HB 12-1233 Summary

• Amends Colorado law to allow courts to enter decrees of legal separation without requiring the physical appearance of both parties, matching existing procedures for divorce decrees.

• Permits final orders in legal separation proceedings to be entered based on affidavits from either or both parties when specific conditions are met.

• Clarifies that filing an affidavit for legal separation does not shorten any statutory waiting period required for entry of a decree.

• Allows courts to defer decisions regarding parental responsibilities, child support, spousal maintenance, and property disposition until after the decree of legal separation is entered if necessary for the parties' best interests.

• Effective July 1, 2012, applying to all petitions for legal separation filed on or after that date.