Family Law:
Allocation of Parental Responsibilities/Custody
Denver Attorneys for High-Conflict Child Custody and Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
McConaughy & Sarkissian represents parents in Colorado allocation of parental responsibilities cases, with particular experience in matters that are contested, high-conflict, or complicated by an out-of-state parent or allegations of abuse. We understand what is at stake in these cases and are committed to protecting our clients’ relationships with their children.
Our approach is to pursue a fair resolution through negotiation whenever possible. A negotiated parenting plan is often faster, less costly, and less disruptive to a child’s life than one decided by a court. However, when the other party is unwilling to negotiate in good faith, or when a child’s safety requires it, our attorneys are fully prepared to litigate a case through trial. Our legal services include:
- Contested allocation of parental responsibilities
- Interstate custody disputes and relocation
- Cases involving allegations of domestic violence, child abuse, or substance abuse
- Modification of parenting time due to a change in circumstances
- Representation for LGBTQ+ parents and non-traditional families
- Appointments of PRE/CFI
- Abduction Prevention
Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
In Colorado, courts do not award “custody” in the traditional sense. Instead, the court allocates parental responsibilities between the two parents based on the best interests of the child. This allocation has two parts: decision-making responsibility and parenting time.
Decision-making responsibility governs major decisions — a child’s education, medical care, and religious upbringing. It can be allocated solely to one parent or jointly to both. Parenting time addresses where the child lives day to day: primarily with one parent, equally between both, or on a defined schedule between the two. In cases involving safety concerns, the court may order that a parent’s time be supervised.
An allocation of parental responsibilities case is most often commenced as part of a dissolution of marriage or legal separation, but it can also be filed independently — by a parent, or by a non-parent who has had physical care of the child for six months or longer.
In contested cases, the court may appoint a Child and Family Investigator (CFI) or Parental Responsibilities Evaluator (PRE) to make recommendations to the court.
Protecting the Parent-Child Relationship
Not every allocation of parental responsibilities case is contested, but many of the ones that come to our office are, often involving a parent who has moved or intends to move out of state, allegations of abuse, or a level of conflict that makes direct negotiation between the parties difficult. These cases carry real consequences for a parent’s ongoing relationship with their child, and they are rarely resolved by simply waiting them out. We understand how difficult and emotional these matters can be. We are here to help guide you through these times and get you and your child the best possible results.
If you have questions regarding the allocation of parental responsibilities, please contact our office for a free initial consultation.
Call the M&S Law Offices today!