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A Fort Collins child custody lawyer at Modern Family Law helps parents create, change and enforce parenting orders under Colorado law. We help families in Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor and across Larimer County, where cases are heard at the Larimer County Justice Center, and your first consultation is free. Custody cases are some of the hardest to go through, and 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 calls custody 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, especially when parents live in different Northern Colorado towns.
We know custody cases are hard on everyone, including the other parent and especially your kids. Our Fort Collins 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 play a club sport. It can be joint or sole, and courts can split it by topic. Decision-making can be shared even when parenting time isn't equal. Clear terms mean fewer disagreements later.
Parenting time is the schedule for when your child is with each parent. Some families share time closely, such as 2-2-5-5 or alternating weeks. Others have the child live mainly with one parent and spend weekends, holidays and summers with the other. When one parent lives in Fort Collins and the other in Loveland, Windsor or Greeley, school-day transportation becomes a big part of the plan.
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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins, custody cases are handled at the Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Ave., Suite 100, part of the 8th 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 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 Fort Collins 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, the drive between homes 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 Fort Collins child custody attorneys understand these complexities and can help you make the right choices.
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 Larimer County can walk you through each step.
Our Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins 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.
Ariel Williams
Managing Attorney Fort Collins, CO Meet Ariel
Kyra Burke
Associate Attorney Fort Collins, CO Meet Kyra
Madelyn Braun
Associate Attorney Fort Collins, CO Meet Madelyn
Stephen May
Associate Attorney Fort Collins, CO Meet Stephen
Donald Hawkins
Associate Attorney Fort Collins, CO Meet Donald
Selena Salinas
Licensed Legal Paraprofessional Fort Collins, CO Meet SelenaCustody 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 cases with evaluations 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 they're one factor among many, and the weight depends on your child's maturity and reasons. A teenager's thoughtful view may carry more weight than a young child's preference. Courts also work to keep children out of the middle.
The judge decides based on your child's best interests. Colorado isn't a "father's rights" or "mother's rights" state. The law is gender-neutral, and there's no automatic 50/50 rule. The court looks at your child's needs, relationships, stability, 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, the Larimer County court may order mediation before scheduling a hearing. Many families settle some or all of their issues there. Mediation may not be required when there's a history of domestic violence, so tell your attorney about any safety concerns.
Yes. Either parent can ask the court to change parenting time or decision-making when circumstances have changed and the change serves the child's best interests. A move, a new work schedule or a child's changing needs are common reasons. If you and the other parent agree, you can submit the changes for approval.
Only by following Colorado's relocation process. If the move would substantially change the other parent's time, you must give written notice and get their agreement or the court's permission. If you can't agree, a judge decides based on your child's best interests.
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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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