When Family Courts Punish the Innocent Parent
Child Custody Defiance Should Not Cost a Fit Parent Both the Children and More Money Suppose a court orders equal custody. Both parents are fit. One parent is ready, willing,…
If the Other Parent Is Withholding Parent-Time, Can I Bypass Having to Deal With Him/Her and Pick Up Our Child After School Instead?
If the other parent of your child is withholding court-ordered visitation (often now called “parent-time”) with the child from you, can you solve this problem by circumventing/bypassing having to pick…
A Third Party Refused to Return Child to the Child’s Mother, the Sole Custodian. So Mother Called Law Enforcement Seeking Assistance. But They Refused to Get Involved Saying It’s a Civil Matter. Is That True?
I can't speak to what the law is in all jurisdictions, but I can speak to what the law is in Utah on this subject based upon my experience and…
What Are Some Tips for Divorced Parents on How to Handle the Holidays While Co-parenting?
Know this first: the best things to do are often easier said than done. That stated, they are not that hard to do, but many are not that appealing to…
House Bill 129 Child Support Requirements
Today’s blog post treats another proposed law that is up for consideration during the 2024 Utah legislative session: House Bill 129 (HB0129 (utah.gov)), entitled “Child Support Requirements”. This bill would,…
What Good Parents Need to Know About Child Custody Disputes with an Evil Parent
You hear and read on attorney websites stuff like, “Navigating child custody arrangements during divorce can be challenging.” That’s not the half of it. Child custody disputes with an evil parent…
What do I do when my ex uses doctor’s appointments in our child support issue on court when we have 50/50 decision making, but I have the final say to any decision made? Will it be used against me?
If I understand your question correctly, you're wondering if the court will fault for your ex-spouse's claims that you are failing to act responsibly when it comes to making and…
What Must the Juvenile Court Consider on a Petition to Terminate a Parent’s Parental Rights?
Before terminating a parent’s rights, the court must find that termination is “strictly necessary to promote the child’s best interest.” This analysis must be undertaken from the child’s point of view.…
Can You File for Defamation While a Custody Battle Is Happening?
I cannot speak to what the law is in all jurisdictions, but I can answer this question as it applies in the jurisdiction where I practice divorce and family law…
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…
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…
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…
How does someone take custody of a child after winning custody?
When someone wins custody of a child, does the child come to the courthouse to be taken by whoever is awarded custody or do they go to the home of…
What to do when child won’t comply with the custody award?
What will happen if the court ruled in favor of a mother to have the custody of her child but the child refuses to go with her and she prefers…
T.W. v. S.A. – 2021 UT App 132 – child custody
2021 UT App 132 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS T.W., Appellant, v. S.A., Appellee. Opinion No. 20200397-CA Filed November 26, 2021 Third District Court, West Jordan Department The Honorable Dianna…
How does the legal system protect the visitation rights of non-custodial parents?
How? Not very well, generally. But before I elaborate, let’s ask and answer this question first: is the legal system designed to protect the visitation (“visitation” is also known as…
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.…
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…
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?…
Should we award custody to the parent who is a lower risk for COVID-19?
Should we award custody to the parent who is a lower risk for COVID-19? Is it reasonable to give custody to the parent who is a lower health risk to…
What is the “right of first refusal”? Is it a statutory right in Utah?
What is the "right of first refusal"? Is it a statutory right in Utah? Many of you dealing with child custody disputes may have heard the time "right of first…
Can my ex use the panic over COVID-19 to withhold the kids from me?
“Can my ex use the panic over Coronavirus/COVID-19 to withhold the kids from me?” “Will I still be free to pick my son up at the end of the week…
Why don’t the police help more with custody and parent-time enforcement?
In some jurisdictions, interference with or noncompliance with child custody orders issued by a court are not enforceable by police officers or sheriff’s deputies because there is no statute or statutes…
How can we change divorce court to make it easier on the children?
Institute a “loser pays the prevailing party’s attorney’s fees” rule. make divorce cases more litigant focused and tailored to meeting their needs and the needs of their family, instead of…
Why is it common for the custodial parent to villainize the ex to their child?
I don’t know if it is common for one parent in a divorce (custodial or non-custodial) to villainize their ex to the child, but we know it happens frequently and…
How Do I Get My Ex Prosecuted for Custodial Inteference?
QUESTION: What can I file in court for custodial interference? Is it just a matter of filing a motion for order to show cause? Or is there more to it?…
My ex just announced he’s taking the children during my parent-time.
QUESTION: I have a question about parent-time inference. My ex-husband is taking the children out of town last minute and his plans overlap and will interfere with my holiday parent-time.…
Can a Child Be Held in Contempt of Court for Non-compliance with Child Custody and Parent-time Orders?
A minor child of divorced parents need not be a party to the divorce action to be subject to the court’s contempt power. See Crank v. Utah Judicial Council, 20…
In re K.B. – 2017 UT App 210 – protective supervision, emotional harm, custodial interference
2017 UT App 210 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF K.B., B.B., AND L.B., PERSONS UNDER EIGTHEEN YEARS OF AGE. R.B., Appellant, STATE OF…