Resolving Parenting Time and Decision Making Disputes
When you need the best outcomes from a child custody dispute, contact a trusted family law attorney at Robbins Law Firm LLC.
Parenting time and decision making disputes can sometimes be the most contentious parts of a divorce. These issues can continue to arise well after a divorce has been finalized. Issues can arise when one party fails to comply with the terms of the parenting time or when one party files a motion to modify parenting time.
At Robbins Law Firm LLC, our attorneys have extensive experience resolving parenting time and decision-making disputes. Skilled at protecting people’s rights and interests in any legal setting, our lawyers are ready to get to work on your case so that you can get back to spending time with your family and child(ren).
Allocation of Parental Responsibilities in Colorado: Parenting Time versus Decision-Making Authority
In Colorado, allocation of parental responsibility cases generally involves two main areas:
- Parenting time. This refers to the time each parent spends with his or her child(ren)
- Decision-making responsibilities. This refers to the legal authority each parent has regarding making major decisions on behalf of a child, including education, medical, religion, etc.
If divorcing parents can agree on how to share parenting time and decision-making responsibilities between each parent, the court will usually uphold these agreements.
If, however, parents are unable to come to a complete agreement on parenting time and decision-making responsibilities, the court will step in to resolve any remaining disputed issue(s). When doing so, the court will be focus on what is in the best interests of the child(ren) when resolving these disputes.
The Best Interests of the Children: What Colorado Courts Consider
In determining what is in a child’s best interests for parenting time and decision making, the court will carefully consider some of the following factors:
- The relationship the child has with each parent.
- The physical and mental health of each parent.
- The location of each parent’s residence in relation to each other.
- Whether a child would have to adjust to a new home or community.
- Whether either parent has a history of addiction, abuse and/or criminal activities.
In addition, the court will consider each parent’s wishes regarding parenting time and decision making, as well as the child’s wishes for parenting time as long as the child is old enough and mature enough to express these wishes.
Parenting Time: More Important Information for Parents
- Child Support – Although parenting time can impact how child support is determined, parents should not assume that they will not have to pay (or they will not receive) child support when shared parenting time has been ordered. Child support is determined based on the number of overnight each parent has with the child(ren), the parents’ gross monthly income and monthly medical insurance premiums. Other factors may also be considered when established a child support order.
- Modifications of Parenting Time and/or Decision Making – Parenting time and/or decision-making responsibilities can be modified in the future if or when either parent experiences a life change necessitating a modification. For instance, moving to a new city, remarrying and/or developing a new health issue are just a few of the reasons that parents may pursue modifications of parenting time or decision-making responsibilities.
Contact a Family Law Attorney at Robbins Law Firm LLC
For experienced, effective representation in parenting time and decision-making disputes, contact a family law attorney at Robbins Law Firm LLC.
At Robbins Law LLC, our clients come first. This means that our clients can count on us to:
- Treat them with courtesy and respect
- Always be accessible them, providing them with quick responses to their concerns and needs
- Provide them with vigorous legal advocacy so they can obtain the best possible outcomes to all their family law issues.
Find out more about your best options for resolving your parenting time and/or decision-making issues by meeting with our lawyers for an initial consultation. Schedule this meeting by calling 720.419-3063or by emailing us via the contact form on this page.
From our office based in Parker, our attorneys provide the highest quality family law services to clients in Centennial, Aurora, Castle Rock, Elizabeth, Centennial, Douglas County, Arapahoe County, Elbert County, Jefferson County, El Paso County and throughout the state of Colorado.