MacFarland v. MacFarland – 2021 UT App 58
021 UT App 58 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS BRUCE RAY MCFARLAND, Appellant and Cross-appellee, v. NICOLE S. MCFARLAND, Appellee and Cross-appellant. Opinion No. 20190541-CA Filed June 4, 2021 Second…
What happens to child support if the parent paying moves out of the country?
Assuming that you are asking whether a parent who is, in the course of a United States divorce or child custody proceeding, ordered to pay child support, moving out of…
Should a child whose rights are not protected be held accountable?
If one’s rights are not protected, then one’s rights are being denied. And one whose rights are not protected cannot, in one sense, be held accountable/responsible for his/her exercise of…
Do you think it’s fair that Brad Pitt got joint custody of his kids?
Normally, I do not like to comment on the intersection of pop culture and family law because quite often, what happens in a celebrity divorce or child custody dispute does…
Nakkina v. Mahanthi – 2021 UT App 63 – joint equal custody, marital property, attorney fees
Nakkina v. Mahanthi - 2021 UT App 63 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS SIREESHA NAKKINA, Appellee, v. PRODEEP KUMAR MAHANTHI, Appellant. Opinion No. 20190750-CA Filed June 17, 2021 Third District…
Do courts make awards in divorce to “punish” adultery?
Do courts make awards in divorce to “punish” adultery? Great question. Adultery is considered a fault-based ground for divorce and a factor that can be considered when the trial court…
Ward v. McGarry – 2021 UT App 51
Ward v. McGarry - 2021 UT App 51 NOTICE: THIS OPINION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION IN THE PERMANENT LAW REPORTS. UNTIL RELEASED, IT IS SUBJECT TO REVISION OR WITHDRAWAL. …
When flawed thinking is tragic thinking (thank goodness)
I frequently encounter comments made in child custody disputes to the effect that “courts favor the nurturing and detailed attentiveness of mothers over fathers.” I am as grateful for such comments as I am disheartened by them. Grateful…
How to Explain to Your Kids You Are Getting Divorced (Guest Post)
Author Bio: Cristin Howard runs Smart Parent Advice, a site that provides parenting advice for moms and dads. Cristin writes about all of the different ups and downs of parenting, provides solutions…
Do you agree with Brad Pitt winning joint custody of his children with Angelina Jolie?
I normally don’t comment on popular culture matters dealing with divorce, but for this question I will make an exception. I have no idea what kind of parents Angelina Jolie…
What are the grounds for filing for a divorce in Utah?
First, you need to understand that Utah, like every other state in the U.S. has what are known as a “no-fault divorce law”. No-fault divorce means that you don’t have…
Can I file for divorce and spousal support after being separated from my husband for 5 years?
This is an interesting question because if you have been financially independent of your spouse during your five year separation that implies that you don't need financial support from your…
How hard did you have to fight to get custody of your child after divorce as a father? What was the biggest problem you faced?
Allow me to start this answer by clearing the air a bit: First, there are many fathers who are clearly unfit fathers but who nonetheless believe the only or the…
Do you automatically lose your kid if CPS takes you to court?
No, but if CPS or DCFS or DFS or whatever your jurisdiction calls that particular agency of the state filed an action in court to place your children in foster…
What is being a single parent without joint custody like in your country?
If a loving, able parent (i.e., a fit parent who lives in close enough proximity to the child(ren)’s other parent such that joint legal and physical custody does not work…
What exactly does the term “will make best efforts” mean in a child custody case?
Great question. Here's a good summary taken from the world of contract law (frankly, the definition of the term “best efforts” likely applies equally well when the term is utilized…
Why should I pay child support if the other parent isn’t asking for it (and doesn’t need it)?
This question doesn’t come up very often, but it does come up. I will answer this question according to the law of Utah, which is the jurisdiction where I practice…
After a divorce, should my kids be with me or with the mom?
First, you need to understand that you’re asking the wrong question. Child custody is not a zero-sum game; otherwise stated, when parents divorce, or when unmarried parents separate, where you…
Why is it OK for a parent to be given custody without their kids’ consent?
Why is it okay for a parent to be given custody without their kids consent or at least their input? This is a great question. I can’t speak for all…
Do judges sometimes feel overburdened by the responsibilities of their job?
Yes, and for good reason. First, let me be unusually but sincerely candid: many judges and many of the actions that judges take disappoint me. There are some excellent judges…
Does a spouse have the right to see a DUI report?
First, if you are referring to a police report of a DUI citation and/or arrest, in most jurisdictions such records are public record, and thus available not only to your…
Are family members allowed to be character witnesses in a divorce case?
Questions regarding one’s character as a spouse and parent often arise in a divorce and/or child custody case, and family members are often some of the best, if not the…
Why is the divorce rate so high in the United States?
Why is the divorce rate so high in the United States? Until now, I would answer this question by stating that some of the main reasons for the high divorce…
I have custody of my child. He’s refusing to come home. What now?
I have custody of my child. He left to go to his mom's last Friday for the weekend. He is refusing to come home because he wants to live there.…
Child refuses to leave noncustodial parent’s house. What happens now?
I am the noncustodial parent. Our child came to my house for parent-time and now refuses to leave because he wants to live with me. What happens now? I will…
I paid my ex in cash for child support. Will the court give me credit for it?
I paid my ex in cash for child support. Will the court give me credit for it? In Utah (where I practice family law), the answer is: yes. And while…
What would happen if there were no alimony or splitting assets in divorce without kids?
That is an interesting question. Before I answer it, know this: anyone who is motivated to marry on a “what’s in it for me?” basis and who stays married motivated…
Custody order says mother and child can’t leave the state. Is that legal?
If custody order says mother and child are not allowed to leave the state, is there any chance the court would allow them to go on a vacation to another…
Father has 50/50 custody. Now ex is trying to take it away. What to do?
I am a father who has exercised at least 50/50 custody with my ex. Now she's trying to take me to court for full custody and me getting every other…
Who are the family law attorneys who offer services at a big discount?
With rare exception, the family law attorneys who offer services at a big discount are either 1) incompetent and inept attorneys or 2) attorneys whose source of income or main…
Did you ever go to court and realize for the judges and attorneys it’s kind of all a big game?
Yes, in my experience, there are aspects of the legal system and the practice of law that some lawyers and judges see and treat as a game. You see lawyers…
Recent thoughts about family law
Recent thoughts about family law I’ve been prompted recently to express my thoughts and opinions about the judiciary generally in the family law context. Here are a few thoughts I…
Does a spouse have the right to see a DUI report?
Does a spouse have the right to see a DUI report? First, if you are referring to a police report of a DUI citation and/or arrest, in most jurisdictions such…
Why is child support and alimony rooted in revenge, power, and humiliation?
Why is child support and alimony rooted in revenge, power, and humiliation? The full question was actually: "Why is child support and alimony rooted in revenge, power, control, and humiliation over…
Financial infidelity plagues many households, led by millennials
Guest post: https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/financial-infidelity/ Financial infidelity plagues many households, led by millennials By Ted Rossman Ted Rossman's Twitter profile Mar. 19, 2021 / 3 min read At Bankrate we strive to help you make…
Can a divorced spouse claim rights to a premarital primary residence?
Can a divorced spouse claim rights to a premarital primary residence? A court can, in exceptional circumstances, award a spouse some or all of your premarital and separate property that…
Good news, for parents deserving of joint equal physical custody
Good news, apparently, for parents deserving of joint equal physical custody of their children but who have, up until now, been fighting an unfair, unnecessarily uphill battle. The Utah Legislature passed,…
What would you do if your child’s father who is only entitled to supervised visitation filed for a modification of a court order so a family member you don’t approve of could supervise visits?
What would you do if your child's father who is only entitled to supervised visitation filed for a modification of a court order so a family member you don't approve…
What are tips for parents sharing custody during COVID-19?
What are the different tips for parents sharing custody during this COVID-19? Best tip: don’t use COVID-19 as a pretext for withholding/preventing/sabotaging contact and care and communication between the children…
Can a mother lose custody even if the child is still very young?
Can a mother lose custody even if the child is still very young? Are there any situations where a mother can lose custody even if their child is still very…
How long does it take a divorce to become final if one party is refusing the divorce?
How long does it take a divorce to become final if one party is refusing the divorce? It can take an amazingly, shockingly long time. One of the most frustrating…
Do prenuptial agreements make a wedding/marriage healthier?
Do prenuptial agreements make a wedding/marriage healthier? Make? In all cases? No. Can prenuptial agreements make a wedding and marriage healthier? It is conceivable that some people might find planning…
Should I pay my lawyer to talk to the attorney of the other party? He spent 3 hours last week responding to 12 emails from the other lawyer and I need to pay him for this time. At this rate I my lawyer will become a secretary and I will be bankrupt.
Should I pay my lawyer to talk to the attorney of the other party? He spent 3 hours last week responding to 12 emails from the other lawyer and I…
What policies and factors determine how child support is calculated?
What policies and factors determine how child support is calculated? This is a good question and a question that many parents ask. Every state in U.S. has child support calculation…
Why do I pay child support if we have joint custody and we both work?
I know two people that separated and share custody and both have jobs yet he pays child support? How does this work? This is a great question and a question…
Why is my lawyer ignoring me?
Why is my lawyer ignoring me? There are many possible reasons. Lawyers are notorious for being hard to reach and for being unresponsive and nonresponsive. If you aren’t paying your…
Do parents who share joint equal custody pay child support?
Do parents who share joint equal physical custody of their children pay child support? If my spouse and I were to agree to share joint equal physical custody (50-50) of…
Do lawyers ever regret helping a client or obtaining a particular judgment?
Do lawyers ever regret helping a client or obtaining a particular judgment? Yes, yes, of course. We all know that there are plenty of lawyers who will prostitute their professional skills for money…
S.B. 122 just passed! So what? Joint equal physical custody.
S.B. 122 (4th Substitute) passed by the Utah State Legislature March 5, 2021! Who should care and why? The elephant in the room is this: if there is no gender…
S.B. 122 passes, despite opposition from the State Bar Family Law Section.
S.B. 122 passes, despite transparently self-serving and disingenuous opposition from the State Bar Family Law Section. The Family Law Section's stated opposition to the first iteration of S.B. 122 and…
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