| The laws that Colorado parents need to know to | | | | effects that divorce has on children. Because of this, |
| make a parenting plan are found in Title 14 of the | | | | the state has set up a program to provide education |
| Colorado Revised Statutes. These statutes and rules | | | | classes to teach the parents how to help their children |
| contain important information that can help a mother | | | | cope with the divorce and separation. The court has |
| and father create an agreement that fulfills the | | | | the authority to require a mother and father to attend |
| requirements of the law and also serves the best | | | | these classes as part of their custody proceedings. |
| interest of the child. Here are three important points of | | | | Each county has a different system of classes and |
| law that influence the parenting plan and custody | | | | this depends on what the judge considers best. The |
| agreement. | | | | class should help parents learn how to develop a |
| 1. Parenting Time Enforcement Act. In this act, found in | | | | parenting plan that will benefit the children and help |
| Title 14-10.5-102, the state declares that in most cases | | | | meet their needs as the children learns to process the |
| it is in the best interest of the child to have quality time | | | | separation of the parents. |
| with both parents. The article was written to help | | | | 3. Modification to Parenting Time or Allocation of |
| children have more access to the parent that they do | | | | Parental Responsibilities. After a custody order has |
| not normally live with. Parents need to think about this | | | | been established, the court can make a modification to |
| directive as they make their custody agreement. The | | | | the order if it is in the best interest of the child. This is |
| child may live with one parent, but there should still be | | | | found in Title 14-10-129. If the parents agree on the |
| significant time with the other parent. | | | | change the court will accept it and it can be part of the |
| 2. Parental Education. In Title 14-10-123.7 the state | | | | custody order. If the parents do not agree, the judge |
| recognizes the research that shows the detrimental | | | | will determine if the change is best for the child. |