Protecting Parent-Child Relationships Through Separation Or Adoption
Your relationship with your child is important, and at the Law Offices of Shawn H. Smith, we can help you protect it when divorce and legal issues threaten it. Based in Fort Collins and Greeley, our experienced family law firm serves mothers and fathers in all child custody matters.
What Is Parental Responsibility?
Parenting roles are often referred to as “custody,” but this term is not used in Colorado laws. The state’s laws and courts use “parental responsibility” to describe parenting time and decision-making responsibilities. It is important to know that while these phrases are often used interchangeably, “parental responsibility” is the term adopted by the state.
Helping You Protect Your Important Relationship With Your Child
For more than a decade, Shawn H. Smith has helped Colorado residents vigorously protect their parental rights, including the rights of nonbiological parents.
In Colorado, one or both parents may be awarded decision-making authority – parental responsibility – as well as physical care (custody) of their child. There is a preference in Colorado law for joint parental responsibility and decision-making, which means that both parents make major life decisions about their children together. Those decisions may revolve around such subjects as education, medical care and religion.
As with decision-making rights, a court order regarding when each parent will be with the child for parenting time will hinge on the best interests of the child.
When you consult with the Law Offices of Shawn H. Smith, we will work with you to learn about your circumstances and help you understand how state laws will apply to your case and how those laws may impact your child.
Our goal is to help you create a parenting plan that is in the best interests of your child and agreeable to both parents. By helping clients, Shawn H. Smith has found that parties who are able to work together are often able to create plans that are satisfying for everyone. We understand that not every case can be amicably resolved, however. We will not hesitate to take your case to trial, when necessary.
Are you seeking to modify your child custody and parenting time agreement? The Law Offices of Shawn H. Smith can assist you with your modifications, as well as enforcement and contempt matters. Please contact our firm today to learn more.
Contact The Law Offices of Shawn H. Smith For Information And Guidance
We invite you to contact our Greeley and Fort Collins law offices today at 970-387-6858. Our hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.