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Parenting time: Your rights in Colorado

On Behalf of | Dec 4, 2014 | Child Custody & Parenting Time

Establishing parenting time is one aspect of divorce that you may not be looking forward to. Fortunately, because of how the system works, your child’s wishes, your wishes and the best interests of the parties involved will all be considered. Here are a few facts about the process you may not already know.

For example, the ways you can receive parenting time is if you’ve been married and commenced either a legal separation or divorce, established your paternity, obtained a custody order or qualified as a grandparent. If your parenting time orders only determine or refer to one parent and his or her rights to reasonable parenting time, then make sure to learn about why the other parent wasn’t included. It’s important that both people are represented in this paperwork if possible. If you’ve been given unreasonable time with your child, you can ask the court to change the legal description of your parenting time in court.

Modifying your parenting time can be done through mediation. During mediation, both you and your ex or the mother/father of your child will come together to discuss your concerns and visitation plans. Arrangements can then be made that suit both parties better. Of course, everything settled on must be in the best interest of your child.

Changes in parenting time can affect child support, so keep that in mind. If you pay child support, taking on more time with your child may reduce your payments. Likewise, if you have custody but allow for more visitation, you may receive less child support, since your child is being supported directly. If these answers are still confusing, consider speaking with someone familiar with family law to help you sort out your situation.

Source: The Colorado Foundation for Families and Children, “Connecting With Your Kids” Dec. 03, 2014

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