Legal Separation

Legal Separation in Colorado differs from Divorce (Dissolution of Marriage) in that parties retain the legal status of “spouses” after they are decreed legally separated.  As such, they cannot remarry, but they are financially independent from one another after the decree enters.

The process for obtaining a decree of legal separation is virtually identical to the process for obtaining a decree of dissolution of marriage.  The same financial disclosure is required, and there is the same requirement to prepare a Parenting Plan for legally separating parties who have minor children.  Note that anytime after six months from entry of a Decree of Legal Separation is entered, either party may file a motion to convert the Decree of Legal Separation into a Decree of Divorce.