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…
How do I console a father who has lost custody of his child?
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…
As a lawyer, do you typically trust what your clients say?
As a lawyer, do you typically trust what your clients say? I don’t represent people or causes in whom I don’t believe. That is not true of all attorneys, as…
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?
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…
Does a judge contact a client if a law firm is filing to remove themselves from a case?
Does a judge contact a client if a law firm is filing to remove themselves from a case? No. A judge is not allowed to communicate with a represented party…
How do lawyers drag out court cases?
How do lawyers drag out court cases? In some respects, the ways are limited only by the power of one’s imagination, but the most common ways I have experienced in…
Should I pay my lawyer to talk to the attorney of the other party? He spent 3 hours last week responding to 12 emails from the other lawyer and I need to pay him for this time. At this rate I my lawyer will become a secretary and I will be bankrupt.
Should I pay my lawyer to talk to the attorney of the other party? He spent 3 hours last week responding to 12 emails from the other lawyer and I…
Esquire? Why do attorneys often use this title on business cards and letterhead?
Why do attorneys often use the title "Esquire" in their business cards and letterheads? Because the kinds of attorneys who use "Esquire' are conceited and pretentious. There's a great article…
Why is my lawyer ignoring me?
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 lawyers ever regret helping a client or obtaining a particular judgment?
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 passes, despite opposition from the State Bar Family Law Section.
S.B. 122 passes, despite transparently self-serving and disingenuous opposition from the State Bar Family Law Section. The Family Law Section's stated opposition to the first iteration of S.B. 122 and…
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”…
Why do attorneys often use the title Esquire in their business cards and letterheads?
Why do attorneys often use the title Esquire in their business cards and letterheads? Because those kinds of attorneys are conceited and pretentious. There's a great article about this on…
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 outcome for oneself?
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?
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 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?
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?
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 do attorneys often use the title Esquire in their business cards and letterheads?
Why do attorneys often use the title "Esquire" in their business cards and letterheads? Because those kinds of attorneys are conceited and pretentious. Get Over Yourself And Stop Calling Yourself…
Are all lawyers psychopaths? What is it like to be a divorce lawyer?
Are all lawyers psychopaths? No, although social science research repeatedly finds that law is one of the top professions to which psychopaths are drawn (it’s #1 or #2 on most…
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…
If I can’t find an attorney, can it honestly be said I got a fair trial?
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?
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?…
What are the Steps for Getting Divorced in Utah?
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, 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…
Are older lawyers better?
Are older lawyers better? If by “older” you mean lawyers who are not fresh out of law school, the answer is: almost always yes. They don’t teach you how to…
How is it possible that people go bankrupt during divorce in the USA? Isn’t it a 50/50 split?
How is it possible that people go bankrupt during divorce in the USA? Isn't it a 50/50 split? It’s not “the divorce” that causes people to go bankrupt, it’s the…
When a lawyer drops a client, is the reason shared with the judge and/or opposing counsel (i.e., the client refused to be reasonable, etc.)?
When a lawyer drops a client, is the reason shared with the judge and/or opposing counsel (i.e., the client refused to be reasonable, etc.)? In Utah, where I practice divorce…
What are some things that profitable attorneys do differently?
What are some things that profitable attorneys do differently? One thing that many do: sell false hope. Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277 https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-things-that-profitable-attorneys-do-differently/answer/Eric-Johnson-311
When a lawyer drops a client, is the reason shared with the judge and/or opposing counsel (i.e., the client refused to be reasonable, etc.)?
When a lawyer drops a client, is the reason shared with the judge and/or opposing counsel (i.e., the client refused to be reasonable, etc.)? In Utah, where I practice divorce…
Utah Divorce Case Timeline Summary
Utah Divorce Case Timeline Summary The greatest influence on how long a divorce case takes is usually how much and how severely the parties fight over the issues. The more…
The easy mediocre vs. the hard excellence: I hate this restaurant
Today’s post features Seth Godin’s blog (the link to his blog post is provided below). After you read it, ask yourself whether can you guess why this Seth Godin blog…
Why do pro se litigants fail so often?
Why do pro se litigants fail so often? And if you’re wondering what a pro se litigant is, here’s the definition: someone who argues his/her own case in a lawsuit,…
Why do lawyers like to handle large divorce settlements?
Why do lawyers like to handle large divorce settlements? The more complex and acrimonious the case and/or the more there is at stake, the more work there is to do.…
How can I talk to a lawyer when I don’t have money to pay for one?
How can I talk to a lawyer when I don't have money to pay for one? Most jurisdictions have resources for consulting an attorney, even receiving certain kinds of legal…
How can I talk to a lawyer when I don’t have money to pay for one?
How can I talk to a lawyer when I don't have money to pay for one? Most jurisdictions have resources for consulting an attorney, even receiving certain kinds of legal…
Can I get a cost-free divorce if, say, my spouse is verbally and emotionally abusive?
Can I get a cost-free divorce if, say, my spouse is verbally and emotionally abusive? In a sense, yes, but not because of a finding that your spouse “verbally and…
Are prenuptial agreements used only to avoid divorce settlements?
Are prenuptial agreements used only to avoid divorce settlements? Prenuptial agreements are used primarily to avoid the expense, the misery, and the waste of time divorce actions can (and usually…
Why do people need legal advisors if all the laws can be found on the Internet?
Why do people need legal advisors (I'm not referring to litigators) if all the laws can be found on the Internet? Good question, and the answer is simple and clear:…
Do lawyers write down their arguments in full, or just have brief notes?
Do lawyers write down their arguments in full, or just have brief notes? It depends upon the lawyer. And there are lawyers who use either or both methods to present…
Is there a way to find an attorney’s win-loss record?
Is there a way to find an attorney's win-loss record? A way to find out the percentage of cases won by an attorney? Yes, but . . . Yes, but…
How can I calm my nerves?
How can I calm my nerves? I hired an attorney to help with my child custody case against my BPD ex. I’m so scared of what he will do when…
What do real lawyers think about the principles in the TV show “Suits”?
What do real lawyers think about the principles in the TV show Suits? As in all walks of life, there are those who are scrupulously honest and decent, and there…
Are all lawyers super poor?
Are all lawyers super poor? No, but lawyers aren’t as rich as popular culture believes. I think I can speak for all lawyers when I tell you that one thing…
I hired an attorney. I’m so scared how my ex will react.
How can I calm my nerves? I hired an attorney to help with my child custody case against my BPD ex. I’m so scared of what he will do when…
If we agree on our divorce terms, do we need attorneys?
If we agree on our divorce terms, do we need attorneys? In a less complicated divorce, where each party has already agreed to the split of assets, do they each…
Why are so many Latin terms used in legal (English)?
Why are so many Latin terms used in legal (English)? Law is (or was) a learned profession and before information and education was available to everyone, the language of the…
Can I sell or trade in the family car while divorce proceedings are pending?
Can I sell or trade in the family car while divorce proceedings are pending? How would a spouse in process of divorce go about trading her van that is in…
How much are the typical fees for a divorce?
How much are the typical fees for a divorce? According to lawyers.com, as reported June 18, 2019, the average cost of a divorce in my jurisdiction where I practice divorce…
Should I review the proposed settlement agreement with my own lawyer?
In a less complicated divorce, where each party has already agreed to the split of assets, do they each need to hire their own attorney, and why or why not?…