Why do courts seem to rule against husbands so unfavorably regarding custody and alimony?

Sometimes a husband/father is legitimately ruled against in a child custody case because he is unfit to exercise custody. Sometimes that unfitness may be his own fault (he’s abusive and/or…

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Pulham v. Kirsling – 2018 UT App 65 – custody, parent-time, child support

Pulham v. Kirsling - 2018 UT App 65 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS KRISTEN PULHAM, Appellee, v. WILLIAM KIRSLING, Appellant. Opinion Nos. 20150577-CA and 20160236-CA Filed April 12, 2018 Third…

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Is there a “statute of limitations” for seeking child support?

In Utah, yes: Utah Code § 78B-15-109. Limitation on recovery from the obligor. The obligor's liabilities for past support are limited to the period of four years preceding the commencement of…

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Is there a “statute of limitations” for seeking child support?

I can’t speak for all states, but I can answer the question for the state where I practice law (Utah): Utah Code § 78B-15-109. Limitation on recovery from the obligor.…

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2019 UT App 83 – Nave Free v. Free – modification of child support

2019 UT App 83 – Nave Free v. Free THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS LINDA LEE NAVE-FREE, Appellee, WENLOCK DUANE FREE JR., Appellant. Opinion No. 20170751-CA Filed May 16, 2019…

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What useful things can Jeff Bezos’s divorce can teach us

Question: Amazon boss Jeff Bezos and wife MacKenzie are divorcing. Who do you think will get the custody of their 4 kids? I don’t know enough about the family’s circumstances…

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If a single mother makes more annually than the father, would she have to pay child support even if she has custody?

In Utah, almost certainly not. I cannot think of a scenario in which a parent (mother or father) has sole physical custody of the children and would have to pay…

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Stephens v. Stephens – 2018 UT App 196 – modifying child custody and support

2018 UT App 196 The Utah Court of Appeals DONOVAN TODD STEPHENS, Appellee and Cross-appellant, v. BRIDGET NICOLE STEPHENS, Appellant and Cross-appellee. Opinion No. 20170440-CA Filed October 12, 2018 Third…

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A list of common, but very good, Utah divorce questions (with answers)

ERIC, MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 20+ YEARS. WE HAVE 4 CHILDREN TOGETHER 3 OF WHOM ARE STILL MINOR CHILDREN. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU MIGHT BE…

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2018 UT App 100 – divorce attorney malpractice standards of proof

2018 UT App 100 - THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JANAE KIRKHAM, Appellant, v. BRYANT J. MCCONKIE, DAVID W. READ, AND STRONG & HANNI PC, Appellees. Opinion No. 20160908-CA Filed…

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Why does my ex-husband believe I’m spending child support on myself?

Why does my ex-husband believe the child support he pays is used to pay for our vacation? That money doesn’t even pay 1/4 of our rent. Two reasons: 1) because…

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Child Support: can it be awarded to a joint custodial father who lost his job, if the mother is employed?

Child Support: does a father with joint custody who lost his job have the right to claim child support, if the mother is employed? My answer applies for the State…

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Hahn v. Hahn – 2018 UT App 135 – custody, jury trial, constitutionality

This opinion is subject to revision before final publication in the Pacific Reporter Hahn v. Hahn - 2018 UT App 135 IN THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS RANDY R. HAHN,…

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Noncustodial Parents: Understanding Parent-Time

Noncustodial Parents: Understanding Parent-Time When going through a divorce, one of the most common issues is child custody. A common misperception about child custody is that it is simply who…

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Is it unreasonable to insist Dad/Mom provide clothes for the kids at his/her place?

QUESTION: Is it unreasonable for me to assume my kids would have their own clothes at their dad's place? He has been requesting that I send specific items with the…

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Am I disadvantaged in a child support case, if the other parent has a lawyer and I don’t?

What happens in child support cases when the custodial parent has an attorney but the non-custodial parent doesn’t? Does that mean they usually pay more because there isn't another attorney…

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Should I feel “guilty” because my ex-wife pays child support?

Should I feel "guilty" and "ashamed" because a “friend of the court” determined my soon to be ex-wife should pay me child support as part of the divorce settlement? It…

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If I petition to modify the child support award, how far back does the modification go?

If I petition to modify the child support award, how far back does the modification go? Utah does allow for child support modification. The answer is found in Utah Code §…

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How would child support be calculated for a father who remarried and has 4 other children living with him?

How would child support be calculated for a father who remarried and has 4 other children living with him? Here is the law in Utah: If the children are stepchildren…

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How unemployment or under-employment affects child support

QUESTION: I was looking into child support laws, I am confused about how involuntary vs. voluntary unemployment or under-employment affects the child support obligation. If a non-custodial parent wants to…

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Can a soon to be ex wife use child support funds received for a child from a previous relationship without consent from the biological custodial parent?

Can a soon to be ex wife use child support funds received for a child from a previous relationship without consent from the biological custodial parent? I need some clarification.…

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Can I sue for the child support I paid after our child started living with me?

QUESTION: Can I sue my child's mother for the child support that was deducted from my pay after our child started living with me, in my home? ANSWER: Utah Code…

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Does child support still continue while child is in college? 

QUESTION: I was wondering if a child goes to college but still lives with a parent, does child support still continue while child is in college? ANSWER: The Utah Code…

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Shuman v. Shuman, 2017 UT App 192 – child custody and support, marital assets and debts, medical and child care expenses

2017 UT App 192 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS CATHERINE JANE SHUMAN, Appellee, WESLEY ROBINSON SHUMAN, Appellant. Opinion No. 20160226-CA Filed October 19, 2017 Third District Court, West Jordan Department…

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Today the court ordered me to pay child support, leaving me $6/month to spend feeding myself. What can I do?

Is it really true that the child support award leaves you literally with $6 per month? Let me explain why I ask. In Utah, where I practice, we have statutory…

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