Do you think current divorce laws are biased against men?
Do you think the current divorce laws are biased against men? In my experienced opinion, yes (and I speak as one who represents both women and men in divorce where…
I wonder which state in the U.S. has the highest rate of awarding joint physical custody of children in divorce
I wonder which state in the U.S. has the highest rate of awarding joint physical custody of children in divorce. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Utah…
The court gave Mom full custody of me; can I live with Dad instead?
QUESTION: The court gave my mom full custody of me, can I live with my father without her doing anything about it? ANSWER: First, we start with the obligatory “don’t…
What are the odds of a ballot measure for 50/50 custody?
What are the chances of a ballot measure in CA for a rebuttable presumption that child custody should be 50/50 if both parents wish at least 50%? Slim. This isn’t…
Christmas Break Parent-time 2017 – how it works
NOTE: this will explain how to calculate Christmas break parent-time for any period, in any year (but we'll use 2017 as an example). QUESTION: I'm trying to figure out what day…
Defending Yourself Against a Protective Order
My friend is a good man. His wife is crazy. She put a protection order against him, to help manipulate the court proceedings. What should he do? Defend himself with…
Vanderzon v. Vanderzon – 2017 UT App 150 – August 17, 2017 – custody on relocation, alimony, and attorney fees
Vanderzon v. Vanderzon - 2017 UT App 150 - August 17, 2017 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS HEIDI KIRSTEN VANDERZON, Appellant, v. JOHN MATTHIAS VANDERZON, Appellee. Opinion No. 20140946-CA Filed…
Christensen v. Christensen – 2017 UT App 120 – July 20, 2017
Christensen v. Christensen - 2017 UT App 120 - July 20, 2017 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS ELENA KAY CHRISTENSEN, Appellee, v. BRENT CHRISTENSEN, Appellant. Opinion No. 20150994-CA Filed July…
Can a 16 year old sleep with a 10 year old?
Can a 16 year old sleep with a 10 year old? If by your question you mean to ask, "Can a 16-year-old child sleep in the same bed with a…
Can my ex force me not to pay for my child’s college tuition, even though I can afford to pay it in full?
Can my ex force me not to pay for my child's college tuition, even though I can afford to pay it in full? My ex and I have a growing…
Can a parent get custody of a child if he has a domestic violence protection order against him?
Can a parent get custody of a child if he has a domestic violence protection order against him? Nothing in Utah law prohibits a parent against whom a protective order…
What happens if someone doesn’t answer their discovery questions in a child custody battle?
What happens if someone doesn't answer their discovery questions in a child custody battle? What CAN happen (in Utah, where I practice family law): (See Rule 37—particularly Rule 37(b)—of the…
Fit parents and their children deserve joint custody
As a matter of basic human rights and human nature, unless they are unfit then divorced and separated parents and their children deserve joint custody. "[A] parent's right to the…
What factors does a court consider when making a child custody determination?
What factors does a court consider when making a child custody determination? Here are the minimum factors the courts in Utah must consider in making a child custody award in divorce actions:…
What are the rights of a husband who disagrees with his wife about what religious school their children attend?
What are the rights of a husband who disagrees with his wife about what religious school their children go to? I want to remove my kids from Catholic school and…
What are my chances of getting 50/50 custody of my child in court, if the other parent refuses to give me more time?
What are my chances of getting 50/50 custody of my child in court, if the other parent refuses to give me more time? If I'm an air traffic controller and…
Am I allowed to ask for my social workers’ qualifications or expertise?
Am I allowed to ask for my social workers’ qualifications or expertise? In the State of Utah, absolutely. Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277 https://www.quora.com/Am-I-allowed-to-ask-for-my-social-workers-qualifications-or-expertise
What are the biases shown in family law?
What are the biases shown in family law? Every human bias imaginable can affect a family law case, but the ones that I find most common and most troubling are…
Remarriage Affecting Child Support?
QUESTION: Does remarriage affect child support? My ex-wife remarried a man who makes about 4x more than I do annually. Because of this she doesn’t have to work anymore. I…
How does joint custody of a child work?
How does joint custody of a child work? When non-lawyers think of joint custody, I get the impression that they think of it this way: The children live half the…
Collection of unpaid child support (child support arrearages)
Question: If a child support obligor is in arrears, but so much in arrears that it is likely ORS won't be able to recover enough money to bring payment current…
Is a Disabled Parent Prohibited from Being Awarded Custody of a Child?
QUESTION: Could my dad get custody of my sister and me when he's on disability/welfare? My mom has had sole custody since the divorce decree was first issued. My mom…
Veysey v. Nelson, 2017 UT App 77 – Utah Code § 78B-12-214, request for reimbursement, reasonable notice, laches
Veysey v. Nelson, 2017 UT App 77 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS ANDREW VEYSEY, Appellee, v. ALEXIS NELSON, Appellant. Opinion No. 20150609-CA Filed May 4, 2017 Third District Court, Salt…
Can a Parent Pay No Child Support and Still Have Visitation and Parent-time Rights?
QUESTION: Dear Eric, My ex and I have been separated for a while now. He has not given us any money for child support. I am supporting my child and…
Bullet Proofing Your Summer Parent Time – Part 1 of 4 Series
BULLET PROOF ADVANCE NOTICE Note: This is the first of four blog postings on bullet proofing your summer parent time, that I’ll publish in as many weeks. You will want…
Bullet Proofing Your Summer Parent Time – Part 4 of 4
BULLET PROOF YOUR HEARING Note: This is the fourth of four blog postings that I’ll publish in as many weeks. You will want to read them all (and likely want…
Bullet Proofing Your Summer Parent Time – Part 2 of 4
BULLET PROOF YOUR REQUEST FOR COURT ASSISTANCE Note: This is the second of four blog postings that I’ll publish in as many weeks. You will want to read them all.…
Bullet Proofing Your Summer Parent Time – Part 3 of 4
BULLET PROOF YOUR MOTION YOU FILE WITH THE COURT AND YOUR ARGUMENT IN COURT Note: This is the third of four blog postings that I’ll publish in as many weeks. …
Custodial Interference and Writ of Assistance
One of the ways you can enforce your parent-time or custody rights is through a Writ of Assistance. You should know up front that most judges and court commissioners consider…
Supervised Parent-time in Utah – Blocker v. Blocker (January 2017)
KIRSTEEN D. BLOCKER, Appellee, v. MICHAEL P. BLOCKER, Appellant. 2017 UT App 10 The Utah Court of Appeals Memorandum Decision No. 20150720-CA Filed January 12, 2017 Fourth District Court, Provo…
Discovery is past due! What if my ex won’t respond?
During the discovery process, what happens if the opposing party doesn't answer his/her discovery questions in a divorce or child custody battle? What CAN happen (in Utah, where I practice…
Will the court take seriously my desire to include in the divorce decree a provision that at no time should step-parents or a parent’s significant other be inappropriately dressed?
Question: Will the court take seriously my desire to include in the divorce decree a provision that at no time should step-parents or a parent’s significant other be inappropriately dressed?…
Does a married woman need to take her husband’s approval for donating her eggs to her sister’s IVF?
Does a married woman need to take her husband's approval for donating her eggs to her sister's IVF? To find the answers (as of October 17, 2016, when this blog…
How can I get a fair child custody arrangement when my ex has an attorney and I am unable to pay the initial retainer for my own attorney?
Question: How can I get a fair child custody arrangement when my ex has an attorney and I am unable to pay the initial retainer for my own attorney? I…
The Availability of Free Online Divorce Law Information is Great! Really, We’re Not Kidding.
The Availability of Free Online Divorce Law Information is Great! Really, We’re Not Kidding. You can find an abundance of very and useful and interesting legal information online for free,…
Protection from Domestic Violence in Utah
An act of domestic violence could lead to civil court action, criminal court action, or both. So first, let’s make sure you understand the difference between civil and criminal court…
What does the law in Utah require of divorced parents of minor children when they want to relocate?
What does the law in Utah require of divorced parents of minor children when they want to relocate? Unless your decree of divorce provides differently, then Utah Code § 30-3-37…
“How To Keep It Together When Divorce Blindsides You” – from TJ Carver
This blog is excerpted from an article by TJ Carver at guyvorce.com entitled "How To Keep It Together When Divorce Blindsides You." We highlight those parts of his article that apply to…
Some Truly Helpful Online Tools to Make Child Custody and Visitation (Parent-time) Easier to Manage
Let’s face it; sometimes it’s hard to communicate with your ex (or soon to be ex) about the kids. Feelings start to arise, and soon you are in another argument…
Can I Seek an Award of Custody of My Child If I Am an Unwed Illegal Immigrant?
All biological parents have the right to petition for custody of their child or children whether they have ever been married to the other parent, or not. Additionally, all parents…
In Utah, Can a Step-Parent Get Visitation of Custody of a Child Who Is Neither His/Her Natural Nor Adopted Child?
Can a step-parent get visitation or custody of a child who is neither his/her natural nor adopted child in Utah? The short answer is that it’s legally possible, but just…
What Do I Really Need to Prove to Modify a Child Custody Award Order in Utah? a Summary of Zavala v. Zavala
What Do I Really Need to Prove to Modify a Child Custody Award Order in Utah? a Summary of Zavala v. Zavala Zavala v. Zavala, 2016 UT App 6 Opinion…
Joint Legal Custody With “Tie-Breaking Authority” or “Final Say” Isn’t Joint Legal Custody
Joint Legal Custody With "Tie-Breaking Authority" or "Final Say" Isn't Joint Legal Custody So you’re sitting at your desk in your office when the IT guy walks in and says,…
What Do I Really Need to Prove to Modify a Child Custody Award Order in Utah?
Summary of Zavala v. Zavala Zavala v. Zavala, 2016 UT App 6 Opinion No. 20141031-CA Filed January 14, 2016 SUMMARY: If a custody award has already been entered, custody…
Can Stepparents Get Visitation Rights After a Divorce?
Question Detail: My granddaughter's father is divorced from her mother, my daughter. The father remarried. His new wife is emotionally, verbally and at times physically abusive to my granddaughter. When…
What you need to know when a Guardian ad Litem is appointed
In many (too many, in my opinion) divorce and family law cases in Utah (and other states) an attorney is appointed to “represent the interests of the children.” This attorney…
Bullet-Proofing Your Holiday Parent-time: Send Notice in Writing NOW
Bullet Proofing Your Holiday Time: Send Notice in Writing NOW Many divorced or single parents have issues with parent-time, not because they can’t use a calendar or make a plan,…
What Is a Parenting Plan and How Can I Make Mine Rock?! (Part 4 of 4)
"The fairest rules are those to which everyone would agree if they did not know how much power they would have.” — John Rawls Quarreling means trying to show that…
What Is a Parenting Plan and How Can I Make Mine Rock?! (Part 3 of 4)
This blog post covers provisions that are not required by Utah law to be in a parenting plan but that you either are allowed to include in the parenting plan…
What Is a Parenting Plan and How Can I Make Mine Rock?! (Part 2 of 4)
Every Utah parenting plan must contain the following minimum provisions: Provisions for resolution of future disputes between the parents. This means: A process for resolving disputes, unless precluded or limited by…
