Colorado will not be a neighborhood property state. As a substitute, it follows the precept of equitable distribution. Which means that in a divorce, marital property is split pretty and equitably, not essentially equally. For instance, if one partner considerably contributed to the marital property financially or as a homemaker, the court docket might award them a larger share of the belongings. Separate property, comparable to belongings acquired earlier than the wedding or by way of inheritance or present in the course of the marriage, typically stays the property of the person.
The equitable distribution system goals for a simply and truthful division of belongings, contemplating the distinctive circumstances of every marriage. Components thought-about by courts can embrace the size of the wedding, every partner’s financial circumstances, contributions to the wedding (together with homemaking and childcare), and any dissipation of belongings. This differs considerably from neighborhood property states, the place all belongings acquired in the course of the marriage are typically thought-about equally owned by each spouses no matter particular person contribution.