On behalf of Cooper & Tanis, P.C. posted in child custody on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

When Colorado parents of young children get a divorce, dealing with a child custody dispute can be difficult. However, if parents are interested in working out an agreement without getting the court involved, they may be able to draft a parenting agreement.

A parenting agreement is a written agreement that finalizes the couple’s decisions regarding the care of their children. Although they can vary widely, all agreements should include where the child will live, when they will visit with the other parent and whether one or both parents will make major decisions regarding the child’s upbringing. Additionally, the agreement will also determine where the child will spend major holidays. Ways to handle any disputes or disagreements that arise later on should also be covered.

Before the parenting agreement can become final, it must be approved by a judge. In some cases, an informal court hearing may follow so that the judge can be sure that both parents voluntarily signed the agreement and that they understand the conditions. Once the agreement is finalized, the parents must follow it. If one parent consistently fails to follow the agreement, the other parent could go to court to resolve the dispute.

When parents are working towards a child custody agreement as part of their divorce, finalizing a plan can potentially be difficult, especially if both parents want physical custody. A family law attorney may assist with negotiating with the other party. This may include arguing that it is in the child’s best interest for a particular parent to have physical custody as this would mean the kids do not have to change schools or quit their extracurricular activities.