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…

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If I petition to modify the child support award, how far back does the modification go?

If I petition to modify the child support award, how far back does the modification go? Utah does allow for child support modification. The answer is found in Utah Code §…

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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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Sandusky v. Sandusky – 2018 UT App 34 (23-Feb-2018) – bifurcation, separation agreement, court discretion

2018 UT App 34 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS KYLEE J. SANDUSKY, Appellee, GEORGE A. SANDUSKY, Appellant. Opinion No. 20160131-CA Filed February 23, 2018 Third District Court, Silver Summit Department…

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Is the money I earn at my job during the marriage marital property?

Are my earnings from my job that I earned during the marriage marital property? Almost certainly. Black’s Law Dictionary defines “marital property” as follows: Property that is acquired during marriage…

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My bank account was subpeonaed. Will the bank share business account transactions or only personal account?

My bank account was subpeonaed. Will the bank share business account transactions or only personal account? In Utah, where I practice law, here’s how the bank will respond to the…

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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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Why do Utah divorce courts rarely award attorney fees to the prevailing party?

Why do Utah divorce courts so rarely award attorney's fees to the prevailing party? Such a great question, and one that I have to answer with every case, every client.…

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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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Nicholson v. Nicholson – 2017 UT App 155 – termination of alimony – foreseeable – lack of need

Nicholson v. Nicholson - 2017 UT App 155 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS RONALD J. NICHOLSON, Appellant, v. PAULA ANN NICHOLSON, Appellee. Opinion No. 20151021-CA Filed August 24, 2017 Second…

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Vanderzon v. Vanderzon – 2017 UT App 150 – August 17, 2017 – custody on relocation, alimony, and attorney fees

Vanderzon v. Vanderzon - 2017 UT App 150 - August 17, 2017 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS HEIDI KIRSTEN VANDERZON, Appellant, v. JOHN MATTHIAS VANDERZON, Appellee. Opinion No. 20140946-CA Filed…

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DeAvila v. DeAvila, 2017 UT App 146 (August 10, 2017) – what is marital property? – how is marital property valued?

DeAvila v. DeAvila, 2017 UT App 146 (August 10, 2017) ----------------------------------------- THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS CRISTY DEAVILA, Appellant, v. PERICLES DEAVILA, Appellee. ----------------------------------------- Opinion No. 20160024-CA Filed August 10,…

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Rule v. Rule – 2017 UT App 137 (August 3, 2017) – alimony – standard of living

Rule v. Rule - 2017 UT App 137 (August 3, 2017) – alimony – standard of living THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS GEOFFREY S. RULE, Appellee, v. RICHELLE RULE, Appellant.…

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White v. White – 2017 UT App 140 (August 3, 2017) – division of marital assets – homestead exemption – proper service

White v. White - 2017 UT App 140 (August 3, 2017) - division of marital assets - homestead exemption - proper service THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS DEAN WHITE, Appellant,…

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How can I get a fair shake in divorce when my ex has an attorney and I am unable to afford my own attorney?

How can I get a fair child custody arrangement when my ex has an attorney and I am unable to pay the initial retainer for my own attorney? I have…

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How long does it take to get a court order for child support?

How long does it take to get a court order for child support? Eric Johnson, Attorney at Utah Family Law, LC https://www.quora.com/How-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-court-order-for-child-support/answer/Eric-Johnson-311 My answer is based upon Utah law because…

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Veysey v. Nelson, 2017 UT App 77 – Utah Code § 78B-12-214, request for reimbursement, reasonable notice, laches

Veysey v. Nelson, 2017 UT App 77 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS ANDREW VEYSEY, Appellee, v. ALEXIS NELSON, Appellant. Opinion No. 20150609-CA Filed May 4, 2017 Third District Court, Salt…

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How can I get a fair child custody arrangement when my ex has an attorney and I am unable to pay the initial retainer for my own attorney?

Question: How can I get a fair child custody arrangement when my ex has an attorney and I am unable to pay the initial retainer for my own attorney? I…

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The Availability of Free Online Divorce Law Information is Great! Really, We’re Not Kidding.

The Availability of Free Online Divorce Law Information is Great! Really, We’re Not Kidding. You can find an abundance of very and useful and interesting legal information online for free,…

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How to Shop for a Divorce Attorney and to Select the Right Fit for You (the no B.S. way)

I’ve never been one to avoid elephants in the room, so let’s examine this one. We’ve met in an initial consultation. You’re a potential client. We’ve discussed your problems, reviewed…

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Guide to Succeeding in Divorce While Reducing the Time and Costs

Contents If you are the victim of serious or escalating domestic violence, get help and get to safety first. 2 Advance Planning, If You Have That Option. 2 Gather in…

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Dividing Military Pensions and Benefits – Part 3 – Other Benefits.

In Dividing Military Pensions and Benefits Part 2, we covered formulas for splitting retirement pay for services members recommended by the Uniform Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA).[1] With this…

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Dividing Military Pensions and Benefits – Part 2 – Formulas for Dividing Military Pensions

In Dividing Military Pensions and Benefits Part 1 we covered what Uniform Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA)[1] is and how it applies to you if you or your spouse…

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Some Truly Helpful Online Tools to Make Child Custody and Visitation (Parent-time) Easier to Manage

Let’s face it; sometimes it’s hard to communicate with your ex (or soon to be ex) about the kids. Feelings start to arise, and soon you are in another argument…

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