Child Custody and Where the Children Attend School

How is the school that a child will be attending decided if the parents are separated and live in two different school zones? Real-world, gritty answer that you may not…

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In which developed country is there equal rights for moms and dads in child custody cases?

In which developed country is there equal rights for moms and dads in child custody cases? What an astute question (whether you realize it fully). I live in the United…

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How unemployment or under-employment affects child support

QUESTION: I was looking into child support laws, I am confused about how involuntary vs. voluntary unemployment or under-employment affects the child support obligation. If a non-custodial parent wants to…

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Yes, there is a bias in favor of mothers in child custody disputes, but not for much longer.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018 I recently saw this post on a child custody Facebook group: If [fathers] want to piss and moan, and whine online about injustice and not being…

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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…

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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…

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What if I don’t want custody of my child post-divorce?

What if I don't want custody of my child post-divorce? If the other parent is 1) fit to exercise custody of the child(ren) and 2) willing to take custody of…

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Why does the mom usually win custody of her kids in a divorce?

Why does the mom usually win custody of her kids in a divorce? Why are mother's awarded child custody so often? There is one main reason, and many ancillary reasons,…

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Look, I know you want to believe mediation is the magic pill for divorce but you’re missing a crucial point

Way too many mediators (whether of the collaborative stripe or other persuasion) insinuate that 1) divorce without mediation is doomed to anger and misery; and 2) merely engaging in mediation…

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K.P.S. v. E.J.P. – 2018 UT App 5 – Utah Court of Appeals – January 5, 2018

2018 UT App 5 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS K.P.S., Appellee, v. E.J.P., Appellant. Opinion No. 20160164-CA Filed January 5, 2018 Third District Court, Salt Lake Department The Honorable Paul…

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What if two divorced parents have joint legal custody, but one parent has physical custody of the children more than 50% of the time?

Question: What if two divorced parents have joint legal custody, but one parent has physical custody of the children more than 50% of the time? What effect can this have…

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My ex is threatening to relocate out of state with our kids!

QUESTION: My ex-wife tonight, in a fit of anger, told me that she is going to move to another state with our kids (her current boyfriend lives there). I’m not…

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5 Things Divorce Will Never Save You From

5 Things Divorce Will Never Save You From Make sure you know what you're doing before you make a decision you can't undo. Are you feeling frustrated, unsatisfied, and even…

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Can I sue for the child support I paid after our child started living with me?

QUESTION: Can I sue my child's mother for the child support that was deducted from my pay after our child started living with me, in my home? ANSWER: Utah Code…

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How can I call my 10-year-old as a witness to say where she would like to live?

QUESTION: How can I call my 10-year-old as a witness in family court to say where she would like to live, and why? ANSWER: First, you may want to re-think your…

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What if my spouse won’t complete the divorce orientation and education courses?

What if my spouse will not complete the divorce orientation and education courses for parents? Can the judge still grant the divorce? Yes. You can file a motion notifying the…

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Can a Child Be Held in Contempt of Court for Non-compliance with Child Custody and Parent-time Orders?

A minor child of divorced parents need not be a party to the divorce action to be subject to the court’s contempt power. See Crank v. Utah Judicial Council, 20…

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Does child support still continue while child is in college? 

QUESTION: I was wondering if a child goes to college but still lives with a parent, does child support still continue while child is in college? ANSWER: The Utah Code…

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What are the options when a father is accused of domestic violence when it seems to stem purely from a desire by the mother to have him out of the home?

What options are there when a father is accused of domestic violence, but the charge seems to stem purely from a desire by the mother to have him out of…

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Do you think current divorce laws are biased against men?

Do you think the current divorce laws are biased against men? In my experienced opinion, yes (and I speak as one who represents both women and men in divorce where…

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I wonder which state in the U.S. has the highest rate of awarding joint physical custody of children in divorce

I wonder which state in the U.S. has the highest rate of awarding joint physical custody of children in divorce. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Utah…

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What are the odds of a ballot measure for 50/50 custody?

What are the chances of a ballot measure in CA for a rebuttable presumption that child custody should be 50/50 if both parents wish at least 50%? Slim. This isn’t…

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Christmas Break Parent-time 2017 – how it works

NOTE: this will explain how to calculate Christmas break parent-time for any period, in any year (but we'll use 2017 as an example). QUESTION: I'm trying to figure out what day…

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Defending Yourself Against a Protective Order

My friend is a good man. His wife is crazy. She put a protection order against him, to help manipulate the court proceedings. What should he do? Defend himself with…

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Can my ex force me not to pay for my child’s college tuition, even though I can afford to pay it in full?

Can my ex force me not to pay for my child's college tuition, even though I can afford to pay it in full? My ex and I have a growing…

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What factors does a court consider when making a child custody determination?

What factors does a court consider when making a child custody determination? Here are the minimum factors the courts in Utah must consider in making a child custody award in divorce actions:…

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