What Are the Biggest Challenges Men Face During Divorce, and Why Do Some Believe the System Is Unfair to Them?

It is not a matter of beliefs that men are generally (not in every single case, but generally) treated unfairly in divorce. It is a fact. This is why many…

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Can Your Spouse Legally Take Half of Everything That Is Yours if You Get Divorced?

It depends on what you mean by “yours,” by what you mean by “mine”. First you need to understand that there are two kinds of property in a divorce situation:…

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Taylor v. Taylor – 2025 UT App 94 – postnuptial agreement and alimony

Taylor v. Taylor - 2025 UT App 94 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JACQUELINE KEMPTON TAYLOR, Appellant, v. MARK BENNETT TAYLOR, Appellee. Opinion No. 20230868-CA Filed June 26, 2025 Third…

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How to Handle Child Custody When the Mother Is Negatively Influencing the Child?

Although they shouldn't do it, courts will generally treat mothers and fathers differently simply based upon sex. Sexual discrimination, to put it bluntly. Not all courts do this, but many…

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How Do I Manage My divorce Case While I work Full-time? By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant.

One of the most asked questions about divorce (and biggest source of friction between divorce lawyers and their clients) is how you manage your divorce case while working a full-time…

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What Evidence Should You Request During the Discovery Process in Your Utah Divorce?

Divorce has many components, one of which often includes litigating in court. Ensuring a fair outcome in your divorce case requires more than just going to court and arguing. One…

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How Common Are Cases Where Divorce Proceedings Take a Dramatic Turn Because of Unexpected Evidence, Like in Court Dramas?

In my 28 years’ experience, it’s not common. Indeed, if divorce cases took dramatic turns routinely, they couldn’t be considered dramatic turns. That stated, very true a skilled divorce lawyer…

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Is It Possible to Divorce With Dignity?

Divorce is rarely an easy process. Even in fairly amicable situations, emotions can run high and the temptation to engage in dirty tricks can be strong. However, it is possible—and…

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Do I Receive Alimony if I’m the One to File for Divorce?

I cannot speak as to what the law is on all jurisdictions, but I can answer this question based upon the law of the jurisdiction where I practice divorce and…

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Dividing Retirement Assets in a Utah Divorce

In a Utah divorce, retirement assets are often among the most valuable marital assets to divide. Retirement accounts such as 401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, and government or union retirement plans are…

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Is It Advisable to Wait Until the Divorce Is Finalized Before Dating? Does This Still Apply if There Are No Children or Assets Involved in the Divorce?

Yes, it is advisable. You can’t go wrong by waiting to start dating until after your decree of divorce is issued by the court. Personally, I consider it immoral to…

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Can My Spouse Keep My Property After I Have Been Removed or Moved Out of the Marital Home? By Braxton Mounteer

This is a common and important question that arises in a divorce. If you are out of the marital home—whether by court order (such as a protective order) or voluntarily—and…

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What to Bring to a Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer

Preparing for a consultation with a divorce lawyer is an important step in understanding your rights and options. To make the most of your meeting, consider bringing the following: Provide…

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Beverlin v. Beverlin – 2025 UT App 72 – appeal, alimony, attorney fees

Beverlin v. Beverlin - 2025 UT App 72 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STEVEN K. BEVERLIN, Appellee, v. GAIL W. BEVERLIN, Appellant. Opinion No. 20230597-CA Filed May 22, 2025 Second…

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Do We Need More and Better Court Intervention in Domestic Relations Cases?

In many types of civil litigation, the core issue is not whether time is of the essence, but whether one will eventually recover compensation, and if so, how much. Yes,…

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Should You Depose Your Spouse During Your Divorce Case? By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

One of the best evidence-gathering tools that a divorce litigant has at his/her disposal is a deposition. What is a deposition?  To answer that question, you first need to understand that a…

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Miner v. Miner – 2025 UT App 64 – modifying alimony, attorney’s fees

Miner v. Miner - 2025 UT App 64 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS LISA P. MINER, Appellee, v. JOHN E. MINER, Appellant. Opinion No. 20230278-CA Filed May 8, 2025 Fifth…

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Protecting Yourself From a Spouse Who Has No Regard for Ethics, the Law, or Morality. By Braxton Mounteer

A fair and equitable divorce is the best that any decent person who goes through the divorce process can honestly hope for. If you know you that you will be dealing…

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Divorce Listings & Property Condition: Why It Matters More Than Ever

As you know, we’re operating in a drastically different real estate market than we were even a year ago — and it’s impacting divorcing homeowners in unique and challenging ways.…

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Why Collaborative Divorce Usually Isn’t Worth It

In theory, collaborative divorce sounds ideal. What is "collaborative divorce"? The two spouses discuss together with their lawyers, mental health professional, financial specialist, and sometimes a child psychologist or development specialist…

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What are some good (and bad) reasons for changing one’s divorce lawyer mid-case?

Are there any potential drawbacks to switching lawyers, besides the added expenses and inconvenience? There are good reasons to switch lawyers, even if you realize this mid-case. That stated, there…

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Is Alimony off the Table Here?

My wife had an affair, got caught when she got pregnant by her lover, and then separated from me to move in with him. She had the baby and she…

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Conflicting Advice

Conflicting Advice Divorce is many people’s first and only experience with serious civil litigation. Many divorce clients can’t believe how different (and how much more disappointing) the legal system is…

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Should I Pay My Lawyer to Communicate With the Opposing Party’s Attorney?

Question: Should I pay my lawyer to talk to the opposing party’s attorney? He spent 3 hours last week responding to 12 emails from opposing counsel and I need to…

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What does “child support” mean in Utah?

There are actually three different but related types of child support in Utah for divorced and unmarried parents who obtain child support orders either through administrative means or through a…

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How to Identify and Avoid Some Common Dirty Tricks in Divorce Cases. By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

Some spouses will absolutely exploit the legal system to gain an unfair advantage in divorce proceedings. It's crucial to recognize the manipulative tactics your spouse might employ against you—even if…

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How to Be a Good Client in Your Utah Divorce Case

Divorce is for most people a very stressful and emotional process. If you are ready to hire a divorce attorney, knowing how to approach working with your attorney can significantly…

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How to Deal with a Difficult and Dishonest Opposing Party (and his/her lawyer) in Utah Family Law Cases By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

When you're involved in a family law matter whether it's a divorce, child custody dispute, or a spousal support issue, one of the most frustrating challenges to encounter is an…

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After Divorce, My Ex Uses Parental Controls to Spy on My Parenting Time. Can Tech Custody Agreements Exist?

Yes, they can. Not merely agreements, but binding and enforceable court orders can be made by the court to address such an issue too. They are hard to enforce (because…

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Should You Get Divorced? Weighing Your Options in a Difficult Decision By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

The decisions to marry and to end a marriage are not decisions to be taken lightly. If divorce is ever an easy choice, something is terribly wrong. Wrong with the…

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Nelson v. Nelson – 2025 UT App 43 – alimony, income, loan

2025 UT App 43 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS VICKI JO NELSON, Appellee, v. JAMES Q. NELSON, Appellant. Opinion No. 20230483-CA Filed March 27, 2025 Third District Court, Salt Lake…

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What Can a Father Do If, After the Divorce, the Mother, Who Has Custody of the Child, Turns the Child Against the Father?

What can a father do if, after the divorce, the mother, who has custody of the child, turns the child against the father? What can he do? There are many things he…

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How Do You Get 3 House Valuations for a Divorce When Your Ex Has Remained Living in It?

A house does not need to be vacant to be appraised and evaluated. The appraiser(s) can inspect and evaluate the house while you're spouse or ex-spouse is still living there…

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If You Are Not Happy With the Current Child Custody Arrangement, Can You Change It?

I cannot answer this question as it applies to all jurisdictions, but I can answer it as it applies to the jurisdiction where I practice family law (Utah): Merely because you are…

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How Can an Unfair Child Custody Arrangement Be Corrected in Utah?

It depends on how you reached this point, and how much time, if any, you have to fix it. If circumstances relevant to the child custody award have materially and…

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How Do You Combat a Narcissistic Husband Who Isolates Your Child During a Divorce?

Warning: my answer is blunt, and it is directed primarily at women/mothers who make (or contemplate making) false claims, but even if you are not making or contemplating making a…

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Do Judges in Family Court Actions Have the Ability to Jail Parents Who Have Not Complied With Parts of the Custody Order for Contempt?

Do judges in family court actions have the ability to jail parents who have not complied with parts of the custody order for contempt? Yes. What are the limitations on…

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How Should I Communicate With My Spouse During the Pendency of Divorce Proceedings?

This is an extremely good question because I am amazed (as a divorce and family lawyer who has been in practice for 28 years) how divorcing couples and parents communicate…

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It Tolls for Thee: The All Too Frequent Tragic Cost and Futility of Family Court

“Quid rides? Mutato nomine et de te fabula narrator. [Why do you laugh ? Change only the name and this story is about you.]” Here’s a deeply disturbing but all…

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Who Should You Call as a Witness in Your Divorce Trial? By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

When it comes to divorce trials, one of the most pivotal decisions you’ll make is who to call as a witness. Testimony from well-chosen witnesses can offer critical insights into…

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Krajeski v. Krajeski – 2025 UT App 19 – Separate vs. Marital property

Krajeski v. Krajeski - 2025 UT App 19 Oral argument (Utah Court of Appeals archive): https://youtu.be/LoIy9N8wThc THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS TAMI KRAJESKI, Appellee, v. DAVID L. KRAJESKI, Appellant. Opinion No. 20230174-CA…

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Is Therapy Necessary in Utah Divorce?: What You Should Consider

Therapy in the context of this post means “mental health therapy”; meeting with a licensed talking with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or another mental health provider. This kind of therapy is…

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Toward Equal Child Custody Awards in Utah: Progress Made and Still to Be Made

Historically, in the state of Utah, and throughout the United States, cultural bias as to which parent is granted primary custody plays a major role in child custody decisions. Originally,…

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How Does Fraudulently Filing for a Protective Order Often Give the Applicants an Insurmountable Unfair Advantage in a Divorce or Child Custody Case?

By exploiting legal mechanisms designed to protect actual victims, here are ways that fraudulently seeking a protective order can create an unfair advantage: Immediate Restriction on Contact and Access Temporary…

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The Difference Between Reunification Therapy and Family Systems Therapy By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

Families often find themselves having to confront their conflict and dysfunction when a divorce is filed. When families face conflict or dysfunction, therapy can (can, not always will, but can)…

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Too Many Fraudulently Protective Orders? – The Buck Stops with the Courts

It could have happened as alleged I find the applicant credible (but I won’t mention that a) I also find the respondent equally credible; or b) I can’t articulate a…

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The Cause of “Protective Orders Disorder” and Its Cure

A previous post (The Cause of “Protective Orders Disorder” and How to Prevent It.) discussed the trouble caused by granting domestic violence protective orders without a preponderance of evidence. This…

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The Cause of “Protective Orders Disorder” and How to Prevent It.

“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” (Benjamin Franklin) It is undeniable that courts frequently take a "better safe…

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If you are losing a child custody case you should be winning (due to lack of representation and inability to show the judge the truth of the situation), how do you turn things around? is there a way to find out what the judge is thinking? A way to know if you’re changing the judge’s mind?

Most of the answer to your question lies in your question itself. If you should be winning the arguments in your case but are losing “due to lack of representation,”…

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It Has Been Suggested That We Have a Special Master Appointed in Our Case. ‘Good Idea?

No, and I’ll tell you why in the context of discussing a newly proposed Utah Rule of Civil Procedure which would be Rule 53A, entitled “Special masters for parenting disputes…

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