1.  What happens in a Case 

With your input, the Judge will:

• Create a parenting time schedule for you and the other parent.
• Determine who will make important life decisions for the child.
• Figure out how much the child support payment will be.
• Decide who will provide insurance for the child.
• Choose who will claim the child on their tax return.

2.  Can you File?

When Can You File?

 

• No other family court cases exist in Colorado or any state.
• The child must have lived in Colorado for the last 182 days.
• One of the parents must have lived in Colorado for the last 91 days.

These are the qualifications to give the Court jurisdiction.

 

Who Can File?

 

1. A parent to the child.  Or,
2. A person other than a parent, if: 
   • The child is not in the physical care of a parent. Or,
   • The person took physical care of the child for at least 182 days. 
   • The case must be started within 182 days since the care stopped.

These are the qualifications to give someone standing.

 

3.  Terms

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR)

 

The formal legal name for a custody case.

 

Jurisdiction

 

The legal qualifications needed for a Court to be able to help your family.

 

Standing

 

The legal qualifications needed for a person to start or participate in a custody case.

 

4.  Be Kind

Do No Harm

 

Avoid Emotional Harm

• Don't talk badly about the other parent in front of the kids.
• Don't harm the children's relationship with the other parent.

 

Decision Making

• Intense emotions can cloud your thought process.
• When emotions take over, it takes 20 to 30 minutes to calm down.
  • Take that time before making choices.  Or,
  • Wait until the next day to make a legal or other important decision.
• With a calm mind, you can make decisions that are right for your family.

 

A Time of Stress

 

Find productive ways to manage your:

 

Stress

• Get organized
• Eat well
• Get rest, and
• Exercise.

 

Emotions

• Develop a support system of adults.
• Find positive ways to deal with tough emotions.

 

Disappointment

• You won't get everything you want.
• Get legal help, if possible, to make realistic requests.
• Know that the Court has to make difficult decisions.
• Find ways to express your emotions that do not harm your family.