When you have children with a spouse or domestic partner with whom you are ending a relationship, concern over your parental rights and responsibilities quickly comes to the forefront of your mind. And it should. Failure to secure experienced legal representation can severely impact the relationship you have with your children when your divorce is finalized.

Legal Child Custody Agreements

Much is at stake when determining legal child custody agreements or a parenting plan, including where your child’s primary residence will be, what your parenting time rights will be and how decisions will be made for the benefit of your child or children. Such matters should not be taken lightly. Such matters demand the expertise of an experienced family law attorney.

When it comes to child support and custody, Colorado law seeks to obtain an arrangement that is in the “best interest of the children.” While Colorado’s “Best Interests” statute (Colorado Revised Statute Section 14-10-124) delineates the optimal way to arrange legal child custody agreements, it takes the skill of an experienced attorney to effectively communicate why it is in your children’s best interest to remain with you, or communicate the significance of your future relationship with your children.

Child Custody Rights of Unmarried Parents

There are differences in the law regarding parenting rights of unmarried parents compared to those of married parents: for one thing, children born to a married couple are presumed to be the biological children of the parties; children born to an unmarried couple are not presumed to be the biological children of the unmarried couple, unless there’s been an acknowledgement of paternity. Paternity must be legally established before child custody rights of unmarried parents can be arranged. It is important to establish legal paternity as soon as you suspect you may be a father to protect your parental rights. Gordon N. Shayne can help you understand the complexities of protecting your rights when children are born out of wedlock and help you arrange custody orders that are in the best interest of you and your child.

Child Support

Once a legal child custody agreement is in place, child support should be determined. Child support is determined based on Colorado Child Support Guidelines that take into consideration the adjusted gross income of both parents, extraordinary medical expenses of the child, work-related child care costs, the child’s standard of living if they had remained in an intact household, and the physical custody arrangement. There are other factors that could determine the appropriate child support, which is usually paid monthly.

Since child support orders are based on guidelines, it is imperative to seek experienced legal counsel to ensure your child receives the financial support he or she deserves.

Contact Gordon N. Shayne for Help Navigating Colorado’s Child Support and Custody Rights and Laws

Gordon N. Shayne has been helping conventional and unconventional families through difficult family and domestic law matters in hundreds of cases over many years. He possesses the skill, insight and experience you need to protect your rights and interests when going through a difficult custody dispute. Gordon is committed to helping you through this period of extreme stress and anxiety with the advice and support you need to make informed decisions.

For more information on Child Custody, please read our blog Child Custody Experts. If you’re still looking for more information, read our article Mothers and Father’s Rights. 

Call Gordon N. Shayne at 719-442-6649 for a FREE CONSULTATION* today!