Why Won’t Judges and Commissioners Interview Children?
I recently participated in a hearing before a domestic relations commissioner in which the commissioner refused to interview a child and ordered a guardian ad litem (GAL) appointed, even though…
Why can’t judges use their own knowledge of the law to fill in any gaps that the lawyers may have missed?
Why can't judges use their own knowledge of the law to fill in any gaps that the lawyers may have missed? Actually, they can do just that, to an extent.…
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…
What do you think about Senator McConnell telling judges appointed by Reagan, Bush I, and Bush II to consider retiring now so Trump can appoint their replacements?
What do you think about Senator Mitch McConnell telling Reagan, Bush I, & Bush II appointed federal judges to consider retiring now so Trump can appoint younger judges to the…
How can we change the court system in order to make divorces easier on the children?
How can we change the court system in order to make divorces easier on the children? In my opinion: Institute a “loser pays the prevailing party’s attorney’s fees” rule. make divorce…
What’s the rudest thing you’ve ever heard come out of a judge’s mouth?
What's the rudest thing you've ever heard come out of a judge's mouth? I’ve been insulted many times by judges, but I let this stuff roll off my back and…
What does a judge ask a child in a custody case?
In Utah (where I practice divorce and child custody law) the answer is: it’s almost impossible to say. Why? For reasons that I assert I can demonstrate are not highly…
The bitter truth is better than the sweetest lie.
The bitter truth is better than the sweetest lie. It was recently reported that a California judge has been censured after commenting on “smoking hot” women, proclaiming that he had…
How many states favor mothers in child custody proceedings?
How many states favor giving the child to its mother in a custody hearing? You’re asking a good question, but it’s not the question you think you’re asking. The question…
Why should judges be trusted when their profession is heavily infested with fraud, imposture and corruption?
Why should judges be trusted when their profession is heavily infested with fraud, imposture and corruption? As this question is posed—at the time I provide my response (i.e., “Why should…
What happens if you get caught lying in family court?
I’ve been a divorce and family law attorney for 23 years and gone back and forth over the years on my opinion of how the courts feel about and how…
Will Kim Kardashian will be taken seriously if she becomes a lawyer?
Do you think Kim Kardashian will be taken seriously if she passes the bar exam and becomes a lawyer? No (at least not at first), but I don’t think she…
Burggraaf v. Burggraaf – 2019 UT App 195 – imputing income, vacating alimony
2019 UT App 195 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS CAROL BURGGRAAF, Appellee, v. BRIAN JOSEPH BURGGRAAF, Appellant. Opinion No. 20180405-CA Filed November 29, 2019 Second District Court, Ogden Department The…
Why, when a lawyer lies in court, does the court often ignore the lie knowingly?
One possible reason why, when a lawyer lies in court, the court may ignores the lie knowingly: the judge knows the lawyer is lying, but knows that the lie won’t…