The Case for Fault-Based Divorce: A Perspective from the Trenches of Family Law

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…

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How to Deal with a Difficult and Dishonest Opposing Party (and his/her lawyer) in Utah Family Law Cases By Braxton Mounteer, Legal Assistant

When you're involved in a family law matter whether it's a divorce, child custody dispute, or a spousal support issue, one of the most frustrating challenges to encounter is an…

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How Should Parents Document Communications During Custody Disputes?

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…

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Evidentiary Practice in Family Law Proceedings in Utah: A Relaxed Standard

Family law proceedings in Utah (and in all other states, frankly), differ significantly from other areas of civil or criminal litigation, particularly when it comes to evidentiary practices. While the…

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What Assumptions Can You Make About Someone Who Has Been Divorced Twice?

You can assume whatever you want about anyone or anything, but that does not mean your assumptions are accurate. And there is this from Merriam-Webster: “Although presume and assume both…

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Law from a legal assistant’s point of view, week 17: Fairness

By Quinton Lister, legal assistant Before I started working as a legal assistant I was a philosophy major at BYU. During that time I read a portion of John Rawls treatise on justice. Mr. Rawls…

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Are mothers being treated “worse” by the legal system these days, with more and more states leaning toward awarding joint custody to fathers more and more?

No, mothers are not being treated "worse" by the legal system these days, with more and more states leaning toward awarding joint custody to fathers more. Mothers do not have…

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Pro-fairness and Pro-child

Pro-fairness and Pro-child Recently, public service YouTube channel I run (UFTLV – Utah Family Law TV – not run by or run to support Utah Family Law, LC) received a…

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My parents filed an order of protection against me. Is there any way I can fight this at age 17 knowing that I’ve done no wrong?

My parents filed an order of protection against me. Is there any way I can fight this at age 17 knowing that I’ve done no wrong? Your experience may be…

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Should I be nice to my spouse during a divorce?

That depends on what you mean by “nice”. Do you mean “with kindness”? Not necessarily kindness, but certainly decency. You are morally obligated to treat your spouse with decency, but…

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