Can anyone find out which spouse filed for a divorce?
I cannot speak for all jurisdictions, but in the state of Utah (where I practice divorce and family law), if you know that a couple is divorcing or is divorced,…
I cannot speak for all jurisdictions, but in the state of Utah (where I practice divorce and family law), if you know that a couple is divorcing or is divorced,…
In our society what shows that we value fathers as parents? When it comes to child custody awards (i.e., the award of legal and/or physical custody)? Society values fathers far…
If a loving, able parent (i.e., a fit parent who lives in close enough proximity to the child(ren)’s other parent such that joint legal and physical custody does not work…
This question doesn’t come up very often, but it does come up. I will answer this question according to the law of Utah, which is the jurisdiction where I practice…
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…
What can you do if you failed to get a prenup before getting married? Is there anything I can do that’s close to a Prenup when I’m already married? It…
Why is it okay for a parent to be given custody without their kids consent or at least their input? This is a great question. I can’t speak for all…
First, if you are referring to a police report of a DUI citation and/or arrest, in most jurisdictions such records are public record, and thus available not only to your…
My spouse opens accounts in my name, steals checks, forges my signature. How do I get my spouse to stop? Without telling me, my spouse opens store accounts in my…
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.…
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…
If I suspect my ex-husband fathered a child with someone else while we were married, can I challenge our divorce ruling? If, by this question, you mean that you are…
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…
I am a father who has exercised at least 50/50 custody with my ex. Now she's trying to take me to court for full custody and me getting every other…
In my personal experience, most of the time, with most judges. I’m a divorce and family lawyer in Utah, and family law gives judges such broad discretion that even those…
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…
Does a spouse have the right to see a DUI report? First, if you are referring to a police report of a DUI citation and/or arrest, in most jurisdictions such…
If an ex uses illness to stop working, can she get more alimony? Can being debilitated by illness be a reason for a spouse receiving alimony or more alimony than…
How do I console a father who has lost custody of his child? “He’s [the father who lost custody] permanently damaged.” That’s what someone else wrote in response to your…
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…
Can a divorced spouse claim rights to a previous primary residence? A court can, in exceptional circumstances, award a spouse some or all of your premarital and separate property that…
Can a divorced spouse claim rights to a premarital primary residence? A court can, in exceptional circumstances, award a spouse some or all of your premarital and separate property that…
If an ex uses illness to stop working, can she get more alimony? Can being debilitated by illness be a reason for a spouse receiving alimony or more alimony than…
Good news, apparently, for parents deserving of joint equal physical custody of their children but who have, up until now, been fighting an unfair, unnecessarily uphill battle. The Utah Legislature passed,…
What would you do if your child's father who is only entitled to supervised visitation filed for a modification of a court order so a family member you don't approve…
As an attorney, what did you learn during your first case in front of a judge and jury that is forever etched in your brain? Interestingly enough, in 24 years…
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…
Judge says stay away from my paramour. Can judge do that? I became pregnant by my paramour after my husband and I separated. The court order states we are not…
How long does it take a divorce to become final if one party is refusing the divorce? It can take an amazingly, shockingly long time. One of the most frustrating…
I know two people that separated and share custody and both have jobs yet he pays child support? How does this work? This is a great question and a question…
Why is my lawyer ignoring me? There are many possible reasons. Lawyers are notorious for being hard to reach and for being unresponsive and nonresponsive. If you aren’t paying your…
Do parents who share joint equal physical custody of their children pay child support? If my spouse and I were to agree to share joint equal physical custody (50-50) of…
Why would a court/judge want the opposing parties to settle? Because if the parties settle, then the judge does not have to preside over a trial in the parties’ case.…
Do lawyers ever regret helping a client or obtaining a particular judgment? Yes, yes, of course. We all know that there are plenty of lawyers who will prostitute their professional skills for money…
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…
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”…
Lawyers, why do some cases drag for years without a conclusive decision? Does it help to get a favorable outcome or not? Does delay help one to get a favorable…
Why do lawyers get paid no matter the results? Your question assumes a false fact. Lawyers are not always paid no matter the results. One example is a contingency fee…
Married a short time. He demands discovery going back years. Can he? Married 16 months. He became abusive almost immediately after. I filed for divorce. He and his attorney is…
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…
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…
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…
Should more people have to attend court-ordered parenting classes? Generally speaking, no. For the most part, when you lead a horse to water and try to force him to drink,…
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…
If I can’t find an attorney, can it honestly be said I got a fair trial? If a person seeks legal representation in a court, and every attorney they tries…
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?…
Thomas v. Thomas - 2021 UT App 2021 UT App 8 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JEREMY THOMAS, Appellant, v. JODY TASKER THOMAS, Appellee. Opinion No. 20190242-CA Filed January 22,2021…
What are the Steps for Getting Divorced in Utah? To start the divorce process, you must begin by filing what is called a complaint or a petition for divorce with…
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…
GALs and custody evaluators waste too much money and time, and can never provide the same accuracy as a judge’s direct interview of the child. This post is the fifteenth…