Denver Custody Lawyer

Custody Arrangements in a Divorce

Custody in Colorado is now referred to as the allocation of parental responsibilities. In divorce and separation matters, the parties must determine the allocation of decision-making responsibilities and residential responsibilities. This includes decisions regarding the child's:

• Education
• Medical treatment
• Religion
• Extra-curricular activities
• Recreational activities

Residential responsibility is the determination of where the child or children will live for what periods of time. If the children are living in both homes an equal amount of time, residential responsibility is said to be shared.  Otherwise, the parent with more overnights is considered to have residential responsibility for the children. Once the c ourt enters orders for the allocation of parental responsibility, they are difficult to modify. A Denver custody attorney at Feldmann Nagel, LLC can help you get this right the first time. We are a knowledgeable family law firm that will make sure the best interest s of the children are protected, which is the standard the court uses to enter orders for allocation of parental responsibility.

Custody Attorney in Denver

In a custody case, the parties must determine whether they are able to continue in shared decision-making for the children, or if their communication has become so terrible that attempting to make decisions in the best interests of their children is no longer possible.  The court can decide which parent should be responsible for making decisions, or determine that one parent is better to make some decisions , and the other parent other types of decisions. Both parents can also work out their own agreement regarding which parent will make decisions and in what area.

When p arents facing divorce are unable to agree upon what is in the best interests of their children, the court will involve a third party neutral, called a Child and Family Investigator (CFI), to meet with the children and the parents. The CFI will make recommendations for the court as to what he or she believes is in the best interests of the children.  While a party may always dispute the recommendations of the CFI, the use of the CFI is how the court limits the involvement of the children in the determination. Having an attorney from our office represent you during this process is imperative both in assisting you with how to handle the CFI investigation and your soon to be ex-spouse, to what considerations should be made in the best interests of the children. In matters concerning the children, how you handle yourself legally throughout the process before agreements are made, or the court ultimately decides the allocation of parental responsibility, will go far in the court's determination of the children being with you or not.

Contact a Denver custody lawyer for trusted legal counsel and assistance with custody issues if you are a parent that is planning to divorce.