Are older lawyers better?
Are older lawyers better? If by “older” you mean lawyers who are not fresh out of law school, the answer is: almost always yes. They don’t teach you how to…
Is it more important for an attorney to have the money or the talent to litigate and win a case (example in the situation of your choosing)?
Is it more important for an attorney to have the money or the talent to litigate and win a case (example in the situation of your choosing)? There are many…
An Honest Day’s Wages for an Honest Day’s Pay
An Honest Day's Wages for an Honest Day's Pay Many professionals are encouraged to raise rates to the level that clients are willing to bear (and told this is the…
How do I fight a DUI without a lawyer?
How do I fight a DUI without a lawyer? You don’t. Too much at stake. Too hard to do on your own. I’m a lawyer (a divorce and family law…
When a lawyer drops a client, is the reason shared with the judge and/or opposing counsel (i.e., the client refused to be reasonable, etc.)?
When a lawyer drops a client, is the reason shared with the judge and/or opposing counsel (i.e., the client refused to be reasonable, etc.)? In Utah, where I practice divorce…
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,…
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…
If losers pay winners’ attorney fees, why not hire the most expensive attorney?
If the losing side in a civil suit generally pays the winner's attorney's fees, why doesn't everyone hire the most expensive attorneys? First, because the U.S. generally does not follow…
2020 UT App 34 – Petrzelka v. Goodwin – alimony, income, retirement funds
2020 UT App 34 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS PEGGY PETRZELKA, Appellee, v. JAMES E. GOODWIN, Appellant. Opinion No. 20180923-CA Filed March 5, 2020 First District Court, Logan Department The…
Can I ask a lawyer, “Would you elaborate your legal fees?”?
Of course you can ask the attorney to explain the basis for his/her legal fees and services pricing. Any attorney worth his/her salt and who has the requisite amount of…
If one spouse insists on divorce, shouldn’t he/she pay all legal fees?
Not necessarily “wrong,” but rather unlikely (not impossible, but unlikely, but read on to see what exceptions may apply). It may be reasonable of you to argue to the court…
What Legal Research Is and Why It’s Important to Your Case
Most clients have no idea how much work takes place behind the scenes at most law firms. More than the copious phone calls, emails and text messages back and forth…
Marroquin v. Marroquin – 2019 UT App 38 – business valuation, findings
Marroquin v Marroquin - 2019 UT App 38 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS HEATHER MARROQUIN, Appellant, v. RENSON AMILICAR MARROQUIN, Appellee. Opinion No. 20170454-CA Filed March 14, 2019 Third District…
Erickson v. Erickson-2018 UT App 184-modifying child custody/parent-time-discovery-expert witness-child testimony-attorney fees
Erickson v. Erickson - 2018 UT App 184 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS KIT RICHARD ERICKSON, Appellant, v. SHANDI ERICKSON, Appellee. Opinion No. 20170100-CA Filed September 27, 2018 Third District…
There is no cheap or free legal services shortcut
“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” ― Søren Kierkegaard “A great deal…
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…
Why You Feel Uncomfortable Paying a Lawyer by the Hour (it’s not your fault)
Why You Feel Uncomfortable Paying a Lawyer by the Hour (it's not your fault) I do not bill by the hour. Letting your lawyer bill you by the hour is…
Fixed Fee Pricing: Thank You, Quakers
(from: http://www.systemsofexchange.org/casestudies/quakers-fixed-price) The early Quakers were the first to implement a fixed pricing policy, and this decision largely reflected their frustration over the Puritans’ failure to implement popular religious, economic,…
Can you ask an attorney for an overcharge refund?
Can you ask an attorney for an overcharge refund? You are absolutely entitled to a refund if your lawyer overcharged you. But what do you mean by “overcharged”? Do you…
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…
Do You Feel Like a Dollar Sign?
Do Your Clients Feel Like Dollar Signs? by Lee Rosen https://roseninstitute.com/do-your-clients-feel-like-dollar-signs/ Tourists in India feel like dollar signs. Touts crowd around, shouting above the street noise, imploring tourists to buy…
I wasn’t kidding when I told you the “rent a reputation” offers are a dime a dozen.
I wasn't kidding when I told you the "rent a reputation" offers are a dime a dozen. Yesterday I posted this blog: https://www.divorceutah.com/2018/01/31/rent-a-reputation/. In a nutshell: if you think lawyer honors are…
Why would someone try to negotiate down to the cheapest price, if that means the seller cannot do the best job at the cheapest price?
Why would someone try to negotiate down to the cheapest price, if that means the seller cannot do the best job at the cheapest price? Your question mistakenly presumes that…
How to Hire a Good Divorce Lawyer (getting enrolled)
Are you one of the people who visit and read (or watch and listen too) but who isn’t “enrolled” who isn’t “invested” in actually hiring me as your lawyer? If…
Why get a divorce lawyer who thinks and acts like a judge, not like a spouse, and not like a hired gun?
Why get a divorce lawyer who thinks and acts like a judge, not like a spouse, and not like a hired gun? The best divorce lawyer is not someone who…
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.…
Smith v. Smith 2017 UT 77 Utah Supreme Court
This opinion is subject to revision before final publication in the Pacific Reporter This opinion is subject to revision before final publication in the Pacific Reporter Smith v. Smith…
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…
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…
