JDF 1413: Open the APR Case
JDF 1413 is Colorado's petition to allocate parental responsibilities: the document lane that asks the court to establish parenting time and decision-making when you need that framework put in place. It is not the same job as answering a modify motion ( JDF 1420), drafting plan detail ( JDF 1113), or proving support facts ( JDF 1414). Before you file, separate the calendar from the authority layer and know which story you are actually opening.
| Word parents use | What the court still needs |
|---|---|
| Custody | A schedule someone could administer plus decision rules when you disagree. |
| Parenting time | Overnights, exchanges, holidays, travel, not vibes. |
Sort before filing
- Sketch the week you will defend and the decisions you need spelled out.
- Gather neutral anchors: school, care, calendars, not a message novel.
- Confirm you are opening allocation, not reacting to a filed modify motion.
- Line up financial disclosure if support is live ( JDF 1104).
Related guides
More Colorado forms
State guides (overview)
General support (not Colorado-specific)
Official sources
JDF 1413 questions
What is allocation of parental responsibilities in plain parent language?
It is the court-ordered split of parenting time and major decision-making for your child. Parenting time is the calendar. Decision-making is who holds authority for categories like education, health, and religion when you disagree. JDF 1413 is how you ask the court to establish that framework when you need orders, not when you are only answering someone else's motion.
Why do parents confuse custody labels with parenting time on this petition?
Because anger makes every word feel like a trophy. Readers still need a week map and a decision rule set. Translate "I want custody" into nights, exchanges, holidays, and who decides what.
When is JDF 1413 the wrong packet?
When you are responding to a motion to modify an existing order, use the response lane instead of behaving like you are opening a brand-new case. When you only need cleaner plan paragraphs, compare the parenting plan form. When support modification is the whole fight, compare the support-modification affidavit lane.
MyCustodyCoach is not a law firm. Court rules, fees, and form versions change by county; confirm what applies to your case with official court resources or counsel you hire.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-03