Utah Divorce Terms Glossary
(most definitions are from or based upon Black’s Law Dictionary, but some are from Utah sources, other sources, or are my own) ADR (alternative dispute resolution). Any procedure for settling…
(most definitions are from or based upon Black’s Law Dictionary, but some are from Utah sources, other sources, or are my own) ADR (alternative dispute resolution). Any procedure for settling…
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…
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…
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…
Simply put, normal children of divorced or separated parents want their parents: not to make custody a turf war. Honor your children’s right to a strong loving and trusting, relationship…
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…
Does Utah law require divorced or single parents to pay child support in the form of college tuition for their children? Require it? No. Utah does not require divorced or single…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
We’ve all heard some version of this story: the dramatic, knock-down, drag-out divorce. Where every move is a power play and every lawyer is part strategist, part saboteur. If you're…
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…
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…
As a legal assistant at a family law firm (and as a soon to be law school graduate), I see firsthand how the current no-fault divorce regime can create problems…
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…
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…
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…
Find the best lawyer you can and start there; meet with a skilled, diligent, honest lawyer and find out about the divorce process, it’s benefits and detriments, its risks and…
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…
If (or when) you find yourself in the midst of a divorce, you will likely feel like you're caught in a whirlwind of different forces pushing and pulling on you.…
Divorce is stressful enough without the added burden of legal fees and worrying about them. So how do you know if you’re being overcharged by your divorce lawyer? Unclear or…
Several important provisions are frequently overlooked in divorce decrees, despite their significant impact on post-divorce life. If you are contemplating divorce, but have not considered these issues yet, thinking them…
Divorce confronts one with many complex issues, emotional strain, uncertain outcomes, and often gut-wrenching decisions. One question that most divorcing people do not consider when they retain the services of…
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…
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…
Divorce is hard enough on spouses, but perhaps the most painful impact is on their children. The last thing you should do is create confusion, fear, and emotional scars in…
“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…
An unscrupulous opposing party and his/her attorney can find many benefits to delaying the progress of a pending court case, so it comes as no surprise if and when you…
Why is divorce so often like a knife fight? Not a literal one, of course, but a figurative battle where the first move can have lasting—often devastating—consequences. Have you ever…
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…
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…
There’s no sugarcoating it—infidelity, cheating in a marriage is devastating for most people. It rocks the foundation of everything you’ve built together. It’s the kind of betrayal that makes you question…
From Newsweek.com: New York announces a new process to simplify the divorce process. What do you think of what New York is doing? Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com |…
We won’t keep you in suspense: yes, you might be able to buy a house before or during the pendency of a divorce case. However, in most cases, you should not.…
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…
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…
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)…
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…
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…
In contemporary Utah divorce and child custody disputes, courts frequently order parents and children to participate in reunification therapy, family systems therapy, or other forms of therapy and counseling. While…
While every divorce case is unique, the following outlines the general stages and timeframes involved in a Utah divorce case. Understanding the basic timeline of a typical case in Utah…
So many in the Western world who could be happily married have lost sight of the purpose of marriage, and so their marriages end in divorce not because of any…
There is not much you can do to deny a spouse a divorce, if one lives in the U.S. Spouses in the U.S. can file for and obtain a divorce…
There are a few things that you should be aware of before you decide to pull the trigger on filing an appeal on the outcome of your divorce trial. First,…
Divorce is one of the most difficult things that someone can experience. Many in the field of psychology rank divorce just behind a spouse’s death on lists of the most…
"Government ought to be all outside and no inside. . . . Everybody knows that corruption thrives in secret places, and avoids public places, and we believe it a fair…
Any old lawyer to look at your case? Well, if you can’t find a good lawyer who is skilled in the area of the law affecting you, it may (may)…
Small v. Small - 2024 UT App 173 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS NATHAN DALE SMALL, Appellant, v. TRISHA DAWN SMALL, Appellee. Opinion No. 20230487-CA Filed November 29, 2024 First…