Severance, CO Custody Lawyers

When parents go through a divorce or separation, many of them are most concerned with how it will impact their children. Though it can be difficult to come to terms with the fact that you may not see your child every day or spend as much time with them as you used to, it is still possible to find a custody arrangement that prioritizes their best interests and unique needs, while ensuring that you are able to maintain a meaningful relationship with them. This starts with having the right legal support on your side!

At New Leaf Family, our compassionate Severance custody lawyers have decades of collective experience helping families make a plan for the future that offers the security and stability they need to thrive after a major life transition. We encourage amicable pathways to mutually beneficial agreements to minimize drama and conflict, ensuring a smoother adjustment for children already facing some significant challenges.

No matter whether you are in the throes of your divorce or separation, have been co-parenting for years and feel a modification to the existing custody agreement is warranted, have just established paternity of your child, or have another issue, our elite legal team is here to guide you toward the right resolution.

Call today to schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about how we can be your partner on this journey.

Critical Factors in Colorado Custody Cases

There are several components of custody and custody cases in Colorado that our Serverance custody lawyers will help you navigate, including

• Contested vs. Uncontested – The ability of you and the other parent to reach an agreement will largely determine whether your case is contested or uncontested. If you are both committed to resolving your issues outside of court (through alternative methods of dispute resolution like mediation, for example), then you should be able to proceed with your custody case uncontested.

On the other hand, if you cannot reach an agreement or if mediation isn’t an appropriate path forward, you will have to ask the court to intervene in your contested custody case, so that a judge can make the final decision.

• Physical custody vs. Legal custody – Colorado is moving away from using terms like physical and legal custody, and instead now using the terms parenting time and decision-making, respectively.

• Parenting time – refers to the time the child spends with each parent

• Decision-making – refers to the authority a parent has to make decisions that impact the upbringing of their child (such as their education, medical care, religious exposure, etc.)

Both aspects of custody – which is referred to as parental responsibilities – can either be shared (joint parental responsibility) or allocated to one parent (sole parental responsibility, which may involve primary parenting time or sole decision-making).

In most cases, unless there is a documented and legitimate threat to the child’s safety or stability, the state of Colorado prefers that parents share parental responsibilities, though that may not always look like an even 50/50 split when it comes to time with the child.

• “Best Interests of the Child” Standard – This describes a set of factors that the Colorado courts use to determine custody arrangements, and which our Severance custody lawyers will consider when working closely with you to craft a custody arrangement for your family. It takes into account such aspects as:

• The child’s relationship with each parent
• Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs
• The child’s adjustment to home and school
• Any history of abuse or neglect
• The child’s preference (depending on their age and maturity level)
• And more.

Reaching Custody Agreements Outside of Court

Many parents choose to use an alternative method of dispute resolution called mediation to reach an agreement on custody without going to court. This not only allows them to save a lot of time and money, but to maintain control of the important decisions that will affect their kids’ lives for the next several years.

In mediation, two parties work with a neutral third-party mediator who facilitates discussion and guides the conversation toward a productive resolution. Our Severance custody lawyers have represented thousands of parents in the mediation process and helped them ensure their voice was heard. We help you prepare for mediation and walk you through the process step-by-step, protecting your child’s best interests and your parental rights along the way.

How Our Severance Custody Lawyers Protect Your Parental Rights in High-Conflict Situations

Not every case will settle outside of court, however. If the other party has a history of violence or abuse, or is otherwise uncooperative, litigation may be the only realistic path forward. Our assertive Severance custody lawyers have decades of collective litigation experience, so we have a thorough understanding of how the local judges preside over cases. We’ll put you in a prime position to achieve the results you’re seeking by gathering strong evidence and presenting a compelling case on your behalf.

Why New Leaf Family is Unique 

New Leaf Family is different from other family law firms because we:

• Provide a free, no-obligation case evaluation to ensure we’re the right fit for your family

• Offer comprehensive services include educational seminars and coaching sessions to help you build a bright future for yourself and your children

• Prioritize your family’s needs by avoiding unnecessary conflict and focusing our energy on seeking solutions that truly matter

• Offer predictable flat-rate monthly billing, you’ll never face unexpected fees or financial surprises

• Work tirelessly to reduce conflict and protect your children’s best interests while achieving favorable custody arrangements

We know decisions regarding your children are critical, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. Call today to book your free case evaluation and learn more about how our Severance custody lawyers can support you throughout this process.