of:

• $2,000, support for one child is $383; for two children, $558; for three children, $661.
• $5,000, support for one child is $758; for two children, $1,096; for three children, $1,289.
• $10,000, support for one child is $1,179; for two children, $1,697; for three children, $1988.

The state of Colorado has an on-line calculator that can give you an idea of child support in your case.
http://www.courts.state.co.us/chs/court/forms/domestic/electronicworkshe...

 

Disclaimer: The information supplied above is for "educational purposes only" and is not intended to be used as legal advice.