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.
Mythbusting emergency restraining orders
"Nesting" back in public spotlight
In divorce, establishing where the children will live is often one of the hardest issues to resolve.
Does helicopter parenting help in a custody case?
Utah recently passed a "free-range parenting" law that would eliminate penalties for parents who let kids act independently, provided the child is mature enough to engage in the activity and does not face unreasonable risk.
Child relocation in Colorado: The Basics
When parents in Colorado divorce, it is possible that one of them will eventually want to move far away or even to another state -- especially if he or she is looking for a new job or merely wishes to be closer to certain family members.
Are mothers automatically awarded child custody during divorce?
While many people believe that mothers receive preferential treatment during custody disputes, there are actually no set rules in Colorado regarding which parent will automatically get custody of children. Indeed, Colorado courts primary concern when determining custody is a child's best interests, not the gender of the parent.
Can moving out affect future custody?
The beginning process of divorce typically follows a certain pattern. After attempts to reconcile the marriage fail, couples tend to start taking the initial steps of separating while filing for divorce. One of these first steps is usually for one spouse to move out of the marital home. For childless couples, this move may not affect much more than property division in a divorce. However, for couples with children, a move from the marital home may affect future custody arrangements.
Can my child choose who to live with?
The term child custody has not been used in Colorado Family Court since 1999. Since then, it has been replaced with the term parental responsibility. This change of term does not impact how child custody is decided. While most aspects of a child custody case are pretty universal, in Colorado not only are grandparent's rights weighed but, in certain cases, a child may be allowed to suggest which parent he or she would like to live with.
Does mental illness play a role in child custody?
When divorcing parents are being examined by the family court for custody purposes, they may feel as though their decision making, privacy and intellect are being picked apart. In the event that the mental health of one parent is in question, these feelings may be even more intense. And as much as the parent in question may feel violated by being scrutinized for their mental health, it is unfortunately the family court's right to consider all aspects of a parent's life when determining custody.
What is parental alienation syndrome?
Divorce is difficult for all involved but especially for the children of divorcing parents. During the process of divorce, a child's life is completely changed. Their home life and schedule may change drastically, leaving them feeling frustrated and out of control. The last thing a child of divorcing parents needs is to have their mother or father's anger and resentment placed on their shoulders. Unfortunately, it is common for divorcing parents to say hurtful things about each other in the presence of their children. When these comments directly impact the feelings or thoughts a child has for a parent, it is commonly called parental alienation syndrome.
Family abduction, when to call the police.
Emotions run especially high during custody battles. Although not extremely common, child abduction by a family member does happen. For the parent left behind, the uncertainty of their child's whereabouts, and fear for their safety can be petrifying. Understandably so, many times the first thing a parent in this situation does, is reach for the phone.
