Being a divorced parent, or having your ability to parent your child questioned, is painful and raises fears about losing what is most important to you. As a mother or father, you want to know what your rights are and, naturally, want to keep in contact with your children, remaining an important part of their lives. A parental rights attorney from Baumgartner Law can help protect your rights and advocate for you in Denver, Lakewood, Aurora, or Boulder, Colorado.
Parental Rights in Colorado
In the state of Colorado, courts assign custody and parental rights according to the best interests of the child. This means that a court will consider the child’s wishes, the relationship between the parent and the child, whether or not the child would have to go through the upheaval of a move to another area, and other similar factors. If a parent is deemed to be unfit and unable to provide the child with a safe and stable home atmosphere, or if a parent is physically or emotionally abusive to a child, parental rights can be terminated by a court after a petition requesting this is filed. A highly-rated parental rights attorney in Colorado from Baumgartner Law can represent you in your battle to maintain and strengthen your relationship with your child.
Mothers’ Rights Versus Fathers’ Rights
In the divorces of the past, mothers were traditionally given custody of the child(ren) of the marriage. However, nowadays, the gender of the parent is not a factor in awarding custody of a child to a parent. The standard of the best interests of the child is the guiding factor in the court’s decision. The court wants to know who the child is most bonded with, where the child wants to be, and what benefits placement with each parent can provide.
In addition to, and separate from the issue of custody, there are parental responsibilities. These parental responsibilities include making major decisions for the child about his education, religious faith, and health. Fathers have equal rights to mothers in the making of these decisions, even if the mother has custody of the child. In Colorado, both mothers and fathers may file for partial or full custody of the child.
Speak to an Experienced Parental Rights Attorney Today
If you or a loved one are going through a divorce and are facing a custody dispute, or if your parental rights are being threatened with termination, you need the experience of Baumgartner Law. Speak to an experienced parental rights attorney today for a free initial legal consultation. Call us at (303) 529-3476, day or night, and rest assured that someone will help you stand up for your rights. We serve Denver, Lakewood, Aurora, and Boulder Colorado, and are ready to be your advocate during this difficult time.