Divorce or custody litigation often brings out the worst in people. Some spouses can't resist the urge to play the victim or the hero in every story they tell, especially…
Most parents in Utah assume that when they separate or divorce, the court will start from a position of splitting custody evenly. That’s a reasonable assumption—shared parenting has become the…
In Utah, divorce-related child custody disputes often escalate over parenting flaws that wouldn’t justify state intervention outside divorce. This approach is flawed because it creates a double standard that unfairly…
By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant One of the most common accusations we hear in divorce cases today is: “My spouse is a narcissist.” It's become the go-to label for bad behavior,…
Most cases don't need a PGAL or evaluator appointment. Why are court interviews often the better choice?: Quality of evidence: Direct court interviews create objective, recorded testimony rather than subjective, unverifiable,…
People rave about Atomic Habits by James Clear. I do not. It’s not a bad book, but not life-changing, at least not for me. Maybe it didn’t move me much…
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…
If you’re feeling like you can’t go on with your divorce case, know that you’re not alone in feeling that way. And you’re not weak for feeling overwhelmed. Take a…
If you're divorced and you are, or your ex is, introducing a new boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse into your minor children’s lives, you should seriously consider running a background check…
‘Can be. ‘Often is, but is not necessarily a war of attrition in all situations. Some divorce cases come to an end not because the court ruled on and resolved…
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…
If you are considering filing for divorce—or if your spouse has already filed—you’ve probably consulted with a divorce lawyer (or should). You likely have your own views (and blind spots)…
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…
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…
One of the most asked questions about divorce (and biggest source of friction between divorce lawyers and their clients) is how you manage your divorce case while working a full-time…
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…
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…
Do you want the truth? Or, more accurately, the truth as I see it, having practiced divorce and family law for the past 28 years as of the date I…
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…
In my 28 years’ experience, it’s not common. Indeed, if divorce cases took dramatic turns routinely, they couldn’t be considered dramatic turns. That stated, very true a skilled divorce lawyer…
Divorce is rarely an easy process. Even in fairly amicable situations, emotions can run high and the temptation to engage in dirty tricks can be strong. However, it is possible—and…
Yes, it is advisable. You can’t go wrong by waiting to start dating until after your decree of divorce is issued by the court. Personally, I consider it immoral to…
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…
Some do, some don't. Generally, however, when both parents live in the same neighborhood, so that their children are able to get to school, interact with the same friends, attend…
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…
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…
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,…
The goal of a successful 50-50 (equal) physical custody arrangement is that it work as seamlessly as possible for the children, both emotionally and logistically. Simply put, you know it’s…
Co-parenting successfully in an equal (50/50) legal and physical custody arrangement requires more than just dividing time. It calls for each parent fostering 1) a strong bond between the child…
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…
Simply put, normal children of divorced or separated parents want their parents: not to make custody a turf war. Honor your children’s right to a strong loving and trusting, relationship…
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…
In theory, collaborative divorce sounds ideal. What is "collaborative divorce"? The two spouses discuss together with their lawyers, mental health professional, financial specialist, and sometimes a child psychologist or development specialist…
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…
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…
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…
I'm beginning to realize that the amount of subjectivity involved with custody evaluation findings and conclusions is almost absolute, when you have two fit parents; meaning that somebody could ask…
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…
Some spouses will absolutely exploit the legal system to gain an unfair advantage in divorce proceedings. It's crucial to recognize the manipulative tactics your spouse might employ against you—even if…
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…
Anything is possible, but it is not likely that a recently licensed lawyer of only 6 months could handle an extremely wealthy person’s child custody case. Extremely wealthy people usually…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…