Chapter 18 - CHAPTER 18 COURT-APPOINTED NEUTRALS

• Jurisdiction: Colorado

Chapter 18 COURT-APPOINTED NEUTRALS

Julia M. Purchase, Esq.

SYNOPSIS

§ 18.1 ADVOCATES FOR THE CHILDREN

§ 18.1.1—Colorado's Unique Approach to the Guardian ad Litem Role

§ 18.1.2—The GAL, CLR, and CFI in Colorado

§ 18.1.3—Statutory References to the GAL/CLR/CFI

§ 18.1.4—Case Law Summary on the Role of the GAL/CLR/CFI

§ 18.1.5—The GAL/CLR/CFI in High-Conflict Parental Responsibilities Cases

§ 18.1.6—Difficult Types of Cases

§ 18.1.7—Some Thoughts for Attorneys Working with a GAL/CLR/CFI

§ 18.2 RESOURCES FOR INTERVENTION

§ 18.2.1—Parenting Coordinator

§ 18.2.2—Domestic Relations Decision-Maker

§ 18.2.3—C.R.S. § 14-10-128.5 Arbitrator

§ 18.2.4—Other Jurisdictions

§ 18.3 CONCLUSION

§ 18.4 BIBLIOGRAPHY/SUGGESTED READING

EXHIBITS

Exhibit 18A—GAL/CLR Sample Information Sheet

Exhibit 18B—Parent Self-Report

Exhibit 18C—Sample Interview Questions of Parents, Children, and Collaterals

Exhibit 18D—Release of Information for GAL/CLR/CFI

Exhibit 18E—Chief Justice Directive 04-06 Amended

Exhibit 18F—Chief Justice Directive 04-08 Amended

Exhibit 18G—Chief Justice Directive 08-01

Exhibit 18H—Mandatory Disclosure

Exhibit 18I—Order Appointing CFI

Exhibit 18J—Consent to Release and Exchange Confidential and Privileged Information

Exhibit 18K—Sample Letter for Consent to Release Form

"Scout, there are some men in this world who are born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father is one of them."

Maudie, talking about Atticus Finch to his daughter, in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

In the large majority of family law cases, parents are able — sometimes with the quiet assistance and calm counsel of their attorneys — to see beyond their anger and hurt enough to work together to protect their children from the high conflict that can destroy their children emotionally. Still, there are those inflamed cases in which the needs of the children are summarily pushed aside in the parents' unforgiving "war of the roses." These are the tough cases in which courts are called upon to redirect the adults' attention to the best interests of the children.

Over the years, a number of court-appointed roles have...