SB 25-116

Senate Bill 25-116 updates Colorado's laws regarding divorce and legal separation by extending the period during which restraining orders must be disclosed from two years to five years before a petition is filed. Additionally, it requires courts considering spousal maintenance to take into account any history of domestic violence or abuse between spouses when making decisions. This bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions are now in effect and will impact how divorce proceedings handle restraining orders and spousal maintenance determinations.

Official Summary

Current law requires a party petitioning the court for dissolution of marriage or legal separation (petition) to disclose to the court the existence of any prior temporary or permanent restraining orders and civil protection orders, any mandatory restraining orders and protection orders, and any emergency protection orders entered against either party within 2 years prior to the filing of the petition. The act extends the time frame for the disclosure of any orders entered to within 5 years prior to the filing of the petition. In a proceeding for spousal maintenance, current law requires the court to consider a list of relevant factors. The act adds to the list of factors whether a spouse has engaged in domestic violence, coercive control, economic abuse, litigation abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, or unlawful sexual behavior against the other spouse. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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