Family Law Blog

Parenting Time in Colorado: What Is It?

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on May 16, 2011

Divorcing Colorado couples who have children have to make important decisions on how to raise their children once the couple is separated. Parenting time, once called “visitation,” is one way a parent who does not live with or care for the children full-time can still develop a relationship with their children.

The term “parenting time” refers to time that children spend with the parent they do not live with. Usually, the parent who has parenting time with the kids does not have physical custody, but they may have legal custody (the right to help make major life decisions for the children) or decision-making ability (the right to help make particular decisions for the children). The entire package of parenting time, decision-making ability, and/or physical or legal custody is known as “parental responsibilities.”

When deciding whether to award parenting time and how often or how long the time should be, the Colorado courts consider several factors. These include the wishes of the parents and the children, the current relationship between the child and the parent seeking parenting time, the physical, mental, and emotional health of the parents and children, and whether the parents can work together to make sure parenting time happens. Parents may also work together or work with a mediator to set up parenting time, instead of leaving the decision in the hands of the court.

If you live in Colorado and are considering divorce, an experienced Colorado parenting time attorneys like those at Kaplan Law can help you make the best decisions for yourself and your children. To learn more, call Kaplan Law today at 1-877-527-5260 for a confidential consultation.