Children First Family Law - Transforming how families navigate the challenging landscape of divorce. cover art

Children First Family Law - Transforming how families navigate the challenging landscape of divorce.

Children First Family Law - Transforming how families navigate the challenging landscape of divorce.

By: Children First Family Law
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About this listen

 Welcome to *Children First Family Law*, a podcast dedicated to transforming the way families navigate the challenging landscape of divorce. In an industry too often focused on litigation, financial battles, and a war-like approach, we advocate for a radical shift in priorities—putting the well-being of children at the forefront. Join us as we explore how to handle divorce in a way that protects children from the collateral damage of parental conflict and legal battles. We offer resources, insights, and expert advice to help parents understand how to manage divorce without destroying their children’s future. By highlighting the flaws in the current system and providing a roadmap for a more compassionate approach, we aim to become thought leaders in this space, calling for change within the professional landscape of family law. We’ll discuss crucial topics like collaborative and amicable divorce, parental alienation, and navigating the complexities of domestic violence and child abuse within the legal system. Through candid conversations and expert guidance, *Children First Family Law* equips families to emerge from the brokenness of divorce with their children’s well-being intact—just like a beautiful stained glass window crafted from shattered pieces. If you’re asking yourself, ”How can I ensure my children aren’t destroyed by my divorce?” or ”Why does my lawyer always push for litigation?” this podcast is for you. Tune in, and let us guide you toward a healthier, more hopeful future for your family.Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Parenting & Families Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 037: Colorado Family Law: Understanding the Role of a CLR in Custody and Parenting Cases

    037: Colorado Family Law: Understanding the Role of a CLR in Custody and Parenting Cases
    Jun 16 2025

    In this solo episode of the Children First Family Law podcast, Krista, a Colorado-based family law attorney and child advocate, breaks down her structured approach to serving as a Child’s Legal Representative (CLR) in high-conflict divorce and custody cases across the state.

    Krista shares her 11-step process for advocating on behalf of children during some of the most complex and emotionally charged family law matters. Drawing on her experience practicing throughout Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs, she guides listeners through the process of how CLRs are appointed, their interactions with families, and how they contribute to shaping child-centered solutions both inside and outside the courtroom.

    From initial appointments and home visits to therapeutic collaboration and final court engagement, Krista explains how an active, negotiation-based model empowers children to have a voice while protecting their well-being. She also compares the CLR role to other evaluative processes used in Colorado family courts, including CFIs and PREs, highlighting the benefits of real-time engagement and ongoing problem-solving.

    For parents, attorneys, and professionals working in Colorado family law, this episode offers a clear and practical guide to what it means to truly represent the best interests of the child, with a process that’s informed, intentional, and deeply rooted in trauma-aware advocacy.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    • How courts appoint a Child’s Legal Representative (CLR) in Colorado
    • Why earlier CLR involvement can lead to better outcomes for families
    • A detailed look at Krista’s 11-step CLR process, from start to finish
    • The value of active negotiation over passive observation in high-conflict parenting cases
    • The difference between a CLR and roles like CFIs or parenting evaluators
    • Strategies to support children’s voices in parenting time disputes
    • How Colorado-specific forms (JDF 1319/1320) initiate the CLR appointment process

    Resources from this Episode

    www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com

    All states have different laws; be sure you are checking out your state laws specifically surrounding divorce. Krista is a licensed attorney in Colorado and Wyoming but is not providing through this podcast legal advice. Please be sure to seek independent legal counsel in your area for your specific situation.

    Follow and Review:

    We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 036: The Split Films’ Ellen Bruno: Giving Voices to Kids of Divorce

    036: The Split Films’ Ellen Bruno: Giving Voices to Kids of Divorce
    Jun 9 2025
    In this moving episode of the Children First Family Law Podcast, Krista welcomes acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ellen Bruno, the creator behind the powerful films “Split: The Early Years” and “Split Up: The Teen Years.” These documentaries feature a cast of real children who had experienced divorce of their parents, with purely their voices and artwork, no experts, no therapists, no adults – just the kids. Split featured the kids when young; Split Up then followed up with the same kids 10 years later, reflecting on how divorce had impacted them as they emerged into late teens and young adulthood. The films give incredibly powerful insight every parent going through family law dynamics should watch, as well as any professional in the family law arena. The film is raw, honest, and deeply impactful. In her conversation with Krista, Ellen shares the personal journey that inspired her to create Split, which began after her own divorce when she heard her own child and others in carpools from school discussing issues of divorce and the lightbulb that went off in her head that she could use her filmmaking to give voice to the voiceless and shine a light on the impact of divorce on children She had already spent much of her career in humanitarian work and international filmmaking attempting to give voice to many different people groups, with films focusing on issues at the forefront of human rights. Ellen began her relief efforts in remote Mayan villages in Tabasco, Mexico. She worked in refugee camps on the Thai-Cambodian border with the International Rescue Committee, in Vietnamese boat camps with The Refugee Section of the American Embassy in Thailand, and as director of the Cambodian Women's Project for the American Friends Service Committee. With a masters degree in documentary film from Stanford University, she is a recipient of Guggenheim and Rockefeller Fellowships, a Goldie Award for Outstanding Artist, an Alpert Award for the Arts,an Anonymous Was A Woman Award for the Arts, a Shenkin Fellowship from Yale University School of Art, and was an Artist-in- Residence at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, among many other accomplishments. Krista and Ellen explore recurring themes from both Split films, including identity shifts, the emotional cost of “two homes,” and the unspoken pressure children feel to take care of their parents. They also highlight how parents, legal professionals, and mental health practitioners can utilize the films to gain a deeper understanding of the child’s perspective—and why it matters so much. Ellen shares, too, the potential for another film following up yet again with these now-adult kids and/or their parents, a possibility Krista encourages. This conversation is a true gem for the podcast and a must-listen for divorcing parents, co-parents, attorneys, and anyone who works with families. It’s a powerful reminder that small choices can create lasting change and that truly listening to children can transform our approach to divorce. In this episode, you will hear: The emotional cost of silence and shame in divorceWhy kids need space to share their experiences without adult interferenceThe impact of small co-parenting gestures, like family photos or shared eventsHow the Split films help parents and professionals re-center on childrenA reminder that divorce doesn’t end in six months—it’s a lifelong transition Resources from this Episode To purchase the “Split” films: https://www.splitfilm.org/family-purchase-options/https://www.splitfilm.org/ Contact Ellen Bruno: info@splitoutreachproject.org www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com All states have different laws; be sure you are checking out your state laws specifically surrounding divorce. Krista is a licensed attorney in Colorado and Wyoming but is not providing through this podcast legal advice. Please be sure to seek independent legal counsel in your area for your specific situation. Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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    1 hr
  • 035: Choosing Your Child’s Therapist with Child Custody Expert & LPC Christy Bradshaw Schmidt

    035: Choosing Your Child’s Therapist with Child Custody Expert & LPC Christy Bradshaw Schmidt
    Jun 2 2025
    Choosing a therapist for your child often feels daunting because it’s an important decision in the divorce process. Today’s guest offers invaluable advice on what to look for in a therapy professional. On this episode of Children First Family Law, Krista welcomes child custody expert and Texas-licensed professional counselor Christy Bradshaw Schmidt. Christy has served as a private child custody evaluator since 2003, having completed more than 600 evaluations for families. She also serves as a private consultant and expert witness in family law matters like constructing parenting plans for kids less than three years old, relocation, reunification, and parent-child contact problems, among other topics. Christy is also a leading voice in helping therapists understand boundaries in high-conflict cases, the appropriate roles of mental health professionals in family law matters, and why selecting appropriate therapists for court-involved families is critical. Christy is the author of hundreds of articles and presentations surrounding issues related to children and family courts. Krista and Christy begin their discussion by delving into Christy’s journey working with court-involved families. Christy explains the problem with therapists’ training, why nearly all cases requiring child custody evaluations also require therapeutic resources, and her experience with 600+ custody evaluations, with 90% of those including recommendations for therapy. You’ll hear specific ways parents can find the best and most appropriate mental health professionals and why more therapists need to enter this line of work. Krista and Christy cover the necessity of transparency between therapists and both parents, Christy’s process for dealing with parent-child contact cases, and why family law is an incredible career focus area for mental health professionals who can find many satisfying rewards in helping families flourish. Divorce is incredibly distressing for children and families. Involving a qualified therapist can help guide parents to help children and parents cope with divorce realities and meet individual and coparenting needs moving forward. In this episode, you will hear: Christy Bradshaw Schmidt’s journey into working with court-involved familiesThe problem with therapists’ training, fostering fear in working with court-involved familiesWhy nearly all child custody evaluations recommend therapeutic resources to help fix the problemsThe incredible dearth of trained professionals willing to do this critically important work, for example about 25 in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, area, demonstrating the serious issues of supply and demand mismatch for families going through divorce and needing helpSpecific ways parents can find the best, most appropriate mental health professionals by using the right keywords and asking the right questionsThe problems and likely damage parents face when they choose the wrong mental health professionals Why more therapists need to go into this line of workTherapists’ basic training that makes them ill-equipped to do this workHow therapists can obtain the necessary skills to help court-involved familiesThe importance of therapists for the family to work with one another and communicate regularlyThe need for transparency between therapists and both parentsRebuilding and fostering trust between parentsEthics considerations for therapists involved with court-involved familiesWhy mental health professionals should testify regarding their work when parents go to court in family law casesThe process Christy would use in a family with parent-child contact problemsWhat other states can learn from Texas, which created rule changes around grieving therapists in these cases, giving them more protection and allowing more therapists to be willing to do this important workWhy Christy believes family law is an incredible area in which mental health professionals can focus one’s career, giving therapists so many opportunities to help families flourish despite the breakdown caused by divorce Resources from this Episode www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com txfamilylawforensics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CV-combined-version-with-CE-5425feb.pdf txfamilylawforensics.com All states have different laws; be sure you are checking out your state laws specifically surrounding divorce. Krista is a licensed attorney in Colorado and Wyoming but is not providing through this podcast legal advice. Please be sure to seek independent legal counsel in your area for your specific situation. Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about ...
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    1 hr and 10 mins
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