Colorado courts always place the best interests of the child as their highest priority in all child custody decisions. When deciding child custody during a divorce, the courts consider a continued close relationship with both parents as in a child’s best interests. Unless a parent rebuts this presumption with evidence of abuse, neglect, or serious addiction in the other parent, the court typically chooses a shared custody arrangement between both parents. Still, one parent is usually the “custodial” parent who…

Divorce and co-parenting with an ex-spouse is often challenging, but when you believe your children may not be safe with the other parent or are in an unsafe situation when in the custody of your ex-spouse, it’s particularly distressing and requires immediate action. Colorado courts place the best interests of a child as their highest priority in any ruling, including in matters of child custody. If you believe your children are in immediate danger, call the police to report the…

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…

Parents understand that children and teenagers sometimes engage in impulsive behaviors and often act without thinking. Teenagers also tend to enjoy rebelling against authority and employing outrageous behaviors to impress their friends. Studies show that the human brain isn’t completely matured beyond childhood impulsive behaviors until at least the mid-20s, but how long are parents legally responsible for the actions of their offspring, and just what does this legal responsibility entail? Even when children aren’t held to account in criminal…

In today’s world of blended families, there are more and more step-parents who have developed strong bonds with the stepchildren they’ve helped to raise. But what happens when a blended family ends up in a divorce? What rights does a step-parent have when they wish to maintain a close, loving relationship with a stepchild? Sadly, Colorado family courts operate under the presumption that step-parents do not hold the same parental rights as biological parents. Instead, a stepparent seeking visitation rights…