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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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…

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Rule v. Rule – 2017 UT App 137 (August 3, 2017) – alimony – standard of living

Rule v. Rule - 2017 UT App 137 (August 3, 2017) – alimony – standard of living THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS GEOFFREY S. RULE, Appellee, v. RICHELLE RULE, Appellant.…

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MacDonald v. MacDonald, 2017 UT App 136 (August 3, 2017) – modification of alimony – unforeseeable circumstances

MacDonald v. MacDonald, 2017 UT App 136 (August 3, 2017) THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS KIRKPATRICK MACDONALD, Appellant, v. LEE ANNE MACDONALD, Appellee. Opinion No. 20150785-CA Filed August 3, 2017…

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Spousal (and Ex-Spousal) Spying – You Can Go to Prison, If You Do It Wrong

Have you ever thought about “bugging” your children’s teddy bear or diaper bag to eavesdrop on your ex? A parent in Utah tried this exact thing (spoiler alert: it didn’t…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Is the Martindale-Hubbell AV rating meaningful anymore (for divorce and family law attorneys especially)?

Consulting Martindale-Hubbell for the AV rating certainly can’t hurt a potential client in helping him or her to assess a divorce or family lawyer’s qualifications, skills, and “fit” with you,…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Utah Is (at Least Trying) to Make Child Custody Litigation Less Expensive and Time-Consuming

Utah is (at least trying) to make child custody litigation less expensive and time-consuming with a relatively new rule (as of February 2014, when this blog posting was originally published):…

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