Lakewood Child Custody Lawyers
Get Answers & Guidance from Our Team in Jefferson County
Child custody disputes can be emotionally charged and legally complex, especially when parents disagree about how to share responsibilities or create a stable living arrangement for their children. If you are facing these decisions in Lakewood or elsewhere in Jefferson County, you deserve clarity about Colorado’s custody laws and guidance that helps you protect your child’s well-being. Denver Family Lawyers and our Lakewood child custody attorneys help parents understand their options, prepare their documentation, and navigate the court’s expectations as they work toward a responsible and fair parenting arrangement.
Think you need legal help but aren’t sure where to begin? Just call us at (303) 225-3343 and schedule an initial consultation.
Colorado Child Custody Requirements
Colorado uses the term Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR) to describe what many people still call child custody. Before any parenting plan can be approved, the court must determine whether the proposed arrangement meets Colorado’s statutory requirements and whether it supports the child’s best interests. Parents may pursue either joint or sole responsibility depending on their circumstances.
Key elements that may be addressed under Colorado’s custody laws include:
- Decision-making authority for major issues such as education, health, and religion
- Child’s primary residence and each parent’s parenting time
- Transportation arrangements and exchange protocols
- Holiday and vacation schedules
- How parents will communicate about the child’s needs and activities
While some parents can negotiate these issues independently or in mediation, others require court intervention. Whether your case is cooperative or contested, our role is to help you understand the legal standards and prepare a parenting plan that reflects your child’s needs.
Before issuing orders, the court also evaluates whether joint or sole responsibilities are appropriate. Joint arrangements require the parents to demonstrate an ability to cooperate constructively. Sole decision-making may be considered if communication has broken down or if shared authority would not support the child’s well-being.
Legal Custody vs. Physical Custody
Colorado differentiates between legal custody (decision-making responsibility) and physical custody (parenting time). Many divorced or separated parents share one or both forms, depending on what works best for the child and the family’s schedule.
Important information about legal and physical custody arrangements includes:
- Legal custody governs who makes long-term decisions about the child’s health care, schooling, and upbringing.
- Physical custody determines where the child lives and how much time each parent will spend with them.
- Parenting time may be equal, primarily with one parent, or structured around the parents’ availability.
- Decision-making authority may be shared, divided by topic, or held by one parent when necessary.
- Courts evaluate both legal and physical arrangements through the lens of the child’s best interests.
APR for Nonmarried Parents in Lakewood
Parents who are not married can still establish custody rights and responsibilities through an Allocation of Parental Responsibilities case. If paternity has not been legally established, the court may require genetic testing or signed acknowledgment forms before issuing custody orders through this process. Once parentage is confirmed, both parents have the opportunity to request parenting time and decision-making authority. The court evaluates these cases under the same standards applied to divorcing parents, meaning that the child’s best interests remain the most prominent guiding principle; if a child’s best interests are not reflected in a custody arrangement, then the court is required to reject it.
How Courts Decide if a Custody Arrangement Is Fair
Colorado courts carefully assess each proposed arrangement to determine whether it meets the child’s needs and best interests. Judges consider a wide range of factors and may request additional information before making a final decision.
Common considerations for a child custody arrangement include:
- Each parent’s relationship with the child
- Child’s adjustment to school, home, and community in Lakewood or Jefferson County
- Each parent’s ability to place the child’s needs above their own
- Parents’ history of cooperation or conflict
- Physical and mental health considerations
- Any evidence of domestic violence or safety concerns
- Practical issues, such as the distance between homes and daily schedules
FAQ: Child Custody in Lakewood, Colorado
1. Do courts prefer joint custody in Colorado?
Colorado does not automatically favor joint responsibility, but courts often encourage shared decision-making when parents can cooperate effectively. If joint arrangements serve the child’s best interests, they are often approved. If communication issues or safety concerns exist, sole custody or other arrangements may be considered.
2. Can a parenting plan be modified later?
Yes. Parenting plans can be modified when there has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Courts evaluate modification requests carefully, especially when they involve changes in decision-making authority or primary residence.
3. Do children get to choose which parent they live with?
Children do not make the final decision, but the court may consider their wishes if they are mature enough to express reasoned preferences. The weight given to the child’s viewpoint varies depending on age, maturity, and the details of the case.
Need Legal Help? Get Started Today.
Child custody cases require a careful balance of legal knowledge, practical planning, and attention to what truly benefits your child. Whether you are beginning the process, responding to a petition, or seeking a modification, Denver Family Lawyers can provide legal counsel that stays focused on what is right for you and your child’s best interests.
If you’re ready to discuss your child custody concerns, contact our Lakewood child custody attorneys today by dialing