Author Archives: Bonnie E. Saltzman
How Does Parenting Time Affect Child Support?
When parents of minor children break up, they both share responsibility for meeting the financial needs of their sons and daughters. A youth’s daily expenses are usually covered by the parent they are with at the time. That is why Colorado law links parenting time with child support determination. In situations where the child spends… Read More »
What Are Parents’ Rights in Public School Expulsion Cases?
Young people in Colorado have the right to attend public school. When a student is accused of engaging in misbehavior on or off school grounds, there are various disciplinary measures available to the district under state law. The most severe sanction a school system can issue is expulsion. Statutory grounds to expel a student include… Read More »
Child Protection Services in Colorado
Parents and other family members are responsible for the well-being of children, but there situations where additional assistance might be required to ensure that a young person is safe. The State of Colorado provides several resources and remedies to address potential threats to children and families. These services aim to prevent harm, intervene when necessary,… Read More »
What to Do When a Teenager Refuses to Continue With Visitation
In Colorado, a family court judge can order a parenting plan in a divorce, separation, or for unmarried parents. Among other components, the plan provides for the sharing of parenting time. In layman’s terms, visitation is the time spent with each parent A parenting plan remains in force until the child reaches age 18. As… Read More »
Understanding the Role of Colorado Child Legal Representatives
In Colorado, as in other states, family courts make decisions about parenting issues based on what is in the children’s best interests. However, Colorado law has a unique provision for achieving this goal. It empowers the family court to appoint a special professional known as a Child Legal Representative to ensure the child’s voice is… Read More »
Colorado’s New Rules on Family Time for Grandparents and Great-Grandparents
Grandparents and great-grandparents can play an important role in children’s lives. Colorado law recognizes that these relationships may be in the best interests of grandchildren or great-grandchildren. As such, family time — formerly known as visitation — may be granted because of the positive effects the relationship may have on a grandchild’s or great-grandchild’s health… Read More »
Bad Behaviors to Avoid When Getting Divorced
Going through a divorce can make you feel anxious, worried and sometimes angry and resentful. There are times when your emotions run high and make you want to do something to get back at your soon-to-be ex-spouse for whatever wrongs you believe they are responsible for. These feelings are understandable, but acting on them will… Read More »
Using Mediation to Resolve High Conflict Divorces and Custody Disputes
Contested divorce and custody cases need not end up in court. There are alternative paths available for reaching a negotiated resolution and avoiding drawn-out litigation. One such path is mediation. If a couple is open to it, mediation can be pursued before a divorce or custody case is filed to try to reach a marital… Read More »
Colorado Law Raises Minimum Age for Prosecuting Children as Juveniles
A newly enacted law raises from 10 to 13 the minimum age in Colorado for prosecution of children as juvenile offenders. The law, which took effect June 13, 2023, aims to reduce the number of children in Colorado’s criminal justice system and to give young teens the opportunity to benefit from behavioral counseling and other… Read More »
Does Parental Conflict in a Divorce or Custody Case Hurt Your Children?
In a divorce with contested issues, it’s common for parents to have negative feelings towards each other. These feelings may relate to what caused the divorce or may be the result of negative interactions that occur during the divorce proceeding, which in turn can lead to increased conflict. While such negative feelings and conflicts are… Read More »