Professional Background
I began practicing family law in Colorado in 1999 and children are my passion. I have five children of my own, two of which are adopted. I have an autistic child and a child with severe ADHD. I am knowledgeable with IEPs, 504 plans, neuropsychological testing, medication management, and behavior management for children with special needs. I am also experienced with substance abuse and its impact on children. I decided to transition from litigation into child advocacy after a child’s death resulted from the hands of a parent. I am very experienced in relocation cases, long distance parenting plans, and international cases. I lived overseas in the Middle East and Asia and have spent extensive time in Mexico and South America. I understand different cultures including religious practices, parenting styles, and family dynamics. Finally, I worked as a contractor with the Office of Child Representative where I represented children as both a Guardian ad Litem and Counsel for Youth in probate and juvenile proceedings, including dependency and neglect cases.
Divorce and custody conflict should not end in trauma to a child because the child did nothing to cause the adults’ decision to uncouple. I am guided by the best interests of a child in every case to ensure that parents receive a detailed report and a roadmap to become co-parents, in whatever form that takes.
I have been trained and have testified regarding domestic violence and child abuse. If a parent makes unsafe choices with a child that should not mean that there is not a path for the parent/child relationship to recover in some form. Parents are human and we all make mistakes. In my experience, children thrive when they have a relationship with each parent, so long as it is physically and emotionally safe for the child.
As a CFI, I promise to treat each parent with respect, to listen to their story and deliver a report that applies Colorado family law statutes and follows Colorado Judicial Directive 04-08 to create recommendations that are in the child’s best interests.
As a CLR, I promise to advocate for your child’s best interests by listening to each parent’s perspective, reviewing documentation, meeting with professionals, and if necessary, advocating for your child during a court proceeding.
I completed the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA 101) training as part of my domestic violence training. The link to my certificate can be downloaded here: Odara 101 Certificate
