5 Things Colorado Parents Should Know About Family Law

Clear, practical information for Colorado parents navigating divorce, parenting, support, or changes to an existing court order.

1. “Custody” in Colorado is generally discussed as parenting time and decision-making.

Colorado courts address where children spend their time and who has authority to make major decisions concerning areas such as education, medical care, religion, and extracurricular activities. Those two issues are related, but they aren't the same thing.

2. The child’s best interests drive parenting decisions.

There is no automatic rule that one parent gets primary parenting time or that parenting time must always be divided equally. Colorado courts consider a number of statutory factors when determining parenting time and decision-making responsibilities, with the child’s safety and best interests at the center of the analysis.

3. Getting legal advice early does not necessarily mean starting a court battle.

Parenting arrangements, communications between parents, and decisions made before or during a family-law case can become important later. Understanding your rights and options early can help you make informed decisions, avoid preventable problems, and sometimes keep disagreements from becoming larger disputes.

4. Child support and parenting time are different issues.

Colorado parenting plans address parenting time and decision-making, while child support is separately determined under Colorado law. A parenting plan can address all three, but each involves its own legal considerations.

5. Most family-law problems do not have to become wars.

Parents can often resolve some or all of their disagreements through negotiation, mediation, or other cooperative approaches rather than asking a judge to decide every issue. Even when litigation is necessary, thoughtful decisions early in a case can help reduce unnecessary conflict, expense, and disruption for the family.

You don’t need to be ready for a lawsuit to talk with a family-law attorney.

Sometimes the most useful legal advice comes before a problem becomes a crisis. If you have questions about divorce, parenting, support, or an existing family-court order, AJStein Family Law can help you understand your options and decide what—if anything—needs to happen next.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about Colorado family law and is not legal advice. Family-law matters depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. Reading this guide or visiting this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.