Best Child Custody Lawyer in Colorado
CINDY TSUEI
Child Custody Lawyer
Cindy Tsuei is an associate attorney based in our Colorado Springs office. Cindy graduated with university honors from the Pennsylvania State University, after which she attended law school at Penn State Law. During her time at Penn State Law, she practiced as a student attorney for the Penn State Family Law Clinic, where she represented victims of domestic violence and other individuals with family law disputes such as divorce and custody.
Prior to becoming an attorney at Burnham Law, Cindy honed her legal skills working as a law clerk at a family law firm in Denver, and gained extensive experience working on complex domestic relations matters.
Cindy understands that family law disputes can be emotionally straining on clients and strives to reach a resolution through a client-centered approach. She believes that understanding a client’s story and case objectives strengthens her role as an advocate.
In her spare time, Cindy loves to read, work out, and play video games. She is also conversant in Mandarin.
Lauren Lester
Child Custody Lawyer
How much time have you spent trying to figure out a complicated legal system? How much have you worried am I doing it right? How much money have you paid to a lawyer who isn’t helping?
Choosing the right lawyer to help you navigate life’s major moments is often the difference between stress and success.
Life has several major moments: from birth to death, marriage to divorce. These moments can be overwhelming and stressful – and that’s before you get into the legal stuff. You need someone who will help you navigate the legal process and protect your interests.
When you’re trying to plan for your future and make sure your kids are taken care of, it’s scary to think your estate plan or marital agreement might not be right. You need someone who will protect your assets and clearly document your goals.
When someone you love dies, you’re not only experiencing grief, but you also want to ensure their last wishes are followed. You need someone who will help you accomplish your loved ones’ goals and take that responsibility off your plate.
As a spouse, I know there are many ways to contribute to a marriage. As a mom, I understand that kids come first. Life is messy and kids are expensive – and that’s on the good days! When you need to get divorced or establish a custody plan, it’s overwhelming to navigate the legal process and near impossible to pay expensive lawyers tens of thousands of dollars just to make things more complicated. You need someone who will not only simplify things but who will get it done so you can move on.
Anica Midthun
Child Custody Lawyer
Anica is an attorney at Brighter Day Law, practicing exclusively Family Law. In 2022, Anica was Nationally Ranked Top 10 Under 40 for Excellence in the Field of Family Law from the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys.
Anica attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a degree in Journalism with a focus in Advertising and a minor in Public Policy in 2018. In 2021, she earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver, where she specialized in labor and employment law.
While in law school and beyond, Anica has been passionate about helping victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. During her education, Anica started “Law Students Against Sexual and Domestic Violence,” an organization that is the first of its kind in Colorado and is dedicated to law students becoming active members in the legal community and giving back to the victims.
Anica joined the team at Brighter Day Law because of its vision and dedication to its clients. As an attorney, she appreciates the opportunity to take on challenges and help clients reach their goals in a professional and cost-effective way. Anica has a compassion for her clients and desire to go the extra mile to ensure they’re receiving the best assistance in their family law matter. Down the road, Anica hopes to engage in more pro bono work and assist women fleeing abusive relationships without being left destitute.
Nicholas Tootalian
Child Custody Lawyer
Nick and his wife moved from Michigan to Colorado in 2011 for Nick to attend the Sturm College of Law of The University of Denver. Nick began practicing with a focus on criminal law and shifted his focus to family law in 2014. Nick has experience in numerous practice areas that provides clients unique insight and guidance to issues peripheral to their family law matter.
Nick approaches every matter with compassion. While litigation is Nick’s interest his passions are in people. When you hire an attorney for any matter, particularly one that directly affects your family, you are putting what is most important to you in the hands of someone who is initially a stranger. Nick’s goal in every case is to earn your trust so that you feel confident. Nick will earn your trust through his compassion, his accessibility, and his experience.
Nick is a skilled negotiator and will do so aggressively in pursuit of the outcome you are seeking. However, Nick will always be straightforward with you about your case and the likelihood of success. Nick is exceptionally confident in a courtroom and anticipates that, because of his representation, you will feel confident as well should you decide to take your matter to a hearing or trial.
Nick values integrity and trust and believes that above all else, these are values necessary to succeed in any endeavor. Nick hopes that this sentiment shines through to each individual he encounters.
Michael Warren Moran
Child Custody Lawyer
Attorney Michael W. Moran has been a practicing trial lawyer in Colorado Springs since 1994.
Attorney Moran’s exceptional ability to produce criminal defense victories for his clients charged with severe and complex felonies has earned him a well-deserved reputation among his peers, colleagues, prosecutors, and past clients.
From 1995 through 1998, Mike served as the City of Victor, Colorado Municipal Court Judge.
Michael Moran is a Southern Colorado native. He attended the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and completed law school at the University of Denver.
Mike serves on the following boards and committees:
University of Colorado – Colorado Springs Search Committee to elect President of the University.
First Appearance Committee at El Paso County Combined Courts. This Committee oversees the administration of all misdemeanor cases in that jurisdiction.
Mike is a Mentor Lawyer on Teen Court at Colorado Springs Municipal Court.
Attorney Moran is a frequent lecturer at the Colorado Springs Public Defender’s Office, speaking on Driving Under the Influence cases, Driving Under Restraint, and Constitutional Suppression issues.
Mark Haydel, Esq.
Child Custody Lawyer
Born and raised in New Orleans, Mark attended Louisiana State University and received his Bachelor’s in Accounting with a minor in Communication Studies. During his undergraduate studies, he was a member of the LSU Center for Internal Audit and completed two internships with major corporations in Colorado and Arkansas.
After graduation, Mark enrolled in the University of Arkansas School of Law where he completed legal externships in corporate law and criminal defense.
In search of cooler weather, Mark relocated to Colorado and joined the Aurora Public Defender’s Office where he gained abundant litigation experience, from the first appearance to negotiations to jury trials. Mark believes that a lawyer’s role is to be a champion for their clients. Mark is excited to put his mix of skill, strategy, and passion to each and every case.
Outside of the courtroom and the office, you can usually find Mark in the gym or training in martial arts.
Trista Price
Child Custody Lawyer
Trista McElhaney Price is a founding partner at Price Family Law, LLC. She specializes in high-asset divorce cases and legal matters involving complex business and financial issues as well as complex custody matters involving domestic violence, substance abuse issues, and mental health issues. Additionally, she pursues appellate work, having successfully appealed numerous court rulings.
Trista began her legal career in 2012 working for a men’s/father’s rights law firm. She went on to serve as Senior Managing Associate for two successful family law firms before forming her own law firm, Pomper Price, LLC in 2020, and eventually Price Family Law, LLC in 2021. Trista is skilled in both the law and in business, holding degrees from both the University of Colorado Law School and the University of Denver Daniels College of Business.
Her financial knowledge makes her a formidable litigator in high-asset divorce cases. She also has significant experience handling complex custody cases. Due to her strong research and writing skills, Trista is particularly effective at filing successful appeals.
Dawn M. Ogrodny
Colorado Springs has been my home since I was eight years old. I completed my undergraduate study at Colorado College. I received my law degree in 2000 from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington, before it was the basketball powerhouse it is today. And yes, I love basketball. I also love dogs. I own four dogs, and I foster puppies for a local rescue. The one I’m holding in the photo is a foster pup.
In 2005, I was an associate attorney for the Dianna L. Harris, P.C. law firm in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Working with Ms. Harris provided me with an excellent foundation for practicing family law, and she remains my mentor to this day. I started my own family law practice in 2007.
My life experience led me to become a family law attorney. I grew up in a “broken home” (a term I hate, by the way) with my mother, and contact with my father was cut off due to the high conflict divorce. I have a healthy relationship with both my parents, but it has taken years to get there. My experience motivates me to show my clients that their children love them no matter what and that they deserve to have relationships with both parents.
Divorce is a traumatic experience for all involved, but it does not have to be if we look at divorce as restructuring the family unit rather than breaking it. There is no requirement to hate the other parent because there are great parents who happen to be less than great spouses. At the end of the day, no one regrets getting a divorce, and I want to help people get through it with dignity.
The role of the best custody lawyer in Colorado is essential when parents are involved in child custody disputes during divorce or separation proceedings. These highly skilled attorneys specialize in family law and are crucial for several reasons when child custody matters arise:
- Legal Expertise: Custody laws in Colorado are complex, and they can vary depending on the circumstances and the best interests of the child. The best custody lawyers in Colorado have a deep understanding of state and local family laws and can provide expert guidance to their clients.
- Child’s Best Interests: The primary focus of child custody cases in Colorado is the best interests of the child. Custody lawyers advocate for arrangements that prioritize the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
- Types of Custody: Custody lawyers explain the various types of custody arrangements available, including physical custody, legal custody, joint custody, sole custody, and shared custody. They help clients understand these options and choose the most suitable arrangement for their family.
- Negotiation and Mediation: In many cases, child custody disputes can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. The best lawyers are skilled negotiators who work to reach mutually agreeable custody arrangements that serve the child’s best interests.
- Court Representation: When negotiations fail or when the case cannot be resolved through alternative methods, custody lawyers represent their clients in court. They present evidence, make legal arguments, and advocate for their clients’ preferred custody arrangements.
- Parenting Plans: Custody lawyers assist clients in creating comprehensive parenting plans that outline custody schedules, visitation rights, and other critical details to ensure a smooth transition for the child.
- Enforcement of Custody Orders: In cases where one parent does not adhere to the custody agreement, custody lawyers can take legal action to enforce the court order and protect their client’s rights.
- Modifications: Circumstances can change over time, and child custody arrangements may need to be modified. Custody lawyers help clients petition the court for modifications when necessary.
- Protection Against Unfit Parents: In cases where one parent poses a risk to the child’s safety or well-being, custody lawyers work to protect the child’s interests by advocating for supervised visitation or other protective measures.
- Legal Documentation: Custody lawyers ensure that all legal documents, including custody agreements and court orders, are prepared accurately and in compliance with Colorado law.
- Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution: The best custody lawyers often recommend alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, to resolve conflicts more amicably and reduce the emotional toll on the child.
- Emotional Support: Child custody cases can be emotionally challenging for all parties involved, including the child. Custody lawyers offer support and guidance to their clients throughout the process.
- Parental Rights: These attorneys work to protect their clients’ parental rights, ensuring that they have a fair opportunity to maintain a meaningful relationship with their child.
In summary, the best custody lawyer in Colorado plays a vital role in assisting parents in child custody disputes. They provide legal expertise, advocacy, and support to ensure that the child’s best interests are prioritized and that the parents’ rights are protected during the legal process.