Child Custody / Child Support Issues in Denver
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The Family Law Offices of “insert attorney name” in Denver practice all aspects of family law, specifically in the area of Child Custody and Child Support issues. We will keep you informed every step of the way because we know how important your children are to you.
Denver Child Support and Child Custody Overview
- The State of Colorado refers to Child Custody as “Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibility”.
- Colorado Family Court takes into consideration the best interest of the child in determining parental responsibility.
- The Court makes the final decision where the child should live.
Child and Family Investigator
- An independent party appointed by the court to investigate the relationship between the child and each parent.
- The investigator is used in cases of contested custody issues or a parent who cannot provide a safe and stable environment for the child.
- The investigator will advise the court of the best interests of the child.
Determining Child Custody in Denver
- The most important consideration in determining custody is always the children’s best interests.
- Factors taken into consideration:
- The relationship between child and parent
- The best provider
- Who does the child turn to when sick or troubled?
- Stability in the home
- Where does the child want to live if old enough to say?
Child Custody – Allocation of Parental Responsibility
- Colorado encourages joint parenting and decision-making arrangements.
- The court considers the best interest of the child when allocating decision making and parenting time.
- The non-residential custodian receives parenting time.
- The court can order both parents to make joint decisions or it can order sole decision making for one parent.
- The Colorado courts favor joint decision making.
- However, the court can order each parent to make a decision for a different issue.
- Decision making includes:
- Medical care
- Education
- Religion
- General welfare
Parenting Time
- The time the non-custodial parent spends with the child.
- Sometimes a Special Advocate will meet with the parents and/or child to make recommendations to the judge.
- Restrictions are not allowed unless the child’s physical or emotional health is threatened.
- The court can order supervised visitation if necessary.
Relocation or Move Away Orders
- The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that no Colorado court can make a parent remain in Colorado.
- As long as the child’s best interests are not violated, the move can take place.
Denver Child Support
- Child support is paid by one parent to the other parent to support their child.
- It is used for:
- Medical care
- Education – not college unless agreed to by parent
- Religion
- Miscellaneous expenses for the upbringing of the child
- Support is paid until the child reaches 19 or
- graduates from high school
- gets married
- joins the military
- gets a job
- Both parents are legally responsible for the care of their child.
- The amount is determined by Colorado’s Child Support Guidelines.
- Factors considered in determining the amount are:
- Medical and dental insurance premiums
- Child care
- Support for other children by another marriage
- Gross income of each parent
- Number of overnight visits
Child Support Modifications
- A parent can request the court to recalculate the support amount if there is a substantial change in circumstances.
- There are time limits in doing this.
Failure to pay support
- A judge can suspend your driver’s license
- Can require future payments to be paid in advance of due date
- Be faced with jail
- Federal or State Child Support agencies know how to locate you if you disappear
- The Federal Child Support Recovery Act allows the Federal government to bring criminal charges against you for non-payment.
Conclusion
Having a child custody dispute is not easy for anyone, especially the children. Call us at the Family Law Offices of “insert attorney name” in Denver; we listen closely to your concerns and our experienced attorneys will arrive at an agreement that is best for you and your children.
