If One Parent Gets Primary Custody, Does This Mean That He/She Can Make All Decisions Regarding the Kids Without Any Input From the Other Parent?

There are two kinds of child custody, not just one. Those two different kinds are legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody is the power of a parent to make…

Continue ReadingIf One Parent Gets Primary Custody, Does This Mean That He/She Can Make All Decisions Regarding the Kids Without Any Input From the Other Parent?

Why Don’t All Divorced Wives Get Half of Their Husbands’ Property?

Because divorce is not about a spouse (man or woman) getting “half of everything”. Depending upon whether a state is a “community property” state or an “equitable distribution” state, here…

Continue ReadingWhy Don’t All Divorced Wives Get Half of Their Husbands’ Property?

Does the Utah Constitution protect abortion rights?

Read this article to learn about how the Utah Supreme Court is hearing arguments about elective abortions in Utah and which rights are protected in the state. ; https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2023/08/08/does-utah-constitution-protect/

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The Father of My Child Has Visitation Rights Ordered by Court, Yet He Will Be in a Different State During His Visitation Time, but Wants His Aunt to Take Over. Do I Have to Allow His Aunt Visitation While He’s on Vacation?

This is a good question and one that arises frequently in one form or another; a parent either can’t or won’t provide personal care and supervision of the parties’ children…

Continue ReadingThe Father of My Child Has Visitation Rights Ordered by Court, Yet He Will Be in a Different State During His Visitation Time, but Wants His Aunt to Take Over. Do I Have to Allow His Aunt Visitation While He’s on Vacation?

If a Family Court Judge Orders That a School District Provide Certain Documents and the District Does Not Respond at All, Believing That the Court Has No Jurisdiction, Can the Order Be Enforced, or Is Something Else Going on That I Don’t Understand?

If the court does not have jurisdiction to issue an order to the school district or has issued a defective order, then the school district has every right to oppose…

Continue ReadingIf a Family Court Judge Orders That a School District Provide Certain Documents and the District Does Not Respond at All, Believing That the Court Has No Jurisdiction, Can the Order Be Enforced, or Is Something Else Going on That I Don’t Understand?

2023 UT App 65 – State v. Meyer – Parent Charged With Child Abuse

2023 UT App 65 - State v. Meyer THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, Appellee, v. ELIZABETH LYDIA MEYER, Appellant. Opinion No. 20210718-CA Filed June 15, 2023 First…

Continue Reading2023 UT App 65 – State v. Meyer – Parent Charged With Child Abuse

2023 UT App 60 – Martinez v. Sanchez-Garcia – Material and Substantial Change

2023 UT App 60 - Martinez v. Sanchez-Garcia THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS DAISY MARTINEZ Appellant, v. FERNANDO SANCHEZ-GARCIA, Appellee. Opinion No. 20210829-CA Filed June 2, 2023 First District Court,…

Continue Reading2023 UT App 60 – Martinez v. Sanchez-Garcia – Material and Substantial Change

2023 UT App 48 – Anderson v. Deem – civil stalking injunction

2023 UT App 48 - Anderson v. Deem THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS ELLIE ANDERSON, Appellant, v. JACKSON DEEM, Appellee. Opinion No. 20210558-CA Filed May 11, 2023 Fourth District Court,…

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An Interesting and Troubling Article on the Topic of Family and Family Law From the Salt Lake Tribune

This is an interesting and troubling article on the topic of family and family law from the Salt Lake Tribune: Mother of teen killed in Salt Lake City murder-suicide pushed…

Continue ReadingAn Interesting and Troubling Article on the Topic of Family and Family Law From the Salt Lake Tribune

I’m 14 and My Parents Are Separated and Are Getting a Divorce Soon, but Why Does the Court Decide How Many Times I See My Father and Not Me?

Allow me to start my answer to your question by acknowledging how unfair it is to children of divorce when courts refuse to hear from the children and refuse to…

Continue ReadingI’m 14 and My Parents Are Separated and Are Getting a Divorce Soon, but Why Does the Court Decide How Many Times I See My Father and Not Me?

My Ex Is Coming to My Home to Pick Up My Child 30-45 Minutes Early. He Is Not Following the Custody Order. What Can I Do?

I will assume that your ex-husband (the children's father) arriving to pick up the children earlier than his court ordered scheduled time is a hardship on, or at least an…

Continue ReadingMy Ex Is Coming to My Home to Pick Up My Child 30-45 Minutes Early. He Is Not Following the Custody Order. What Can I Do?

Has Anyone Relinquished Full Custody to Their Spouse to Avoid Putting Their Child Through the 50/50 Split?

I had a weird experience as a lawyer in a situation kind of like the one you’re asking about. The ex-spouse didn’t end up with sole custody of the children,…

Continue ReadingHas Anyone Relinquished Full Custody to Their Spouse to Avoid Putting Their Child Through the 50/50 Split?

State in Interest of P.J.R., 2023 UT App 27

THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF P.J.R., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. C.S., Appellant, V. STATE OF UTAH, Appellee. Opinion No. 20220264-CA…

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Nelson v. Nelson – 2023 UT App 38 – Claim Preclusion and Child Support

2023 UT App 38 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STASHIA NELSON, Appellee, v. ISAAC SCOTT NELSON, Appellant. Opinion No. 20210345-CA Filed April 13, 2023 First District Court, Logan Department The…

Continue ReadingNelson v. Nelson – 2023 UT App 38 – Claim Preclusion and Child Support

Scott v. Benson – 2023 UT 4 – Fraudulent Voluntary Declaration of Paternity

2023 UT 4 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF UTAH TAYLOR LYNN SCOTT, Respondent, v. SARAH CATHERINE BENSON, Petitioner. No. 20210922 Heard October 3, 2022 Filed April 20,…

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When an Order of Protection Gets Dismissed, Then Legally, There’s Nothing in Place Stating How We Will Share Our Son. What Do I Do Now?

Generally speaking (you will need to confer with an attorney who knows the law governing this question in the jurisdiction where you, the other parent, and the child reside), if…

Continue ReadingWhen an Order of Protection Gets Dismissed, Then Legally, There’s Nothing in Place Stating How We Will Share Our Son. What Do I Do Now?

In Re K.K. – 2023 UT App 14 – Abuse and Neglect Adjudication

In re K.K. - 2023 UT App 14 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF K.K., S.K., AND S.K., PERSONS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE.…

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In re K.K. – 2023 UT App 13

In re K.K. - 2023 UT App 13 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF K.K., S.K., AND S.K., PERSONS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE.…

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Knowlton v. Knowlton – 2023 UT App 16

Knowlton v. Knowlton - 2023 UT App 16 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS SHONDELL SWENSON KNOWLTON, Appellee, v. BRADLEY LEWIS KNOWLTON, Appellant. Opinion No. 20200483-CA Filed February 9, 2023 Second…

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Mintz v. Mintz – 2023 UT App 17

Mintz v. Mintz - 2023 UT App 17 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS RAYNA ELIZABETH MINTZ, Appellant and Cross-appellee, v. GLEN RYAN MINTZ, Appellee and Cross-appellant. Opinion No. 20200507-CA Filed…

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In Re J.E. – 2023 UT App 3 – Challenge to Voluntary Declaration of Paternity

In re J.E. - 2023 UT App 3 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF J.E., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. D.E., Appellant,…

Continue ReadingIn Re J.E. – 2023 UT App 3 – Challenge to Voluntary Declaration of Paternity

Myers v. Myers 2023 UT App 20 – Alimony Modification

Myers v. Myers 2023 UT App 20 2023 UT App 20 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS AMY R. MYERS, Appellee, v. JACOB W. MYERS, Appellant. Opinion No. 20220002-CA Filed March…

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From Pro Publica: Barricaded Siblings Turn to TikTok While Defying Court Order to Return to Father They Say Abused Them

There is far more to this story than the headline reveals. From Pro Publica: Barricaded Siblings Turn to TikTok While Defying Court Order to Return to Father They Say Abused…

Continue ReadingFrom Pro Publica: Barricaded Siblings Turn to TikTok While Defying Court Order to Return to Father They Say Abused Them

Wellman v. Kawasaki – 2023 UT App 11 – Alimony

2023 UT App 11 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS DAVID WELLMAN, Appellee, v. KRISTIN KAWASAKI, Appellant. Opinion No. 20210265-CA Filed February 2, 2023 Fourth District Court, Provo Department The Honorable…

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In Re A.H. – 2022 UT App 114 – Termination of Parental Rights

2022 UT App 114 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF A.H., J.H., J.H., L.H., N.H., S.H., AND E.H., PERSONS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE.…

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Maryland State Appeals Court Rules That a $7M Adultery Penalty in Postnuptial Agreement Is Enforceable.

On October 26, 2022, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled against a husband who claimed that the infidelity penalty in a postnuptial agreement between him and his wife was…

Continue ReadingMaryland State Appeals Court Rules That a $7M Adultery Penalty in Postnuptial Agreement Is Enforceable.

My children’s father is a bum. Can he get 50/50 custody awarded?

The question is: I’m a stay at home mom, my BD is always working unreliable and inconsistent hours, he wants 50% custody of our son. Will he be granted 50%?…

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Can a child who wants to, testify of his/her desires regarding the child custody award?

Am I, as an 11-year-old, allowed to go to court in a situation where my parents are divorced to see if I can get my dad to have full custody…

Continue ReadingCan a child who wants to, testify of his/her desires regarding the child custody award?

What does temporary custody without prejudice mean?

It means that the child custody order is a temporary, as opposed to a permanent and final, order of the court.  Why would a court enter a temporary child custody…

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How do I file a response in a divorce if the summons is invalid?

How do I file a response in a divorce if missing the court’s address for filing invalidates the summons? Be very careful getting cute with procedural technicalities. If you were…

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Child refuses to exercise shared custody with the stricter parent

Teenager Child (16) refuses to see me after spending a month with my ex. I have 50% custody. What can I do about it? I'm a stricter parent unlike my…

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My question to Utah Office of Recovery Services (ORS):

Good morning,  I am a divorce and child custody lawyer. I have a question that all of my clients ask me that I don't have the answer to:  "Why does…

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How can I make sure father won’t gain custody?

My husband cheated on me and we're getting a divorce. He begged me not to take his children away, but I want him to suffer. How can I make sure…

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What are the primary parenting issues of concern by the court?

What are the primary concerns of the courts in determining parenting issues? Why? In Utah (and in no particular order), the court must consider the factors articulated in these sections…

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What can you do if your ex-husband does not want to pay school fees?

What can you do if your husband does not want to pay school fees for his children when you are divorced?  First, it is not necessarily a given that a…

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When do courts value the marital estate?

When do courts value the marital estate? At time of separation, or at the time the court enters the Decree of Divorce?  This is a question that often causes divorcing…

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Do you think it’s fair for a non-custodial parent to pay more child support?

Do you think it's acceptable for the non-custodial parent to have to pay more child support because the custodial parent chooses to barely work or not work at all?   Generally,…

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What will the court do if I do not sign a letter sent by my ex-husband?

What will the court do if I do not pick up a letter my ex-husband sent that needs to be signed by me from the courts about his back court ordered alimony…

Continue ReadingWhat will the court do if I do not sign a letter sent by my ex-husband?

Can a parent with full custody deny visitation due to unsanitary conditions?

Can a parent with full custody refuse to allow visitation due to unsanitary living conditions? Good question. I will answer this question in the context of some applicable law for…

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Can a 16-year-old child choose not to have visitation with a parent?

Technically, no. Practicably/pragmatically, yes.  Technically, a minor child (even a child of 16 years of age) does not have the legal right to choose whether he or she will comply…

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Is it possible to get court transcripts for custody hearings?

Every jurisdiction is different regarding which court hearings are open to the public and whether recordings of their proceedings are available to the public or even to the parties’ themselves. …

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Can I gain full custody if I’m bipolar?

I don't want anything to do with my child's father. Can I gain full custody if I'm bipolar?  First, thank you for being so candid and blunt. This is a…

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Fox v. Fox 2022 UT App 88 – alimony

Fox v. Fox 2022 UT App 88 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS DIANN SHERI FOX, Appellant, v. BENJAMIN DAVIS FOX, Appellee. Opinion No. 20200949-CA Filed July 14, 2022 Fifth District…

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If each parent is fully capable, will the court still give full custody to mom?

If both parents are wonderful, will the court still lean towards full custody to the mother? [Note: I am a divorce lawyer of 25 years. I am not bitter about…

Continue ReadingIf each parent is fully capable, will the court still give full custody to mom?

Can you get a post-judgment interest rate higher than the statutory rate?

Did you know you can request a post-judgment interest rate that is higher than the default statutory rate?  It’s true.   While the court does not have the discretion to lower,…

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Do both parties have to sign the paperwork for a divorce to be granted?

Do both parties have to sign divorce paperwork in order for a divorce to be granted? It is possible in many jurisdictions (Utah being one of them; if you are not…

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Can a non-custodial parent claim the child tax credit?

Yes, and the IRS has provided this summary (among other publications) to show non-custodial parents how:  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4449.pdf  Here is an excerpt from that IRS publication:  Claiming Your Child as a…

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