Parental Responsibilities

Parental Responsibilities

Child-related issues in divorce are often complex and sensitive, and they revolve around the well-being and care of the children involved. This may involve parenting time, decision-making, or child support matters.  The thought of letting a judge, who does not know you or your ex, find what is in your child’s best interest should be terrifying.   Arm yourself with knowledge and a team devoted to ensuring your parental rights are heard.

What Does a Court Expect from Parents?

When a court is involved in a divorce or post-decree matter involving children, there is an expectation that the parents will prioritize the best interests of the child over the needs of the parent and ensure the children are in a supportive environment. The court will prioritize the child’s well-being above disputes between the parents.

Other common expectations a court may have include:

• Child-Focused Decision Making: This includes decisions related to parenting time, education, medical and mental healthcare, and other aspects of the child’s life.

• Cooperation and Communication:  The court will consider the communications between parents and the level of cooperation between parents in accessing or resolving disputes regarding children.

• Compliance with Court Orders:  This includes compliance with parenting plans, support payments, and communication protocols.

• Encourage Relationship with Other Parent: This includes refraining from talking about the case around your children or involving the children in a dispute between the parents.  Attempts to alienate or undermine the child’s relationship with the other parent may be viewed unfavorably.

Committed To Addressing Your Concerns

There is an immense amount of pressure that you face in a legal dispute, both financially and emotionally.  These same issues are even more stressful when your children are involved. The pressure you face as a parent to ensure your child’s well-being is protected is immense.  You need an attorney you can partner with to act on the issues that matter to you as a parent.

Sometimes, it may be necessary or helpful to have a court appointed Child and Family Investigator (CFI) or a Parental Responsibility Evaluator (PRE).   A CFI or PRE work as an investigative arm of the court and provide a written summary of the result of the investigation.  This may include a recommendation on parenting time and decision-making for your children.

Experience in Helping Parents with the following Child-Related Issues

• Establish and obtain an award of child support

• Determine or modify decision-making rights for parents

• Crafting a workable parenting time schedule for parents

• Relocation issues

• Preventing a parent from removing a child from Colorado