Grounds for Divorce in Colorado
Divorce is not just the end of a relationship. It is also the dissolution of a legal contract. Traditionally, spouses had to give a legally acceptable reason for filing for a divorce, called grounds. But now, every state law offers some form of no-fault divorce option, and a handful of states are “pure” no-fault states.
What are some common grounds for divorce?
Depending on the state, common grounds used in divorces can include the following:
- Adultery
- Abandonment
- Criminal incarceration
- Desertion
- Extreme cruelty, inhuman treatment, domestic violence)
- Impotency
- Insanity
- Mental illness
- Substance abuse
All states have a no-fault grounds for divorce option as well. If you were to get divorced in one of these states, the ground you use might be irreconcilable differences, an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, or a similarly worded claim that does not allege fault.
Colorado is a no-fault state
While all states allow a no-fault option, several states are pure no-fault divorce states. Colorado is one of them. This means that you cannot file an at-fault divorce in Colorado even if you feel one spouse is to blame. Instead, your grounds for divorce must be one that does not explicitly blame one spouse.
There is no at-fault option for divorce in Colorado, and courts will not consider any claims of misconduct by either spouse when filing for divorce. Consequently, the only ground for divorce in Colorado is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
While you don’t need a reason to divorce your spouse in Colorado, you still need to fulfill residency requirements and agree on many issues, including the division of your marital property and debt, child custody, child support, and spousal support before the divorce will be granted. These may be negotiated between you and your spouse. If you can’t reach a mutual agreement, however, they may need to be decided by a judge.
No-fault divorce is widely considered a healthier and more cooperative divorce option than grounds-based divorce litigation. If you are filing for divorce in Colorado, it’s possible to navigate your no-fault divorce process without an anger-fueled and expensive legal battle.
At Hello Divorce, we are committed to changing the face of expensive and contentious divorces. We offer online divorce plans and a la carte service options that can make your process much less stressful. Schedule a free phone call to find out how we can help.
