Opinion ID: 1184045
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: All Other Circumstances of the Case.

Text: It is evident that the provision all other circumstances of the case was meant to include all other matters which would have a bearing on the division and distribution of property. All factors previously expressly enumerated in Sec. 324-37 are not exhaustive. Kraus v. Kraus, Colo., 411 P.2d 240, sets forth the following factors which should be considered: the value of the estate to be divided; the ability of each spouse to earn money; how the property was acquired; and the age and status of the parties. In the instant case, the marriage was normal and happy; it was not mercenary [2] and for the wife, was not a marriage of convenience. The parties first met in May, 1952, and in 1954, as the husband described it, the wife moved into the downstairs apartment of his house. The parties were married in December, 1957. Signs of trouble in the marriage began to appear in the spring of 1964. They were finally divorced in January, 1966. It is difficult to determine what prompted the trial court to denominate the marriage as being a fairly short marriage. It is noted, of course, that the duration of the marriage, whether long or short, is not significant in itself unless it is considered in relation to whether the marriage was a happy one. We are of the opinion that six and a half years of happy marriage is sufficiently long to be considered in favor of the wife. To conclude that a year and a half of unhappy marriage outbalanced and summarily wiped out the good and happy years, we think is inequitable and unfair. We conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in not fully and properly considering the provisions of Sec. 324-37 in reaching its decision concerning the division and distribution of property.