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…

Divorce is never an easy time. It’s distressing for everyone involved, but for innocent children who played no part in the divorce decision, it’s life-altering and immensely difficult. Children should never have to shoulder the burden of their parent’s choices during the tumultuous time during and after their parents’ divorce. Most parents understand how upsetting divorce can be for children and do their absolute best to protect them, but for some parents, the need to hurt the other parent and…

There are many ways to form a family and experience the lifelong joy of adding a child into your home. Adoption not only offers parents the blessing of unconditional love for a child, but it also offers a child the blessing of a permanent home with loving, devoted parents who actively chose to include them in their home and family. In the United States, only 2% of parents have adopted a child, yet ⅓ of parents admit to considering adoption…

Colorado considers many forms of union between two people who join their lives or create a family. Traditional marriage is still the most common way for two people to unite, but most states now also recognize other options, including civil unions and common-law marriages in Colorado. It’s important to understand the differences between these two alternatives to a traditional marriage if you and your loved one are weighing your legal options for uniting. What is a Common Law Marriage in…