Law Office of Stephan E. Uslan Law Office of Stephan E. Uslan

Denver Child Custody Attorney

Over 40 Years of Family Law Experience, Backed by a Background in Social Work

Child custody decisions shape a child’s daily life for years. I’m Steve Uslan, and I’ve practiced family law in the Denver area for over 40 years. Before law, I worked in social work, and that background directly informs how I approach custody cases. I don’t just read the legal framework; I understand the family dynamics Denver judges weigh when evaluating parenting plans and the best interests of the child.

My practice covers child custody and parenting time, visitation, divorce, parenting plan development, post-divorce modifications, and related family law matters throughout Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Boulder, Adams, and Douglas counties. I know the courts, the judges, and the local professionals who work these cases.

My representation draws on over 40 years of experience in:

Contact Law Office of Stephan E. Uslan today to schedule a consultation with a Denver child custody attorney. Call (303) 900-5346 to get started.

A Child Custody Attorney Dedicated to Protecting Your Children’s Best Interests

You may have left your relationship a while ago and hoped an informal parenting agreement would hold, but communication has broken down and the arrangement no longer works. Or you may be a grandparent who has been caring for a child while the parent seeks the child’s return, and you have serious concerns about the child’s well-being. These situations require a formal legal framework, and the right time to establish one is before a crisis forces the issue.

A formal custody order establishes enforceable rights and a clear structure for parenting time and decision-making authority. Grandparents and others who have maintained a caregiving role may pursue formal guardianship or custody when a parent’s return poses a genuine risk. Denver courts consider a child’s ties to their current school and community when assessing these arrangements; moves between counties or changes in home circumstances are part of that analysis. These are questions best answered by an experienced Denver child custody attorney.

I help Denver families understand the steps involved in establishing or formalizing custody arrangements and work to keep the child’s interests at the center of every legal decision.

Tailored Legal Plans for Every Family’s Situation

Attorney Stephan E. Uslan designs legal strategies around each family’s individual needs, adapting to initial custody questions, post-divorce changes, and more complex family dynamics. I can help you create a parenting plan, modify an existing arrangement, and develop a child support and custody agreement that accounts for alimony where appropriate.

Every case is different. I work to make sure your family’s specific circumstances, not a generic template, drive the legal strategy after divorce or separation.

Contact Law Office of Stephan E. Uslan or call (303) 900-5346 to schedule a consultation with a child custody attorney in Denver.

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How Child Custody Is Determined in Colorado

Colorado doesn’t use the terms “joint custody” or “sole custody.” Instead, courts allocate parental responsibilities across two distinct issues: parenting time (where the child lives and when) and decision-making authority (who makes major decisions about education, healthcare, religion, and activities). The controlling statute is C.R.S. 14-10-124, and every custody decision must be based on the best interests of the child standard.

Nine statutory factors govern parenting time determinations, and Colorado law prohibits courts from presuming either parent is better suited based on sex.

Factors courts consider in parenting time allocations include:

  • The wishes of each parent
  • The child’s wishes, if the child is sufficiently mature to express reasoned and independent preferences
  • The child’s relationships with parents, siblings, and other family members
  • How the child adjusts to their current home, school, and community
  • The physical proximity of the parents to each other
  • Each parent’s ability to place the child’s needs ahead of their own
  • Any history of domestic violence or child abuse

Three additional factors apply specifically to decision-making authority:

  • The parties’ ability to cooperate and make joint decisions
  • Whether past involvement by both parents reflects a pattern of mutual support
  • Whether joint decision-making would promote continued contact with both parents

Obtaining Full Custody in Denver, Colorado

Colorado courts approach full custody requests with a high evidentiary bar. A parent seeking sole decision-making authority must show that the other parent is unfit or that joint decision-making would harm the child. Grounds courts recognize include substance abuse, untreated mental health conditions, domestic violence, and child abuse or neglect.

Credible documentation is required. Police reports, medical records, and professional evaluations give the court the factual foundation it needs. Denver judges also consider the child’s access to community support, including schools and healthcare, when making the final determination.

Emergency Custody Orders in Denver

Denver family courts respond to emergency custody requests when domestic violence, neglect, or abduction creates an immediate threat to a child’s safety. Evidence reviewed in these hearings can include police reports, medical records, and school documentation. These hearings move on an expedited timeline, but judges still require factual support for every claim.

Emergency orders are temporary. A full hearing follows to determine longer-term parenting arrangements. I help Denver parents present the evidence courts require during emergency proceedings, with the child’s safety as the organizing priority throughout.

How Colorado Law Handles a Child’s Preference in Custody Decisions

Colorado sets no fixed age at which a child decides where to live. Under C.R.S. 14-10-124, the child must be sufficiently mature to express reasoned and independent preferences before that preference carries weight. Denver judges often hear a child’s preference in a private in-camera setting, protecting honest communication without placing the child in the middle of a contested proceeding.

Child preference is one factor among many. The court weighs it alongside health, safety, school stability, and family relationships within the overall best-interests standard. Even a clearly stated preference doesn’t override the court’s obligation to assess the full picture.

Alternative Dispute Resolution in Denver Custody Conflicts

Colorado courts may order mediation under C.R.S. 13-22-311 to help parents formulate or modify a parenting plan. Alternative dispute resolution lets parents, rather than a judge, shape the parenting schedule and decision-making structure, and it tends to reduce the tension that carries into ongoing co-parenting interactions.

Families using ADR in custody cases commonly benefit from:

  • Greater control over outcomes: Parents help design the parenting schedule and decision-making structure rather than leaving those determinations to a judge.
  • Reduced emotional strain: Cooperative problem-solving lowers conflict during exchanges and day-to-day co-parenting.
  • More durable agreements: Arrangements reached through ADR often last longer because both parents participated in crafting them.

If mediation doesn’t produce an agreement, arbitration may follow, where an arbitrator delivers a binding decision. The goal throughout is an arrangement both parents can actually sustain.

Creating Effective Parenting Plans in Colorado

Under C.R.S. 14-10-124, a parenting plan must address both parenting time and the allocation of decision-making responsibilities. If the parties don’t submit a plan, or the court doesn’t approve one, a judge can formulate the arrangement without input from either parent.

A court-approved parenting plan must include:

  • Residential schedule: Specifies when the child is with each parent, covering regular time, holidays, and vacations.
  • Decision-making authority: Identifies which parent holds authority over education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities.
  • Communication protocol: Describes how parents share information about the child’s well-being and development.
  • Dispute resolution process: Addresses how disagreements will be handled, whether through mediation or court intervention.

The Role of Child Custody Evaluators in Denver Cases

Under Colorado law, a court may appoint a professional parental responsibilities evaluator or a child and family investigator to gather information and submit a written report with custody recommendations. These reports can significantly influence the judge’s decision, so how a parent presents during the evaluation process matters.

Evaluators gather information from both parents, the children, and other relevant sources. Parents who stay organized, demonstrate a clear understanding of their child’s needs, and address evaluator concerns directly tend to present a stronger case. Knowing what evaluators look for can let you engage that process with purpose rather than uncertainty.

Steps to Take If the Other Parent Violates the Custody Agreement

Document each violation with dates, times, and specifics. School attendance records, communication logs, and other written evidence establish a pattern that Denver family courts can act on. Colorado judges look for solid factual support before making decisions that affect parenting arrangements.

Colorado courts encourage parents to attempt resolution through direct communication or mediation before seeking court intervention. If those efforts don’t produce a result, filing a motion to enforce the custody agreement in Denver family court can be the next step. I help Denver parents organize and present the information courts need when a custody arrangement isn’t being followed.

Relocation Cases in Denver Child Custody

A parent planning to relocate must provide written notice to the other parent stating the proposed move, new address, and reasons for relocating. That notice triggers the other parent’s right to object and request a hearing. Courts evaluating relocation requests consider the child’s education and social ties, each parent’s motivation for or against the move, and whether the relocation may allow the child to maintain a meaningful relationship with both parents.

I help Denver parents articulate their position in relocation cases and advocate for arrangements that reflect the child’s actual circumstances, not just the logistics of the proposed move.

Schedule a Consultation with a Denver Child Custody Attorney

Custody cases involve real decisions about your child’s daily life and long-term stability. I bring over 40 years of family law experience and a background in social work to every case, which means I understand both the legal framework and the family dynamics courts weigh.

Call (303) 900-5346 or contact Law Office of Stephan E. Uslan to schedule your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can We Make Joint Decisions for Our Child Despite Poor Communication?

Yes, if both parents can put the child's best interests first. This is often difficult when parents disagree, especially if one feels the other is prioritizing their own needs. You can proactively seek mediation, possibly with an attorney present, or work with an experienced Denver child custody lawyer to create a parenting agreement the court will approve. If an agreement isn't possible, a judge will need to decide.

Is Equal Parenting Time the Best Option for Our Child?

Not necessarily. Every family's circumstances differ, and while courts want each parent to spend quality time with the child, equal parenting time may not be optimal. Colorado judges consider factors including the child's relationship with each parent, each parent's parenting history, the child's social and educational needs, the child's current environment, distance impacts on the other parent and the child's school/activities, the wishes of the child and parents, mental and physical health, and any history of domestic violence.

What Should I Do If I Want to Move Out of State with My Child?

Discuss it with the other parent first if possible. An existing custody order will need court modification, and if both parents agree to new terms, the judge is likely to approve it. If you can't agree, the court considers why the move is sought and why it's opposed, the quality of each parent's relationship with the child, educational opportunities in both locations, extended family ties, the impact on the child, and what parenting time schedule would work for the parent staying behind. Removing a child from Colorado without the other parent's written consent is not advised and can carry serious consequences.

How Can I Ensure My Child's Safety with the Other Parent?

If you have evidence of child endangerment, DUI convictions, substance abuse, domestic violence, or other criminal activity, your child may not be safe with the other parent. You can seek an order restricting their parenting time, or a protective order if abuse has occurred — but you'll need credible evidence to support the claim in court.

Can I Lose Custody of My Child for Dating Someone New?

No — unless the new relationship puts the child's safety or best interests at risk. A co-parent could take you to court over it, potentially leading to visitation restrictions, if the new partner has a history of substance use, violence, an unstable relationship, or a criminal record.

What Custody Arrangement Can I Expect from the Judge?

There's no one-size-fits-all plan — every child's needs are unique. Judges typically prefer parents share decision-making for major life choices like healthcare and education, and will generally order an arrangement that reflects the child's overall best interests: basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare, plus healthy social interaction and educational support.

How Can I Effectively Present My Case to the Judge?

You need to be prepared to present credible evidence supporting your position and requests. An experienced family law attorney who's worked with Colorado's family court judges can provide the insight needed to build proposals and evidence that produce the strongest outcome.

What Is Parental Responsibility in Colorado?

Colorado uses "allocation of parental responsibilities" instead of the term custody. Courts require parents to share decision-making and cooperate on major life choices — education, healthcare, extracurriculars — unless a safety risk exists. If parents can't agree, the court creates an arrangement centered on the child's welfare.

How Can I Modify a Child Custody Order in Denver?

A parent must show a significant change in circumstances — relocation, a job change, or a new health or safety concern affecting the child's needs or a parent's ability to meet them. Mediation is encouraged first; if that fails, a formal modification motion supported by evidence is required. The child's best interests remain the standard throughout.

When Can Visitation Rights Be Denied?

Once a court order is in place, a custodial parent can't unilaterally deny visitation. A parent can petition the court to restrict visitation only with credible evidence of danger to the child — police reports, medical records, or professional testimony. Denver courts restrict visitation only for compelling, evidence-supported reasons, with the child's welfare as the primary consideration.

Who Can File for Visitation Rights in Colorado?

Grandparents and great-grandparents may petition for visitation when there's been a custody or parental responsibilities case involving the child, or when the grandparent's own child has died — including situations like divorce that disrupt contact. Stepparents and others who've maintained a significant, stable caregiving role may also pursue visitation through separate statutory avenues. Courts weigh emotional ties, prior involvement, and the expected positive effect on the child's well-being.

What Is Supervised Visitation?

Supervised visitation means a third party monitors the noncustodial parent's time with the child. Courts order it when unsupervised visits would endanger the child due to substance abuse, neglect, abandonment, or domestic violence. Arrangements can change as circumstances improve and progress is demonstrated.

At What Age Can a Child Decide Which Parent to Live With in Colorado?

Colorado sets no fixed age. Courts consider a child's preference once they're mature enough to express reasoned, independent preferences, often giving more weight around age 14. The judge still makes the final call based on the overall best-interests standard, weighing preference alongside health, safety, and family relationships.

ADVOCACY YOU CAN TRUST

  • Over 40 Years of Experience
  • Degree in Social work
  • Exclusive to Family Law
  • In-depth experience in all matters relating to child custody and divorce

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