The State of Colorado encourages parents to share the rights and responsibilities of raising their children and to encourage and be supportive of the loving relationships and contact the children have with each of them. You will want to ensure that you have a Denver child custody lawyer on your side.
A parenting plan is a written document confirming what the parents have agreed to with respect to their children. It lays out the agreement between two parents about parenting time, decision making, child support and payment of expenses for the children, and health insurance coverage, among other issues. For this, you will want a parenting plan attorney to help.
There are many topics to consider when writing a parenting plan, this is why it’s important to seek out the expertise of a parenting plan attorney. From what is an appropriate parenting time schedule to how you and your co-parent will make important decisions concerning your child, parenting plans can be a wide-ranging document. While it might seem like a lot to plan for, the most important thing to keep in mind when writing your plan is to keep every issue centered on maintaining your children’s well-being and upholding their best interests.
A parenting plan in Colorado should encompass the laws and requirements of the State and include at least the following elements:
- An agreement between the parties pertaining to parental responsibilities
- A basic parenting time schedule that reflects when the child will spend time with each parent on a regular and ongoing basis and how parenting time exchanges will occur
- A parenting time schedule for holidays and vacations, including school and personal vacations
- A provision that allocates decision-making responsibilities and the rights of each parent
- A provision that addresses child support and payment of expenses for the children
- A plan for resolving any potential disputes that may occur, such as attending family counseling or mediation
As long as your case does not involve domestic violence or abuse, mutually agreeing upon a parenting plan is the ideal method for determining parenting time and parental responsibilities.
If you and the other parent are able to agree on the terms and conditions of the custody arrangements, the court will generally conclude that your plan is in the best interest of the children and accept it.
If you and the other parent are not able to agree, the court has the authority to mandate that you and the other parent attend parenting classes or go to Denver divorce mediation.
If you go to court, the judge will determine what goes into your agreement, having a parenting plan attorney can benefit you greatly in these situations. The court shall make this decision based on what is in the best interests of your children.
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Meet the Team
Meet the exceptional members of the Lewis & Mattews P.C. team:
Jennifer Lewis – After Ken and Leslie Matthews decided to transition to an ‘of counsel’ status in 2015, managing partner Jennifer Lewis acquired the firm.
Ms. Lewis has been practicing family law, criminal law, estate planning and probate proceedings, personal injury and medical malpractice claims, zoning and land use planning, and general civil litigation since she got her license in 1988. She has practiced law in federal and state courts in Missouri, Colorado, and Kansas.
Ms. Lewis’ practical, patient, and compassionate approach helps the firm’s clients deal with the often-challenging issues involved in family law matters.
Amanda Huber – As a legal assistant, Amanda helps with the daily tasks of sending legal correspondence and documents, preparing court filings, and scheduling, among other tasks. Amanda joined the firm in 2022 and has helped clients in all phases of their divorce.
Prior to joining Lewis & Matthews, Amanda worked at an upscale country club in San Diego, where she was born and raised.
Outside of work you can find Amanda wine tasting, gardening, and spending time with her beloved cat, Waffles.
Jackie Flanagan – Office manager Jackie Flanagan began working for the firm around five years ago, after transitioning from a company in the education sector. Since then, she has been hard at work, making sure that the office runs smoothly every day.
Ms. Flanagan’s insights as a long-time resident of Colorado have also been helpful in the firm’s success.
Counties We Serve
Greater Denver Metro Area
Address: 1325 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 503, Denver, CO 80222
(303) 329-3802
Summit County and Eagle County
Address: 114 Village Place, Suite 206, Dillon, CO 80435
Phone Number: (970) 468-0240
