Parenting Plans

The courts of today are nothing like the movies and there is no standard parenting (visitation) plan awarded in every case. Alternate weekends split down the middle are, for may divorced parents, a thing of the past, and the strong belief of Colorado courts is that a rich and stable relationship with both parents is almost without exception best for the children. Unfortunately, sometimes one parent is conducting himself/herself in a manner that is not in the best interest of the children or is using the children as pawns to hurt the other spouse. In those cases, we take all steps necessary to protect your children from harm.

The State of Colorado is one of a handful in ths country that does not apportion child custody; rather the courts consider the distribution of parental responsibilities. In divorce proceedings, both parties will need to come to agreement on decision-making power (issues pertaining to religion, medical interventions and education are common areas of contention). The default position of the courts is that decision-making is shared jointly, but if the parents can’t agree on these issues, or can’t parent together, the judge may award sole decision-making responsibility to one parent.

A second area of parental responsibility surrounds parenting time. It is the opinion of our courts that while it is in the best interest of the child/children to have time with both parents, it is common for the proportion between parties to be unequal. We have more than 20 years of experience at negotiating Parenting Plans that suit both parties and serve the best interests of the child or children.