Boulder Colorado Legal Blog

When divorced parents are willing to communicate and work together for the sake of their child, joint legal custody can be an effective arrangement. Even when parents in Colorado or any other state don't think that they can work together, such an arrangement may give them the motivation to try to do so. Although there is no trail for divorced parents to take when raising their children, this task can be difficult even when the parents stay married.

In some cases, having the other parent around can be welcoming during such challenging times. Furthermore, the children benefit when they see adults working together to solve problems. Parents may feel as if having joint legal custody opens them up to being manipulated or that they aren't consulted on some decisions. However, as parents learn to communicate, it can become easier to make them together in a manner that benefits the child.

When parents create a visitation schedule, it should be one that works for both parents as well as the child. Alternating weekends are an option and work for many parents. In this arrangement, children will live with the custodial parent and spend alternating weekends with the non-custodial parent. Most visits begin on Friday evenings and end on Sunday evenings. This is an option that works well for parents who are newly separated and who are trying to adjust to spending time away from their kids.

Parents who live within a short distance of each other might benefit from making a schedule that includes letting the child spend one night during the week with the non-custodial parent as well as alternating weekends. The child could spend a few hours with the non-custodial parent one evening if the child doesn't spend the entire night. Sometimes, parents who get along well with each other can arrange their schedules so that the weekend visitation is extended to Monday instead of ending on Sunday. This is an option for those who might travel for work on the weekends or have other obligations.

When a Colorado couple decides to end a marriage, the estranged spouses often disagree on various aspects of property division and child custody. Instead of both parties battling in court where a judge will make arbitrary decisions, people have the option of mediation. They can seek this service out voluntarily, but courts often order it to prevent divorce disputes from overburdening the court schedules.

Mediation also has the potential to produce divorce settlements that both parties find acceptable and workable over the long term. During mediation, both parties have an active role in reaching decisions. The impartial mediator grants both parties a chance to state concerns and issues. As the discussion progresses, a mediator will strive to suggest compromises and help each party recognize the needs of the other. Once the people come to terms, the mediator writes their agreement which becomes a binding contract for their divorce settlement.

Many college students have the motto: work hard, play hard. Class exams are stressful and require weeks, if not months, of intensive studying. When exams are over, some students turn to partying to relax. Unfortunately, partying can quickly lead to mistakes and legal repercussions. If you get in trouble with the law for drugs, assault, theft, vandalizing or drinking while driving, then you could face the following three potential consequences as a college student.

1. Failed classes or delayed graduation