Longmont Child Custody Lawyers

Northern Colorado law firm assists clients with children during and after a divorce

Divorce is emotionally taxing for adults, but it is always more so when children are involved. At the Longmont firm of Flanders, Elsberg, Herber & Dunn, LLC, our attorneys keep the best interests of your children in mind during the divorce process and in matters that arise afterward. Since 1871, our firm has been helping clients in and around Boulder County find solutions to legal problems. While we are deeply rooted in tradition, we are also committed to employing cutting-edge technology to improve your case’s outcome. When it comes to child support and child custody, we do whatever it takes to protect your family and achieve an optimal resolution.

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Representing Northern Colorado parents in all child support matters

Whether you are the parent making payments or the parent receiving them, child support is a serious issue. Parents paying support want to make sure their child is taken care of without contributing more than they should have to. Recipients of child support want to make sure they get the funds they need to guarantee their kids the shelter, education and opportunities they deserve.

Our family law attorneys work with parents during the divorce process to ensure they understand how child support is calculated by Colorado courts. When determining the amount of support to award, judges use legally mandated guidelines that take into account factors including:

• Each parent’s gross income
• Alimony/maintenance and other support
• Shared custody
• The amount of time spent with each parent
• The expenses of raising the child
• Healthcare costs

Any deviation from these guidelines requires the judge to explain why some other amount is fairer to the child or the parents. In Colorado, payments must be made until a child finishes high school or turns 19, whichever comes first, and in some cases even beyond a child’s 19th birthday. In cases where a parent has experienced a significant life change that affects his or her income, our attorneys can help you seek a modification of the support order. We also assist parents who wish to prevent a modification of a child support order.

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Helping Colorado parents get custody of their children

There are two aspects of child custody, which is also known as the allocation of parental responsibilities. The allocation of responsibilities includes deciding which parent has the right to make decisions about their child’s upbringing involving healthcare, religion, education and recreation. In some cases, one parent will be awarded sole legal decision-making authority, meaning they get to make these decisions alone. In most cases, however, a judge will award joint legal decision-making during a divorce, granting both parents the right to make these decisions together. An experienced attorney can help you advocate for the appropriate legal custody arrangement for your particular situation.

For most parents, however, physical custody is the main concern. Physical custody is the determination of which parent a child will live with. In many situations, physical custody can be shared jointly. We work with parents to create a parenting plan that determines where children will spend their time and the specifics of how visitation will work. If the parents are unable to reach an agreement, a judge will decide issues of physical custody and visitation based on the best interests of the children. This determination includes factors that take into account the health and safety of the children as well as their emotional and developmental needs. Our attorneys are staunch advocates for you and your children in physical custody cases.

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Let our experienced attorneys guide you through Colorado custody and child support matters

At the Northern Colorado law firm of Flanders, Elsberg, Herber & Dunn, LLC, we know that there is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of your children. That’s why we are determined to help you achieve an optimal resolution in cases involving child support or custody. To schedule a consultation with an experienced family law attorney serving the greater Denver area, contact us online or call our Longmont office at 303-776-5380.