When do you know your spouse is lying?
When you can independently verify it; otherwise, there is, as of yet, no perfectly accurate way to know whether someone is lying. Even the most sophisticated “lie detection” equipment (which…
My list of YouTube videos I like best on successful depositions
Here it is: my list of YouTube videos that I like best on how to identify, prepare for, and give a successful deposition. #1 Attorney Richard LaGarde has spent over thirty-five…
Cool as a Cucumber : How to Testify Successfully at Your Deposition or in Court in a Utah Domestic Relations Case
Cool as a cucumber[1]. Is that you? It can be. When it comes to testifying, follow the Golden Rules: 1. Always tell the truth. 2. Simply telling the truth is not…
11 Questions to Ask Before Getting a Divorce (from the New York Times)
11 Questions to Ask Before Getting a Divorce By Eric V Copage May 18, 2017, New York Times Common sense suggests that asking the right questions before getting married can…
Why are there no penalties for false allegations in divorce and custody issues?
Why are there no penalties for false allegations in divorce and custody issues? First, there are penalties meted out; in my opinion few (far too few) in law enforcement, child…
What is a simple truth about divorce that most people ignore?
I hate to write this, but I can’t deny it: One simple truth about divorce that most people ignore is that the legal system does a pretty lousy job of…
In your experience, how often do divorces get resolved “amicably” after being filed in court?
Some couples actually realize that while their marriage is a failure, that does not mean that they are bad people. They can care enough about each other to divorce amicably.…
As a man, what steps can I take to safeguard my interests before telling my wife I want a divorce?
As a man, what steps can I take to safeguard my interests before telling my wife I want a divorce? There are two types of men who ask this question:…
How to Fix Bad Credit After a Divorce (from LendEdu.com)
How to Fix Bad Credit After a Divorce https://lendedu.com/blog/how-to-fix-bad-credit-after-a-divorce - Jeff Gitlen October 17, 2018 Our research, news, ratings, and assessments are scrutinized using strict editorial integrity. In full transparency, our company…
How do people generally react if asked to sign a prenuptial agreement?
How do people generally react if asked to sign a prenuptial agreement? More and more the response to a request to sign a prenuptial agreement is a willing one. Because…
What do I need to do before filing for divorce? (a useful checklist, with explanations)
What do I need to do before filing for divorce? When deciding if you are going to file for divorce, there are some things you need to know, and many…
Do I have to pay witnesses to testify at my divorce trial?
If a witness won’t come to trial and testify for you voluntarily, then yes, you need to pay your witnesses. Expert witnesses set their own expert witness testimony fees. Some…
Divorce Preparedness: What do I need to do before filing for divorce?
When deciding if you are going to file for divorce, there are some things you need to know, and many things you should consider, before filing for divorce I. Why…
Why do divorces take so long to finish?
Here are the reasons, as I see them, why too many divorce cases cost so much and take so long to finish (in no particular order): 1. Some divorce lawyers…
Why do judges say “don’t break court orders,” but then do nothing when the order is broken?
Why do judges tell people not to break court orders but then do nothing when the court order is broken? Reason #1: because of the principle of “easier said than…
What are the biggest challenges a divorce lawyer faces?
What is one of the biggest challenges of a Divorce lawyer? First, read Donald Baranski’s answer to this question (which provided below); it’s excellent, and any divorce client would be…
How does custody of children work if the parents live in different states?
How does custody of children work if the parents live in different states? I’ll answer this question in the context of Utah’s family law (I practice divorce and family law…
Why do unhappy married couples stay together for the sake of the children?
Why do unhappy married couples stay together for the sake of the children, when they could easily give the children two happy homes instead living in one miserable home? Mom…
What do divorce lawyers know about relationships that most people don’t know?
What do divorce lawyers know about relationships that most people don't know? People are generally far more dishonest in divorce than they let on. People who believe themselves to be…
What are some ways people who are getting divorced have hidden their assets?
What are some ways people who are getting divorced have hidden their assets? I have answered a question similar to this one previously on Quora: Eric Johnson's answer to: What's…
Why are divorce attorneys so expensive?
Why are divorce attorneys so expensive? Because we divorce lawyers (I am a divorce lawyer) generally disappoint the people they serve. Some causes of the disappointment are the lawyer’s fault,…
How can I prevent a divorce, if I am mentally unfit to go through it?
How can I refuse to divorce my wife now, as I just lost my sister, and my wife told me just before my sister died, that I will never see…
How Much Will My Divorce Cost? How Long Will It Take?
Good for you for coming here. You're grabbing the bull by the horns. You're lancing that boil. Let's get right to what you want to know. When contemplating a divorce,…
Why stay unhappily married for the sake of the kids?
Why do unhappy married couples stay together for the sake of the children, when they could easily give the children two happy homes instead living in one miserable home? Mom…
What are legal ways one can prevent having to pay spousal support in case of a divorce?
What are legal ways one can prevent having to pay spousal support in case of a divorce? Do you really mean “What are legally and equitably valid ways one can prevent having…
How to Avoid the Primrose Path in Divorce (if you have the will and the guts)
How to Avoid the Primrose Path in Divorce (if you have the will and the guts) It’s getting harder to stay in contact with reality. You have men who, as…
Smith v. Robinson – 2018 UT 30 – false allegations of sexual abuse
This opinion is subject to revision before final publication in the Pacific Reporter 2018 UT 30 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF UTAH ROCIO SMITH, Appellant, v. KAYELYN…
Mower v. Children’s Center – 2018 UT 29 – false memories or false allegations of sexual abuse against a parent
(See also Smith v. Robinson, Case No. 20160106, Filed July 05, 2018, 2018 UT 30, a companion case to this one) This opinion is subject to revision before final publication…
Being the Best Client Helps Ensure You Have the Best Lawyer
Being the best client helps ensure you have the best lawyer. In trying to express this in greater detail I came across this article from an Australian divorce lawyer that…
Is it unreasonable to insist Dad/Mom provide clothes for the kids at his/her place?
QUESTION: Is it unreasonable for me to assume my kids would have their own clothes at their dad's place? He has been requesting that I send specific items with the…
How Do I Get My Ex Prosecuted for Custodial Inteference?
QUESTION: What can I file in court for custodial interference? Is it just a matter of filing a motion for order to show cause? Or is there more to it?…
There is no cheap or free legal services shortcut
“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” ― Søren Kierkegaard “A great deal…
What is the average cost of divorce, when child custody is contested?
How much does it cost to divorce on average, with two kids and contested custody? On average? I’d say around $20,000, if the case is contested. But, as you will see…
Evidence: What will the court admit, and why (relevance vs. materiality)?
The decision of whether to admit or exclude evidence in a hearing or trial belongs to your commissioner or judge. Even on appeal, the evidentiary decisions of the commissioner or…
Am I disadvantaged in a child support case, if the other parent has a lawyer and I don’t?
What happens in child support cases when the custodial parent has an attorney but the non-custodial parent doesn’t? Does that mean they usually pay more because there isn't another attorney…
What are the legal repercussions of posting an email chain between myself and my daughter’s custodial parent exposing her downright shady behavior?
What are the legal repercussions of posting an email chain between myself and my daughter's custodial parent exposing her downright shady behavior? Many who “answered” your question didn’t read your…
What Is Alimony, and How Does It Work in Utah?
What is Alimony? Alimony is a legal obligation imposed by court order upon one spouse in a separate maintenance action or divorce action to provide financial support for the other…
What is Alimony and How Does It Work in Utah?
What is Alimony? Alimony is a legal obligation imposed by court order upon one spouse in a separate maintenance action or divorce action to provide financial support for the other…
What are the biggest misconceptions about divorce?
Misconception #1 It’s bad, sure, but it can’t be that bad. THE TRUTH: It’s harder, more expensive, and takes longer than you imagine. Once you accept this, divorce will still…
What is the best website to obtain advice from a divorce lawyer in the USA?
What is the best website to obtain advice from a divorce lawyer in the USA? You have an embarrassment of riches available to you, if you’re looking for good legal…
Can a wife expect a property to be split equally if she cheated?
Can a wife expect a property to be split between partners if she cheated on her partner in the US (assuming no contract has been signed)? Yes. People who are…
Why are women generally awarded child custody more often than men?
QUESTION: From a lawyer’s perspective, why do women get child custody almost 90% of the time? Is there really a bias? What factors come into play when deciding about it?…
Munoz-Madrid v. Carlos-Moran – 2018 UT App 95 – alimony
Munoz-Madrid v. Carlos-Moran - 2018 UT App 95 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS PATRICIA MUNOZ-MADRID, Appellee, v. MARTIN ROBERTO CARLOS-MORAN, Appellant. Opinion No. 20161013-CA Filed May 24, 2018 Fourth District…
What is it like to have divorced parents as a child?
What is it like to have divorced parents as a child? Generally worse than having non-divorced parents. I do not state that to offend divorced parents. Most (not all) divorced…
Confusing Want with Need – don’t expect what divorce cannot deliver
After more than 20 years doing this work: - I know what you want; - I know what you believe you want; and - we both know what you truly…
Not just tragic. Stupid tragic.
You don’t want to incur the judge’s wrath, right? You want the court to think well of you. So your plan is not to make any waves. You won’t make…
A Spouse’s Questions about the Divorce Mediation Process
Questions: If we go to mediation, can I hire an attorney after to review the documents from mediation before I sign anything? What if I hire an attorney before we…
Is Done Better than Perfect in Your Divorce Case?
"Done is better than perfect." This is good advice for divorce lawyers, but equally good advice for divorce clients (really, it is) sometimes. Excerpts from Perfect, by David M. Ward …
Divorce is on the horizon for my parents. What do I do?
Mom is treating Dad so bad that I think a divorce is on the horizon. Nobody is supportive. What do I do as a son? Love and support your parents,…
Attorneys: “glorified pencil-pushers”?
This is from part of an e-mail that I received from Richard Jacobs. He helps attorneys with their marketing. I like much of Richard's approach because, like me, he doesn't…