CFI

Colorado statutes provide for two types of assistance to children involved in divorce, paternity, parental responsibilities and adoption proceedings: a legal representative “CLR” (§ 14-10-116, C.R.S.) and/or a child and family investigator “CFI” (§ 14-10-116.5, C.R.S.). Both are appointed by the Court and paid for by parents and/or state funds but their roles are very different.

A legal representative is an attorney mandated to represent the “child’s best interests” giving due regard, but not necessarily adherence, to the child’s wishes in the matter. The child’s counsel is a participant in the legal proceedings, able to subpoena witnesses, produce evidence and make arguments to the Court as to the child’s best interests.

By contrast, a CFI is not necessarily an attorney but a trained or experienced person charged with the investigation of a child’s circumstances, the reporting of same and the making of recommendations to the parties and court as to parental responsibilities for the child.

All of the attorneys with the Firm are experienced in working with CFIs and legal representatives and several members of the Firm are State-approved for Court appointment as CFIs.