When the first papers are filed in your child custody case, which is known as the allocation of parental responsibilities in Colorado, you may have been caught off guard. However, in many situations, the natural unraveling of your relationship or the disagreements between you and the other parent may have given you a heads up. Regardless of your scenario, it’s crucial you are completely prepared to proceed in what is likely to be a tough case. This includes being prepared for the emotional strain and ready to present your arguments.
Being ready is essential
Preparation for a child custody case in Colorado entails more than just completing the forms and filing them in court, so sitting down with a Denver child custody lawyer to talk about your specific case is usually a wise move. An experienced attorney can tell you what evidence or documentation you need to get together and what individual services you may need to strengthen your case. If, for example, you are saying that your children are experiencing emotional suffering because of their time spent with their other parent, you will need to prove that emotional harm exists. Having a therapist see your children before you file can be beneficial to your case. The same rule of proof applies if you believe the other parent is endangering the kids, such as by using drugs or drinking alcohol when he or she has them.
On the flip side, if you are in a situation where the other parent is making allegations against you, it’s also possible to defend yourself by acting ahead of time. Should the other parent be accusing you of drug or alcohol use, you could arrange to take professionally administered drug or alcohol tests so that when you go to court, you can demonstrate that these allegations are untrue.
What to keep in mind
Throughout your case, you will need to be mindful of all your actions, as the eyes of the court will be on you. This is often not easy. Child custody cases can be very emotional, particularly when one parent is attacking the other. It can be helpful to see a therapist yourself so you can have a safe third party to talk to. Your child may also benefit from therapy; child custody cases are not easy on them, either.
Follow everything the court says to the letter, including any temporary or interim orders. When you show the court that you are taking their orders and instructions seriously, it makes a better impression. If you go into a hearing for a final order after you have ignored any of the court’s previous orders, the judge will not be pleased, and this can show up in the final order terms.
A child custody case can last for several months in many cases. Speak to your Denver child custody lawyer as your case progresses through the court and keep a cool head throughout the process.
