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This Division provides court-ordered parenting time evaluations and recommendations to assist the Arapahoe County District Court Judges and families in devising a schedule outlining what parental rights and responsibilities each parent shall manage following separations and divorce. Maureen Dempsey, Parenting Time Evaluator, can be reached at 303-738-8050, by Fax at 303-738-8099, or by email.

Evaluations:

Thorough assessment of families completed by professionals with expertise in divorce and co-parenting issues. Conducts comprehensive evaluation of the comparative capabilities of both parents. Interviews with each family member. Interviews and assessment of significant others, stepparents, and grandparents (when applicable). Home visit with each parent and the children. Observations of parent/child interactions. Interviews personal and professional references and conducts background checks. Evaluations for initial court orders, modification of existing orders and post decree conflicts. Evaluations can generally be completed between ten and fourteen weeks.

Recommendations:

Recommendations tailored specifically for each family. Recommendations designed to lessen the parental conflicts around children. Written reports with recommendations concerning the division of parental responsibilities and parenting time. Recommendations based on data gathered, summarizing the strengths of each parent. Recommendations are based on the Colorado Revised Statute for the "Best Interest of Child", CRS 14-10-124.

Costs:

Parenting Time Evaluations are $2,000 per family, unless otherwise ordered by the Court. Parenting Time Evaluation charges involving one household are assessed on a case by case basis. Testimony fees are billed at the rate of $80 per hour with a $500 retainer.