Child Custody & Relocation
As a father, negotiating a fair parenting agreement can be exhausting and disheartening. Relocation of either parent can complicate things.
The Dadvocates are the only child custody lawyers in Colorado exclusively focused on protecting the rights of fathers.
We believe your kids benefit from spending as much time with dad as possible. Learn more about how we serve men throughout the state...
Dads Have Rights
In Colorado, it is illegal for the court to consider a parent's sex when making a custody decision. Nevertheless, men can face an uphill battle when they try to secure sole or joint custody of their children.
Outdated sexist stereotypes, unfair expectations, and false accusations often combine to rob fathers of proper roles in their children's lives.
The Dadvocates exist because we know that men need aggressive, knowledgeable representation in family court. If you are ready to fight for more time with your children, we encourage you to request a consultation with our lawyers. You can contact us online or give us a call.
"In determining parenting time or decision-making responsibilities, the court shall not presume that any person is better able to serve the best interests of the child because of that person's sex."
Call Us: (720) 749-2876
Hear from Real Fathers "I Couldn't Thank Them Enough"
Keith Smith
2020
Kaitlyn was prompt, courteous, and professional in handling my child custody and parenting legal issues. She answered all of my questions, and when it came time for our hearing, she was tenacious in representing me while still being compassionate with respect to the other party. We accomplished all we set out to and more, and at all times she kept my daughter’s best interest at heart. I would recommend Kaitlyn and the Dadvocates firm to anyone seeking legal representation in family law.
Robert Jones
2020
This firm is totally amazing, very professional and hands down the best I've witness, I now have JOINT LEGAL CUSTODY, visitation in Colorado and Mississippi, they fought for me as if my child was their child. The DADVOCATES really knows about fathers rights without them my daughter wouldn't get to know my family for another 2 to 3 years. I'm telling you if you hire the DADVOCATES to fight for you, you won't go wrong, and have the best in the field of dads rights handling your case, I couldn't thank them enough for what they've done for me and my daughter.
"My case lasted over a year and their team was always very attentive to my questions and concerns. If you want what is best for your child, or have an ex who is trying to take advantage of you, trust that you will be in great hands with the Dadvocates." Ron Morales, 5-Star Google Review
Get Started with a Consultation
The Dadvocates are ready to serve you. If you are a man in Colorado who needs help with a child custody case, contact our Denver headquarters to schedule a consultation. So that we can serve dads from every corner of the state, we have offices in:
- Aspen
- Boulder
- Breckenridge
- Broomfield
- Colorado Springs / El Paso County
- Crested Butte
- Durango
- Glenwood Springs
- Grand Junction
- Gunnison
- Pueblo
- Steamboat Springs
- Vail
Virtual consultations are also available. Book your appointment by filling out our online form or calling
(720) 749-2876
Why the Dadvocates? A Law Firm Like No Other
Defending Fathers
We are the only law firm in Colorado exclusively focused on men's legal issues. Our attorneys know how difficult it can be for men to win in family court, and we want to change that.
Criminal and Family Law
Our child custody cases often involve accusations of serious crimes. Our law firm employs both child custody lawyers and criminal defense lawyers that work together for your benefit.
Whatever It Takes
Other child custody attorneys may be afraid of court, but not us. Our attorneys will go above and beyond to help you secure as much time with your children as possible.
"I Would Really Recommend the Firm"
James Harris
2021
Dadvocates has an excellent team of lawyers that are caring, compassionate, and work hard to ensure that the divorce process is a smooth one! I would really recommend the firm to anyone considering a divorce. My brother’s divorce could not have gone as smooth with anyone but The Dadvocates.
Kevin Harris
2020
I had false domestic abuse accusations thrown at me suddenly in the middle of my divorce. Amy waded in there like Godzilla, systematicly destroying witness after witness, and each false claim. My ex wife had two lawyers, whom had the advantage of being able bounce ideas off each other, and had two sets of eyes on everything in court. Amy had no backup, and solod them both. I saw my kids the very next day for the first time in 112 days.
It's Tough for Fathers But Not Impossible
What to Expect Child Custody Step-by-Step
When parents decide to divorce or separate in Colorado, here is what they can expect before arriving at a state-approved custody arrangement:
Rest assured you will have the assistance of a lawyer at every step of the process.
What Determines Child Custody? Factors Courts Consider
When making a child custody decision, judges in Colorado take a number of factors into consideration. Their goal is to examine the case and approve a parenting plan that meets the child's best interests. Factors they consider include:
- The child's safety
- The mental and emotional wellbeing of the child
- The wishes of the parents
- The wishes of the child (if the child is deemed sufficiently mature)
- The parents' relationship with each other
- The child's relationship with both parents
- The child's ability to adjust to a new home, school, or community
- The mental and physical health of the child and the parents
- Each parent's ability to encourage the child to love and respect the other parent
- Each parent's history of commitment to the child
- The physical distance between the parents' residences
- Each parent's ability to place the needs of the child before his or her own needs
- The ability of the parents to cooperate and agree when making decisions related to the child
What Is Not Considered
In child custody cases, judges are prohibited from basing their decisions on:
- Conduct of the parents that is not related to their relationships with the child
- The sex of the parents
- The fact that either parent requested genetic testing of the child
"This law firm is phenomenal. They made it possible my father in law to spend more time with his daughter. The look on my father in law face and the warmth in his heart was priceless after finding out that he was granted more rights than he had before. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!" Jai Griffin, 5-Star Google Review
What's Covered in a Parenting Plan? The parenting plan you submit to the court will specify:
Allocation of Decision-Making Responsibility
You must declare whether decisions related to your child's education, health, religion, and activities will be made jointly or by a specific parent.
Allocation of Parenting Time
You must design a schedule that specifies which parent the child will live with on certain days of the week, how the child will be transported between residences, and how you and the other parent will make decisions related to special occasions, holidays, and vacations.
Relocation Agreement
You will create and sign an agreement that specifies how any future relocations will be handled.
Financial Obligations
You will calculate the amount of child support each parent is responsible for and agree on other financial matters.
Other Agreements
You will have the opportunity to create and agree to any other terms related to parenting your child. You and the other parent must also agree on how any future disputes will be resolved.
Talk to a Lawyer Today
Designing a parenting plan without the help of a child custody lawyer can be difficult. Fortunately, the Dadvocates are ready and waiting to talk to you. We are always available, and we are able to assist you remotely if necessary. Contact our law firm now so we can get started on your case as soon as possible.
Child Custody and Child Support
Child custody and child support are separate considerations, but of course, they affect one another. The amount of parenting time you are awarded will influence the amount of child support you owe or are owed.
It's important to note that a failure to pay child support does not nullify a parent's custody rights.
Calculating child support is a complicated process, but our lawyers are adept at the task. When you hire our attorneys, we will make sure that the other party does not take advantage of you during support negotiations.
Child Custody and Mediation
Divorcing or separating parents will have the opportunity to mutually agree on a parenting plan through mediation. The parents can independently choose to settle the details of their separation through mediation, or mediation may be ordered by the court in some cases.
During mediation, separating parents can negotiate the particulars of their parenting plan with the aid of a trained third-party mediator. Each parent is able to have an attorney present. Many men and women find mediation preferable to traditional court proceedings because it is less intimidating and more collaborative.
If the divorcing or separating parents are ultimately unable to come to an agreement through mediation, the court will eventually step in and issue a unilateral ruling.
At the Dadvocates, we have lawyers trained in mediation. If this is the direction you choose to go, we can be by your side to ensure your rights as a father are respected.
Colorado Child Custody FAQs
Is Colorado a 50-50 state?
No. There is no law or mandate that automatically divides parenting time evenly. Parenting time will be allocated in whatever way the court decides is best for the child. In most circumstances, that does involve significant time with both parents.
If the court determines that I committed domestic violence, or if I have a criminal record, does that mean I can no longer have a relationship with my child?
Not necessarily. Judges generally want to approve a parenting plan that allows the child to maintain a relationship with both parents. If you can convince the court that spending time with your child will not put your child in danger, you could still be awarded some parenting time.
Do grandparents have any visitation rights?
Not necessarily. Grandparents or any other third party do not have a legal right to visitation or decision-making responsibility. However, those rights can be acquired through a court order if the child's parents are deemed unfit.
When is a child old enough to make their own decision about where to live?
Colorado family law does not specify a certain age at which a child is old enough to have a say in their own living arrangements. Rather, a child's wishes can be considered when he or she is deemed "sufficiently mature to express reasoned and independent preferences" (C.R.S. 14-10-124).
What is supervised visitation?
If the court determines that it would not be safe for a parent to spend time alone with the child, the court may order supervised visitation. This means that a social worker must be present whenever the parent spends time with the child.
What are parental education programs?
Parental education programs are parenting classes that the court may order divorcing parents to attend. The classes focus on the impact of divorce on children and on teaching co-parenting skills to separated parents.
Do I need a child custody lawyer?
The law does not require you to work with a child custody attorney. You are welcome to represent yourself in these matters. However, Colorado family law is complex, and it can be difficult to make sure all of your legal bases are covered without the proper training. Our law firm highly recommends that all parents–especially fathers–work with a qualified child custody lawyer when they are going through a divorce or a separation.
Kids Need Dads
Our law firm was founded on the idea that children have better lives when they have relationships with their fathers. If your child's mother, her lawyer, or the courts are trying to keep your children from you, we want to help.
Request a consultation by contacting us online or by calling
(720) 749-2876
"Nothing But Phenomenal"
Ryan Potts
2020
This law firm is phenomenal. They made it possible my father in law to spend more time with his daughter. The look on my father in law face and the warmth in his heart was priceless after finding out that he was granted more rights than he had before. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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Roman Cordova
2020
My experience working with Kaitlyn Wright has been nothing but phenomenal. During the case she kept me well informed and did an excellent job representing me in court. I would highly recommend the Dadvocates as a father for they know the law well and how to help dads in their hardest of times.
