Colorado family courts work on the principle that all decisions made are in the best interests of the child, including child support orders. Typically, the courts decide and enforce matters of child support within the state, but what happens when a parent with a child support order moves out of the jurisdiction and into another state, muddying the court’s ability to enforce payments? Whether the parent moves due to a legitimate work opportunity, to fulfill family obligations, or they move…

Divorce is stressful under any circumstances, but in an equitable division divorce state like Colorado, a parent with a substantial inheritance intended for a child may find that the inheritance becomes a serious point of contention in the divorce, especially if the other spouse is not the child’s biological parent but a step-parent. When a court divides marital assets in a way that’s perceived as fair and equitable to both parties, assets one parent may intend to go to their…

Navigating Colorado’s rules of evidence in family court can be complex. Just as an editor at a major newspaper might strike through lines of a journalist’s work to ensure that only relevant, factual information ends up in the final copy, a court disallows evidence that isn’t relevant to the matter at hand or evidence that relies on hearsay. While some basic insights into what is and is not admissible in family court can be helpful, it’s always best to speak…

No one relishes the idea of estate planning, or planning what happens after their death, but it’s especially challenging to take on the most important part of estate planning for parents — the necessary steps toward appointing a guardianship for your children should you die while they are still dependent minors. If parents neglect this critical aspect of family estate planning, then a judge from the probate court will decide where to place children and who has legal guardianship of…

There are many reasons for requesting a Temporary Restraining Order in Colorado Family Court. Any person with fears for their safety can seek a restraining order against their alleged abuser. The main reason people seek a TRO in family court is for protection against domestic violence assaults or threats of domestic violence. In a family court setting, most temporary and permanent restraining orders are issued against an allegedly abusive spouse or domestic partner. The courts may also grant a TRO…