About Colorado Custody Evaluators
Guardian Ad Litem (GALS)
Child Family Investigator (CFI)
Child Family Investigator (CFI)
A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is typically a lawyer appointed by the court. Their primary role is to advocate for the best interests of a child within legal proceedings, such as custody disputes. The GAL investigates the child's situation, advocates on their behalf, and provides the court with informed recommendations. Their legal background is effectively what gives them authority for representing the child's interests.
Child Family Investigator (CFI)
Child Family Investigator (CFI)
Child Family Investigator (CFI)
Child and Family Investigators (CFIs) in Colorado are professionals tasked with assessing child-related issues within family law cases. While CFIs often have backgrounds in mental health or child development, this is not mandatory. Some CFIs have primarily legal expertise. Their appointment by the court is based on their perceived ability to effectively investigate and report on matters concerning the welfare of children.
Parental Rights Evaluator (PRE)
Child Family Investigator (CFI)
Parental Rights Evaluator (PRE)
Parental Responsibility Evaluators (PREs) are licensed mental health professionals appointed by the courts. They have training in fields like psychology, social work, or counseling. PREs conduct evaluations, considering factors such as parental capabilities, child's needs, and any history of abuse. Their reports are weighed heavily in the court for making decisions regarding parental responsibilities.
Colorado's rocky family court
High-Conflict = $$$
Experiencing the deep betrayal of trust by a professional meant to safeguard your child's well-being is truly devastating. When those tasked with upholding standards of fairness and care fall short due to bias, negligence, or apathy, the consequences are not just disheartening; they're destructive. The harsh reality is that no one can match a parent's intrinsic concern for their child, yet the system boldly assumes the right to intervene and dictate the course of action, often aggravating the situation further. The recurring failures raise critical questions about responsibility—whether it's the evaluators, the co-parent, or the very framework of the system itself. Unquestionably, it's the children, innocent and vulnerable, who bear the brunt of these systemic flaws, impacting their sense of security, trust in their parents, and perception of authority figures.
The case of Shannon McShane, who was discovered to have falsified her qualifications and faced felony charges, underscores a glaring oversight within Colorado's regulatory mechanisms, which only recently implemented background checks for custody evaluators. This lapse not only allowed McShane's deceit to go unchecked but also highlights a broader issue of accountability among entities tasked with vetting these evaluators. As parents, recognizing these systemic failures is the first step towards advocating for change.
Understanding your rights becomes not just advice but a necessity in navigating a landscape rife with exploitation and disregard for the true interests of families. The high financial stakes of custody evaluations, coupled with a system that seemingly prioritizes monetary gain over children's welfare, underscores the importance of informed self-advocacy. It's essential to familiarize yourself with the legal obligations of evaluators, parental rights, child rights, and other pertinent laws to protect your family effectively.
This situation is not just alarming; it's a call to action for awareness, education, and systemic reform. The journey through family court is daunting, but armed with knowledge and a clear understanding of your rights, there's a path to navigating it more confidently. The advice to "just ask your lawyer" falls short when the reality is that comprehensive legal counsel is often financially inaccessible. It's in this gap of guidance and support that this website aims to serve, offering a beacon of hope and empowerment for those feeling lost in the tumultuous seas of family law. Together, by shedding light on these issues, there's hope for a future where the system truly serves the best interest of the child and respects the rights of families.