What are the laws for joint custody?
For the jurisdiction where I practice divorce and family law (Utah), the laws the court must consider are found in Utah Code § 30-3-10, 30-3-10.2, and, if the question of…
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…
How do I expose a narcissist in family court?
Pretty much impossible. Why? Two big reasons, generally: Narcissists are masters of deception. Being a narcissist generally not terribly relevant, if relevant at all, to most issues in a divorce…
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…
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…
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…
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)…
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…
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…
When do trial lawyers most feel like “they are reading tea leaves”?
In my personal experience, most of the time, with most judges. I’m a divorce and family lawyer in Utah, and family law gives judges such broad discretion that even those…
Recent thoughts about family law
Recent thoughts about family law I’ve been prompted recently to express my thoughts and opinions about the judiciary generally in the family law context. Here are a few thoughts I…
What are common Latin legal terms used in divorce and family law?
What are common Latin legal terms used in divorce and family law? While the use of Latin terms and phrases in the family law is decreasing, there are still many…
Would you consider the family law system a current political issue?
Would you consider the family law system a current political issue or problem? Yes, in fact the institutional defects and injustices in family law and the family law courts throughout…
Should people be allowed to file “alienation of affections” law suits?
Allowed to? Yes. I believe that if one can prove that an otherwise happy marriage was destroyed by a homewrecker, one should have a legal cause of action for alienation…
Why doesn’t family law immediately use collaborative law practices to reach decisions?
Because 1) paradoxically, those for whom the true collaborative law process would work best are those who really don’t need collaborative law; and 2) “collaborative law” as it is practiced (as opposed to how…