Colorado just isn’t a group property state. As a substitute, it follows the precept of equitable distribution. Which means in a divorce, marital property is split pretty, not essentially equally. For instance, if one partner considerably contributed to the wedding financially whereas the opposite primarily centered on childcare, the court docket would possibly award a bigger share of the property to the first monetary contributor. This contrasts with group property states the place all property acquired in the course of the marriage are sometimes break up 50/50 no matter particular person contributions.
The equitable distribution mannequin goals for a simply and truthful end result, recognizing the distinctive circumstances of every marriage. This may be notably essential in conditions involving complicated monetary preparations or when one partner has made vital non-financial contributions, corresponding to homemaking or elevating kids. Traditionally, many states operated underneath authorized frameworks that always deprived non-earning spouses in divorce proceedings. The shift in direction of equitable distribution goals to supply extra balanced and equitable outcomes.