It is the declared public policy of this state to maintain desirable marital and family relations; to promote and foster the marriage relationship and reconciliation of estranged spouses; and to take reasonable measures to preserve marriages, particularly where minor children are involved, in the interest of strengthening the family life foundation of our society, and in reducing the economic and social costs to the state resulting from broken homes. In furtherance of this policy, it is the purpose of this article to make competent marriage counseling services available through the district courts of the state to spouses involved in domestic difficulties.
Source: L. 60: p. 131, § 1. CRS 53: § 46-5-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 46-5-1.
ANNOTATION
The creation of a "marriage relationship" is a fundamental right in this jurisdiction. Beeson v. Kiowa County Sch. Dist. RE-1, 39 Colo. App. 174, 567 P.2d 801 (1977).
Support during reconciliation attempt constituted maintenance payments. Where the parties made a good faith although unsuccessful attempt at reconciliation and where the husband supported the family during this time, the support paid and contributed by the husband constituted payment of the maintenance installments accruing during the period they were living together. This conforms to the public policy in the state "to promote and foster the marriage relationship and reconciliation of estranged spouses". In re Peterson, 40 Colo. App. 115, 572 P.2d 849 (1977).