Children's Lawyer and GAL AMC in Connecticut
As of January 1, 2016 the CFI presumptive statutory cap on fees for investigation and report writing is $2,750. The presumptive statutory cap on fees related to CFI work performed in preparation for testifying in court remains at $500. Any CFI may request excess fees as necessary. Gabriela Sandoval works to identify with parents, counsel […]
Gabriela Sandoval serves as a Child and Family Investigator throughout the Denver Metro area. She is a Board Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist and former Guardian ad Litem (GAL) who served the best interests of children in Dependency & Neglect Cases. Her approach to Child and Family Investigation is to effectively identify the issues and […]
Read the Winter 2015/Spring 2016 issue where Gabriela Sandoval writes about Animal Law and important housing issues for pet owners and real estate owners. Find it here – Animal Law: Housing Issues
Yet another hot car death of a child in the news today. A horrific accident. Distracted driving is everywhere these days. Distracted driving is not just texting while driving — it is also not being mentally focused. As you’re getting in your car to drive, focus on your task at hand. Turn off your phone. […]
CLICK THIS LINK FOR A SHORT VIDEO ON PARENTING, COMMUNICATION AND YOUR CHILD’S BRAIN!
The April CLAW Caucus will focus on the Colorado No-Kill Pet Animal Act ballot initiative, which may be on the ballot this November. Come to the State Capitol (RM 112) this Thurs. April 17, 2014 from 12-1:30. Things are heating up regarding shelter animals and the misleading “no kill” debate. Proponents of this “no kill” […]
Regardless of what issues are in conflict, mediation is about assisting parties who want to try and resolve their disputes out of court or before trial. Gabriela Sandoval will assist you in defining your own interests, encourage brainstorming of new and creative ideas specific to your issues and carefully evaluate ideas so that you reach […]
Denver Zoo (Denver, CO)—What a Load of Bull. The Denver Zoo set a dangerous precedent in 2013 by bringing a young bull from Europe, making Billy (Budi) reportedly the first imported Asian elephant in more than 30 years. It’s no secret that housing male elephants is a challenge, but adding to their numbers to bring […]
Child & Animal Law Offices is offering pro bono/reduced fee mediation services as a public service through the end of February only!
Although it is now legal for adults (21 and over) to purchase and consume marijuana, that doesn’t mean you can smoke weed without potentially devastating consequences. Responsibility is key. Marijuana is regulated and some people still can’t smoke it legally in this state (including people under 21 and people on probation). Just like alcohol or […]
Mediation can happen once or over multiple sessions. I have found that oftentimes, at least one party is convinced that mediation will be a waste of time and money only to find afterward that it was actually a process worth having. In fact, and to their surprise, these same people frequently decide that an additional […]
Denver Health just announced that they now offer a water birth option for expectant mothers. It is the first hospital in the City of Denver that offers water birth. The University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora and Mountain Midwifery in Englewood also offer water birth options. Each location has their own policies as to who […]
Mediation is a very attractive alternative to pet and other animal litigation. Litigation is costly and time consuming and mediation offers disputing parties an opportunity to work with a professional neutral who will facilitate a safe environment, confidential discussion and assist in focusing self-determined parties on understanding each others interests. During your pet or animal […]
Available for Special Master and related court appointments in an effort to help resolve complex issues that arise during animal-related litigation.
Gabriela Sandoval is a Standard Member of the Mediation Association of Colorado (theMac). She is currently accepting new mediation clients and her practice focuses on animal and pet related disputes including pet custody, Landlord/tenant/HOA, dog bites, “viscious” animal allegations, injury or death of animals, alleged veterinary malpractice or negligence, consumer affairs and deceptive trade practice […]
August is America’s National Breastfeeding Month — the Proclamation is below: Whereas, the mission of the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) is to improve the Nation’s health by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding; and Whereas, USBC envisions breastfeeding as the norm for infant and young child feeding throughout the United States; and […]
Gabriela Sandoval has recently added Parenting Coordination (“PC”) and Decision Making (“DM”) to her practice. Once an order as to parental responsibilities is in effect, a neutral party may be appointed by the Court (or agreed upon by parties) to assist in resolving disputes that arise between parents about carrying out the parenting plan. This […]
RANTS: People walking around staring at their cell phones, completely unaware of the live people and action around them (myself included as I sit here blogging in the airport). Fast Food. Unnecessary C-Sections and medicated births. Formula. “Educational” Television Programming for kids. RAVES: Parents who limit their own “screen time” in front of their children. […]
A good work/life balance is important for you and your children. Sometimes that is easier said than done! It is important to model responsibility, living within your family budget, making compromises when necessary and demonstrating a healthy work ethic. You want your children to demonstrate appropriate behaviors (safe/healthy limit testing/rebellion is natural), develop motivation to […]
The number of kids diagnosed with Autism has been on the rise at a very high rate. If you are a parent going through a divorce or separation AND you have a child on the spectrum, I would guess your stress level is at an all time high. Know this: There is a light at […]
The holidays are supposed to be a time with family and friends, for reflection and cheer. It’s a great opportunity to create new traditions or re-live your favorite ones. Don’t put your kids in the middle of your battle over where they are going to spend the holidays — it will likely leave an unintended […]
Although all attorney Child & Family Investigators (CFIs) in the state of Colorado are bound by the same set of directives and standards, each has her own unique approach. I have worked with many families struggling with high-conflict relationships and other various issues. My goal as the CFI in your family law case is to […]
So many working parents ask themselves, “Which is better – a nanny or daycare?” The right answer will depend on your particular family and the financial resources available to you. It will also depend on whether you have more than one child and the age of your children. For example, infants and young toddlers will […]
Many questions and fears may arise when a nursing mother is facing divorce or separation. She may ask – how can I nurse my baby if the father has parenting time? Is it dangerous for my baby to stop nursing? What do I do if I’m getting divorced and my baby is still breastfeeding? First, […]
Do you really want someone appointed by the judge in your divorce case to stick their nose in your family business? Your first response is most likely, “No”. However, a Child & Family Investigator (CFI) will put the focus back on your kids. And focusing on them is what is most important in the long […]
The Child’s Legal Representative (CLR) is an attorney in a domestic relations case, appointed to represent the child’s best interests (as opposed to the child’s wishes – although, as a rule – I think the child’s wishes should be expressed to the court unless there are special circumstances indicating otherwise). The CLR does not file […]
Infants and toddlers need to physically explore their environments through play, direct contact and interaction. This critical stage sets the foundation for timely and proper cognitive development which will later lead to important milestones including proper motor skills, language development and the ability to problem-solve. Although TV, media and electronic devices abound, they are not […]
In Colorado, if you have kids and you’re involved in divorce or allocation of parental responsibilities (“APR”) litigation, you may need to consider whether a Child and Family Investigator (“CFI”) or Parental Responsibilities Evaluator (“PRE”) needs to be appointed in your case. You may also be faced with the fact that the appointment may happen […]
Even after you’ve become entangled in custody related litigation, you can discuss with your attorney (or if you’re pro se, with opposing counsel) the possibility of settlement as opposed to going to trial. If a CFI (Child and Family Investigator) is appointed in your case, the written report may be a good tool to use […]
The negative impact of high conflict divorce on children is real. It can be scary, stressful, confusing, frustrating and exhausting. It can lead to disruptions in comfort and routine, problems at school and create behavior changes and/or aggression and withdrawal. Such changes may lead to unstructured and unhealthy risk-taking behaviors. Children may likely suffer a […]
When you have kids but never married your ex, you still need to consider having an official court order as to parenting time and decision-making responsibility. The parenting plan and court orders will help to ensure clarity and consistency. Hopefully you and your ex can figure out a way to co-parent easily but the plan […]
Nearly every parent involved in parental responsibility litigation wants to make a good impression upon the Child & Family Investigator appointed in their case. However, the CFI is not, cannot be, and will not become your new best friend. The Child and Family Investigator’s role is very clear in that the CFI provides recommendations in […]
As you already know, playing with and spending quality time with your kids is essential to the relationship you create with them. It is also essential for their cognitive and emotional development in many ways. This will mean different things depending on their ages but children and youth of all ages need this time with […]
A mental health diagnosis does not necessarily preclude a parent from being designated the primary residential caretaker, having parenting time or being allocated decision-making responsibility. The issue isn’t the illness itself but how the illness impacts that parent’s ability to identify and meet the needs of his or her children on a consistent basis. If […]
To learn more about my work as a Child & Family Investigator, visit my CFI blog by clicking on the blue CFI blog button located on the Home page.
Divorce is difficult for everyone. Parents make it even harder on their kids when they continue fighting or pointing fingers in blame. When parents can’t communicate with each other in a healthy way, the kids suffer. If parents can’t speak directly for one reason or another, communication through a professional intermediary may become necessary. Kids […]
When parents who have a special needs child divorce, it is imperative that the new routine and environment meets the unique special needs of the child. For example, frequent changes or transitions between homes may be especially detrimental for a child who has a difficult time dealing with disruptions to her regular routine. A well thought out […]
Several changes to CFI requirements and practice became effective in 2012. One major change from previous years is that as of March, CFIs are required to undergo federal background checks and must be approved and listed on a statewide roster maintained by the Colorado State Court Administrator’s Office. As of July, local counties are publishing […]
When one parent lives a significant distance from the other, it can seem difficult for the child and non-residential parent to stay connected, present and involved in each others’ lives. The good news is that nowadays, there are so many ways to help mitigate the reality that after separation or divorce, one parent moves away. […]
Even years after divorce or separation, you may find yourself in family court. Child support, parenting time, decision-making responsibilities – they may need to be officially modified by the judge. A CFI may be appointed to investigate one or more of the issues at hand and make a recommendation in the best interest of your […]
In order to draft the best parenting plan for your children, many factors need to be taken into consideration. Some relevant information including age, development, routine, relationships, proximity of co-parent and expressed wishes are all important to consider. Other factors determined by law are analyzed as well. It is critical to keep in mind the […]
The CFI needs to be appointed by the judge assigned to your case. If you have an attorney, discuss this option with her. If you are representing yourself, you can ask the judge to appoint a CFI. You can ask the judge during a hearing or you can file paperwork to request a CFI. Check […]
A CFI (Child & Family Investigator) is appointed by a judge to investigate and make recommendations about contested issues in a family court case. The CFI’s role is as an investigative arm of the court and is specifically investigating the best interests of the child or children involved. Although the CFI performs the investigation and […]
Gabriela is currently accepting clients who wish to mediate their family law dispute involving parenting time and decision-making issues. Mediation is a confidential process whereby a professional neutral assists self-determined parties communicate and better understand their interests in an effort to generate and evaluate new ideas for possible dispute resolution. Parties are empowered when creating […]
While Child Welfare Law is progressing from a widely accepted practice to a legal specialization, Animal Welfare Law hasn’t enjoyed as much acceptance in state or federal court houses. However, these times are rapidly changing and many lawyers throughout the United States are delving into Animal Law in one way or another. Gabriela is a […]