Child and Family Investigator

Protecting Your Children

Family law matters can be particularly complicated when there are children involved. Parents involved in a divorce or a post-decree matter often have difficulty communicating with each other and making decisions together, which can have a negative effect on the children and can make it difficult to create a parenting plan that will be in the best interests of the children. When parents are unable to agree, or when interactions between parents become highly contentious, the Court will often appoint a Child and Family Investigator (CFI).

Because a CFI is a court-appointed professional tasked with taking a close look at your family and determining what plan going forward is in the best interests of the children, a CFI should have experience dealing with high conflict situations and a deep understanding of the needs and development of children. A CFI should be trained to recognize domestic violence, substance abuse, and neglect. A CFI should also be cognizant of differing cultural norms, morals, and mores, and should be sensitive to the issues that can arise in a multi-cultural family.

One of our partners, Misty Ewegen, is a Child and Family Investigator with the skills and experience necessary to help families and courts determine what is in the best interests of the children involved in high conflict family situations. Ms. Ewegen has advocated on behalf of children and families in domestic violence restraining order cases, substance abuse cases, child abuse cases, and more. Ms. Ewegen has been trained to recognize signs of domestic violence, neglect, and substance abuse and has experience working with families to design a solution that keeps children safe and healthy and parents involved. Ms. Ewegen has studied the parenting styles and methods of many cultures from around the world and is well aware of some of the issues that arise in families where there are multiple cultures or religions represented, or where the parenting styles differ greatly.

Ms. Ewegen is eligible for appointment as a Child and Family Investigator in Adams, Broomfield, Gilpin, and Jefferson county. She can also accept appointments as a parenting coordinator/decision-maker.