Colorado Springs Child Custody Attorneys

When pursuing a divorce or legal separation, it's important to address and plan for the well-being of your children. Determining child custody is often a challenging experience for any parent. However, you don't have to determine custody or parenting plans on your own. That’s where an experienced family law attorney can help.

At Grabski & Shah, our attorneys have decades of experience providing compassionate legal counsel to help you pursue a custody decision that prioritizes the best interests of your child. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, we serve parents and families throughout the surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

An Overview of Child Custody in Colorado

Child custody laws in Colorado are designed to focus on the child’s best interests. Colorado law commonly refers to custody as “parental responsibilities,” which include two main components: decision-making responsibilities and parenting time.

Decision-making responsibilities pertain to which parent(s) will make major decisions about the child’s life, such as education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities. On the other hand, parenting time refers to the amount of time each parent spends with the child.

Parents are encouraged to develop a parenting plan that outlines how these parental responsibilities will be shared. If an agreement cannot be reached, the court will make these determinations based on several factors, including the child’s safety, emotional well-being, and the child's relationship with each parent.

Factors That Influence Child Custody Decisions

Colorado family courts will always prioritize the child’s best interests when deciding parental responsibilities. While each case is unique, several factors are commonly considered, including the following.

• The child’s emotional, educational, and physical needs: The court will assess each parent's ability to meet the child’s developmental needs.

• The child’s relationship with each parent: Close, positive bonds between a parent and child are an important consideration. While not the primary consideration, any healthy relationship between the child and a parent will be taken into consideration.

• The child’s adjustment to their current home, school, and community: Stability in the child’s environment matters as they transition through this challenging time.

• The mental and physical health of each parent: The court will examine each parent’s ability to provide a supportive and nurturing home life.

• Each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent: Courts typically favor parents who encourage strong relationships between the child and both parents, unless there are legitimate safety concerns.

• Any history of domestic violence or abuse: The courts will heavily factor in any prior history of abuse from either parent to protecting the well-being of your child.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, the courts may consider additional factors. However, understanding what goes into making a custody determination can help you better approach the process and provide clear documentation to support your custody claim.

Child Custody Services We Offer

At Grabski & Shah, we offer a wide range of child custody services to address the unique needs of your family. Whether you’re establishing a custody order, seeking a modification, or enforcing parenting plans, our attorneys are experienced in handling the following cases.

Establishing Parental Responsibilities

If you’re going through a divorce or separation as a parent, reaching an agreement about parenting time and decision-making responsibilities is an essential part of the process. Our attorneys will walk you through the legal requirements and work with you to develop a parenting plan that reflects your goals and your child’s best interests. When disputes arise, we are here to advocate for you, both in negotiations and, if necessary, in court.

Modifying Parenting Plans

Life circumstances often change, and parenting plans may require adjustments over time. If you or your co-parent needs to modify an existing plan due to altered work schedules, relocation, or other major life events, we can help file the appropriate motion and argue on your behalf to secure the changes that benefit your child.

Enforcing Parenting Orders

Unfortunately, there are times when one parent may fail to comply with a court-ordered parenting plan. If your co-parent is refusing to honor their responsibilities or is interfering with your parenting time, our attorneys can assist you in enforcing the order and safeguarding your parental rights.

Addressing Relocation Issues

When one parent wishes to move to a new city or state with their child, it can significantly impact existing parenting plans. We are experienced in handling relocation cases to build strong arguments either in favor of or opposing a move, while focusing on the best interests of your child.

Protecting Against Parental Alienation

Parental alienation can be devastating in custody disputes, as one parent attempts to damage the relationship between the child and the other parent. Our attorneys will work diligently to help identify signs of alienation and advocate for remedies that protect and rebuild the parent-child bond.

How Our Firm Can Help

When it comes to determining child custody, we strive to combine our in-depth knowledge of Colorado family law with a compassionate, client-focused approach to develop solutions tailored to your family's needs. Some of the reasons our clients trust us include the following.

• Creating tailored strategies for your family: No two families are the same, so we take the time to fully understand your situation and family dynamics before crafting a legal strategy to address your goals.

• Skilled negotiation and litigation: While we work to resolve disputes amicably whenever possible, we’re fully prepared to fight for your rights and advocate for the best interests of your child in court when necessary.

• Providing clear and open communication: We believe in keeping our clients informed at every step by answering your questions and explaining the legal process to make sure you feel confident and supported throughout your case.

• Staying committed to your family’s future: From the beginning of the process to the final resolution, our goal is to help you achieve a custody arrangement that sets your child up for a happy and stable future.

Colorado Springs Child Custody Attorneys

At Grabski & Shah, we understand the challenges and emotions that come with resolving child custody matters. Our skilled family law attorneys are dedicated to protecting your parental rights and pursuing an outcome that reflects the best interests of your child. From the first consultation to the final resolution, we are here to guide you through every step and provide the support you need.

If you’re facing a child custody dispute or need help modifying an existing parenting plan, contact our office to schedule a free consultation today. Located in Colorado Springs, we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.