Why do I pay the child support knowing my kids are living in other countries?

Child support is for the financial support of your children, not a fee (or “ransom”) you pay to keep the children near you.  Regardless of where your children live, they…

Continue ReadingWhy do I pay the child support knowing my kids are living in other countries?

Can someone go to court to prevent their un-vaccinated ex from taking the kids, even though they share 50-50 custody?

Can he/she go to court? Yes. You can go to court for anything, no matter how serious or how silly your “cause” may be. Whether the court will take your…

Continue ReadingCan someone go to court to prevent their un-vaccinated ex from taking the kids, even though they share 50-50 custody?

I’m getting a divorce, and my husband filed the paperwork. Strangely, he filled out my portion of the paperwork for me and even put in a name change. I don’t know what to do with this. Any suggestions?

This is a general response because every jurisdiction may be a little different, but the principles that I discussed below are pretty uniform throughout the United States. Make sure you…

Continue ReadingI’m getting a divorce, and my husband filed the paperwork. Strangely, he filled out my portion of the paperwork for me and even put in a name change. I don’t know what to do with this. Any suggestions?

In what ways do pro-bono cases help attorneys and law firms?

There are some great answers in this thread already. I hope that adding my two cents’ worth is informative too. I am a divorce and family lawyer. With rare exception…

Continue ReadingIn what ways do pro-bono cases help attorneys and law firms?

Law from a legal assistant’s point of view, week 4: Trial by fire

By Quinton Lister, Legal Assistant  I attended my first trial this past week. I did not question any witnesses or argue the case at the trial or anything like that because I am not a lawyer…

Continue ReadingLaw from a legal assistant’s point of view, week 4: Trial by fire

Considering the high cost of child support, does anyone believe that the non-custodial parent is obligated to pay too much for the child’s care? When in a lot of cases where there is split time, one parent is still custodial.

Child support in the jurisdiction where I practice divorce and family law (Utah) is, in my experience and estimation, not too high or too low. I’ll explain (in basic terms)…

Continue ReadingConsidering the high cost of child support, does anyone believe that the non-custodial parent is obligated to pay too much for the child’s care? When in a lot of cases where there is split time, one parent is still custodial.

Law from a Legal Assistant’s Point of View, Week 1: It’s all new to me

My favorite part of being new at something is that feeling of every aspect being unique and energizing.   I am experiencing that feeling now in my new job as a…

Continue ReadingLaw from a Legal Assistant’s Point of View, Week 1: It’s all new to me

The Utah courthouses will be re-opening soon. Don’t go back!

With the COVID-19 crisis essentially behind us now (please don't start on the Delta variant) the Utah courts are re-opening the courthouses. And there's nothing wrong with that . .…

Continue ReadingThe Utah courthouses will be re-opening soon. Don’t go back!

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…

Continue ReadingChild refuses to leave noncustodial parent’s house. What happens now?

Do you think current divorce laws are biased against men?

Do you think the current divorce laws are biased against men? In my experienced opinion, yes (and I speak as one who represents both women and men in divorce where…

Continue ReadingDo you think current divorce laws are biased against men?