At Jones Law Firm, PC, we represent parents in Greenwood Village who were served first and need to respond quickly, strategically, and without disrupting a career built over decades.
Since 2000, our team has handled contested allocation of parental responsibilities matters across Arapahoe County District Court, including high-asset cases involving equity compensation, child support, and out-of-state orders.
With Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent recognition, 3,500+ cases behind us, and 250+ years of combined experience, we know how to close the gap when the other side moved first.
We also make the process workable for parents. Our Client Portal keeps your case organized, and our Communication Guarantee means you are not left chasing your attorney. Discretion is built into the process, and when child support or broader divorce issues are tied to your custody matter, we handle them within one coordinated strategy.
Types of Child Custody Arrangements Under Colorado Law
Colorado does not use the word “custody.” According to the Colorado General Assembly under C.R.S. § 14-10-124, courts allocate parental responsibilities, meaning decision-making authority and parenting time, based on the best interests of the child.
Decision-making can be sole or joint, covering education, healthcare, and religion. Parenting time can be primary residential to one parent or shared on schedules like week-on/week-off, 2-2-3, or 5-2-2-5. Every case requires a written Parenting Plan filed with the court.
Other structures you may encounter:
- Temporary orders that govern parenting time while the case is pending, followed by permanent orders at final hearing.
- Emergency or ex parte orders when a child faces immediate risk, including documented domestic violence under C.R.S. § 14-10-124(4).
- Paternity actions for unmarried parents under C.R.S. § 19-4-101, which must be resolved before parental responsibilities are allocated.
- Modifications requiring a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, and relocation requests governed by C.R.S. § 14-10-129.
- Court-appointed Child and Family Investigators (CFIs) or Guardians ad Litem (GALs), whose reports carry significant weight with Arapahoe County judges.
Child Custody Services We Provide in Greenwood Village
- Contested custody litigation in Arapahoe County District Court
- Respondent defense for custody or divorce papers
- Fathers’ rights representation for custody and parenting time
- Parenting plan drafting, negotiation, and review
- Custody modifications and post-decree disputes
- Relocation and move-away disputes
- Emergency custody motions and temporary orders
- Parenting time enforcement and contempt motions
- CFI and GAL coordination
- Mediation preparation and attendance
- Interstate custody matters under the UCCJEA
- Colorado-California custody jurisdiction disputes
- Protection order defense involving custody
- Collaborative custody resolution
- Child support and divorce coordination tied to custody
Speak With a Trusted Family Law Attorney
For clear guidance through divorce, custody, and family law matters in Colorado, contact Jones Law Firm. Call 303-799-8155 to schedule your confidential consultation.
Why Choose Jones Law Firm for Child Custody in Greenwood Village
Respondent-focused representation
We specifically defend the parent who was served. That positioning shapes strategy from the first call, including a documented track record of winning full custody and expanded parenting time for fathers.
Round Table Brain Trust
Every contested custody case is reviewed by multiple attorneys and senior staff. You get boutique attention with the firepower of a large firm behind every motion.
Arapahoe County courtroom familiarity
3,500+ cases handled and 250+ years of combined team experience. No learning curve on local judges, local process, or how custody is actually litigated in this district.
Peer-validated credentials
Super Lawyers 2024 to 2026, Rising Stars 2024 to 2026, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent, Avvo 10.0, BBB A+, and 4.6 stars on Google at the Greenwood Village office.
Communication Guarantee and Client Portal
Proactive updates and secure document access. You will not chase your own attorney, and discretion is built into how we handle every file. We Choose Sides. Yours.
Common Custody Mistakes Greenwood Village Parents Make and How to Avoid Them
Most custody setbacks are self-inflicted. Smart, capable parents make small missteps early that get used against them later. Avoid these:
- Agreeing to informal custody arrangements without a court order, then losing leverage when the other side files first.
- Deviating from an existing parenting plan, even slightly, and handing the other party documented violations.
- Making unilateral calls on school, healthcare, or relocation without written co-parent notice.
- Using children as messengers or venting to them about the other parent.
- Filing pro se without understanding Colorado’s Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR) statutes.
- Failing to document every instance of parenting time interference in writing.
- Treating the CFI or GAL interview casually instead of preparing for it like a deposition.
- Posting anything on social media that opposing counsel can introduce as evidence.
- Waiting months to file for modification after a job change, move, or schedule shift.
- Fathers assuming the court favors mothers. Colorado law requires a gender-neutral analysis, and we have a proven track record of winning full custody and expanded parenting time for fathers.
About Jones Law Firm, PC. Serving Greenwood Village Families Since 2000
Since 2000, Jones Law Firm, PC has represented Denver Metro and Greenwood Village families through the highest-stakes moments of their lives.
From our multiple offices, including Aurora, we handle contested custody, complex asset division, and cross-state jurisdiction matters across Colorado and California. We represent the respondent. We have a documented track record of winning full custody.
The team brings 250+ years of combined experience and 3,500+ cases to every file that crosses our desk. Managing Attorney April Jones is Super Lawyers recognized. The firm carries an Avvo 10.0, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, BBB A+, and a 4.6 star Google rating.
Every case is reviewed by multiple attorneys and staff, so you get boutique attention backed by a full team’s strategic firepower. Bilingual in English and Spanish. Discreet by default. Aggressive in court, candid in counsel, and committed to the ethos that drives every file we open: We Choose Sides. Yours.
Our Child Custody Process at Jones Law Firm
1. Free 45-Minute Consultation
You meet with a Client Relationship Specialist to map the facts, your goals, response deadlines, and immediate risks. Evening and video appointments are available so you don’t disrupt your workday.
2. Round Table Brain Trust Strategy Session
Your full legal team reviews the case together, pressure-tests strengths and weaknesses, and builds a coordinated strategy. You get the firepower of a large firm with the focus of a boutique.
3. Investigation and Evidence Gathering
We assemble parenting time records, communications, school and medical records, and financial documents tied to equity compensation or business interests. If a CFI or GAL is involved, we prepare you for it.
4. Filing, Motions, and Jurisdiction
We handle your response, parenting plan, and any temporary or emergency orders. If a prior California order is in play, we address UCCJEA jurisdiction directly.
5. Negotiation and Mediation
Colorado requires mediation in most contested cases before a hearing. We negotiate from a prepared position, not a defensive one.
6. Contested Hearing and Trial
If no agreement is reached, we try the case in Arapahoe County District Court with judges and procedures we know.
7. Post-Decree Support and Modification
Life changes. We handle modifications and enforcement so your order keeps working.
Throughout every step, the Communication Guarantee and Client Portal keep you informed without chasing updates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody in Greenwood Village
How does Colorado determine the best interests of the child in a custody case?
Colorado courts weigh a specific list of factors under C.R.S. 14-10-124, including each parent’s relationship with the child, the child’s adjustment to home and school, the mental and physical health of everyone involved, and each parent’s willingness to support the other’s relationship with the child. There is no single tiebreaker.
What is the difference between legal custody and parenting time in Colorado?
Colorado does not actually use the word “custody” in its statutes anymore. The two concepts are decision-making responsibility (formerly legal custody) and parenting time (formerly physical custody). Decision-making covers major calls on education, healthcare, and religious upbringing, and it can be joint or sole. Parenting time is the actual schedule of when the child is with each parent.
Can a father get full custody in Colorado, or does the court favor mothers?
Possibly. Colorado law is gender-neutral, and courts are required to evaluate parents on the statutory factors, not on assumptions about who is the “natural” caregiver. That said, outcomes still depend heavily on preparation and advocacy. Fathers who come in early, document their involvement, and build a clear parenting plan are routinely successful.
What should I do if I was just served with custody papers?
First, do not ignore the deadline. In Colorado you generally have 21 days to file a response if served in-state, and missing that window can result in default orders against you. Second, do not contact the other party’s attorney directly or sign anything they send over. Third, get your own attorney involved immediately, especially if there are complex assets like equity compensation, RSUs, or business interests in play.
How do I modify a custody order in Arapahoe County?
Modification requires showing a substantial and continuing change in circumstances since the last order. For parenting time adjustments, the threshold is lower. For changes to primary residence or decision-making, the bar is significantly higher, and you generally must wait at least two years from the last order unless the child is endangered.
Can I relocate with my child to another state without the other parent’s consent?
Not if there is an existing parenting plan in place. Colorado requires the relocating parent to provide written notice with the proposed new location, the reason for the move, and a revised parenting time proposal. The other parent can object, and if they do, the court holds a hearing applying a specific set of relocation factors.
What happens if my co-parent violates the parenting plan?
Document everything. Dates, times, missed exchanges, denied calls, written communications. Then you have options. A motion to enforce, a motion for contempt, or in serious cases a motion to modify parenting time. Colorado courts take repeated violations seriously, particularly when one parent is actively interfering with the other’s relationship with the child.
At what age can a child choose which parent to live with in Colorado?
There is no specific age. Colorado law allows the court to consider the wishes of a child who is “sufficiently mature” to express a reasoned, independent preference, but the judge weighs that input alongside every other best-interest factor. Courts are skilled at spotting parental influence. A Child and Family Investigator or Parental Responsibilities Evaluator is often appointed to assess the child’s actual perspective.
How long does a contested custody case take in Arapahoe County?
A contested case from filing to final orders typically runs nine to eighteen months, depending on complexity, court calendar, and whether a Child and Family Investigator is appointed. Cases involving high-value assets, interstate jurisdiction issues, or allegations requiring evaluation take longer. Temporary orders can be put in place within the first 60 to 90 days, which establishes the interim parenting schedule and financial obligations while the case proceeds.
What Families Say About Jones Law Firm
“She is sharp, quick and strong and we won my case decisively.”- M.K.
A respondent up against opposing counsel who filed first needs an attorney who takes control of the room. This review reflects the courtroom-dominant advocacy clients consistently see from the team.
“April is well prepared and understands the law and court processes well beyond anything I have experienced.”- J.M.
Arapahoe County District Court rewards preparation. Strategic command of local procedure is what separates a confident respondent posture from a reactive one.
“Not a day went by when I did not receive a document, a question, or an answer from them.”- A.M.
For a working professional who cannot chase their own attorney between meetings, the Communication Guarantee and Client Portal are operational.
“It takes a truly talented firm to represent a father and ensure full custody of his daughter remains intact.”- S.D.
Fathers’ rights outcomes are a documented track record here, not a footnote. When the stakes are full custody or expanded parenting time, this is the work the firm is known for.
“It made a difficult time of life softer while maintaining my dignity.”- S.C.
Discretion matters when your professional reputation sits alongside your case. Clients consistently note advocacy that protects both. You can see similar feedback across the firm’s divorce representation work.
Local Resources for Child Custody Cases in Greenwood Village
- Arapahoe County Justice Center – Centennial
Main courthouse for Greenwood Village custody and divorce cases.
- Arapahoe County Court Self-Help Center
Court filing and procedure help for self-represented parties.
- Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help Forms
State custody, divorce, child support, and enforcement forms.
- Arapahoe County Child Support Services
County help for child support establishment, enforcement, and modification.
- Arapahoe County Child Support Mediation Services
Parenting-time and decision-making mediation resource.
- Colorado Office of Dispute Resolution
Court-connected mediation for family law disputes.
- Arapahoe County Bar Association Family Law Pro Se Clinic
Free family law clinic for general custody and divorce information.
- Colorado Legal Services
Free legal aid for qualifying low-income families.
- Arapahoe County Human Services Classes and Workshops
Parenting and family-support classes.
- Colorado Judicial Branch Access & Visitation Program
Parenting time, supervised visitation, and visitation enforcement support.
- Colorado Supervised Parenting
Supervised visitation and parenting-time provider.
- Serenity Supervision
Supervised parenting time and safe-exchange provider.
- Denver Supervised Visitation and Monitored Exchanges
Supervised visitation and neutral exchange provider.
- TalkingParents
Co-parent communication and documentation tool.
- OurFamilyWizard
Co-parenting app for messages, calendars, and expense tracking.
Schedule Your Free Child Custody Consultation in Greenwood Village Today
You were served. The clock is already running on your response deadline, and temporary orders or emergency motions can land fast. The next move is yours.
We Choose Sides. Yours.
Call us to schedule, or request your consultation online today.
