Broomfield Child Custody Lawyer

Regardless of marital status, child custody is among the most difficult issues parents confront in the family courts. Deciding where your child will live and how child-rearing decisions will be made can be overwhelming and quickly escalate into conflict between parents.

Colorado parents who cannot agree on a parenting plan that is in the best interests of their child will have one imposed upon them by the court. A child custody attorney at Danielsen Westhoff, PC, can help you avoid a court-imposed parenting arrangement by creating a parenting time solution that meets your child’s best interests and your family’s unique needs. If you are undergoing a child custody battle, contact the Broomfield child custody lawyers at Danielson Westhoff today.

Why Choose Danielsen Westhoff, PC?

The Broomfield family lawyers at Danielsen Westhoff, PC, represent clients with child custody issues in Broomfield and Jefferson County. We work hard to minimize conflict by reaching a mutually agreeable parenting time solution through negotiation or mediation. This can also reduce fees and save time.

When it is not possible to reach an amicable resolution, our skilled litigators know what it takes to win in court. Danielsen Westhoff, PC, will fight for you and your children’s best interests.

What Is Child Custody In Colorado?

Allocation Of Parental Responsibilities

The term child custody is not used in Colorado legal proceedings. Instead, Colorado refers to child custody as the Allocation of Parental Responsibilities or APR. APR addresses the parenting time and decision-making responsibilities each spouse is allotted for their children.

Parenting Time

Colorado refers to physical custody as parenting time. This is where a child lives. Co-parents may share parenting time equally, called joint parental responsibility, or one parent may be the primary parent.

There will likely be a primary parent in cases where one parent has a history of neglect, abusive behavior, mental illness, or addiction issues with drugs, or alcohol.

Decision-Making Responsibilities

Decision-making responsibilities for a child are the ability to make a child’s major life decisions such as:

  • Schooling
  • Medical care
  • Religious upbringing
  • Extracurricular activities
  • And more

Parents may share decision-making responsibilities jointly or one parent may retain sole decision-making responsibilities. Parents who share decision-making responsibilities jointly must be able to cooperate and make decisions.

The court will award decision-making responsibilities solely to one parent when joint decision-making responsibilities would not be in the best interest of the child.

The Best Interests of the Child

Colorado’s family courts make all child custody decisions in light of the best interests of the child. Unless one parent is a danger to their child or threatens their child’s health, safety, or welfare in some way, “best interests” includes frequent and continuing contact with that parent.

There are numerous statutory factors used by the court when determining a child’s best interests. These include but are not limited to:

  • The child’s wishes, if they are mature and well-reasoned
  • Any family relationships
  • The physical location of each parent
  • The past involvement of each parent with the child
  • Any history of domestic violence
  • The mental and physical health of each parent
  • The ability of each parent to put the child’s needs ahead of their own
  • The ability of each parent to encourage love, affection, and contact between the child and the other parent

The court will consider any evidence of domestic violence, child abuse, or child neglect. When the court is concerned about a child’s well-being, they may order supervised parenting time or deny visitation entirely.

Contact an Experienced Broomfield Child Custody Attorney Today

Reach out to the experienced Broomfield child custody attorneys at Danielsen Westhoff, PC. We want to help you protect your parent-child relationship.

Call us at (720) 739-1770​ to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your situation. We also respond quickly to online inquiries.

The courts operate more slowly than you might realize. If you have been denied contact with your child, speak with Danielsen Westhoff, PC, about an emergency hearing. This could lead to a temporary solution while your case is pending.