1) PAPERWORK | Each party will first need to fill out a series of forms ("intake paperwork") and return to the CFI before the commencement of the investigation. What type of forms need to completed depend on what type of CFI appointment it is (i.e. "Private Pay" or "State Pay"). Each party will need to review and sign/date the CFI Policies, CFI Disclosure, Communication Policies, and Fee Agreement, as well as fill out and sign/date Medical Release Forms (one for the parent and one for each child involved), Non Medical Release Form (listing each child as a dependent on the form), and a Parent Self Report. If the CFI appointment is "Private Pay," payment needs to be made before beginning the investigation. You may download all necessary intake forms above.

 

2) PARENT INTERVIEWS | Once the CFI has received all completed paperwork from both parties (and payment if necessary), the CFI will reach out to each party individually to schedule an initial one-on-one, hour-long interview. This usually takes place at Julia's office located at 2810 North Speer Blvd in Denver, CO 80211. The interview should just include the parent (not the children) and is an opportunity for the parent to share his/her concerns and ask the CFI questions about the investigation process.

 

3) BACKGROUND CHECKS | In most cases the CFI will pull a Colorado Bureau of Investigation Report (criminal background check) on both parents before attending home visits.  In some cases, the CFI will also pull a background check on significant others living in the homes.

​

4) HOME VISITS | After each parent has an opportunity to come in for an interview, the CFI will travel to each home to conduct a home visit. The

expectation during the home visit is that all people living in the home be present, including the children. This is an opportunity for the CFI to make naturalistic observations of parent-child interactions.

​

5) CHILD INTERVIEWS | If the children involved are old enough, the CFI will conduct private child interviews during each parent's home visit. The CFI will often ask parents if there are ways to help their child or children feel more comfortable or relaxed about the interviewing process. The CFI will conduct each interview in an area of the house chosen by the child and/or that feels most comfortable to the child. Most children 7 years old or younger will not be asked to engage in a formal interviewing process. However, the CFI may conduct a brief child interactional with younger children, in which naturalistic observations will be made through play. 

​

6) INVESTIGATION | Once the CFI has met with the parents individually, completed both home visits, and met with the children individually, she will reach out to personal references and other professionals familiar with the family. This may include close relatives, good friends, teachers, medical or mental health professionals, probation officers, child mentors, or coaches.

​

7) FACT REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS | Once all necessary information is accrued, the CFI will review the relevant facts and analyze them under the Best Interest of the Child Statute (see below).

​

8) REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS | Lastly, the CFI prepares a final CFI report with recommendations to the court on parenting time and decision-making responsibilities. The scope and depth of the recommendations largely depend on the original CFI appointment and the Judge's or magistrate's specific directives in that order. It's important to note that the final CFI report simply contains recommendations for the Court, not final decisions regarding parenting responsibilities. The court makes all final decisions.