A Third Party Refused to Return Child to the Child’s Mother, the Sole Custodian. So Mother Called Law Enforcement Seeking Assistance. But They Refused to Get Involved Saying It’s a Civil Matter. Is That True?

I can't speak to what the law is in all jurisdictions, but I can speak to what the law is in Utah on this subject based upon my experience and…

Continue ReadingA Third Party Refused to Return Child to the Child’s Mother, the Sole Custodian. So Mother Called Law Enforcement Seeking Assistance. But They Refused to Get Involved Saying It’s a Civil Matter. Is That True?

The Voice of Reason in a Discussion of Domestic Violence and Child Custody

On October 31, 2024, the Utah Court of Appeals issued it opinion in the case of Lerman v. Lerman (2024 UT App 155). It is a decision Utah sorely needed for how to…

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Is Trial In Your Utah Divorce Case a Boxing Match or an Audition? By Braxton Mounteer

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,…

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What is Your Best Negotiating Trick?

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…

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Child Support in Utah

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…

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If You Need to Talk to the Police, Is It OK to Let Them Step Inside Your Front Door if It Is Cold, Rainy, or Snowy Outside?

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…

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Is There a Viable Alternative to a Custody Evaluation?

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…

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Do You Really Think That the Institution of Marriage Should Be Dissolved, Keeping In Mind the Current Rate of Divorces and Infidelities?

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…

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Why Would a Lawyer Not Take a Case?

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…

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2024 UT App 158 – State v. Campbell – Stalking

2024 UT App 158 - State v. Campbell THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, Appellee, v. RHUAN CAMPBELL, Appellant. Per Curiam Opinion No. 20230192-CA Filed November 7, 2024 Third…

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Do I Have to Do What My Divorce Lawyer Tells Me to Do? By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

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…

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Lerman v. Lerman – 2024 UT App 155 – Child Custody and Domestic Violence

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,…

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How Are Jurors Typically Selected for Divorce and Custody Cases in Utah?

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,…

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Should You Use Utah’s Court-created Forms? By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

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.…

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Lunt v. Lunt – 2024 UT App 148 – Alimony, Individual Needs, Business Goodwill

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…

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If a Parent Refuses to Work, Does That Mean the Other Parent Pays Higher Child Support?

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…

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What May Happen When I Tell the Judge That I Violated a Nocontact Order Because the Paperwork I Received at Court Was Torn and Did Not Say Anything About No Contact?

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…

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Musselman v. Keele – 2024 UT App 143 – Bar Complaint – Tortious Interference – Fraudulent Misrepresentation

Musselman v. Keele - 2024 UT App 143 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS DAVID MUSSELMAN, Appellant, v. KAMRON KEELE, Appellee. Opinion No. 20220893-CA Filed October 10, 2024 Third District Court, West…

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I Know I Should Get a Divorce, but I Don’t Have the Courage to Do So. What Do I Do Now?

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…

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Utah Law Question: Discovery Closes in Less Than 28 Days, but Opposing Counsel Just Serve Discovery Requests. Am I Obligated to Respond?

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…

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How Do I Divorce My Husband After 37 Years and When I Have No Job?

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…

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State v. Williamson – 2024 UT App 141 – Child Pornography

LUTHY, Judge: ¶1 James A. Williamson appeals from his convictions on three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He contends that a police search of his residence violated his constitutional…

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How Should I Deal With an Ex Husband Who Is Reluctant to Move out After the Divorce?

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.…

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How Is It to Divorce When You Get Retired?

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…

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How Do I Reconnect After Marriage Separation?

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…

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Divorce and Revenge, by Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant.

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…

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In Divorce Cases, Does Family Court Usually Favor Mothers?

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…

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How to Pronounce Certiorari and What It Means.

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…

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What Paperwork Must I Complete in Family Court to Modify a Utah Child Custody Order?

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…

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What Are Some Strategies for Divorcing a Selfish, Intelligent, and Manipulative Person Without It Becoming a Messy Legal and Emotional Battle?

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…

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What Are the Key Things You Should Do Protect Yourself During a Divorce?

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…

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I Have a Question About Whether to Divorce.

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…

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When Should You Settle Your Divorce Case? By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

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…

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Why Is My Narc Husband Angry When We Discuss Selling the House When We Are Headed for Divorce?

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…

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My Husband Left Me and Our Kids. How Long Should I Wait Before I File for a Divorce?

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…

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THE BEST PERSON TO “SPEAK FOR A CHILD” IS THE CHILD HIMSELF/HERSELF, NOT A GUARDIAN AD LITEM

“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…

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Two Reforms (Of Many) That I Suggest Are Likely Not What You Think They Would Be.

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…

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Should You Sling Mud at Your Spouse at Any Phase of Your Divorce Case? By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

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)…

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If I Got Married Today and My Husband Moved Into My House, if We Get Divorced in 5 Years, Will I Have to Give Him 50% of My House?

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…

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In re R.P. – 2024 UT App 106 – Appeal of Paternity Order

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,…

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Can My Custody and Parent-Time Order Be”Redone” Because I Was a Vulnerable Adult (My Mental Health Was Suffering) at the Time the Orders of Child Custody and Parent-Time Were Made? I Didn’t Attend the Court Hearing (I Know), but the Entire Thing Unfair to Both the Children and Me.

There is a case in Utah that may almost precisely be on point for the circumstances you describe, Hogge v. Hogge, 649 P.2d 51, 54 (Supreme Court of Utah 1982). Here…

Continue ReadingCan My Custody and Parent-Time Order Be”Redone” Because I Was a Vulnerable Adult (My Mental Health Was Suffering) at the Time the Orders of Child Custody and Parent-Time Were Made? I Didn’t Attend the Court Hearing (I Know), but the Entire Thing Unfair to Both the Children and Me.

In re K.B – 2024 UT App 114 – Termination of Parental Rights

In re K.B - 2024 UT App 114 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF K.B., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. M.B., Appellant, v.…

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Harris v. Hunt – 2024 UT App 117 – Civil Stalking Injunction

Harris v. Hunt - 2024 UT App 117 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS DALE HARRIS, Appellee, v. JUSTIN HUNT, Appellant. Opinion No. 20230753-CA Filed August 15, 2024 Fifth District Court,…

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Dividing Personal Property In Your Divorce Is Not As Hard As It Seems By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

During the course of a marriage, you will accumulate marital property, and during your divorce, you will need to divide those items. You may be tempted to bicker over every…

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2024 UT App 104 – In re B.D. – What is a dependent child?

2024 UT App 104 - In re B.D. THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF B.D., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. N.D., Appellant,…

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Kinsey v. Kinsey – 2024 UT App 120 – Termination of Alimony

Kinsey v. Kinsey - 2024 UT App 120 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JULIE KINSEY, Appellee, v. GLEN D. KINSEY, Appellant. Opinion No. 20230088-CA Filed August 22, 2024 Third District…

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Is It Time to Recognize “Semi-cohabitation” as a Basis for at Least Reducing the Alimony Award?

Currently in Utah, alimony, the Utah Code provides, at § 30-3-5(11)(a), which will, effective September 1, 2024, be renumbered as § 81-4-504(1), as follows: (11)(a)   The court has continuing jurisdiction…

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Kinsey v. Kinsey – 2024 UT App 120 – termination of alimony

Kinsey v. Kinsey - 2024 UT App 120 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JULIE KINSEY, Appellee, v. GLEN D. KINSEY, Appellant. Opinion No. 20230088-CA Filed August 22, 2024 Third District…

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