What If I Need To Change My Parenting Schedule For The School Year?

Can parenting time arrangements be changed for the school year?

Parenting time arrangements may need to change during the school year. If a school year arrangement was not considered in the original parenting plan or the original school year arrangement needs to change, a modification request will need to be submitted to the court or agreed upon by both parents. As far as what the court may or may not approve, the court looks into a few different things when considering a school year parenting arrangement. These factors can include:

  1. The distance between parties and the school. The court will often try to prevent kids from traveling huge distances to and from school, so one party being significantly closer to the school can affect who will have more weeknight parenting time.
  2. Record for school attendance. If one party shows an inability or unwillingness to get the kids to school on time or consistently, the court will take this into consideration.
  3. Ability to assist with schoolwork. If one party shows an inability or unwillingness to help with schoolwork or encourage education, the court will consider this.
  4. Parents’ work schedules and alternate care arrangements: The court may award more weeknight parenting time to one parent if that parent has more appropriate before and after school care, or even overnight care, depending on the parent’s schedule
  5. History of giving up parenting time. If you have a history of giving up or rescheduling parenting time, the court may consider less parenting time for you so that the children may have a more consistent schedule.
If we want to change our parenting arrangement for the school year, how do we do it?

Unless both parties agree to the changes to the parenting plan, the modification will likely take a good bit of time, so it is a good idea to get started on the process as soon as possible. That being said, if both parents can agree on the modifications, the process is fairly easy. After an agreement has been reached, the parents will need to file a “Stipulated Modification of Parenting Time” with the court. The court will then review this document and, most likely, accept the changes to the parenting plan. It is important to remember that until the court approves the changes to the parenting plan, it is important to stick to the most recent parenting plan that was ordered by the court.

If the parents cannot come to an agreement on how to change the parenting agreement, the process is a little different. The first step is to look at your current parenting plan and determine if that plan requires the parents to attend mediation. Parenting plans often require the parents to attend mediation before any documents are filed. Even if mediation is not required by your parenting plan, it can still be a helpful tool in reaching an agreement with your former spouse amicably and quickly. If mediation is not required, you need to file a “Motion to Modify Parenting Time” with the court. Once this paperwork is filed, the court will set an “initial Status Conference” and provide a “Case Management Order”. Both of these will help determine the path forward, including dates and requirements to change the parenting agreement. The final step is the “Final Orders Hearing”, during which you can present facts, testimony, and evidence to support your reasoning behind the request to a modification of the parenting agreement.

What if I believe my spouse is unfit to have custody of our children? What do I do?

There are a few different routes to take depending on the severity of the situation. If your concerns do not require immediate attention, you can file a “Motion for Modification of Parenting Time”, as discussed above. This motion may be filed every two years or as often as necessary, as long as you can prove that circumstances have changed. The change in circumstances could be a variety of things, including, but not limited to, moving, use of drugs or illegal substances, or the creation of an unsafe situation for children. In proving this change of circumstances, it may be helpful to hire a third-party investigator, called a Child and Family Investigator or Parental Responsibilities Evaluator. To be clear, this is not an immediate solution and will take a minimum of 3 months to complete. Following a minimum of 3 months, the court may deny the modification and elect to keep the parenting plan consistent or modify the plan in line with the requested modification or in any way the court sees fit to modify the parenting time agreement.

If your situation is more urgent, there are two roads that will lead to a quicker reaction from the court. One of these options is to file a “Motion to Restrict Parenting Time”. This motion must include the reasons that you believe the children will be endangered, either physically or emotionally, by remaining in the care of the opposing parent. The court is required to set a hearing date within 14 days of filing this motion, making it significantly quicker than filing a “Motion for Modification of Parenting Time”. When the date of the hearing comes around, you should make sure to bring any evidence you have that your children are not safe with the opposing parent. It is important that this evidence is not just what your children have told you, as this can be considered “hearsay” and may not be admissible evidence. If the court finds that you are correct and the other parent is physically or emotionally endangering the child, there may be steps or restrictions put into place that the opposing parent must go through if they want to regain any parenting time. For example, if the opposing parent has been using drugs, the court may order a rehabilitation program before they are allowed to regain any parenting time. The court can also restrict or reduce the opposing parent’s parenting time. It is important to remember that this is a very serious claim and should not be filed without base. If this motion is found to be baseless or vengeful, the court may require you to pay the opposing parent’s attorney fees.

The second option for a more urgent case is contacting Child Protective Services (CPS). CPS is a government agency that investigates claims of child abuse or neglect. This is the most serious action and will result in the most immediate response. Before getting more into this process, it is important to note that calling CPS on the opposing parent will also invite CPS to investigate you. The organization is meant to make decisions in the best interest of the child and they cannot do this without investigating every aspect of your children’s lives.  This investigation will include interviewing both parents, various witnesses, and the children themselves. CPS will generally make findings of the best situation for the children without initiating action through the court. In more severe cases, however, CPS will initiate action through the courts called a “Dependency and Neglect Action”. This may result in the child being removed from the unsafe environment, supervised visitation, reintegration therapy, substance abuse monitoring, or any action that the court feels is appropriate to the situation.

The Child Custody Process

The child custody process can be stressful for both parents and children. But knowing the basics of the process ahead of time, as well as what documents you might need to collect, can help the process run a little smoother and reduce the impact to your children.

What is the Child Custody Process?

The child custody process in Colorado is referred to as Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, or APR for short. Either parent, or even stepparents, grandparents, or guardians, can initiate the custody process, or APR action, by filing a Petition for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities with the court. For the parent to be able to file in the state of Colorado, in most cases the child has to have lived in the state for 6 months before filing. There are some exceptions to this rule, but the 6 months requirement is what will generally be used.

During the child custody process, the court will address three main things:

  1. parenting time, or what is called physical custody
  2. decision making for the child, including decisions regarding education, medical needs, religion, and extracurricular activities
  3. child support
How Is Child Support Determined?

To help the judge decide on these three core areas, each parent will also need to complete a Sworn Financial Statement and mandatory Financial Disclosures. Both of these documents will help the court determine who will pay child support, if at all, and how much they will pay. That number will be based on a formula that Colorado courts use, which takes into account the parents’ incomes, the number of overnights the child or children will spend with each parent, and the payment of other expenses for the child or children, which can include childcare expenses, insurance, or education costs. You can estimate what your child support costs might be using Divorce Matters’ Child Support Calculator.

What do the Courts Look at When Determining Parenting Time and Decision Making?

As far as parenting time, or physical custody, and decision making, the court will determine the amount of parenting time and decision making based on the “best interests standard.” This standard can be subjective and is based on a variety of factors. Because of this, it is a good idea to begin to gather evidence of your involvement in your child or children’s life. This can include involvement in schooling, medical needs, and extracurricular activities, as well as the child or children’s connection to your home, their school, and community, and an ability to co-parent, encourage, and love.

Sometimes a neutral, third-party professional, known as a Child and Family Investigator (CFI), is appointed by the court to help make recommendations regarding parenting time and decision making. The Child and Family Investigator will get to speak to the children and get to understand their preferences and feelings toward the situation. This can be especially helpful because children are generally not allowed to testify before the court. With the CFI, the court and the judge will be able to hear and take the child’s opinion into account. In addition to the above, each parent should be prepared to attend a co-parenting class. Judges will often require this class, so it’s a good idea to plan to attend ahead of time.

How Long Does the Process Take?

While there’s no set timeline for how quickly these cases move, it just depends on how well the parents are able to comply with the court’s requirements and reach an agreement. If you are able to reach agreements regarding parenting time early in the process it could take as little as a couple of months to complete the process. As with most legal processes, it will be shorter and less expensive if an agreement can be reached outside of court! And as always, the process will run far smoother if you have an attorney to guide you along in the process. Divorce Matters has a variety of attorneys who are experienced in child custody matters and are able to help!

Will I be Affected by Changes to the 2021 Child Tax Credit?

Recently it was announced that under the American Rescue Plan Act the expanded Child Tax Credit would be distributed differently in 2021. This year, half of the tax credit will be distributed on a monthly basis beginning in July and the other half will arrive with your 2021 tax refund. While this tax credit is a welcomed relief for many families who are struggling to make ends meet, it also spells confusion for most folks who are going through or already divorced.

How will this tax credit be distributed if I am divorced?

The Child Tax Credit can only be claimed on one tax return, so if you are divorced or filing separately this means that only one parent will be able to claim the tax credit. A court order or separation agreement will name the person eligible to claim the tax credit, this is typical whichever parent has primary custody. There are several ways a 50/50 custody arrangement might address this, for example, some may choose to file with the tax credit every other year.

Can the courts rule that this year’s tax credit be split?

In most cases, the courts will follow whatever was agreed upon in your separation agreement or court order. However, this is not the end of the line if you wish to treat this year’s tax credit differently. For example, if your ex claims the tax credit every year but you are able to come to an agreement with them that you will file for the tax credit this year, you can file an IRS Form 8332. This form is a right of tax benefit transfer, which would allow you to claim for this year. Please be aware that it is important you check with your attorney first before moving forward with anything that deviates from your separation agreement. We also suggest seeking out a tax professional for help with filing your taxes.

Can the tax credit payments be garnished for child support if I am behind on my payments?

Per the American Rescue Plan Act, this tax credit is not subject to garnishment meaning you will receive the full amount from the government. However, this does not protect that payment from garnishment or levy once the money is in your bank account. Another consideration is that while it won’t be garnished when distributed when you file your taxes at the end of the year it may be subject to offset.

What do I do if the tax credit was claimed by my ex, but I was supposed to claim it this year?

The best way to handle this is to get in touch with your attorney. They will be able to help you chart the best course of action, whether that be reaching out to negotiate with your ex and coming to an amicable resolution, or filing a motion of contempt with the courts.

If you have questions, please reach out to one of our experienced attorneys today.

Attorney Brooke Shafranek Answers Your Questions Regarding COVID-19 and How It Affects Your Divorce

Divorce Matters attorney Brooke Shafranek answers questions submitted from the community. https://youtu.be/vQBnBmm3a0U Q. Can I still get a divorce? (0:18) Q. What can I do if I’m experiencing an emergency, such as domestic violence or child abuse? (2:30) Q. Co-parenting, parenting plans, what happens if we need to deviate or I and my ex disagree? (3:04) Q. What will happen with the stimulus checks that the government is sending out? (3:53) Contact us for more information or to schedule a video or phone consultation:  720-542-6142

Is 50/50 Visitation Best For My Children?

A shared custody agreement often involves children splitting their time between two households — mom’s and dad’s. A 50/50 time split may seem “fair” on the outside looking in, but it might not be in the child’s best interests based on a number of factors. When considering a 50/50 split between two parents, lifestyle elements must be taken into consideration. Things like work schedules, school schedules, after school sports or club activities, and how open (or not) communication is between the parents. Also, the emotional support or lack thereof that the child receives from each parent should be considered.

 

If one parent leans on the child for emotional support in a kind of role reversal, when parents live together the child can turn to the other parent for emotional support, but when parents no longer live together, this role reversal can be too burdensome for a child. Adjusting to two different parent styles when parents live apart may be impossible for children, especially when they are quite young. What is in the best interests of the child or children should be the deciding factor in determining a “fair” custody arrangement.

 

Six Common Types of 50/50 Visitation Schedules

If a split visitation schedule is determined to be in the best interests of the child or children, there are several different types of common residential schedules where each parent has the child for 50% of the time.

 

Here are six common types of 50/50 visitation schedules:

 

1) Alternating Weeks – Your child or children spend one week with one parent and the next week with the other parent.

 

2) Alternating Every 2 Days – Your child switches between parents every 2 days.

 

3) 2-Weeks Each – Your child spends two weeks with one parent and then two weeks with the other parent.

 

4) 3-4-4-3 Schedule – Your child spends three days with one parent, the next four days with the other parent, then the child spends four days with the first parent, followed by three days with the other parent.

 

5) 2-2-5-5- Schedule – Your child spends two days with each parent and then five days with each parent.

 

6) 2-2-3 Schedule – Your child spends two days with one parent, then two days with the other parent, followed by days with the first parent. The next week the pattern switches.

 

You may find that one of these common schedules works best for you and your children after divorce, or you may come up with a totally different visitation schedule that accommodates everyone’s needs and works best for both parents and children. 50/50 schedules can benefit a child by giving the child substantial time living with both parents, allowing the child to feel cared for by both parents and build a close relationship with both parents. However, it is vital that parents consider the best interests of the children first, over their own preferences or convenience. Switching households back and forth all the time can be difficult for children, and sometimes rather than giving them a sense of shared parenting or stability, it can cause the children to feel as though they don’t really have a stable home anywhere.

 

If you decide a 50/50 schedule is for you, keep in mind that these schedules work best when parents live close to each other, so exchanges are easier. The ability to communicate with each other about the child without fighting also helps facilitate a 50/50 schedule. In addition, if the child is able to handle switching between his or her parents’ homes without causing undue stress, and both parents are in agreement that the 50/50 schedule is the best one for their child and are committed to putting the child’s best interest first, this split schedule can work well for all concerned.

Advice on Co-Parenting During the Coronavirus

By Attorney Ashley Balicki

I wanted to give you some guidance and general advice to co-parent through this new and confusing period.

  1. Decision-Making: If you, a member of your household, or your child are diagnosed with COVID-19 immediately advise the other parent. Do not hide this information. Communicate with your child(ren)’s parent and agree on uniform practices in both households. For example, parents should confer with one another and agree upon uniform practices with the child(ren) in each household such as not having play dates or having children visit others outside outdoor activities at each home and communicating with extended family members via telephone/FaceTime. If you must convey information or diagnoses to your child that may alarm or upset your child, speak with the other parent to create a joint message before speaking with the child.
  2. Parenting Time: Use common sense, if a member of your household is known to have had contact with an infected person or the children were known to be infected in one household, communicate this to the other parent. Agree on where the children will remain during this time if it no longer makes sense to abide by the court ordered parenting time plan for safety reasons. It is unlikely courts will penalize parents for alternating their parenting time schedule as a result of safety measures taken to protect the child(ren).
  3. Childcare: Parents should confer about childcare needs based upon their respective work schedules and work to provide care themselves rather than bring in third parties unless absolutely necessary.
  4. Adaptation: Be reasonable an adaptable. These are hard and stressful times on everyone. The changes brought about because of public safety issues and concerns are temporary. Put your child’s safety first and keep on keeping on.
  5. Make a Record: If parenting time is at variance with the court ordered parenting time, keep your own record of how the arrangement came about, when it was agreed upon, and what the new arrangement is, and how long it is to last. Then, to avoid misunderstandings, confirm it in email to the other parent. This might avoid real and current case confusion, or a later claim that there was no agreement to a different one,
  6. Medications: Make sure each household has an ample supply of any medications the child(ren) may need for the potential period of altered circumstances.
  7. E-Learning: Long term e-learning practices are new for many parents. Be sure to stay on top of your children’s daily work. Communicate with the other parent about the child’s schooling. If one parent is better suited to address these responsibilities by virtue of their work schedule, consider allowing that parent to perform this function daily.
  8. Travel: Consider canceling spring break plans, which may be involuntary as the situation unfolds.
  9. Child Support: If you experience financial difficulty during this time as a result of job loss or temporary loss of income, a child support modification may be warranted. Please contact us if this becomes an issue.
  10. Emergency Matters: Understand that disputes and issues that might arise regarding your child(ren) are going to have to be resolved in some many other than going to court. Rapid access to the court and the ability to obtain a hearing will be severely diminished for some time. It may be necessary to have counsel confer, mediate by phone or video conference, or take other creative steps to arrive at an amicable solution.

Questions: Inevitably as you navigate this path, questions will arise. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have, either by phone at 720-542-6142 or fill out our contact form here.

I’m Worried My Ex May Have COVID-19, Do I Have To Send My Child To Them For Their Regularly Scheduled Parenting Time?

Following a divorce or separation, the reality for many children becomes a shuffling of back-and-forth between each parent’s home based on a court-ordered parenting time schedule. But what happens if one parent, or someone that parent came in contact with, becomes infected with the COVID-19? What if the other parent lives in a different state? Is self-quarantine reason enough to fail to comply with court-ordered parenting time?

Failure to comply with court-ordered parenting time always poses a risk of contempt for parents, meaning that one parent could seek criminal and civil sanctions against the non-complying parent along with enforcement of the parenting plan. However, one of the key defenses to a contempt charge is the present inability to comply with court orders. Events such as school closures, flights canceling, and travel bans can all (arguably) impact a parent’s present ability to comply with court orders.

Because this coronavirus is so novel, there are no clear answers to when one parent may be justified in withholding court-ordered parenting time based on fears alone. Of course, if there is clear evidence a parent or member of that parent’s household is infected, common sense seems to take the reins.

Fear alone is not enough. Some factors to consider in making the decision whether to withhold parenting time are:
Ӣ Whether the non-infected parent lives in a community with an outbreak;
”¢ Whether members of the non-infected parent’s household have been exposed;
”¢ Whether there are especially vulnerable or at-risk household members in the non-infected parent’s home;
Ӣ Whether community containment efforts are in effect;
”¢ Whether the child’s life has been impacted, such as closed schools

However, the risk of choosing to withhold parenting time varies on a daily basis with new updates on the coronavirus. While the decision to withhold parenting time may have seemed reasonable on Monday, the parent’s actions may just as likely be seen as unreasonable by Friday. It is unclear if a court can order a parent to be tested for the coronavirus.

Choosing to violate a court order is never risk-free. If parents cannot agree on how to handle exchanges, one parent can file an emergency motion with the court seeking an order permitting a temporary suspension of parenting time.

Another option for parents trying to limit the child’s exposure to a possibly infected parent is to file an emergency motion to restrict the infected parent’s parenting time. However, there must be a risk of imminent harm to the child; hence why fear is not enough.

On the other hand, if a parent was wrongly withheld from his or her parenting time, there are remedies that can be addressed through enforcement of the parenting time. For example, courts can award make-up parenting time to the withheld parent.

However, if the courts close due to the coronavirus, there may not be any recourse until after the doors reopen. Check with your local government offices for an updated list of closures. Call our firm at 720-542-6142 if you have any questions regarding your current parenting time agreement and would like to speak with one of our attorneys or fill out our form here.

What is Emergency Child Custody & How Do I Pursue It?

When a child is endangered, Colorado law allows for the court to suspend unsupervised visitation between the child and the parent that is endangering the child. This is an important tool that has helped save the lives of countless children.

However, Colorado also penalizes people who make false allegations. If you are concerned that your child is in immediate danger, please contact law enforcement. Then reach out to a Denver emergency child custody lawyer at Divorce Matters to discuss your case.

Defining Child Endangerment

A child must be endangered before a court will award emergency child custody. Under the law, endangerment can be either emotional or physical.

A judge will analyze many factors to determine whether endangerment exists, such as:

  • Physical abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Psychotic breaks or mental health concerns
  • Domestic violence

Other actions can exhibit extreme neglect which might also qualify as endangerment, such as:

  • Leaving a child unsupervised for long periods of time
  • Failing to pick up a child from daycare on multiple occasions

Requesting Emergency Child Custody

To start the process, you should file a motion in court. This motion must allege that the child is endangered under CRS 14-10-129(4) and include sufficient factual allegations to support the charge. A barebones accusation that a child is endangered is rarely adequate.

Once the motion is filed, a judge will order that all contact between the child and the parent be supervised by a mental health professional or some other third party who is unrelated. The court will also schedule a contested hearing within 14 days. At the hearing, each side can present evidence in the form of witness testimony or physical evidence. For example, you can have people testify who saw the other parent act violently toward your child.

After hearing evidence, the judge will decide what to do. Some options include:

  • Deny the motion to restrict parenting time
  • Continue the restrictions in place
  • Put fewer restrictions on parenting time or more restrictions

Colorado law encourages children and parents to maintain contact, so judges hesitate before altering the custodial arrangements.

Penalties for Wrongful Accusations

If the accusation is groundless, vexatious, or frivolous, then the judge can punish the person who made the allegations. For this reason, it is vital to meet with an attorney before filing your motion. Some parents make unwarranted accusations of endangerment, simply to strike back at another parent, and judges in Colorado will not tolerate that.

Penalties can include having to pay the other side’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. Remember that simply losing the contested hearing does not mean that you will automatically have to pay the other side. Sometimes, there is a good faith dispute about the other parent’s conduct and whether it rises to the level of endangerment. In any event, you should focus on protecting your kids and speak to a lawyer before filing a motion.

Contact Divorce Matters Today

If you fear your children are endangered, an attorney at Divorce Matters can help. We will run through your legal rights and assist you in seeking custody during this stressful time. We will also help you build up a strong factual base so that you are not accused of filing a groundless complaint. Contact our team to schedule an initial consultation.

Five Things to Include in a Lakewood, CO Parenting Plan

Under Colorado law, divorcing parents are required to submit a written parenting plan regarding the key issues involved with raising their minor children. Though the terms custody and visitation have been replaced by “Allocation of Parental Responsibilities” and “Parenting Time,” many of the same traditional concepts apply. Therefore, your parenting plan must include provisions on decision-making regarding important aspects of the child’s life, as well as the time each parent spends with him or her.

However, the standard form used in Jefferson County doesn’t cover every possible parenting plan issue that may come up. Parents often overlook certain key issues, and a Lakewood, CO child custody lawyer can help you identify what they are for your situation. However, you may want to consider addressing:

Computer Time

Laptops, tablets, phones, and other devices are useful tools for education and entertainment. However, too much computer time can be detrimental to the child’s development ”“ not to mention the fact that it interferes with the whole point of parenting time: Enhancing the parent-child relationship. In your parenting plan, set reasonable parameters on computer use for certain purposes.

Holidays and School Breaks

Many parents know to include provisions on splitting time over the week, but don’t forget to address holidays and time off school. Even if you don’t designate exact dates in your parenting plan, consider a formula that will establish which parent gets to spend time with the child and when.

Right of First Refusal

You may find yourself in a situation where one parent is scheduled for parenting time but has an unforeseeable conflict. In such a situation, it would be necessary to arrange childcare. In your parenting plan, you may want to include a provision that allows for right of first refusal: If you cannot handle child care during your own parenting time, you should give the other parent the opportunity rather than a third party.

Non-Child Support Spending

You may agree to general child support rules in your parenting plan, but you may also want to address certain expenditures that fall outside these provisions. One solution is to keep receipts or notes, then split the amount equally between both parents. Of course, you can also set a maximum per month for non-child support spending.

Stealing Parenting Time

Bitterness and resentment can linger long after your divorce is finalized, and one parent may resort to misconduct out of spite. That person may purposefully schedule certain events or appointments during the other parent’s parenting time, essentially stealing time away. You can include provisions to address this tactic, such as by requiring both parents to consent in writing when signing the child up for activities. If bitterness prevents you from agreement on these issues, you could spend a lot of time in court.

An Experienced Fort Collins, CO Attorney Can Help with Parenting Plans

For more information on how to create a parenting plan that works for your circumstances, please contact Divorce Matters. Our knowledgeable lawyers can assist with negotiations, drafting the essential documents, and enforcing the provisions as necessary to protect your interests.

Six Reasons to Establish Paternity in Fort Collins, CO

More and more unmarried parents welcome children every year, putting paternity issues at the forefront for many mothers and fathers in Colorado. Though you may not have immediate concerns about establishing parentage, there are some considerations to keep in mind for the future. A Fort Collins paternity lawyer can tell you more about why it’s critical to obtain legal proof of parentage, but some important information may help.

From the Mother’s Perspective

The three top reasons a mother may want to establish parentage may include:

  1. Child Support: Raising a child is not cheap, and Colorado law on child support imposes a duty for both parents to contribute financially. If you want to seek child support from the child’s father, you must first have an order establishing paternity.
  2. Get the Father Involved: Like many mothers, you recognize the critical role a father can play in your child’s development. While you may not get along with the other parent, you may want to establish paternity to open the door to a healthy parent-child relationship.
  3. Social Security Benefits: Even when the father voluntarily provides financial support, your child has no rights to certain benefits unless you have official, legal parentage. Social Security offers a death benefit for minor children, which provides funds on a monthly basis until they turn 18 years old. Under certain circumstances, your child may also qualify for disability benefits or amounts based upon the father’s military service.

Fathers and Paternity

Fathers also have rights, but you cannot enforce them unless you are recognized by law through establishing parentage.

  1. Child Custody: Colorado law uses the term “parental responsibilities” to refer to what’s commonly called custody. As a father, you have the right to participate in major decisions regarding your child’s upbringing, such as education, religion, and extracurricular activities. Unless you are the legal father through a VAP or paternity lawsuit, you have no say in these issues.
  2. Visitation Rights: Parenting time is important to forming a solid relationship with your child, so it’s understandable that you want to exercise visitation rights. Even if the mother voluntarily allows you to spend time with the child, you must establish paternity before you have the legal right to visitation.
  3. Child Support: You may be fully willing to contribute to your child’s financial needs, but you’re in a tough spot if you don’t believe the mother’s assertion that you’re the father. In such a situation, you’d want to have a court make a determination on paternity to protect your own financial interests.

Contact Fort Collins, CO Paternity Lawyers Regarding Parentage Issues

If you have questions about the importance of establishing paternity on either side of the issue, please contact our team at Divorce Matters. We can review your circumstances and advise you on options to seek parentage as the mother or father. Our paternity attorneys can also explain how to handle a situation where you don’t believe you’re the child’s parent. Our lawyers represent clients in Fort Collins, Larimer County, and throughout Central Colorado, and we’re happy to help.