How many back and forth claims and counterclaims are allowed in a child custody battle? Here’s one way to count (I’ll use the jurisdiction where I practice divorce and family…
I recently participated in a hearing before a domestic relations commissioner in which the commissioner refused to interview a child and ordered a guardian ad litem (GAL) appointed, even though…
For divorced parents: why isn't your custody award 50/50? Concisely (and in no particular order): sometimes a parent’s job, physical or mental/emotional disabilities, misconduct (like domestic violence, child abuse, or…
When the fall school break parent-time period begins was a common question that the Utah State legislature addressed in the 2020 legislative session by making a clarifying change to the…
Can a mother not allowing the father to see his child without reason work against her in litigation for joint custody? Would the father having children from another relationship living…
Is being a divorce lawyer miserable? Miserable? Can be (and is) for some divorce attorneys, but for me it’s chronically discouraging. Sure, the human pain and betrayal to which we are…
If you haven’t seen "Erasing Family" and you’re going through a child custody dispute, you should. You really should. Because you really don't have any idea what you're in for.…
A chance? Sure. You have a chance. And you have a chance of winning the lottery, just not a very good chance of it. You may not want to read…
Why does it seem like courts are against fathers when it comes to custody? Because while the courts are becoming less and less biased against fathers as time goes by,…
What is the penalty for breaking a custody order? In my opinion, the answer is: usually, not much. At least at first. Take it from me: I’ve been a divorce…
In Utah (where I practice divorce and child custody law) the answer is: it’s almost impossible to say. Why? For reasons that I assert I can demonstrate are not highly…
Should we award custody to the parent who is a lower risk for COVID-19? Is it reasonable to give custody to the parent who is a lower health risk to…
Why is it so common for parents to become outright enemies after a divorce? I have represented people in divorce who were pure as the driven snow, innocent as lambs,…
What is the "right of first refusal"? Is it a statutory right in Utah? Many of you dealing with child custody disputes may have heard the time "right of first…
Here's a question many parents have: what is the legal definition of “joint legal custody” and “joint physical custody” in Utah when it comes to the custody of children? Is…
Today's question: What does it feel like to separate two kids out of spite during a divorce? My answer: For decent parents who experience it because it occurs…
Today's question is: Is it advantageous for the father to file with the court a 2 page document of fabricated lies about mother in a child custody battle as part…
Second and Third Judicial District Court COVID-19 Guidelines as of April 6, 2020: Second District NOTICE REGARDING DOMESTIC CASES AND COVID-19 As commissioners in the Second District Court, we anticipate…
“Can my ex use the panic over Coronavirus/COVID-19 to withhold the kids from me?” “Will I still be free to pick my son up at the end of the week…
Do the family courts in the U.S. tend to favor the mother over the father? Generally, yes. The courts are slowly, but noticeably, becoming less biased in favor of mothers…
I'm an alcoholic who endured domestic violence in my marriage. My husband exploited my addiction when he wanted an excuse to replace me. Now he's trying to use it as…
“Can my ex use the panic over Coronavirus/COVID-19 to withhold the kids from me?” “Will I still be free to pick my son up at the end of the week…
If my husband and I agree on child support and custody in mediation, can the judge reject our agreement? Yes. A judge is not obligated to approve of and adopt…
How many states favor giving the child to its mother in a custody hearing? You’re asking a good question, but it’s not the question you think you’re asking. The question…
I’m in an emotionally, verbally, and financially abusive relationship. Can an abusive father win custody even if they're not legally married? Anybody can do or get anything, if he/she tries…
Is it legal for a parent to claim kids on income taxes if the kids don’t see him or live with him and he doesn’t support them financially (parents are…
Do parents in psychiatric care deny thoughts of self-harm for fear admitting it may impact custody? Is it common for a parent in psychiatric care to make false denials of thoughts…
I am a divorce and family lawyer. I have been for 23 years. It is impossible to come up with a blanket policy for all children of all parents in…
2019 UT App 208 - THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF E.R., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. J.R., Appellant, v. STATE OF…
2019 UT App 201 – Bradshaw v. Pelley-Whelan THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS CAIRO BRADSHAW, Appellant, v. CHRISTOPHER PELLEY-WHELAN, Appellee. Opinion No. 20181003-CA Filed December 12, 2019 Third District Court,…
This opinion is subject to revision before final publication in the Pacific Reporter 2019 UT 72 - Utah Supreme Court - Hinkle v. Jacobsen THERESA I. HINKLE, Appellee, v. KOREY…
This opinion is subject to revision before final publication in the Pacific Reporter 2019 UT 71 – Utah Supreme Court OSCAR CASTRO, Appellant, v. MARI TERESA LEMUS, Appellee. No. 20180094…
2019 UT App 207 - THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS ADAM LEGRANDE PEEPLES, Appellee, v. ANNALEISE T. PEEPLES, Appellant. Opinion No. 20180713-CA Filed December 19, 2019 Third District Court, Salt…
No, not at all. One of the absolute worst ways to address, much less resolve, family custody disputes is seeking an Amber alert. Indeed, making Amber alert reports over child…
Inability to care for a child is not the same as abandoning a child. If a parent (father or mother) were to “refuse custody” of his/her child, that would be…
Yes. In the jurisdiction where I practice family law, there are several ways to seek and obtain custody of child who is not your biological offspring: petition for guardianship petition…
Yes. In the jurisdiction where I practice family law, there are several ways to seek and obtain custody of child who is not your biological offspring: petition for guardianship petition…
After filling for legal separation where is my only child going to stay? I have my child with me right now. How is the custody going to work after separation?…
2019 UT App 195 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS CAROL BURGGRAAF, Appellee, v. BRIAN JOSEPH BURGGRAAF, Appellant. Opinion No. 20180405-CA Filed November 29, 2019 Second District Court, Ogden Department The…
In some jurisdictions, interference with or noncompliance with child custody orders issued by a court are not enforceable by police officers or sheriff’s deputies because there is no statute or statutes…
If one parent has bedbugs and the children will not sleep at the parents home, does the other parent have to make a motion for full custody? Can the parent…
Why is it OK to allow a 14-year-old child to deny one parent access to him/her without any reason, but it is kidnapping if the child were to refuse to…
2019 UT App 173 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, Appellee, v. JUSTIN WILLIAM POPP, Appellant. Opinion No. 20180224-CA Filed October 31, 2019 First District Court, Brigham City…
Unless the court orders otherwise (and I have yet, after 22 years in practice, to see a court order otherwise), if you lose your job, you still have to pay…
Institute a “loser pays the prevailing party’s attorney’s fees” rule. make divorce cases more litigant focused and tailored to meeting their needs and the needs of their family, instead of…
For others reading this answer to your question who do not know what a “baby prenup” is, let me first describe it: What a “baby prenup” is not A “baby prenup”…
BREAKING NEWS: The custody evaluator pool just got bigger! That means faster scheduling, faster completion, and lower prices! The amendment is effective November 1, 2019. CJA04-0903. Uniform custody evaluations. AMEND. Adds…
I was in a divorce case in which the mother’s attorney was claiming that the father should have limited custodial and parent time with their children because, as the mother’s…
I don’t know if it is common for one parent in a divorce (custodial or non-custodial) to villainize their ex to the child, but we know it happens frequently and…
2019 UT App 134 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF L.L., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. GUARDIAN AD LITEM, Appellant, v. STATE…