2025 UT App 187 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS OREM CITY, Appellee, v. DAVID AMMON JAKEMAN, Appellant. Opinion No. 20241042-CA Filed December 18, 2025 Fourth District Court, Spanish Fork Department…
Many people (most) entering into a divorce or custody case often carry an unspoken assumption: surely this judge will see how important this is. Surely the court will recognize the unfairness,…
In the practice of family law, we often hear a sentiment that is as ubiquitous as it is hollow: "We must protect the children from the litigation." On its face,…
Kelly v. Johnson - 2025 UT App 175 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS SHAYNE KELLY, Appellee, v. IRIS JOHNSON, Appellant. Opinion No. 20240857 Filed November 28, 2025 Second District Court,…
When Utah courts face high-conflict custody disputes, one common suggestion is to appoint what is known as a Private Guardian ad Litem (PGAL)—an attorney ostensibly tasked with “representing the best interests of…
Divorce is almost always harder, slower, more expensive, and more damaging—financially and emotionally—than people expect. Unless you are married to someone truly abusive or irreparably toxic, the better course is…
In Utah, as in other states, courts deciding child custody and parent-time disputes are charged with applying the “best interests of the child” standard. That standard is necessary, but it…
I. Introduction A psychological evaluation in a custody or divorce case sounds powerful. You may believe (or even know) your spouse to be manipulative, unstable, or even dangerous. So why…
A single mistake shouldn't cost a parent his or her relationship with his/her child. Yet too often, family courts award sole custody based on isolated incidents or "aberrant behavior" that…
TL;DR: No, not without strict limits. In Utah, no parent may not allow a registered sex offender to be around your children—even in that parent’s own home—without the other parent’s…
Of the Utah domestic relations commissioners and judges who treat fathers as second-class parents in making temporary and permanent custody and parent-time rulings, they practically gush about the standard for…
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…
See Pusey v. Pusey, 728 P.2d 117, 121 (Utah 1986): ZIMMERMAN, Justice (concurring in the result): [I] also believe it is time to discontinue any hint of support for the notion of…
Well, then, I have good news and bad news. Good news: you can file a motion with the court to seek relief. Bad news: prepare to wait a while before…
Do you want the truth? Or, more accurately, the truth as I see it, having practiced divorce and family law for the past 28 years as of the date I…
If the other parent of your child is withholding court-ordered visitation (often now called “parent-time”) with the child from you, can you solve this problem by circumventing/bypassing having to pick…
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,…
Contrary to popular belief, Utah law does not, as of the time I write this post (April 2025), presume that the physical child custody award will be equal (50/50). Utah law presumes that legal child…
Anything is possible, but it is not likely that a recently licensed lawyer of only 6 months could handle an extremely wealthy person’s child custody case. Extremely wealthy people usually…
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…
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…
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…
In family law proceedings, particularly those involving child custody disputes, courts frequently order parents and children to engage in mental health therapy. While the ostensible intent behind these orders is…
In legal disputes over the physical custody and parent-time awards, minor children have the greatest stake in the outcome. Minor children who are mature and intelligent enough to articulate their knowledge…
Great, great question. First, fairly and accurately. Do not selectively cite the other parents communications with you and with others. If you do that, your credibility suffers. Second, relevantly. So…
Probably. If your question is, “Does it take a long time to obtain a court order modifying a child custody award?,” the answer is, generally, “Yes.” I can't speak for…
“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…
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…
In Utah child custody disputes, the voices of children are almost always filtered through court-appointed private guardians ad litem (PGALs) and/or custody evaluators. These intermediaries will claim to represent what…
Many individuals in a divorce consider hiring a private investigator, hoping to uncover information that could affect the outcome of the case. While hiring a private investigator (PI) may seem…
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,”…
Child custody disputes between parents (whether in a divorce case or between unmarried parents) are among the most bitterly fought cases, as parents fight over the right to be integral…
Good point, and good question. Although the amount of time fathers are being awarded with their children is increasing in child custody dispute cases (and has been for the past…
In re J.F. - 2024 UT App 178 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF J.F., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. J.S.F., Appellant,…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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)…
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…
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…
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 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…
This question is literally asked on a daily basis. It comes up so often. But that means it’s a burning question. I’ll bet it has been answered literally at least…
An accusation that gets thrown around a lot in a divorce action is that a parent doesn’t actually want to spend time with his or her children. Usually it's an…
Always? No. Frequently? Yes. Usually. Yes. Whether they deserve it or not? Usually, yes. Are mothers awarded custody of children as much as they used to be a generation or…
I am not licensed as an attorney in Indiana, but I will give you my personal opinion (it’s not legal advice) as it applies to the law in the jurisdiction…
Like many people, I am a child of divorce. While I may not understand every reason why my parents chose to end their marriage (I was too young to understand…
Recently a Quora.com reader commented on my answer to this question: Is there a primary parent in joint custody in Utah which is also known as “equal” or “50/50” custody? They…
I can give you my personal opinion (not legal advice, but my personal opinion) from my perspective as a lawyer licensed in Utah and who practices divorce and family law…