The Difference Between CFIs and PREs and the Role of an Attorney CFI with Erika Gebhardt | Episode 96

Following Episode 91 on PREs, this week, we are talking about Child and Family Investigators (CFIs). We are honored to have attorney CFI, Erika Gebhardt, here to talk us through this arm of the court and outline the process that follows from the time she takes on a case.

For the first five years of her practice, Erika focused almost exclusively on litigating family law matters, during which time she realized that she was passionate about cases involving children. She then became a CFI and is trained in the collaborative dissolution process. She is also a Parenting Coordinator and Decision-Maker (PCDM), as well as a Child Legal Representative (CLR).

She currently runs a medium-sized family law firm, Gebhardt Emerson Moodie Bonanno, LLC, and focuses her efforts on creative solutions for families rather than taking their issues into the courtroom, where a judge must decide, in a relatively short space of time, on issues that can have significant long-term consequences on a child’s wellbeing. In today’s episode, we dive into the details: hear the difference between a CFI and a PRE, the fees and cap of a CFI, and how the report and recommendations function, as well as how relocation cases work, and so much more! We hope you’ll join us for another informative episode aimed at helping you navigate divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado.

Key Points From This Episode:

• What a CFI is and how they differ from a PRE.
• Erika talks us through the process that follows after she is appointed to a case.
• Balancing out any potential bias that’s created by who she meets with first. 
• The intake packet she works with and the witnesses that could be called. 
• How neutral collaterals like teachers and counselors are often the most helpful to the judge. 
• How Erika discerns additional witnesses to give what she needs. 
• Why her firm has two CFIs on each case.
• Setting up the report and recommendations to give both parents something to work with. 
• The ways that CFI investigations are limited when it comes to mental health diagnosis. 
• Discussing the cap on CFI fees and the only times when they go above this.
• The challenges of being a CFI.
• Why attorney CFIs in particular are very sought after.
• Talking about relocation cases and the different ways that that process works. 
• The importance of making sure that your CFI is registered with the county that you’re in. 

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.

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 info@kalamaya.law.

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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.