Colorado Threatens To Become Even More Whacked

[coscrewed]

I swear, this state is starting to make California look positively tolerable.

From the Denver Post, a bill has been introduced, (by a "small government" Republican), to require "counseling" before a divorce is granted, followed by a "cooling off" period. The counseling would of course be paid the the people who already don't have enough money to divorce.

Colorado *already* has a "cooling off" period!! Either party can force the divorce into court any time before the 90 day cooling off period expires. Once it goes to court, it takes YEARS in most counties to get through the process.

Another dispatch from Alimonyrado.

[coscrewed]

I forgot to include the link to the article:

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_19662418

There is no detail given about the bill, (the Denver Post has degenerated into nothing but a rag), but it implies the counseling would be required for a YEAR, except in "cases of domestic violence or sexual abuse". Right. So what this bill would really accomplish is a massive increase in false DV allegations.

The comments are interesting. The vast majority of commenters think is a terrible idea, which almost guarantees it will be passed.

[hoosier_dad]

Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, said he believes his proposal stands a better chance because it makes exceptions, such as in cases of domestic violence or sexual abuse.

Yet another incentive to make a false claim of domestic abuse.

[Fatheroffour]

Unintended consequences.

How do they work?

[coscrewed]

I just thought of another ridiculous unintended consequence of this bill.

In Colorado, temporary alimony is automatic regardless of length of marriage or the situation surrounding the divorce. It is ridiculously punitive, using the non-negotiable formula of 40%*higher earners gross - 50%*lower earner's gross. This means that if the lower earner is unemployed, they automatically get 40% of the higher earner's gross. There is no imputing of income or any adjustment at the time of temporary alimony, so if one spouse quits their job and files the next day, cha-ching. This is one of the worst aspects in the long list of bad aspects of Colorado divorce law.

So, someone in a mistake marriage that lasts six month could end up paying years of alimony. One year of counseling + a bare minimum of 90 days before the divorce is deemed final. If it goes to court, it will be extra years.

When will these legislators realize that every stupid law like this puts another nail in the coffin of marriage? People of all ages are just refusing to marry, especially here in Colorado. The trend of declining marriages started here about ten years ago, ironically about the same time the current alimony rules were put in place. Guess what? The "family law" sharks in CO are in dire straits now, because if people don't marry, they don't have to divorce ten years later. They are running radio and TV ads constantly trying to drum up business.

Another dispatch from Alimonyrado.

[hoosier_dad]

In Colorado, temporary alimony is automatic regardless of length of marriage or the situation surrounding the divorce. It is ridiculously punitive, using the non-negotiable formula of 40%*higher earners gross - 50%*lower earner's gross. This means that if the lower earner is unemployed, they automatically get 40% of the higher earner's gross. There is no imputing of income or any adjustment at the time of temporary alimony, so if one spouse quits their job and files the next day, cha-ching. This is one of the worst aspects in the long list of bad aspects of Colorado divorce law.

This reminds of the new requirements in my county since last year. They now require mandatory mediation for any post-divorce modification prior to court and it has to be via the system managed by the county. Not a horrible idea to relieve a burdened court system but you have no say in the quality of the assigned mediator, and like in your example the mediation expenses are split based on the most recent paystubs regardless of imputed income. So any frivolous motion my voluntarily underemployed ex wants to file she can go pro se virtually cost free via the mediation process while I pick up the tab. Luckily it only requires a minimum of a couple hours of mediation but still ticks me off that the judge recognizes her appropriate income level and associated support level but she gets a free pass on mediation expenses.

[kangaroocourt]

I just thought of another ridiculous unintended consequence of this bill.

In Colorado, temporary alimony is automatic regardless of length of marriage or the situation surrounding the divorce. It is ridiculously punitive, using the non-negotiable formula of 40%*higher earners gross - 50%*lower earner's gross. This means that if the lower earner is unemployed, they automatically get 40% of the higher earner's gross. There is no imputing of income or any adjustment at the time of temporary alimony, so if one spouse quits their job and files the next day, cha-ching. This is one of the worst aspects in the long list of bad aspects of Colorado divorce law.

So, someone in a mistake marriage that lasts six month could end up paying years of alimony. One year of counseling + a bare minimum of 90 days before the divorce is deemed final. If it goes to court, it will be extra years.

When will these legislators realize that every stupid law like this puts another nail in the coffin of marriage? People of all ages are just refusing to marry, especially here in Colorado. The trend of declining marriages started here about ten years ago, ironically about the same time the current alimony rules were put in place. Guess what? The "family law" sharks in CO are in dire straits now, because if people don't marry, they don't have to divorce ten years later. They are running radio and TV ads constantly trying to drum up business.

Another dispatch from Alimonyrado.

It seems to me that the system is set up to stack the odds against happy and healthy families. It's a mixed up, mixed up shook up world.

[Fatheroffour]

Whatever benefits the institution of marriage has are intangible.

It's no surprise fewer are getting married and waiting later in life to do it.

Maybe it's time it went the way of the Dodo. Leave it as a religious institution and take it out of the governments hands altogether.

[Trevor]

Maybe it's time it went the way of the Dodo.

Hm. Dodos were mainly bludgeoned to death by ignorant sailors, just for sport. I've felt that way...