Denver Child Custody Attorney

Working with Our Child Custody Attorney: Exceptional Knowledge And Hands-On Service

The combination of complex legal issues and emotionally charged individuals makes thinking logically and making smart choices incredibly difficult. When custody of minor children is in question, engaging qualified legal representation is critical. You need to work with someone who not only understands the law but also appreciates how personal this process is.

The team at Price Family Law provides the perfect combination of experience and empathy. They know Colorado parenting laws and have years of experience representing parents in the state. Additionally, they truly appreciate that the decisions made in this process affect families and relationships. They know the process can be frightening and incredibly emotional.

In addition to assisting in the preparation and submission of a parenting plan and representing you in court if necessary, we are always available to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Navigating The Parenting Time Process: Rely on Our Child Custody Lawyer

For years, in Colorado and across the country, the terms “custody” and “visitation” were regularly used. In recent years, Colorado and many other states have begun to substitute the term “parenting time.” Whether you refer to “custody” or “parenting time” in court, the meaning is the same.

The first item of business, and perhaps the most important, is creating a parenting plan. This document is the basis for your custody modification agreement. It identifies where your children will live, the amount of time they will spend regularly with both you and your ex-spouse and determines schedules to which you both must adhere. Creating a plan with which both parents agree can be challenging — opinions as to what is best for the children can differ.

Each family’s parenting plan will be specific. It will take into account a host of things, including schedules, healthcare needs, schools, and relationships. At Price Family Law, our child custody lawyer will address each plan individually. We appreciate that your needs are unlike anyone else’s. We are well-equipped to handle unique situations.

We are known throughout Denver for the personal attention we provide to each of our clients. Taking the time to gain a complete understanding of your family, your needs, and your wishes and incorporating them into a child custody agreement that provides the best for you and your children is our most important goal.

Moving through a divorce and making child custody decisions can be draining. Because we are not personally involved in the emotional aspect of your relationship, we are able to provide logical and sound legal advice as well as a calming presence. We are committed to working to ensure that the custody agreement reached is best for you. We share your goals.

Child Custody: An Overview

Understanding Your Rights in A Child Custody Agreement

As a parent, one of the most important rights you have is to maintain a relationship with your children. Custody agreements, with the guidance of a custody rights lawyer, determine a number of things, including the physical aspect of how these relationships will look in the future.

Where will your children live? How much time will they spend with you and with your ex? Answers to these questions are incredibly personal. To determine them, a parenting plan must be submitted to the courts.

This document should include a:

• Schedule of time spent with each parent
• Process for how decisions will be made
• List of specific parental responsibilities
• Guideline for holidays and vacations
• Plan for managing disputes.

Once agreed to by all parties and approved by the courts, this document will guide you as you transition from one household to two.

Your Rights as A Parent

As divorce attorneys, we always warn that not all custody agreements result in 50/50 parenting time. If you are the parent whose child lives with you for less time, you may be concerned about your influence on their lives. However, where children live does not determine full parenting responsibility. And, you do have rights.

Both parents have the right to participate in decisions regarding their children, regardless of their parenting time. Physical and legal custody (decision-making responsibility) are separate issues, and legal custody is often shared between both parents, regardless of where the children live. As such, both parents have input into:

• Healthcare decisions
• Education
• General well-being.

Access to your children’s records is integral to your decision-making rights and responsibilities. Both parents have the right to review their children’s medical and educational records.

One additional important right you maintain is helping to determine where your children reside. Relocation with children is not a unilateral decision. In fact, permission from the other parent or a court decision is necessary for both out-of-state relocation and long-distance moves (more than 45 minutes from the home).

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, your parenting agreement determines the time you must spend with your children. Your ex cannot alter or limit this. If you are in a situation where your parenting time is compromised, contact our Denver child custody lawyer for advice and counsel. The law is on your side.

Should parenting time compliance become a regular issue, you do have the right to take legal action by filing a motion in court. If the judge determines that your time has been unfairly compromised, you may be provided compensatory time and, in some cases, even court fees. If your ex-spouse repeatedly ignores the parenting time terms, you may decide to petition for contempt of court.

Visitation Schedules Must Be Observed

Under the law, your ex cannot deny you the right to spend time with your children as outlined in the custody agreement you filed with the courts. The contents of your agreement are legally enforceable.

However, if your child is in physical or emotional danger because of time spent with a parent, restrictions may be enacted.

Consult with our Denver child custody attorney if you are in this position. You can reach us at 720-615-1750.

How Is Custody Determined in Colorado?

Parenting Plans Are The Critical Documents

A parenting plan is a document in which your custody arrangement is determined. As with most decisions, when both parents agree the process is infinitely easier. If you and your ex have similar wishes and can agree on how to move forward, our child custody lawyer will draft an agreement for you. This document, which will be comprehensive, will include residential schedules, vacations, and holiday plans.

Unfortunately, in many situations, parents are unable to agree. If this happens, the case is moved to the courts. If you find yourself in this position, relax! We will work with you to help you appropriately present the factors deemed important to the court.

In a perfect world, parents would equally share custody of their minor children. The state of Colorado agrees but does not mandate this. They recognize that this agreement is not always best. If you are looking for a different type of schedule, our team will work with you to help identify your reasons, present them to the court, and illustrate why they are in the best interests of your children.

What Factors Can Affect Custody Decisions?

The primary consideration in determining custody is the best interests of the children. Because of this, the state of Colorado considers a host of issues that include, but are not limited to:

• Wishes of the parents
• Emotional and developmental needs of the children
• Relationships with extended family
• Children’s preferences (when appropriate)
• Neglect or abuse (including substance abuse)
• Location (where parents live in relation to each other, school, activities, relatives, friends, etc.)
• Domestic violence.

In general, parenting plans can be modified over time, as necessary. They remain in effect until children turn 18.

Why Choose Us?

If you are looking for a child custody lawyer in Denver, rely on the attorneys at Price Family Law. Some of the reasons why you should rely on our team include:

• We have a significant amount of experience helping parents of all backgrounds navigate child custody law.
• We will always treat your case with the care and compassion that it deserves.
• We have a variety of positive client testimonials that shed light on what it is like to work with Denver child custody attorneys.
• We always explain everything to you in a way that you can understand. This makes it easier for you to make the right decision.

For all of these reasons, you should count on Price Family Law if you need Denver child custody lawyers.

How Can We Help?

If you partner with a child custody defense attorney from Price Family Law, there are several ways we can help you. They include:

• We can speak to witnesses and ask for documentation, with the assistance of a child support lawyer, that can help you support your case.
• If you need to petition for changes involving your child custody agreement, we can help you with that.
• If you need to write a new child custody arrangement from scratch, we can help you with that as well.
• If you need a legal professional who can negotiate with the other party on your behalf, our attorneys can help you.

If you need to go to court to address a specific concern, we can assist you with that as well.

Our goal is to make the process easier for you by helping you navigate the court system and address legal issues. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, contact us today to schedule a case consultation.

FAQs Addressing Your Child Custody Questions

Let’s look at some frequently asked questions concerning child custody, to help you better understand your situation.

Is Equal Parenting Time Mandated in Colorado?

Courts look at each family’s specific situation and reasons for varying requests. While a 50/50 custody arrangement is often seen in Colorado (and appreciated by the courts), an even split of parenting time is not required.

My Ex and I Cannot Reach an Agreement on Our Child Custody Parenting Plan. What Should I Do?

In cases like this, parenting time decisions would be made by the courts. Our child custody lawyer can represent you in this process and help to protect your best interests.

What Does the Phrase “Parental Responsibilities” Mean?

This term refers to where your children will live, the parenting time schedules, and other major decisions including those related to health and education.

We hope that these answers help you to better understand child custody cases in Colorado. We recognize that this list is not comprehensive, and you probably have a lot more questions.

Contact Price Family Law for A Case Consultation Today

If you need help navigating child custody issues in Denver, Price Family Law is here to help you. Our Denver child custody lawyers have an unparalleled level of experience helping families address child custody concerns, and we can help you as well. We offer free consultations because we always put the needs of our clients first, and we can do the same for you as well.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment at 720-615-1750 and let us help you protect your rights and defend your interests.

Client Testimonial

”Trista is an incomparable in her field. Fierce, smart, just, and easy to work with.” – Cydell Moore (Google Review)