Divorce can mean clearing one hurdle after another, and the first holiday season after a split can be a major hurdle for separated parents. New schedule adjustments and holiday stress can make the season feel overwhelming. A thought-out parenting plan can take some of the pressure off both parents during the holidays, and help everyone adjust to the new normal. Some things to include: Coordinating schedules Determine where kids are going to be, and for how long. Discuss any potential trips…

You and your spouse tried to make your marriage work. The decision to get a divorce wasn’t an easy conclusion to come to. However, you are both in agreement that your futures would be better spent apart. You know that you will have to make many decisions regarding finances, property and your children moving forward. You and your spouse will have to co-parent and continue to work together. Your children are important to both of you and you want to…

The relationship a parent has with their child is priceless. Although time spent texting or on FaceTime ensures communication, there is no substitute for close contact parents have when sharing a home or living near a child. One of the most contentious issues in a divorce is where one parent requests to “relocate” the child. In the end, one parent will be the primary and school parent and the other will be the vacation parent. Many parents involved in a…

There are about 15 calls to U.S. domestic violence hotlines per minute, according to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. That means tens of thousands of people fear for their safety every day from a romantic partner or parent. With those kinds of numbers, it is no wonder Colorado courts take emergency orders of protection, sometimes known as restraining orders, so seriously. Despite how common they are, there is a fair amount of confusion regarding what a domestic order of…

In divorce, establishing where the children will live is often one of the hardest issues to resolve. During the economic downturn, when home values plummeted, some parents got creative by “nesting.” In this arrangement children remain in the family home full-time while the parents alternate between that home and another. In some cases, the parents may even remain in the same home together, at least temporarily. This approach is back in the spotlight with a new ABC show about a…