When parents get divorced, one of the most important things they must decide is who will care for their children. This is called child custody. Child custody is also called the allocation of parental responsibilities. This is the term used in the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) § 14-10-111 et seq., which govern child custody in Colorado. An experienced custody attorney can help you and the court navigate the allocation of parental responsibilities. Proper legal representation can help the court understand the importance of your presence in your child's life. If you are facing a child custody or child support dispute, seeking legal help from our Johnson Law Group's experienced family law attorneys can be the difference in your positive outcome. Call or text (720) 744-3513 for a free initial consultation.
Colorado Custody Statues
The court will determine who will have the child live with them most of the time and how much time each parent will spend with the child. The court will also decide how much child support one parent will pay to the other to help support the child. In Denver, Colorado, the law governing child custody is found in the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) § 14-10-111 et seq. These statutes set forth the factors the court will consider when determining child custody. These factors include:
- The wishes of the child, if the child is old enough to understand what child custody means.
- The child's physical, emotional, and psychological needs.
- The parent's ability to provide for the child's physical, emotional, and psychological needs.
- The parent's relationship with the child.
- The parent's ability to cooperate in making decisions about the child's upbringing.
- The child's relationship with siblings and other important people in the child's life.
- The child's community ties.
- The child's school and extracurricular activities.
- Any history of domestic violence or child abuse.
In a child custody case, the court aims to determine what is in the child's best interests. The court will consider all of the factors listed above and make a decision that it believes is in the best long-term emotional and physical well-being of the child.
Custody Arrangements
The court can order a few different types of child custody arrangements. The most common types of child custody arrangements are:
- Sole physical custody: This means that one parent has the child live with them most of the time. The other parent may have visitation rights, but the child will not live with them.
- Joint physical custody: This means that the child lives with both parents for significant periods of time. The parents will need to work together to create a parenting plan that outlines how the child's time will be divided.
- Shared legal custody: This means that both parents have the right to make decisions about the child's upbringing. The parents will need to communicate with each other and reach agreements on important issues, such as education, medical care, and religion.
- Shared physical and legal custody: This is the most flexible type of child custody arrangement and can be a good option for parents who are able to communicate and cooperate effectively.
In addition to determining child custody, the court will also order child support. Child support is the financial obligation that one parent must pay the other parent to help support the child. The amount of child support that is paid is based on a number of factors, including the parent's income, the number of children, and the child's needs.
Child Support Guidelines in Denver
The court will use the Colorado child support guidelines to calculate the amount of child support that should be paid. The child support guidelines are a mathematical formula that takes into account
- The parents' incomes.
- The number of children.
- The child's needs.
The parents can either agree on the amount of child support that will be paid, or they can have a mediator or attorney help them reach an agreement. If the parents cannot agree on the amount of child support, the court will order child support for them.
Johnson Law Group Child Custody Resourceful Attorneys
If you are going through a divorce in Denver and need help with child custody or child support, contact the experienced family law attorneys at Johnson Law Group. Our Child Custody Attorneys can help you understand your rights, options and effectively represent you during custody modifications in court.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- Guide to Child Custody in Colorado
- How to File for Custody of a Child in Colorado in 2023
- How To Get Custody Of A Child In Colorado
Free Attorney Child Custody Consultations
If you are going through a divorce in Denver and you need help with child custody or child support, schedule a free consultation with our intake attorney, Mike Leyba. You deserve an experienced family law attorney at your side. Our Johnson Law Group team is ready to consult with you and formulate a plan that works for you. Our Family Law attorneys can help you understand your child's custody rights and options with effective representation in court. Call or text 720-445-444 or email us at info@johnsonlgroup.com.
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