Colorado Springs Child Custody Lawyers — Building Parenting Plans That Actually Work
Custody disputes put everything on the line — your relationship with your children, their stability, and your ability to be present in their lives day to day. Burnham Law’s Colorado Springs child custody attorneys know how El Paso County District Court handles APR cases, what Child and Family Investigators look for, and how to build the kind of parenting plan and evidentiary record that leads to the best possible outcome for your family.
Our Colorado Springs custody attorneys bring local court knowledge, thorough preparation, and genuine advocacy to every case. Browse our team below.
She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice before earning her law degree with high honors from Drake University Law School. During her time in law school, she was actively involved in several organizations, including the Children’s Rights Clinic, where she represented children in Dependency and Neglect cases, as well as the Student Bar Association and Law Review. She also gained experience as a Legal Writing Fellow and was a member of the Client Counseling Team. Before joining the Colorado bar, Ali was admitted to practice in Iowa. She worked at a general practice firm, where she gained extensive experience in family law, juvenile law, real estate, and business and estate planning. Ali is dedicated to being a compassionate and zealous advocate for her clients, recognizing the emotional and often high-conflict nature of family law, civil demand letters and probate matters. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys running, skiing, and traveling...
Allison brings a unique blend of business and legal expertise to her practice. After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Georgia, she worked full-time while attending Georgia State University College of Law in the evenings, where she earned her JD. Although born in Texas, Allison’s upbringing included time in Colorado and Georgia. After completing her education in Georgia, she decided to return to Colorado to begin her legal career. She started as a Deputy District Attorney in the 4th Judicial District, prosecuting a variety of cases from misdemeanors to sex offenses. Allison then transitioned to a role as a Senior Contracts Representative at Honeywell, where she worked closely with the United States Air Force. Since 2015, Allison has exclusively practiced family law, a field she discovered to be her true passion. She brings compassion and empathy to her work, ensuring clients understand the legal process every step of the way. While she always strives...
Annie is dedicated to helping clients navigate some of life’s most challenging transitions with clarity and compassion. Her practice focuses primarily on family law, where she represents clients in divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities, post-decree disputes, guardianships, DHS finding appeals and child-related matters. Before joining Burnham Law, Annie gained extensive experience representing clients in district court on guardianship, conservatorship, and expungement cases. From that experience, she learned to approach every case with a balance of empathy and assertiveness, understanding that family law matters are deeply personal and often contentious. Outside the office, Annie enjoys exploring Colorado’s hiking trails and discovering local thrift stores.
Barry has over 35 years of experience handling divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, maintenance, high asset property division, and post decree modification cases. Barry successfully handled the landmark case (Spahmer v. Gullette), which changed child relocation law in Colorado. The case serves as the current governing law for relocation cases in Colorado that arise as part of a divorce proceeding. Barry takes great pride in not only delivering the highest quality legal services, but also developing strong and reliable relationships with his clients. He understands how stressful it is to be involved in a divorce or family law proceeding and considers it his responsibility to take care of his clients and be their trusted advisor when resolving their legal issues.
Brooke Shafranek is an experienced family law attorney with a client-focused approach to her practice. She was born and raised on Long Island, New York, and attended North Carolina State University, where she received her bachelor’s in English and graduated as valedictorian of her graduating class. Brooke attended law school at the University of Florida, where she received several awards, honors and scholarships. Brooke has been recognized as a SuperLawyers Rising Star since 2023, and brings her passion and expertise to every family law matter. Outside of work, Brooke enjoys traveling and watching live music.
Christopher Sutton is an experienced litigator, focusing his current practice on a mix of Criminal Defense and Family Law. He brings over a decade of high-stakes courtroom experience to his practice, having spent nearly ten years as a District Attorney for El Paso County. During this time, he served for three years as a Special Victim's Attorney, handling complex cases including sex crimes, felony child abuse, and multiple homicides. This experience instilled in him a deep commitment to finding justice for clients and giving back to the community. Mr. Sutton's path to law began with a strong interest in the environment. After earning his B.A. in Biology from Washington and Lee University, he worked as an environmental scientist, identifying liabilities in properties. A key experience working on a Superfund site solidified his decision to pursue law. He earned his J.D. from the University of Denver (DU), where he concentrated on environmental and criminal law. Originally from Pottstown, PA, Christopher developed...
Cindy graduated cum laude from The Pennsylvania State University before earning her law degree from Penn State Law. During her time in law school, she gained invaluable practical experience as a student attorney for the Penn State Family Law Clinic, where she successfully represented clients on a variety of complex family law issues. Throughout her legal career, Cindy has distinguished herself as a highly skilled Family Law strategist and a zealous litigator. Her extensive experience has given her a unique ability to navigate the complexities of family law and provide powerful advocacy for her clients. Cindy understands the profound emotional and financial strain that contentious family disputes inflict on families. She is deeply committed to being a steady, supportive force during these tumultuous times. Cindy is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of her clients; she provides individualized representation, developing unique and thoughtful strategies to help clients achieve their specific case objectives and find stability. Committed to...
Daniel is an experienced litigator who has solely focused on family law since 2012 and has significant experience handling complex and high-conflict cases. Daniel started practicing law at a large family law firm in Florida, where he represented hundreds of clients over the years, before moving to Colorado. He has extensive experience in virtually all areas of family law, ranging from original dissolution actions, allocation of parental responsibilities actions, relocation actions, modifications of parenting time, child support and maintenance. Daniel is a proud alum of Florida State University, where he earned both his undergraduate and law degrees. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the state with his wife and daughter.
Jennifer brings two decades of family law paralegal experience to her role as a Licensed Legal Paraprofessional. She began her legal career as a legal assistant at a well-established New York firm specializing in foster care and adoption, where her passion for supporting families and children in vulnerable circumstances took root. After dedicating time to raise a family and complete her Bachelor of Social Work, she returned to the legal environment in 2011, working with a seasoned Colorado family law attorney and further honing her skills in domestic litigation. Jennifer is proud to be part of Colorado’s inaugural class of Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals (LLPs), a groundbreaking initiative expanding access to legal services in family law. She believes in a cooperative, client-centered approach, emphasizing clear communication, practical solutions, and compassionate advocacy. Her social work background reinforces her ability to guide clients through emotionally charged legal matters with both tenacity and empathy. Outside the office, Jennifer enjoys exploring Colorado’s backcountry trails with...
Jennifer is a Partner at Burnham Law. She is an accomplished litigator with expertise in domestic relations law and is often called upon to handle complex dissolutions and post-decree matters. She received the Super Lawyers Rising Star award, a distinction that fewer than 2.5% of lawyers in the state meet. Jennifer got her start practicing criminal law as an Associate Criminal Defense Attorney and she represented clients in court throughout the state of Colorado on a daily basis. Jennifer joined Willoughby and Associates, a premier family law firm in downtown Denver, and has specialized in family law ever since. She is experienced in cases of domestic violence, restrictions and modifications of parenting time, child support, decision making, high conflict APR/dissolution cases, and both pre-decree and post-decree relocation cases. Jennifer enjoys being a source of comfort and guidance to families going through difficult times. She is sensitive to client’s needs while firmly managing their expectations. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending...
Jeremy Wooten, is a seasoned trial attorney who specializes in criminal defense and family law, leveraging a wealth of experience honed over five years at the Colorado State Public Defenders’ Office. Rising to Senior Deputy Public Defender, he successfully managed a diverse caseload, including serious charges like first-degree homicide, drug distribution, and economic crimes, always maintaining an unwavering commitment to client advocacy. Licensed in both Texas and Colorado, Jeremy's legal expertise is defined by strategic planning—meticulously crafting and executing well-thought-out trial strategies—and remarkable resourcefulness in finding innovative solutions to complex legal challenges in both the criminal and family law arenas. His practice is characterized by agile, client-centered advocacy, which relies on adaptability, active listening, and quick thinking essential for effective trial work. Jeremy prioritizes thoroughly understanding his clients' objectives and adapting his strategies dynamically to the evolving nature of trials. His resilience and strategic agility allow him to confidently navigate unexpected developments in the courtroom, ensuring each case is expertly...
Julian Rosielle has been licensed to practice law in Colorado since 2006. Julian is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Law, where he was on the Dean’s List and an associate editor of the University of Colorado Law Review. Julian practiced exclusively in the area of criminal law for the first thirteen years of his career and has several notable case outcomes to include not guilty verdicts on charges of homicide and assault. Julian has extensive trial experience, ranging from Death Penalty cases to misdemeanor domestic violence to driving under the influence. Beginning in 2019, Julian’s practice has expanded to include domestic relations litigation and civil protection orders. Julian has lived in Colorado since 2004 and when not in Court enjoys hiking with his family and dogs.
Kaliegh is a dedicated family law attorney who understands that every family is unique. Whether she is helping clients reach an amicable solution or advocating in the courtroom, Kaliegh ensures that her clients understand the legal process and can make the best decisions for their families. Both a compassionate advisor and a zealous litigator, Kaliegh knows there is no “one size fits all” approach to representation. Kaliegh began her legal career as a staff attorney for the El Paso and Teller County Child Support Services Office. Kaliegh worked in private practice for several years before joining Burnham Law, navigating clients through divorces, child custody determinations, and post-decree modifications. Kaliegh brings a well-rounded approach centered on each client’s individual needs. In her free time, Kaliegh enjoys traveling, photography, reading, and spending time with her family.
Miguel C. Mondragon is a tenacious and dedicated attorney who is fiercely committed to his clients and their legal outcomes. Recognizing that clients facing divorce or criminal charges are often in their most vulnerable state, Miguel acts as a passionate advocate, ensuring they have a voice within the legal system. Growing up in southern Colorado, Miguel developed a strong work ethic by working in construction, lumber, and brickyards while attending college. Before becoming an attorney, his interest in law was sparked by his work within the Larimer County Corrections system. While attending the University of South Dakota School of Law, he gained valuable experience working with East River Legal Services, the Colorado State Public Defenders Office, and Samuelson Law. Upon graduation, Miguel honed his skills first as a solo practitioner, then at Weaver & Associates, P.C., before founding Mondragon Law, where he specialized in criminal defense and family law. He brings this deep experience and tenacity to his current role...
Mikayla assists clients on a variety of family law matters, such as dissolution of marriage, allocation of parental responsibilities, and child support enforcement. Mikayla began her legal career as a child support attorney for El Paso County where she helped parents obtain financial support for their children. While Mikayla has worked in private practice for a number of years, she draws on her experiences as a public child support attorney to help her current clients achieve the best possible results. Clients can expect an honest and tenacious legal advocate in Mikayla’s representation. She understands the sensitive and stressful nature of family law cases, and Mikayla will be there to guide her clients through the legal process. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and camping with her family.
Patrick has experience in the areas of family law, dependency and neglect, and juvenile delinquency. His practice currently focuses on domestic relations, dependency and neglect, and family law matters. Patrick received his Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado Law School where he earned a Juvenile and Family Law Certificate for demonstrated dedication to these fields of law. While attending CU, he also clerked for the 20th Judicial District as a judicial intern and was a student attorney with the Juvenile and Family Law Clinic, assisting low-income clients with a variety of legal issues, including adoptions, divorces, and custody disputes.
Theresa graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in political science and minor in communications in 2014. She went on to graduate third in her class at Western Michigan University Law School in 2018. While in law school she clerked for a judge in the second district court of appeals in Florida. After moving to Colorado she worked for a cannabis law firm assisting cannabis business owners with licensing and compliance/regulations. She then found her passion working in domestic relations and has practiced family law exclusively ever since. Theresa handles all issues related to custody including dependency and neglect, custody disputes, allocation of parental responsibilities, guardianship, and adoptions. Theresa also has experience with high asset cases and division of complex assets. Both in and out of the courtroom, Theresa has a reputation as a strong advocate for those she represents. She is skilled at seeing the big picture, and effectively navigates clients to their best possible outcome....
Child Custody in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado refers to child custody as the Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR), which addresses two distinct issues: decision-making authority over major areas of the child’s life (education, medical care, religious upbringing) and parenting time (the physical schedule determining where the child lives and when). These two components are determined separately and can be allocated in different ways — joint decision-making with unequal parenting time, for example, is common.
All APR decisions in Colorado Springs are governed by the best-interests-of-the-child standard applied by El Paso County District Court. The court weighs a range of factors: each parent’s relationship with and involvement in the child’s life, the child’s adjustment to home, school, and community, each parent’s ability to encourage the child’s relationship with the other parent, the wishes of the child (given appropriate weight for age and maturity), and any history of domestic violence or substance abuse. The court cannot prefer either parent based on gender.
El Paso County’s significant military population creates parenting challenges unique to this community. Deployment schedules, PCS moves, and unpredictable service obligations require custody arrangements that account for realities no standard template addresses. Parenting plans for military families need explicit deployment provisions, return-from-deployment protocols, virtual contact provisions, and contingency language for involuntary relocation — and getting these right from the start prevents significant conflict later.
What Our Colorado Springs Child Custody Attorneys Handle
Initial parenting plan development for both divorcing couples and unmarried co-parents establishing custody for the first time. We build detailed, functional parenting plans that address the daily schedule, holiday rotation, school-year provisions, extracurricular logistics, and communication protocols.
Contested APR litigation in El Paso County District Court when co-parents cannot agree. We prepare clients for the CFI investigation process, build the evidentiary record, and advocate through mediation and hearing.
Military deployment parenting provisions for families affected by Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and Air Force Academy service obligations. We draft deployment provisions that clearly address what happens to parenting time when a servicemember deploys and what the schedule looks like upon return.
Parenting time enforcement when a co-parent is denying scheduled time, interfering with the parent-child relationship, or violating the terms of an existing order. We document violations systematically and pursue enforcement motions when informal resolution fails.
Relocation disputes when a parent seeks to move with the children in a way that affects the existing parenting arrangement. These cases require immediate legal action — both for parents seeking to relocate and for parents opposing a proposed relocation.
Post-decree custody modifications when a substantial and continuing change in circumstances has occurred since the last order. We handle modification petitions from both sides with the same preparation we bring to initial APR cases.
How Colorado Springs Child Custody Cases Work
Custody cases in Colorado Springs are filed in El Paso County District Court. Both parties submit proposed parenting plans, and in contested cases, the court typically appoints a Child and Family Investigator. El Paso County has a well-developed CFI process — the court maintains a roster of approved CFIs, and appointments are made based on availability and the specific needs of the case.
The CFI investigation involves interviews with both parents, the children (age-appropriately), teachers, coaches, therapists, and other relevant third parties. The CFI reviews communications between co-parents, school records, medical records, and any documentation of parenting involvement or concerns. The written report submitted to the court includes specific parenting recommendations that carry substantial weight in the judge’s final determination.
After the CFI submits their report, mediation is required before a hearing is scheduled. In El Paso County, the combination of CFI recommendations and complete financial disclosure leads most contested custody cases to settle at mediation. Cases that proceed to hearing are decided by a judge on the evidence presented, with the CFI often called as a witness. The full process in contested El Paso County custody cases typically runs 6 to 18 months.
Why Burnham Law for Child Custody in Colorado Springs
El Paso County CFI process familiarity. We know how CFI appointments work in this jurisdiction, what investigators look for, and how to prepare clients to present themselves and their parenting effectively throughout the process.
Military parenting plan expertise. Standard parenting plans fail military families. We draft deployment provisions, return protocols, and PCS contingency language that actually work for families connected to Fort Carson and the Springs’ other installations.
Evidence-first case building. Custody cases are decided on documentation — parenting logs, communications, school and medical records. We help clients build that record from day one, not scramble for it when the CFI arrives.
Child-centered advocacy. El Paso County judges respond to arguments that are genuinely focused on what serves the child’s interests. We frame every custody argument in terms that resonate with how this court evaluates APR cases.
How does deployment affect custody in Colorado Springs?
Colorado has specific statutory provisions addressing military deployment and parenting time. A deploying parent can designate a family member — including a stepparent or grandparent — to exercise their parenting time during deployment with court approval. Parenting plans for military families should include explicit deployment protocols and return-from-deployment procedures to avoid confusion and conflict.
What if my co-parent wants to move out of Colorado Springs with our child?
A parent seeking to relocate with a child in a way that significantly affects the existing parenting arrangement must provide advance written notice to the other parent. If the other parent objects, the relocating parent must petition El Paso County District Court for approval. The court evaluates the proposed relocation under the best-interests standard, considering the reasons for the move, the impact on the child’s relationships with both parents, and whether a modified parenting plan can preserve both parent-child relationships.
Can grandparents or other family members get parenting time in Colorado?
Yes, in limited circumstances. Colorado allows grandparents and great-grandparents to petition for parenting time when it is in the child’s best interests. The standard is more stringent than for parents, and the court must find that the petitioning relative has an established relationship with the child and that parenting time serves the child’s interests.
What is the difference between a CFI and a PRE in El Paso County?
A Child and Family Investigator (CFI) and a Parental Responsibilities Evaluator (PRE) are both court-appointed professionals who investigate parenting situations and make recommendations. A PRE typically has more extensive clinical training, conducts a more in-depth evaluation including psychological testing, and is used in the most complex or high-conflict cases. CFIs are more common in standard contested custody cases and move on a somewhat faster timeline.
How does a history of domestic violence affect custody in Colorado Springs?
Colorado law requires courts to consider any history of domestic violence as a factor in APR determinations. A documented history of domestic violence creates a rebuttable presumption against joint decision-making. It can also affect parenting time arrangements, potentially including supervised visitation requirements. How this plays out in a specific case depends on the nature, recency, and documentation of the conduct.
Schedule a Consultation with a Colorado Springs Child Custody Lawyer
The parenting arrangement established now will shape your children’s lives and your relationship with them for years. If you’re facing a custody dispute or establishing a parenting plan for the first time, getting experienced legal representation early gives you the best foundation for the outcome your family deserves.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Colorado Springs child custody attorneys will walk you through your options and help you build a case that protects what matters most.
