How can I protect my assets before getting married without prenup?

How can I protect my assets before getting married without prenup? Short answer: One option (not a very good one, frankly, but about the best there is under the circumstances…

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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,…

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What advice would you give me before divorce, if I’m not in the wrong?

What advice would you give someone before a divorce, if it’s known it may happen and you’re not in the wrong? This is a very important question that too few…

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Jensen v. Canon – 2020 UT App – tort of fraudulent nondisclosure and willful intent to deceive

2020 UT App 124 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JODI JENSEN, Appellant and Cross-appellee, v. GARY CANNON, Appellee and Cross-appellant. Opinion No. 20190433-CA Filed August 27, 2020 Third District Court,…

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Do I owe my spouse of just a few months anything in divorce?

When a young couple divorces after only a month of marriage, should there ever be an expectation that one party owes anything to the other, even if they lived with…

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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…

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Utah Courts “Divorce Education for Children” program is free of charge

The Utah Courts provide a "Divorce Education for Children" program that is free of charge for children 9-12 years of age whose parents are divorcing. More information about the program…

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What does it take to get the court to award custody to the father?

What does it take to get the court to award custody to the father? Either: A) a miracle or B) the mother has to be so clearly an unfit parent…

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Can one spouse or the other avoid paying taxes on a joint tax?

Can one spouse or the other avoid paying taxes on a joint tax? Tax law does not require married couples to file joint income tax returns simply by virtue of…

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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…

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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:…

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How do courts view mothers who abandon their family during a divorce?

How does the court view mothers that abandon their family during a divorce? Generally, with disbelief, at first. Why? A few reasons. One, to its credit, our culture still holds…

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“It’s pretty awful, but do you have a better alternative?”

“It’s pretty awful, but do you have a better alternative?” I was asked the following question in response to this answer I gave to a question on Quora.com: https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-dirty-secrets-a-lawyer-wishes-they-could-tell-us-but-can-t/answer/Eric-Johnson-311 Here…

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Home Heartbreak: People Divulge the Home Details of Their Divorce

Home Heartbreak: People Divulge the Home Details of Their Divorce (from Porch.com https://porch.com/resource/home-heartbreak) Life is full of transitions. We all remember moving out of our childhood home. For many of…

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Spouse abused me emotionally, so I get more money in divorce now, right?

My spouse abused me emotionally, so I get more money in divorce now, right? Strongly believing or feeling that “I deserve” an unequal division of the marital estate does not…

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Is it unreasonable to refuse to reside in the same town where your ex-spouse lives?

Is it unreasonable to refuse to buy a home in the same town or city that an ex-spouse lives in even though it is an affordable location? Not if residing…

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State v. Norton – 2020 UT 46 – Utah Supreme Court

https://www.utcourts.gov/opinions/supopin/State%20v.%20Norton20200713_20180514_46.pdf This opinion is subject to revision before final publication in the Pacific Reporter 2020 UT 46 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF UTAH STATE OF UTAH, Respondent,…

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How many back and forth claims and counterclaims are allowed in a child custody battle?

How many back and forth claims and counterclaims are allowed in a child custody battle? Here’s one way to count (I’ll use the jurisdiction where I practice divorce and family…

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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…

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Who files for divorce more? Men or Women? Why?

Who files for divorce more? Men or Women? Why? Women file more In the United State of America, although the percentages vary depending on the study, the research is unanimous in…

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For divorced parents: why isn’t your custody award 50/50?

For divorced parents: why isn't your custody award 50/50? Concisely (and in no particular order): sometimes a parent’s job, physical or mental/emotional disabilities, misconduct (like domestic violence, child abuse, or…

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Can a mother keeping the children from the father work against in custody litigation?

Can a mother not allowing the father to see his child without reason work against her in litigation for joint custody? Would the father having children from another relationship living…

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