Can My Ex Legally Let a Sex Offender Be Around My Kids in Utah?

TL;DR: No, not without strict limits. In Utah, no parent may not allow a registered sex offender to be around your children—even in that parent’s own home—without the other parent’s…

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Is Required Divorce Mediation Under the Utah Code a Waste of Time? By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

If you get divorced in Utah, you may be surprised to learn that you are required—unless you are excused for good cause—to attend at least one session of mediation before…

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What Are the Biggest Challenges Men Face During Divorce, and Why Do Some Believe the System Is Unfair to Them?

It is not a matter of beliefs that men are generally (not in every single case, but generally) treated unfairly in divorce. It is a fact. This is why many…

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Can Your Spouse Legally Take Half of Everything That Is Yours if You Get Divorced?

It depends on what you mean by “yours,” by what you mean by “mine”. First you need to understand that there are two kinds of property in a divorce situation:…

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How Do Fathers Fight for Child Custody?

Do you mean to ask, How do deserving fathers fight: for sole child custody? for joint child custody? for equal child custody? Or do you mean to ask: “How do fathers ‘win’ their…

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Taylor v. Taylor – 2025 UT App 94 – postnuptial agreement and alimony

Taylor v. Taylor - 2025 UT App 94 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JACQUELINE KEMPTON TAYLOR, Appellant, v. MARK BENNETT TAYLOR, Appellee. Opinion No. 20230868-CA Filed June 26, 2025 Third…

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How to Handle Child Custody When the Mother Is Negatively Influencing the Child?

Although they shouldn't do it, courts will generally treat mothers and fathers differently simply based upon sex. Sexual discrimination, to put it bluntly. Not all courts do this, but many…

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Sexual Discrimination in Utah Child Custody and Parent-Time Awards – I’m Just Going to Leave This Here (Part 2 of 2)

See Pusey v. Pusey, 728 P.2d 119-121 (Utah 1986): Opinion DURHAM, Justice: Plaintiff cross-appeals from that portion of the divorce decree awarding custody of the older son of the marriage to defendant…

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Sexual Discrimination in Utah Child Custody and Parent-time Awards – I’m just going to leave this here (Part 1 of 2)

See Pusey v. Pusey, 728 P.2d 117, 121 (Utah 1986): ZIMMERMAN, Justice (concurring in the result): [I] also believe it is time to discontinue any hint of support for the notion of…

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What Evidence Should You Request During the Discovery Process in Your Utah Divorce?

Divorce has many components, one of which often includes litigating in court. Ensuring a fair outcome in your divorce case requires more than just going to court and arguing. One…

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Do You Live in Salt Lake, Summit, or Tooele County and Are Being Denied Parent-time by a Non-compliant Co-parent?

Well, then, I have good news and bad news. Good news: you can file a motion with the court to seek relief. Bad news: prepare to wait a while before…

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Do I Receive Alimony if I’m the One to File for Divorce?

I cannot speak as to what the law is on all jurisdictions, but I can answer this question based upon the law of the jurisdiction where I practice divorce and…

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Can My Spouse Keep My Property After I Have Been Removed or Moved Out of the Marital Home? By Braxton Mounteer

This is a common and important question that arises in a divorce. If you are out of the marital home—whether by court order (such as a protective order) or voluntarily—and…

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What to Bring to a Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer

Preparing for a consultation with a divorce lawyer is an important step in understanding your rights and options. To make the most of your meeting, consider bringing the following: Provide…

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Beverlin v. Beverlin – 2025 UT App 72 – appeal, alimony, attorney fees

Beverlin v. Beverlin - 2025 UT App 72 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STEVEN K. BEVERLIN, Appellee, v. GAIL W. BEVERLIN, Appellant. Opinion No. 20230597-CA Filed May 22, 2025 Second…

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Do We Need More and Better Court Intervention in Domestic Relations Cases?

In many types of civil litigation, the core issue is not whether time is of the essence, but whether one will eventually recover compensation, and if so, how much. Yes,…

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Miner v. Miner – 2025 UT App 64 – modifying alimony, attorney’s fees

Miner v. Miner - 2025 UT App 64 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS LISA P. MINER, Appellee, v. JOHN E. MINER, Appellant. Opinion No. 20230278-CA Filed May 8, 2025 Fifth…

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Will ORS automatically adjust the child support withheld from my paycheck when my child support obligation changes? By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

Will ORS automatically adjust the child support withheld from my paycheck when my child support obligation changes? The short answer to this question is no. ORS will not automatically review…

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What Are Some Types of 50-50 Custody? Can One Parent Be the Custodial Parent in 50- 50 Custody With the Same Equal Time?

Great question (and follow up questions). What are some types of 50-50 custody? No matter what you call it (whether “50–50” or “50/50″), the meaning is the same: the children…

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Protecting Yourself From a Spouse Who Has No Regard for Ethics, the Law, or Morality. By Braxton Mounteer

A fair and equitable divorce is the best that any decent person who goes through the divorce process can honestly hope for. If you know you that you will be dealing…

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Does Utah Law Require Divorced or Single Parents to Pay Child Support in the Form of College Tuition?

Does Utah law require divorced or single parents to pay child support in the form of college tuition for their children? Require it? No. Utah does not require divorced or single…

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Yes, Equal Custody Is a Great Idea and Should Be Awarded Far More Often Than It Is Now, but That Doesn’t Mean Equal Custody Can Always Work.

Where both parents are fit parents and want to be as involved as possible in rearing that child—both out of a personal interest in enjoying parenthood and out of commitment…

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No, Utah Law Does Not Presume that Physical Child Custody Will Be 50/50.

Contrary to popular belief, Utah law does not, as of the time I write this post (April 2025), presume that the physical child custody award will be equal (50/50). Utah law presumes that legal child…

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When Does Child Support End Under Utah Law? Once a Child Reaches Majority? Sooner? Later?

This question perennially arises at graduation time, and it’s graduation time when I write this post. Unless your Utah-issued decree of divorce contains provisions for child support that deviate from…

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Yes, Equal Custody Is a Great Idea and Should Be Awarded Far More Often Than It Is Now, but That Doesn’t Mean All Judges Agree.

Where both parents are fit parents and want to be as involved as possible in rearing that child—both out of a personal interest in enjoying parenthood and out of commitment…

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Is Alimony off the Table Here?

My wife had an affair, got caught when she got pregnant by her lover, and then separated from me to move in with him. She had the baby and she…

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Conflicting Advice

Conflicting Advice Divorce is many people’s first and only experience with serious civil litigation. Many divorce clients can’t believe how different (and how much more disappointing) the legal system is…

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Don’t Play Dirty in Divorce Just Because Your Spouse Does By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

We’ve all heard some version of this story: the dramatic, knock-down, drag-out divorce. Where every move is a power play and every lawyer is part strategist, part saboteur. If you're…

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What does “child support” mean in Utah?

There are actually three different but related types of child support in Utah for divorced and unmarried parents who obtain child support orders either through administrative means or through a…

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The Case for Fault-Based Divorce: A Perspective from the Trenches of Family Law

As a legal assistant at a family law firm (and as a soon to be law school graduate), I see firsthand how the current no-fault divorce regime can create problems…

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How Do You Get a House Valuation/Appraisal for a Divorce When Your Spouse Has Remains Living in It?

A house does not need to be vacant to be appraised and evaluated. The appraiser(s) can inspect and evaluate the house while you're spouse or ex-spouse is still living there…

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How to Be a Good Client in Your Utah Divorce Case

Divorce is for most people a very stressful and emotional process. If you are ready to hire a divorce attorney, knowing how to approach working with your attorney can significantly…

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How Can I Fight for Child Visitation and My Parental Rights Without a Lawyer in Utah?

No one is required to hire a lawyer to represent him/her in a child custody dispute. If you are involved in a termination of parental rights or child abuse case…

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How to Deal with a Difficult and Dishonest Opposing Party (and his/her lawyer) in Utah Family Law Cases By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

When you're involved in a family law matter whether it's a divorce, child custody dispute, or a spousal support issue, one of the most frustrating challenges to encounter is an…

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After Divorce, My Ex Uses Parental Controls to Spy on My Parenting Time. Can Tech Custody Agreements Exist?

Yes, they can. Not merely agreements, but binding and enforceable court orders can be made by the court to address such an issue too. They are hard to enforce (because…

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Should You Get Divorced? Weighing Your Options in a Difficult Decision By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

The decisions to marry and to end a marriage are not decisions to be taken lightly. If divorce is ever an easy choice, something is terribly wrong. Wrong with the…

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A Big Problem with Child Abuse and Parental Alienation Accusations in Family Court

I can identify the problem by phrasing it in the form of several hypothetical questions to a judge: Is the approach to the allegations going to be, “Because these kinds…

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Nelson v. Nelson – 2025 UT App 43 – alimony, income, loan

2025 UT App 43 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS VICKI JO NELSON, Appellee, v. JAMES Q. NELSON, Appellant. Opinion No. 20230483-CA Filed March 27, 2025 Third District Court, Salt Lake…

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What Can a Father Do If, After the Divorce, the Mother, Who Has Custody of the Child, Turns the Child Against the Father?

What can a father do if, after the divorce, the mother, who has custody of the child, turns the child against the father? What can he do? There are many things he…

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If You Are Not Happy With the Current Child Custody Arrangement, Can You Change It?

I cannot answer this question as it applies to all jurisdictions, but I can answer it as it applies to the jurisdiction where I practice family law (Utah): Merely because you are…

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How Can an Unfair Child Custody Arrangement Be Corrected in Utah?

It depends on how you reached this point, and how much time, if any, you have to fix it. If circumstances relevant to the child custody award have materially and…

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How Do You Combat a Narcissistic Husband Who Isolates Your Child During a Divorce?

Warning: my answer is blunt, and it is directed primarily at women/mothers who make (or contemplate making) false claims, but even if you are not making or contemplating making a…

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Should High-Profile Divorces Be Granted Extra Privacy Protections in Court, or Should All Divorce Proceedings Be Equally Transparent Regardless of Wealth and Status?

As soon as we start treating people differently, two things happen: 1) the idea of people being treated equally goes out the window and 2) everyone starts claiming, “My case…

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The Risk and Costs of Asking for a Deadline Extension in Your Divorce By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

If (or when) you find yourself in the midst of a divorce, you will likely feel like you're caught in a whirlwind of different forces pushing and pulling on you.…

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Should I Appeal My Family Law Case in Utah?

It is common for many to be dissatisfied with the results of their family law cases. No matter how hard they fought or how long they worked at it, sometimes…

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Do Judges in Family Court Actions Have the Ability to Jail Parents Who Have Not Complied With Parts of the Custody Order for Contempt?

Do judges in family court actions have the ability to jail parents who have not complied with parts of the custody order for contempt? Yes. What are the limitations on…

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What Should I Do if I Feel Like the County Family Court Judge as Well as My Lawyer Have Not Upheld My Legal Rights as a Parent?

This is a good question because the way you have posed the question reflects the problem many people have with the legal system. Your feeling may stem from the court…

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Why Does My Ex Want Full Custody Now That I Filed for Child Support?

If a parent has sole or primary physical custody of the children, then not only does that parent typically not end up having to pay child support to the other…

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