You Don't Need Cause to Divorce in Colorado

You and your spouse have reached an impasse. Perhaps there's been infidelity. There could also be issues with substance abuse or even spousal abuse. In many cases, divorce is just the result of two people who have grown apart and no longer have a healthy and happy relationship. There are as many reasons for divorce as there are divorcing couples.

If you've decided that divorce is the inevitable outcome of your marital breakdown, you may wonder if you need to establish a cause or grounds for divorce. Every state has a different legal approach to both marriage and divorce. While some states make obtaining a divorce a relatively difficult process, Colorado allows most anyone who is married seek a divorce without ever stating a cause or proving fault.

No-fault divorces make obtaining a divorce simpler

In some states, couples have to state the reason for their divorce unless there has been a lengthy separation. There must be grounds, and typically that means that one or both parties must be at fault for the divorce. Whatever the reason for divorce, the state of Colorado will not force you to prove it in court. That's because Colorado is a no-fault divorce state.

Thankfully, that means you won't need to demonstrate marital alienation or prove abuse in order to obtain a divorce from Colorado courts. That can make the whole process simpler for everyone involved, because any testimony and evidence provided can focus on asset division and child custody. Hearings to prove fault for a divorce could last days or even weeks and cost the individuals and the courts a lot of money.

No-fault divorces offer benefits for families

Proving fault in a divorce can add to discord between spouses at a time when it is likely already high. Both spouses may feel wronged and want to punish the other. If the divorcing couple shares children, they will most likely need to continue an ongoing relationship for the rest of their lives for the sake of the children. Whether it's shared custody or just seeing one another at special events, the futures of those with small children usually remain intertwined, despite divorce. It is better for everyone involved if the spouses are able to find some common ground and avoid open hostility.

No fault divorce can remove a major source of contention between divorcing spouses and even help them move forward into co-parenting together. It can also protect minor children in the family from exposure to the worst of their parents' behavior in court. Divorce is already hard enough on kids without forcing them to testify about or against their parents. No-fault divorce generally removes the need for children to testify, except about custody or relationship issues.

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