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A Denver child custody lawyer at Modern Family Law helps parents create, change or enforce parenting orders under Colorado law. Denver custody cases are filed and heard at Denver District Court in the City and County Building, and your first consultation is free. Custody cases are some of the hardest to go through, because so much feels at stake. You don't have to handle them alone.
Custody orders are made when parents divorce, legally separate or have a child together without being married. Colorado's legal term for custody is allocation of parental responsibilities (C.R.S. § 14-10-124), and it has two parts: parenting time and decision-making. Many factors go into deciding which arrangement is best for your child.
We know custody cases are hard on everyone, including the other parent and especially your kids. Our Denver family law attorneys help you through the uncertainty and give you the information you need to keep your children's best interests at the center of your case. We believe informed parents make better decisions.
Schedule a Free ConsultationParents can agree on an arrangement, or a judge can decide it. Either way, Colorado divides parental responsibilities into two parts:
Decision-making is the right to make major choices about your child's education, health care, religion and activities, like which school they attend or whether they see a specialist. It can be joint, where parents decide together, or sole, where one parent decides. A court can also split it by topic. Being clear about who decides what leads to fewer disagreements later.
Parenting time is the schedule for when your child is with each parent. Some Denver families share time closely, using schedules like 2-2-5-5 or alternating weeks. Others have the child live mainly with one parent and spend weekends, holidays and part of the summer with the other. When parents live close together and communicate well, exchanges can be more flexible.
Decision-making and parenting time aren't an either-or choice. Every parenting plan covers both. Colorado has no automatic 50/50 rule and doesn't favor mothers or fathers. The judge looks at what's best for your child, including the distance between homes, each parent's work schedule, and any special needs that call for more hands-on care.
Our Attorneys Are Ready to Listen. Our Denver custody attorneys have the knowledge, resources and dedication to prepare your case, protect your interests and work toward a good outcome for your family.
Schedule a ConsultationWe're not fans of surprises, and we suspect you aren't either. We built these calculators so you know what to expect every step of the way.
In Denver, custody cases are handled by Denver District Court at the City and County Building, 1437 Bannock St., part of the 2nd Judicial District. You can ask for parenting orders as part of a divorce or legal separation, or file a separate allocation of parental responsibilities case if you aren't married to the other parent. Your child generally must have lived in Colorado for 182 days before a Colorado court can make custody orders. If you and the other parent can't agree, the court may order mediation before a judge decides, and Colorado courts can require a parenting class.
Court forms and guides can help if you decide to handle your custody case yourself. Every case is unique, though, and these forms may not meet the needs of yours. We recommend talking with one of our Denver custody lawyers before you complete or file them.
The right arrangement depends on your child's age, each parent's work schedule, the home environment and more. It may seem simple at first, but a lot goes into deciding what's best for your family. Talk it through with your attorney so you can make an informed decision. Our Denver child custody attorneys understand these complexities and can help you make the right choices for your situation.
If you and the other parent agree on a parenting plan, the court will usually approve it. If you can't agree, a judge decides based on your child's best interests. That includes your child's needs, their relationship with each parent, how settled they are at home and school, each parent's willingness to support the other relationship, and any history of domestic violence or abuse.
Having a child custody lawyer help you negotiate matters. You can't just walk into court and ask for a schedule without explaining why it's best for your child. The judge will want to understand your family first. An experienced custody attorney who knows how Colorado custody law works in Denver can walk you through each step.
Our Denver custody attorneys understand how overwhelming the custody process can be. We'll listen to the details of your case, pay close attention to your concerns and goals, and give you clear, practical guidance to help you through this difficult time and make the best decisions for your family.
At Modern Family Law, we go to great lengths to help our clients understand the legal process. Better understanding leads to smarter choices, and smarter choices lead to greater satisfaction with the outcome. We see every case as a partnership between lawyer and client.
Our Denver child custody attorneys know how difficult these matters are. We'll guide you toward a good outcome for you and your children. We also understand the financial burden family law matters can bring. Our SimpleStart™ program gives qualified clients a way to reduce the money needed to start their case, and we explain our transparent fees up front.
Custody is an important decision that deserves careful thought. An experienced Denver child custody lawyer can help you through the legal system and toward an agreement that's best for you and your child. Contact Modern Family Law to talk with one of our child custody lawyers today.
Nicholas Tootalian
Managing Partner Denver, CO Meet Nicholas
Taylor Jordan
Associate Practice Manager Denver, CO Meet Taylor
Liz Milewski
Senior Attorney Denver, CO Meet Liz
Stephen Carbonneau
Senior Attorney Denver, CO Meet Stephen
Jasmine Johnson
Associate Attorney Denver, CO Meet Jasmine
Arantxa Prince
Associate Attorney Denver, CO Meet Arantxa
Sophia Duax
Associate Attorney Denver, CO Meet Sophia
Zack Quaratella
Associate Attorney Denver, CO Meet Zack
Jereme Reyes
Associate Attorney Denver, CO Meet Jereme
Jordan Rogers
Associate Attorney Denver, CO Meet Jordan
Kaelyn Bourgeois
Associate Attorney Denver, CO Meet Kaelyn
Cheri Kaser
Licensed Legal Paraprofessional Denver, CO Meet Cheri
Jayla Berzoza
Licensed Legal Paraprofessional Denver, CO Meet JaylaCustody has many parts, and no two cases are the same. You don't need to understand every detail, but the more you know, the easier the process will be.
Frequently asked questions
The biggest factor is the level of conflict, and it's often hard to predict at the start. Cases that settle through negotiation or mediation cost much less than those needing an evaluation or a contested hearing. We can't quote a final total up front, but we'll explain how each factor affects cost, and SimpleStart may lower your starting retainer.
No age lets a child decide. A Colorado judge can consider your child's wishes, but only as one factor, and the weight depends on your child's maturity and reasons. A thoughtful 15-year-old's views may matter more than a younger child's. Courts also try not to put children in the middle of their parents' dispute.
The judge decides based on your child's best interests. Colorado law doesn't favor either parent because of gender, and there's no automatic 50/50 rule. The court looks at your child's needs, their relationship with each parent, stability at home and school, each parent's support for the other relationship, and any history of domestic violence or abuse.
Often, yes. If you and the other parent can't agree on parenting time or decision-making, Denver District Court may order mediation before scheduling a hearing. Many parents settle some or all of their disagreements there. Mediation may not be required when there's a history of domestic violence, so tell your attorney about any safety concerns.
Yes. You can ask the court to modify parenting time or decision-making when there's been a real change in circumstances and the change would serve your child's best interests. A move, a new work schedule or a child's changing needs are common reasons. Parents can also agree to changes and submit them for approval.
Usually only with the other parent's agreement or the court's approval. Colorado requires the parent who wants to relocate to give written notice. If you can't agree, a judge decides based on your child's best interests, including the reasons for the move and how it affects time with the other parent.
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We’re not fans of surprises and we suspect you aren’t either. We built these divorce calculators just for you, so you know what to expect every step of the way.
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