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. And they recognize that each case is unique. Relationships, economics, interactions, and more are specific and require personal attention.  Details matter. Our child custody lawyer will take the time to truly listen to you, understand what is happening in your life and provide the guidance you need.

In addition to assisting you 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.

Our knowledge and experience are critical in managing your legal issues and our service philosophy is key to helping you through this trying time. Reach out to our Denver child custody lawyer today at 720-615-1750 for your free consultation.

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 in your discussions or parenting time in court, the meaning is the same.

Parenting is never easy, but during and after a divorce it becomes even more complicated. Since you had children, you and your ex probably worked as a team. And, while responsibilities may not have been equal, you developed a functioning process. Now, as you transition to a two-household family, much is going to change.

The first item of business, and perhaps the most important, is creating a parenting plan. This document is the basis for your custody 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. Contact our Denver child custody attorney today at 720-615-1750 for your free consultation.

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 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 the 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.

Addressing Your Child Custody Questions

Our Child Custody Attorneys Provide Answers

Between the complexities of the legal process and the emotional toll of creating a new future, it makes sense that our clients have a host of questions. While many of the issues raised require specific and tailored responses, there are a number of concerns that are more general in nature.  Below we have shared those, along with our child custody attorney’s answers.

Clearly, we have shared just a few of the many questions that arise throughout the custody process.  Contact Price Family Law to schedule a free consultation with one of our child custody attorneys.

The child custody process can seem overwhelming.  The laws are complex, and your future life with your children is at stake. Experienced legal support can help you navigate as you move forward and begin your new life. We will meet with you to learn about your family and depend upon these details as we create your parenting plans.

Client Testimonial

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