What Are Some Tips for Divorced Parents on How to Handle the Holidays While Co-parenting?
Know this first: the best things to do are often easier said than done. That stated, they are not that hard to do, but many are not that appealing to…
Know this first: the best things to do are often easier said than done. That stated, they are not that hard to do, but many are not that appealing to…
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.…
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…
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…
Many reasons can account for this (in no particular order of prevalence): Bitterness/Sore loser Revenge/trying to set themselves up for a second bite at the apple in a future petition…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
In this KSL.com news article, written by Garna Meijia, reporting on the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) addressed the Rules Review and General Oversight Committee. Please read more…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
“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…
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)…
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…
The legal process of initiating a divorce begins (in the U.S.A.) with filing a lawsuit. A divorce action is a legal action filed in court, just as a lawsuit for…
The legal process of initiating a divorce begins (in the U.S.A.) with filing a lawsuit. A divorce action is a legal action filed in court, just as a lawsuit for…
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…
Almost all people going through a divorce say they want the case disposed of as soon as possible, but I have found that most people slow the process down for…
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…
Paragraph 6 of your financial declaration addresses your after-tax income. Your after-tax income is a simple calculation. Take your gross monthly income (calculated in paragraph 4) and subtract your monthly…
Many people who have gone through a divorce case or unmarried parents who have gone through a child custody case find themselves at the end of the case with a…
There are literally thousands of lists you can find online that do an excellent job of identifying the reasons accurately, clearly, and concisely. I recommend that you find them and…
Many attorneys and parents who have been through child custody and parent time disputes before will give you some basic and sound advice; specifically, 1) ensure that your arguments have…
Paragraph five of your financial declaration is about the amount of taxes on your monthly income that you pay per month (or what the average monthly deduction from your income…
My ex-spouse is the primary custodial parent, and I am ordered to pay child support. My ex wastes child support money and/or doesn't spend it on the needs of our…
I’ll assume that what you mean by “my ex and I have joint custody” is you and your ex share physical custody of your child. I’ll also assume that in…
Yes. Yes, it can. This does not mean that everything you post on social media will be used against you. Some statements on social media are pretty hard to find fault…
Unless the law of your jurisdiction or a court order in your particular case prohibits your children from viewing or posting on social media during the pendency of the divorce…
Are you a churchgoer? Are you a member of a church? If so, your church may have resources available to members to help them with various legal concerns or problems.…
This is an area where the laws differ substantially from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. To know what options may be available to you in your jurisdiction, you need to consult with…
Yes, but it depends upon what you mean by “can the person who needed the P.O. go to court to speak out about the violation?” If the person who needed…
In Utah, if you have not had your parental rights terminated, but instead you simply agreed to your child’s parent having custody of the child (with you having little to no…
Paragraph four of your financial declaration deals with your gross monthly income. Your gross monthly income is your income from all sources. This includes, your income from employment, your work,…
We’ll start with this: The marital estate is generally valued at the time of the divorce decree or trial. Goggin v. Goggin, 2013 UT 16, ¶ 49, 299 P.3d 1079. The…
Paragraph two of your financial declaration details the documents that you must attach to your financial declaration (unless they don't exist). It is not optional; they are the documents you are required…
On July 11, 2024, the Utah Court of Appeals issued its decision in the case of State v. Lewis (2024 UT App 96). The appellant, Kevin Lewis (Kevin), appealed his conviction for…
“I want more time with my children.” “Our children want to spend more time with me.” “My ex-spouse does not exercise the time he/she was awarded with our children.” What…
Did you know that if you are not fluent in English and have a court date coming up, the court will provide you with an interpreter IF you make the…
If you find yourself involved in a Utah divorce action (whether child support will be an issue or not) or an action over the support of minor children in Utah…
I can’t speak to what the law governing prenuptial agreements is in any jurisdiction other than the one in which I practice divorce and family law (Utah), but as to…
Taking your divorce case to trial is almost always a long, complicated, and emotionally exhausting process. You may be tempted to believe you can leave all of the work to…