MacFarland v. MacFarland – 2021 UT App 58

021 UT App 58  THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS  BRUCE RAY MCFARLAND, Appellant and Cross-appellee,  v.  NICOLE S. MCFARLAND, Appellee and Cross-appellant.  Opinion  No. 20190541-CA  Filed June 4, 2021  Second…

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Nakkina v. Mahanthi – 2021 UT App 63 – joint equal custody, marital property, attorney fees

Nakkina v. Mahanthi - 2021 UT App 63 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS SIREESHA NAKKINA, Appellee, v. PRODEEP KUMAR MAHANTHI, Appellant. Opinion No. 20190750-CA Filed June 17, 2021 Third District…

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Ward v. McGarry – 2021 UT App 51

Ward v. McGarry - 2021 UT App 51  NOTICE: THIS OPINION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION IN THE PERMANENT LAW REPORTS. UNTIL RELEASED, IT IS SUBJECT TO REVISION OR WITHDRAWAL.   …

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After a divorce, should my kids be with me or with the mom?

First, you need to understand that you’re asking the wrong question. Child custody is not a zero-sum game; otherwise stated, when parents divorce, or when unmarried parents separate, where you…

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I have custody of my child. He’s refusing to come home. What now?

I have custody of my child. He left to go to his mom's last Friday for the weekend. He is refusing to come home because he wants to live there.…

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Child refuses to leave noncustodial parent’s house. What happens now?

I am the noncustodial parent. Our child came to my house for parent-time and now refuses to leave because he wants to live with me. What happens now? I will…

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What would happen if there were no alimony or splitting assets in divorce without kids?

That is an interesting question. Before I answer it, know this: anyone who is motivated to marry on a “what’s in it for me?” basis and who stays married motivated…

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Recent thoughts about family law

Recent thoughts about family law I’ve been prompted recently to express my thoughts and opinions about the judiciary generally in the family law context. Here are a few thoughts I…

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Why is child support and alimony rooted in revenge, power, and humiliation?

Why is child support and alimony rooted in revenge, power, and humiliation? The full question was actually: "Why is child support and alimony rooted in revenge, power, control, and humiliation over…

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Can a mother lose custody even if the child is still very young?

Can a mother lose custody even if the child is still very young? Are there any situations where a mother can lose custody even if their child is still very…

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Can grandma sue if the child stopped visiting because of COVID-19?

Can grandma sue for custody/visitation if you stopped taking the child to visit because of COVID-19? What would you do if your mother sued you for custody/visitation of a grandchild…

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S.B. 122 just passed! So what? Joint equal physical custody.

S.B. 122 (4th Substitute) passed by the Utah State Legislature March 5, 2021! Who should care and why? The elephant in the room is this: if there is no gender…

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In court cases, how does taking an oath make any difference?

In court cases, how does taking an oath make any difference? From what I can tell, yes, it appears that taking an oath or affirming to tell the truth before…

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Can grandma sue for custody/visitation if you stopped taking the child to visit because of COVID-19?

Can grandma sue for custody/visitation if you stopped taking the child to visit because of COVID-19? What would you do if your mother sued you for custody/visitation of a grandchild…

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Do you need a reason to get a divorce?

Do you need a reason to get a divorce? Not really, at least not in the jurisdiction where I practice divorce law (Utah). Even if you get a “no fault”…

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What are suggestions for modifying child custody for an alternating weekend schedule if Monday drop-offs are removed and weekdays are not an option?

What are suggestions for modifying child custody for an alternating weekend schedule if Monday drop-offs are removed and weekdays are not an option? Is this a trick question? Correct me…

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I was divorced and lied to during my divorce and I am disabled can I take my ex back to court for spousal support?

I was divorced and lied to during my divorce and I am disabled can I take my ex back to court for spousal support? Can you try? Yes. Will you…

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Do I have to respond to discovery questions in a divorce?

Do I have to respond to discovery questions in a divorce? Yes, unless you can persuade the court that some or all of the discovery requests: violate the rules governing discovery, such…

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Why is it difficult for a father to get child custody?

Why is it difficult for a father to get child custody? Because there is a pernicious and false belief in far too many of the courts (not, notably, in society…

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I was divorced and lied to during my divorce and I am disabled can I take my ex back to court for spousal support?

I was divorced and lied to during my divorce and I am disabled can I take my ex back to court for spousal support? Can you try? Yes. Will you…

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Why does someone need an attorney when they can just defend themselves in court?

Why does someone need an attorney when they can just defend themselves in court (pro se)? Why does someone need an attorney when they can just defend themselves in court?…

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2020 UT App 171 – Miller v. Miller THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS RYAN MILLER, Appellant, v. BRENDA MILLER, Appellee

2020 UT App 171 - Miller v. Miller THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS RYAN MILLER, Appellant, BRENDA MILLER, Appellee. Opinion No. 20190748-CA Filed December 24, 2020 Second District Court, Farmington…

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Do GALs or custody evaluators do a better job of interviewing children than judges do?

This post is the tenth in series of 15 posts on the subject of custody evaluations and the appointment of guardians ad litem (“GALs” for short) in Utah child custody…

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If everyone agrees that the judge needs to know what the child is experiencing, observing, and feeling, why won’t the judge interview the child?

If everyone agrees that the judge needs to know what the child is experiencing, observing, and feeling, why won’t the judge interview the child?   This post is the seventh…

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Believing Judges Interviewing Children Harms Children Rests on False Premises

This post is the eighth in series of 15 posts on the subject of custody evaluations and the appointment of guardians ad litem (“GALs” for short) in Utah child custody…

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Does having the judge interview the children traumatize the children?

Does having the judge interview the children traumatize the children?   This post is the second in series of 15 posts on the subject of custody evaluations and the appointment…

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Do I owe my spouse of just a few months anything in divorce?

When a young couple divorces after only a month of marriage, should there ever be an expectation that one party owes anything to the other, even if they lived with…

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