Who gets the house, if one of us had an affair?
After 1.5 years trying to reconcile after my wife's 5 year affair, we are ending our 20-year marriage. Despite two teenage kids and her being a stay-at-home mom, she had…
What do you need from your lawyer when going through divorce?
What do you need from your lawyer when going through divorce? Before you hire an attorney, keep this in mind: unless the court finds that circumstances necessitate that a lawyer be…
Solving legal problems is probably the least of a client’s concerns
Clients hire lawyers and law firms because they have a personal problem which is being caused by or exacerbated by the legal problem. No one is hiring [you] just because they…
Can I represent myself in a child custody dispute and win?
Can I represent myself in child custody matters of my own children and win? What you really mean is, “Can I represent myself in child custody matters of my own…
Are free consultations with divorce lawyers worthwhile in helping you choose your lawyer?
Are free consultations with divorce lawyers worthwhile in helping you choose your lawyer? Should you seek out attorneys who give you free information and advice? Allow me to help you…
Hesitant to talk to a lawyer? That’s normal. And wise.
Some people are hesitant, even scared, to talk to a divorce lawyer or a family lawyer. But being nervous or afraid of making a mistake is normal. And wise. Hiring…
How Much Is It Worth to Be Right?
Have you ever heard the phrases "Don't be dead right" and "Winning the battle and losing the war? It's obviously good advice. Advice you've probably given to others. When it…
Do You Feel Like a Dollar Sign?
Do Your Clients Feel Like Dollar Signs? by Lee Rosen https://roseninstitute.com/do-your-clients-feel-like-dollar-signs/ Tourists in India feel like dollar signs. Touts crowd around, shouting above the street noise, imploring tourists to buy…
Rent a Reputation – they just won’t quit!
If you've been following my blog on the subject of these attorney "honors" and "distinctions" and "certifications," then you know that they are a for-profit enterprise, which is why I…
I wasn’t kidding when I told you the “rent a reputation” offers are a dime a dozen.
I wasn't kidding when I told you the "rent a reputation" offers are a dime a dozen. Yesterday I posted this blog: https://www.divorceutah.com/2018/01/31/rent-a-reputation/. In a nutshell: if you think lawyer honors are…
Do you put any stock in those attorney rankings, honors, and badges when you shop for your attorney?
Do you put any stock in those attorney rankings, honors, and badges when you shop for your attorney? Do you have any idea how easy it is to get those…
What is the best way to get the courts to follow the laws already on books and the constitution for custody battles?
What is the best way to get the courts to follow the laws already on the books and the constitution for custody battles? To be frank, in my opinion there…
As a divorce lawyer, what is the most petty thing one of your clients had you do?
QUESTION: As a divorce lawyer, what is the most petty thing one of your clients had you do? ANSWER: Thanks for the question. The answer is: nothing. Legal whores do…
Cool as a Cucumber: How to Testify Successfully at Your Deposition or in Court in a Domestic Relations Case
Cool as a Cucumber[1]: HOW TO TESTIFY SUCCESSFULLY AT YOUR DEPOSITION OR IN COURT IN A DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASE [1] This phrase (c. 1732) derives from ancient folk knowledge confirmed by…
Why get a divorce lawyer who thinks and acts like a judge, not like a spouse, and not like a hired gun?
Why get a divorce lawyer who thinks and acts like a judge, not like a spouse, and not like a hired gun? The best divorce lawyer is not someone who…
What is the difference between a lawyer and a consultant?
Anyone can call himself or herself a consultant. It requires no special training, no special test or certification or license. One can be a “legal consultant” without having gone to…
How common is it for lawyers not to take or return clients’ calls? Why?
How common is it for lawyers not to receive their clients’ calls or not to return calls? What are the reasons for this avoidance? It is inexcusably all too common.…
Can I Negotiate with My Spouse, If My Spouse Has a Lawyer?
Is there a legal remedy where an ex-husband and wife in the middle of a custody battle can speak freely and off the record through their lawyers without fear of…
How do you divorce a narcissist when his lawyer is his next victim?
How do you divorce a narcissist when his lawyer is his next victim? That's the lawyer's problem, not yours. While it is noble and kind of you to want to…
My family law attorney is screwing me over. What can I do?
My family law attorney is screwing me over. What can I do? Fire your attorney and get a better one. You are not required to stick with your lawyer throughout…
What are the most irritating things when you have to deal with lawyers?
What are the most irritating things when you have to deal with lawyers? I’m a divorce lawyer. Dealing with divorce lawyers need not essentially, necessarily be irritating. There are actually…
What do the police think of lawyers?
What do the police think of lawyers? Generally, we don’t like or trust each other. And for good reason. I’m an attorney. I don’t like most law enforcement officers because…
Just answer the question
Just answer the question By Richard Jacobs When potential clients are stuck in a legal situation, they come up with a lot of questions. How you as an attorney answer…
How common is it for lawyers not to receive their clients’ calls or not to return calls? What are the reasons for this avoidance?
Question: How common is it for lawyers not to receive their clients’ calls or not to return calls? What are the reasons for this avoidance? Answer: Inexcusably all too common.…
Buying Based on Value, Not on Just Price
An old legal assistant of mine shared with me the old saw of "buy cheap, pay twice." My father-in-law introduced me to "jumping over dollars to pick up dimes." Then…
How do I stay calm during my divorce deposition when my ex has told extreme lies about me?
QUESTION: How do I stay calm during my divorce deposition when my ex has told extreme lies about me? My ex gave his depo first. He said things that made…
How do you correct lawyers’ mistakes without risking damaging their reputations?
How do you correct lawyers' mistakes without risking damaging their reputations? I can’t give any better advice than Ken Dunham’s in this same thread, assuming you trust your lawyer: “If you…
Fit parents and their children deserve joint custody
As a matter of basic human rights and human nature, unless they are unfit then divorced and separated parents and their children deserve joint custody. "[A] parent's right to the…
How can I get a fair shake in divorce when my ex has an attorney and I am unable to afford my own attorney?
How can I get a fair child custody arrangement when my ex has an attorney and I am unable to pay the initial retainer for my own attorney? I have…
How do I find a family lawyer specifically dedicated to helping out?
How do I find a family lawyer specifically dedicated to helping out? Easy (-er said that done, but still easy to give you the sure-fire directions to seek out a…
Did I make a mistake hiring a lawyer outside of my county to handle my child custody case?
Did I make a mistake hiring a lawyer outside of my county to handle my child custody case? The question is whether the attorney you hired is experienced in the…
Am I required to hire a lawyer for divorce mediation?
Question: Can I hire an attorney after to review the documents from mediation before I sign anything? What if I hire an attorney before we meet mediation? Do I have…
Could a class action suit by divorced fathers who were unfairly denied custody of their children due to gender bias be successful in a state court?
Could a class action suit by divorced fathers who were unfairly denied custody of their children due to gender bias be successful in a state court? In my humble opinion,…
Selling Personal Service vs. Running “a Business”
Personal service is getting scarce. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Some services we're happy to accept from a machine: a quick car wash, the convenience of an ATM. But…
Is the Martindale-Hubbell AV rating meaningful anymore (for divorce and family law attorneys especially)?
Consulting Martindale-Hubbell for the AV rating certainly can’t hurt a potential client in helping him or her to assess a divorce or family lawyer’s qualifications, skills, and “fit” with you,…
How can I get a fair child custody arrangement when my ex has an attorney and I am unable to pay the initial retainer for my own attorney?
Question: How can I get a fair child custody arrangement when my ex has an attorney and I am unable to pay the initial retainer for my own attorney? I…
Who Can and Should Give Legal Advice, and Who Can and Should Seek Legal Advice
I'm Brian Godfrey, a legal assistant for Utah Family Law, LC. I often take calls from potential clients who ask myriad questions. Some I can answer, others I can't. I…
Variations on Stupid (by Seth Godin)
Today's video is taken directly from Seth Godin's blog because it applies so well and so crucially to how both lawyers and clients approach divorce in the wrong ways. The link to…
The Client-Attorney Relationship?
Small hinges swing large doors. I recently listened to a podcast featuring Peter carry an us (Carayiannis), whose firm has been twice nominated for the most innovative law-firm award. And although…
The Availability of Free Online Divorce Law Information is Great! Really, We’re Not Kidding.
The Availability of Free Online Divorce Law Information is Great! Really, We’re Not Kidding. You can find an abundance of very and useful and interesting legal information online for free,…
Special Challenges for the Small Business Owner in Divorce
You often hear divorce lawyers saying that there are “special challenges” for virtually everybody in divorce: special challenges for men, special challenges for women, for the young, special challenges for…
Protection from Domestic Violence in Utah
An act of domestic violence could lead to civil court action, criminal court action, or both. So first, let’s make sure you understand the difference between civil and criminal court…
Natural Light (by Seth Godin)
This blog post is taken from a blog posting by Seth Godin. The link to his post and to his blog is: https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/123780515/0/sethsblog~Natural-light.html. He wrote: Natural Light (by Seth Godin) If…
If You Agreed to Get Hosed in Your Divorce Settlement, You Will Get Hosed
So you don't like the terms of your divorce settlement and you're wanting to modify those terms. I hope that when you signed that settlement agreement you didn't agree to…
How to Shop for a Divorce Attorney and to Select the Right Fit for You (the no B.S. way)
I’ve never been one to avoid elephants in the room, so let’s examine this one. We’ve met in an initial consultation. You’re a potential client. We’ve discussed your problems, reviewed…
Keeping Records, Recording Phone Calls and Conversations
Let’s talk about some of the ways you can prove key facts, protect yourself from false allegations, and stop contention and fighting over parent time in Utah. Recording key communications is a…
Fixed or Flat Fee Attorney Pricing
I experimented with fixed-fee pricing over the billable hour for over a year and a half before I got it down to a system that works for both my client…
Guide to Succeeding in Divorce While Reducing the Time and Costs
Contents If you are the victim of serious or escalating domestic violence, get help and get to safety first. 2 Advance Planning, If You Have That Option. 2 Gather in…
Are Workers Compensation and Personal Injury Awards Considered Marital Property in Utah?
I cannot find any case law in Utah on the subject of workers compensation awards and whether they are treated as marital or separate property in divorce. As for the…
“How To Keep It Together When Divorce Blindsides You” – from TJ Carver
This blog is excerpted from an article by TJ Carver at guyvorce.com entitled "How To Keep It Together When Divorce Blindsides You." We highlight those parts of his article that apply to…