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Until recently, the presence of domestic abuse between two parents was not a consideration that judges would use when deciding on parenting time and legal custody.  As a Colorado Springs divorce lawyer, I have felt the frustration of this mindset on behalf of many clients.  The reason for this was that the court believed that one parent’s violence against the other was not a reflection of their parenting abilities.  How any judge would believe that domestic abuse committed by one of their parents would not have a fundamental impact on the children’s well being still amazes me

Today, Colorado family courts know better, and they are addressing the issue of domestic violence in divorce cases as a factor for determining custody.  After all, how can a person be a good parent if his children fear for their own safety as well as their mother’s?  It is safe to say that any violent parent who engages in criminal acts against a family member is not a fit parent.  Any parent who puts the health and well being of his wife and children in jeopardy is unable to make sound parenting decisions, but if you are a victim of domestic abuse it can be challenging to present this type of evidence to a judge in the presence of your abuser.

An experienced attorney can make sure these considerations are presented to a judge properly so that the right decisions can be made about parenting time.  In many cases, the judge will order supervised parenting time to the abusive parent, if any.  Plus, a third-party mediator will get involved to prevent face-to-face negotiations between the parents.  If you are a victim of domestic abuse and involved in a divorce action, a Colorado Springs divorce lawyer can represent you in all matters relating to custody and parenting. 

Patricia Marrison is a Family Law attorney in Colorado Springs, CO. and the owner of the Marrison Family Law LLC, Colorado Springs largest Family Law practice.  The Marrison Family Law LLC is devoted to assisting with the difficulties of the breakup of relationships, be it common law marriage, a non-marriage with children, or dissolution with or without children. We attempt to serve the entire spectrum of relationships, from those couples with the simplest, uncontested dissolution to the highly conflicted relationship involving allegations of domestic abuse.