Child Custody

It goes without saying that parents care deeply for their children and will fight ardently for what they believe is in their children’s best interest. As a result, child custody is often the most contentious portion of the case in divorce proceedings. This issue is a magnet for litigation because its impact is one of the longest lasting after the divorce is finalized. Many studies illustrate how dramatically affected children can be by divorce and/or custody battles, and it is thus important for parents to understand from the very beginning of their case that the decisions and orders that come out of their custody case now can and will have effects that endure for their, and their children’s, entire lives. 

Even in custody cases where the parents were never married, the basic points of contention remain the same: 

• What will the parenting time schedule look like?
• Which parent, if any, should have more time with the child and why?
• Who should have the authority to make the major decisions affecting the child’s life, including his or her education, medical care, and religious instruction?

The list of concerns and frustrations surrounding the issue of child custody is a long one, but you don’t need to let this list overwhelm you because it is always okay to ask for help. You should never feel ashamed about having to ask an experienced attorney to help you formulate your concerns into an effective legal strategy. 

Asking for help is an important step because there are all kinds of misconceptions about what the laws are and about what to expect from the court. Parents need to understand that just because they saw something in a movie or heard that a friend of a friend got a certain result in their case does not mean that either of those outcomes is one they can or should expect in their own case.  Every family is unique, and every child brings with them their own set of circumstances that must be accounted for in your case. Because no two cases are alike, and because Colorado domestic relations judges have broad discretion in deciding nearly all aspects of your final custody orders, it’s easy to see why everyone seems to know at least one person who is going through a nightmare of a legal case. 

Don’t let yourself become the cautionary tale for someone else.  Acknowledge the validity of your concerns and that it is okay to reach out for a guiding hand to help you handle these complex issues. Details matter in every case because the details shape how your case will be negotiated, how your story will be told to the court, and ultimately, the long-term results you obtain.  But details require strategy to be managed effectively, and an effective, expertly customized strategy is exactly what you can expect when you hire us to help you with your child custody concerns.