Everyone has seen a trial portrayed in a movie or video. An actual trial (especially in a divorce case) is not like television or movies would have you believe. Initially,…
Once I realized that “negotiating trick” is just a synonym for “manipulation,” at best and “fraud” at worst, I stopped employing such tricks in negotiations. You wouldn’t want to be…
How is child support calculated in Utah? How long does child support last? How is child support enforced? How child support in Utah is calculated. I will explain it both…
Everyone has seen the movies and shows where a lawyer represents his/her client (in and out of court) like a berzerker. We have heard of the horror stories of innocent…
No. I wish I could tell you that it's worth the risk to show the police a little kindness, but they'll just exploit it. So not merely, no, but hell…
Do you find yourself involved in a child custody dispute (whether in a divorce case or a parentage/paternity action? If so, has your spouse or your attorney may have proposed…
Alimony is not purely a mathematical formula in Utah, but the governing section of the Utah Code (see Section 81-4-502. Determination of alimony) does relay on some basic addition, subtraction, and division. First,…
Do we need laws, given that so many people break them? It's tempting to believe that if we abolished marriage, we would thus get rid of divorce. While that is…
Some people ask this question because they believe an attorney is somehow obligated to accept any and every case he/she is asked to accept. This is not true. Some people…
Chlarson v. Chlarson - 2024 UT App 160 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JUSTIN THOMAS CHLARSON, Appellant, v. JACQUELINE NICOLE CHLARSON, Appellee. Opinion No. 20230742-CA Filed November 7, 2024 Second…
Your divorce lawyer will tell you about the things you need to do in your case, the documents and other evidence you need to produce, the questions you need to…
2024 UT App 156 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS AMANDA GODFREY, Appellee, v. RANDY GODFREY, Appellant. Opinion No. 20210871-CA Filed October 31, 2024 Third District Court, Silver Summit Department The…
2024 UT App 157 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS MARI HOIDAL, Appellee and Cross-appellant, v. JOHN BERRY, Appellant and Cross-appellee. Opinion No. 20220291-CA Filed October 31, 2024 Third District Court,…
Lerman v. Lerman - 2024 UT App 155 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS DEREK LERMAN, Appellee, v. MICHELLE LERMAN, Appellant. Opinion No. 20230913-CA Filed October 31, 2024 Second District Court,…
Divorce cases are not tried to a jury in any state except one: Texas. In all other states, including Utah, divorce and child custody cases are tried to the bench,…
Duffin v. Duffin - 2024 UT App 154 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JAMES MARLO DUFFIN JR., Appellant, v. BRANDY ELIZABETH DUFFIN, Appellee. Opinion No. 20221046-CA Filed October 31, 2024…
Know this first: the best things to do are often easier said than done. That stated, they are not that hard to do, but many are not that appealing to…
2024 UT App 133 - Bountiful City v. Swenson THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS BOUNTIFUL CITY, Appellant, v. ROBERT TAKASHI SWENSON, Appellee. Opinion No. 20230430-CA Filed September 19, 2024 Second…
State v. King - 2024 UT App 151 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, Appellee, v.. PHILLIP MASON KING, Appellant. Opinion No. 20210710-CA Filed October 24, 2024 Second…
In re J.M. - 2024 UT App 147 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF J.M., S.M., L.M., AND J.A.M., PERSONS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. N.M., Appellant, V. STATE OF UTAH, Appellee. Opinion…
The Utah courts have created a sizeable library of forms; a few that everyone is required to use, and a lot that can be used--optional, in other words--if one wants.…
Lunt v. Lunt - 2024 UT App 148 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS MEGAN LUNT, Appellee, v. DREW E. LUNT, Appellant. Opinion No. 20220596-CA Filed October 18, 2024 Third District…
In Utah, a parent is not required to have a job and it's likely that a court cannot order a parent to get a job and earn money. If that parent…
What will happen? Who knows? What could happen? The court could A) believe your story; B) not believe your story; or C) not believe your story and then come down…
In re adoption of D.K.A.T. - 2024 UT App 145 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS In re adoption of D.K.A.T. - 2024 UT App 145 IN THE MATTER OF THE…
In re Estate of Wright; Anderson v. Shayesteh - 2024 UT App 146 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF SHEILA ANNE WRIGHT, AHMAD RAY…
Many reasons can account for this (in no particular order of prevalence): Bitterness/Sore loser Revenge/trying to set themselves up for a second bite at the apple in a future petition…
We are not meant to be alone. We are meant to be married and to have a family. This is why losing/ending a marriage (and breaking up a family, if…
Answer: Almost certainly no. See Dahl v. Harrison, 265 P.3d 139, 2011 UT App 389 (2011). Note: Under the current Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, responses to written discovery requests are due…
This is not an easy decision to contemplate for most people of your age. If you married in your twenties, then you are likely at least 57 years old when…
If he wasn’t ordered to move out, and if you weren’t awarded sole possession, occupancy, and use of the marital residence, then he is under no obligation to move out.…
Usually painful. Perhaps in some ways that are a little different from the pain one would suffer when divorcing young, but still painful. Retirees suffer a unique pain in the…
Believing that change is inevitable, normal, and survivable. Jonny Thomson made this reel on his Facebook page, “Mini Philosophy,” which I think answers your question about as well as it…
In this KSL.com news article, written by Garna Meijia, reporting on the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) addressed the Rules Review and General Oversight Committee. Please read more…
People divorce for many different reasons, but regardless of the reason or reasons for seeking a divorce, the dissolution of a marriage and the breakup of a family usually causes…
Yes. Anyone who denies this fact is lying to you. This does not mean that fathers cannot get a fair shake in child custody cases; they can, but most fathers…
Today’s question comes from a viewer of the UFTLV channel who wants to know not only what this term means, but how it is properly pronounced! First, the definition: an…
DIY litigation is difficult in almost every situation. Divorce and family law is no different. You will likely save time and money by hiring a good (a good) attorney in…
Spouses of selfish, intelligent, and manipulative people who want to avoid a messy legal and emotional battle are not telling the whole truth about what they want. Implicit in what…
This is one of the most important questions you need to ask and to answer if you are contemplating divorce or find yourself on the receiving end of a complaint…
I decided to divorce my husband of 10 years after years of neglect and feeling unloved. We have a 6-year-old daughter. For the majority of our marriage I was always…
Over the course of your divorce, you may be tempted to throw in the towel and give up. You may also be tempted to fight to your last breath. Either…
First, for those of you who don’t know what a “narc” is, let’s address that. A “narc” in this context is a narcissistic spouse. Click here for a more detailed…
You’re asking the wrong question first. Your first question should not be, “How long should I wait before I file for a divorce?,” but “*Should* I even file for a…
“Speak your mind—even if your voice shakes. . . . When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say.” — Maggie Kuhn I have…
In my opinion (as a divorce and family law attorney for the past 27 years), a “less is more” approach is needed at this point. What do I mean? For…
If you were not fortunate enough to settle your divorce case on acceptable terms, you now or soon will likely find yourself preparing for trial. Trial will be the day(s)…
Great question (the answer will likely scare you and drive you nuts, but it’s a great question). Divorce court is, in many respects, the wild west. No matter what jurisdiction…
Divorced parents of minor children, here’s a great idea you should implement: conduct a yearly audit to ensure that everything is covered when it comes to the custody and parent-time…
In re R.P. - 2024 UT App 106 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF R.P., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. K.J., Appellant,…
Black and white, plain and simple. We really mean that here at Utah Family Law, LC. What you normally hear about divorce and family law is all over the map–even when you hear it from lawyers.
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