You show up for your scheduled parenting time, heart pounding with anticipation. Maybe you’ve planned a special afternoon, just you and your child. But as the minutes tick by, it becomes clear: your child isn’t coming. Maybe you get a vague excuse. Maybe you get no response at all. You stand there, phone in hand, feeling helpless, wondering if your rights as a father mean anything at all.
If this sounds painfully familiar, you’re not alone. Many fathers in Colorado find themselves blindsided when the other parent simply refuses to follow the court-ordered parenting plan. The pain is more than missing a few hours with your child. It’s the heartbreak of lost memories, the frustration of broken promises, and the fear that your role in your child’s life is slipping away.
But here’s the truth: Colorado courts have zero tolerance for parenting plan violations. The law is clear, and your rights are enforceable.
At Jones Law Firm, we understand how urgent and emotional these moments are. That’s why we move quickly, often within days, to enforce court orders and reunite fathers with their children.
You don’t have to face this alone, and you don’t have to wonder what comes next. We’re here to help you restore order, protect your time, and get your child back where they belong: with you.
Colorado Law on Parenting Time Enforcement
Let’s set the record straight: a parenting plan isn’t just a handshake agreement or a list of hopeful wishes, it’s a court order. In Colorado, both parents are legally bound to follow every detail of that plan. When a mother withholds a child from the father, refusing to exchange the child or canceling visits without a valid reason, it’s not just unfair. It’s a direct violation of the law.
This isn’t just our opinion, it’s written into Colorado law. Under C.R.S. §.
But knowing your rights and actually enforcing them are two different things. That’s where we come in. At Jones Law Firm, we know these statutes inside and out.
We don’t just wait for the situation to “work itself out”, we use every legal tool available to get you fast, effective intervention from the courts. Whether it’s filing emergency motions, requesting expedited hearings, or pursuing contempt actions, our team acts quickly and strategically.
Why does this matter? Because every missed visit is a missed opportunity to build your relationship with your child. We understand how urgent this feels, because it is. When the law is on your side, you deserve an advocate who moves just as fast as your situation demands.
How We Verify and Document Violations
When you’re facing a mother who’s withholding your child, you might feel like it’s your word against hers. The good news? You don’t have to rely on hope or hearsay. At Jones Law Firm, we turn your experience into a solid, court-ready case, because evidence is everything.
Review the Parenting Plan
First things first: we sit down with you and comb through your parenting plan. No detail is too small. We clarify your rights, the schedule, and any special provisions. This isn’t just about knowing what’s “supposed” to happen, it’s about identifying the exact moments where your rights have been breached.
Log Every Denial
Next, we help you create a detailed timeline of what’s happened. Every missed pickup, every last-minute cancellation, every vague excuse, it all goes into a log. Dates, times, and what was said (or not said). Think of this as your day-by-day story, showing a pattern the court can’t ignore.
Secure Communications
This is where technology works in your favor. We guide you on how to save texts, emails, voicemails, anything that shows what’s really happening. If your ex sends a text saying, “He’s not coming with you today,” that’s gold. If she ignores your messages, those silent gaps are just as important. We’ll show you how to organize and preserve these communications so nothing gets lost or deleted.
Why does this matter?
Judges don’t want to play referee in a “he said, she said” match. They want facts. By working with us to document every denial, you’re building undeniable proof. This turns your frustration into action, and gives you the best chance at a swift, favorable outcome.
How We File an Immediate Motion to Enforce Parenting Time
When you discover your parenting time is being denied, it’s easy to feel like the system moves too slowly, or that your concerns will be brushed aside. At Jones Law Firm, we know how urgent these situations are for fathers, and we don’t wait around. Our team springs into action, using the legal tools Colorado Law provides to get you back on track as quickly as possible.
Drafting and Filing the Motion, No Filing Fee, No Delay
As soon as we have documented evidence of your parenting time being withheld, we draft a Motion to Enforce Parenting Time tailored to your specific case. This isn’t just a formality, it’s a legal demand for the court to recognize what’s happening and step in. And here’s a bit of relief: Colorado waives the filing fee for these motions, removing any financial barrier to seeking justice.
Expedited Hearings, Because Lost Time Matters
The courts in Colorado understand that when a parent is being denied time with their child, every day counts. That’s why motions to enforce parenting time are placed on an expedited track. In many cases, your hearing will be scheduled within a few weeks. This means you don’t have to wait months for relief, you’ll be in front of a judge quickly, with your concerns front and center.
What Relief Do We Request?
We don’t just ask the court to “fix” the problem, we push for meaningful remedies that restore your rights and discourage future violations. Specifically, we request:
- Make-Up Parenting Time: If you’ve missed out on weekends, holidays, or special events, we fight for you to get that time back. The court can order make-up visits to ensure you don’t lose any more precious moments with your child.
- Attorney Fees: Why should you bear the cost of enforcing an order your ex chose to ignore? We ask the court to order the violating parent to pay your legal fees, holding them financially accountable for their actions.
- Mandatory Compliance Orders: We request that the judge issue clear, enforceable orders requiring your ex to comply with the parenting plan moving forward. This leaves no room for ambiguity or future excuses.
Judges Can, and Do, Act Quickly
It’s normal to worry that the legal process will drag on, but our experience shows otherwise. With a well-prepared motion and strong evidence, Colorado judges often act within weeks. We’ve seen fathers go from feeling powerless to being reunited with their children in a matter of days after the court intervenes.
How We Escalate When Withholding Continues
Sometimes, even after a court has stepped in, the other parent refuses to follow the rules. This is where many fathers feel truly discouraged, but it’s also where Jones Law Firm’s commitment and legal experience become your greatest asset. If your child’s mother continues to withhold parenting time, we don’t just accept it, we escalate, using every legal remedy Colorado offers to protect your rights and your child’s best interests.
Contempt of Court: Pursuing Fines or Jail for Willful Noncompliance
When a parent willfully ignores a court order, it’s not just a minor slip, it’s contempt of court. We take this seriously, and so do Colorado judges. If your ex continues to deny you access after an enforcement order, we promptly file a motion for contempt. The court can impose significant consequences for this behavior, including:
- Fines: The violating parent may be ordered to pay financial penalties for each violation.
- Jail Time: In more severe or repeated cases, the court can even order short-term incarceration to drive home the seriousness of the offense.
- Attorney Fees: Courts often require the noncompliant parent to cover your legal expenses, recognizing that you shouldn’t have to pay for enforcing your rights.
Our goal isn’t to punish for punishment’s sake, it’s to make it crystal clear that court orders are not optional, and that you and your child deserve consistency.
Modification of Custody: Seeking Primary Custody for Persistent Violations
If the pattern of withholding continues, we may recommend seeking a modification of your custody arrangement. Colorado law favors parents who support and encourage a healthy relationship between the child and the other parent. When one parent consistently blocks access, it’s a red flag for the court.
We gather all your documentation, logs, communications, court records, and present a compelling case that you should become the primary custodian. Judges are often moved by a clear, ongoing pattern of interference, especially when you’ve shown patience, responsibility, and unwavering commitment to your child’s well-being.
Emergency Motions: Acting Fast When Your Child Is at Risk
Sometimes, withholding isn’t just about control or spite, it can signal something more serious, like a risk to your child’s safety or emotional health. In urgent situations, we don’t hesitate to file emergency motions. These allow us to seek immediate restrictions on the violating parent’s time and, if necessary, request a transfer of custody, sometimes within days.
Emergency motions are powerful tools, but they require strong, clear evidence. We’ll work with you to gather everything needed so the court understands the urgency and acts quickly to protect your child.
How We Protect Your Child During Conflict
When a parenting dispute escalates, it’s easy for children to feel caught in the crossfire. At Jones Law Firm, we never lose sight of what matters most: your child’s emotional well-being and sense of security. We know that every legal step we take should also protect your child from unnecessary stress or confusion.
Guidance on Calm Communication
We understand how difficult it is to keep your cool when your parenting time is being denied. That’s why we counsel you on how to communicate with your child in a calm, reassuring way. We’ll help you find the right words to explain the situation without placing blame or adding to their anxiety. Sometimes, just letting your child know that you’re doing everything you can to see them, and that none of this is their fault, can make a world of difference.
Advocating for Neutral Exchange Locations
If tensions are running high or exchanges have become a battleground, we advocate for neutral, public exchange locations. This might mean meeting at a local police station, a community center, or even a professional visitation center. These environments help reduce the potential for conflict and keep interactions focused on your child, not the dispute. We’ve seen firsthand how a neutral setting can take the pressure off everyone and make transitions smoother and less stressful.
Prioritizing Your Child’s Stability and Well-Being
Courts in Colorado look favorably on parents who put their child’s needs first, even during a legal battle. We’ll work with you to demonstrate to the judge that your focus is on stability, routine, and healthy relationships. Whether it’s maintaining consistent routines, encouraging your child’s connection with both parents, or seeking professional support when needed, we help you show that you’re the parent who rises above the conflict.
Our Strategic Advantage in Enforcement Cases
At Jones Law Firm, we know that when your parenting rights are under attack, time is of the essence. The longer a pattern of withheld parenting time goes unchallenged, the harder it can be to reverse. That’s why we pride ourselves on moving swiftly, filing motions and taking legal action before these damaging patterns become the new normal.
We Move Quickly, Because Every Day Counts
From the moment you reach out, our team springs into action. We don’t wait for things to get worse; we immediately begin gathering evidence, strategizing your next steps, and preparing motions that put your case in front of a judge as soon as possible. Our proactive approach means you’re not left waiting and wondering, you’re taking back control.
Court-Ready Evidence Packages
Judges need more than just your word, they need proof. That’s why we meticulously assemble evidence packages that are clear, organized, and compelling. We include:
- detailed logs of every denied visit
- saved communications (texts, emails, voicemails)
- when appropriate, testimony from witnesses who can back up your account.
Our preparation ensures your story is presented with maximum impact, leaving no room for doubt.
Balancing Strength and Empathy
Winning enforcement cases isn’t just about being aggressive, it’s about demonstrating that you’re the stable, reasonable parent your child can rely on. We coach you on how to conduct yourself, communicate with your child, and respond to conflict in a way that shows maturity and genuine concern for your child’s well-being.
Judges notice when a father rises above the drama and focuses on what’s best for his child. We help you strike that balance, firm, but never vindictive.
Our Firm Ethos: “We Choose Sides. Yours.”
At Jones Law Firm, we don’t pretend to be neutral. We believe fathers deserve a powerful advocate in their corner, someone who will fight for their rights and their children’s best interests. Our motto, “We choose sides. Yours.”, isn’t just a slogan. It’s a promise. From your first consultation to the final court order, you’ll know exactly where we stand: with you, every step of the way.
Client Testimonials
Compassionate & Effective Counsel That Makes a Difference
We understand that facing a custody enforcement battle can feel overwhelming and isolating. That’s why our mission is not just to win cases, but to restore hope and stability for fathers and their families.
Our clients’ words say it best:
“In the most difficult time of my life, April Jones was there for our family. I am SO thankful for April and her team! She personally went well above and beyond the call of duty on my custody and child support case and helped me out of a nightmare situation with my ex-wife and restored balance and fairness in my family. I am happy, and most importantly the kiddos are happy!! Thank you SO much April for all you do!” – A.E.
We’re proud to be the firm that fathers turn to when they need both strength and compassion. Whether it’s a crisis or a long battle for fairness, we’re by your side, every step of the way.
When a mother withholds a child from their father in Colorado, it’s not just painful, it’s a violation of your rights. The good news is that Colorado law gives fathers powerful tools to enforce parenting time and restore order. At Jones Law Firm, we know how to use every remedy available, whether that means filing immediate motions, pursuing contempt, or seeking a change in child custody, to protect your relationship with your child.
You are not powerless. With our team by your side, you have experienced advocates who act quickly and decisively. We understand what’s at stake, and we’re relentless in fighting for your parenting time, your confidence, and your child’s well-being.
If your child is being withheld from you, don’t wait. Contact Jones Law Firm immediately. We’ll file motions, enforce your rights, and ensure your child is back in your life, because We Choose Sides. Yours.
