Planning for the School Year During a Divorce | Episode 54

Back-to-School Co-Parenting Tips for Colorado Divorce and Custody CasesIn this episode of Divorce at Altitude, Ryan Kalamaya and cohost Amy Goscha reunite for a practical discussion on back-to-school transitions for divorced and divorcing parents in Colorado. They explain why the shift from summer to the school-year routine often triggers conflict and how a well written parenting plan can reduce stress for both parents and kids. The conversation covers common schedule issues like school year vs summer parenting time, transportation and exchange logistics, and why reviewing the school calendar early can prevent unintended outcomes like one parent receiving three consecutive weeks due to holiday overlaps.Ryan and Amy also dig into the real-world challenges that show up once school starts: extracurricular activities, therapy and special-needs services, and the cost sharing questions that can spark disputes. They discuss strategies for consistency between households, coordinating with teachers and school counselors, and keeping both parents equally informed. For higher-conflict situations especially where school choice, medical decisions, or activities become ongoing battlegrounds they outline alternative dispute resolution tools like parenting coordinators/decision-makers (PCDMs), arbitration, and parenting coaches, which can provide faster resolutions than the court system.Episode OutlineWhy Back-to-School Creates Conflict After Divorce Transition stress, routine changes, and how parenting plans should address school-year schedules.Parenting Plans and Calendars That Actually Work School calendars, holiday overlaps, and why mapping parenting time avoids “accidental” long stretches.Extracurricular Activities and Cost Sharing Sports, therapy, special services, and setting clear expectations for agreed expenses.School Choice Disputes and Time-Sensitive Decisions Why these conflicts must be addressed early and what happens when parties disagree.Using PCDMs, Arbitration, and Other Professionals Faster solutions for disputes about school, sports, medical issues, and activities.Special Needs and Consistency Between Homes Routines, coordination, and preventing conflict from disrupting services.Social Media, Phones, and Bullying Risks Creating consistent rules across households and avoiding online conflict that impacts kids.What is Divorce at Altitude? Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado. To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here.  If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at [email protected].************************************************************************DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.