What does “child support” mean in Utah?
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…
In re I.C. – 2025 UT App 20 – thinking of smuggling a child instead of adoption?
In re I.C. - 2025 UT App 20 2025 UT App 20 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF I.C., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS…
Are Divorced Parents Whose Divorce Was Entered in Utah Required to Give Any Notice When They Travel With Their Minor Children?
Yes. Utah Code § 30–3–36(2) requires: (2) For emergency purposes, whenever the child travels with either parent, all of the following will be provided to the other parent: (a) an…
The New Utah Code §§ 30-3-35 and 30-3-35.1 Holiday Parent-Time Schedules
From KSL.com: New Utah law brings confusion, contention for some divorced parents this holiday season https://www.ksl.com/article/50538686/new-utah-law-brings-confusion-contention-for-some-divorced-parents-this-holiday-season Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277
What Are the Divorce Laws in Utah?
This is a good but very broad question. Here, in a nutshell, is a good way to start learning the answer: If you want to know the divorce laws in…
I want my husband to get 0 in the divorce if he bothers me about my weight
Can I include that my husband will get 0 in the divorce if he bothers me about my weight in the prenup? I cannot discuss this question as it applies…
Does the statute that enables a spouse to not testify against their spouse carry over into divorce if the alleged crime took place during the marriage?
I don’t know the rules as they apply in different jurisdictions, but I can tell you what the rule is in Utah, where I practice divorce and family law. In…
How long do you pay alimony in Utah?
The law governing the duration of alimony is pretty simple and straightforward: See Utah Code § 30-3-5, subsections (1)(c) and (11)(e): (1) As used in this section: ***** (c) "Length…
What are the primary parenting issues of concern by the court?
What are the primary concerns of the courts in determining parenting issues? Why? In Utah (and in no particular order), the court must consider the factors articulated in these sections…
Abortion banned (except in certain circumstances) in Utah, effective June 24, 2022
Today, June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the decision from the 1973 case of overruled Roe v. Wade which had (until today’s decision of the Supreme Court) ruled…
Can I get an annulment instead of a divorce?
Many people call me asking about whether they can get an annulment instead of a divorce. Their reasons are almost always the same: "I would prefer to say that I…
Duffin v. Duffin – 2022 UT App 60
2022 UT App 60 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JAMES M. DUFFIN III, Appellee and Cross-appellant, v. BRANDY E. DUFFIN, Appellant and Cross-appellee. Opinion No. 20200361-CA Filed May 12, 2022 Third District Court, West Jordan Department…
How easy is it to change your child’s last name?
I cannot answer this question as it applies in all jurisdictions, but I can answer the question as it applies in the jurisdiction where I practice divorce and family law…
Can I force my spouse to divorce me?
I know of no legal way to force your spouse to filed for divorce against you, but you may not be aware of the fact that your spouse cannot prevent…
Noel v. James – 2022 UT App 33 – civil stalking injunction
Noel v. James - 2022 UT App 33 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS MICHAEL EARL NOEL, Appellee, v. WILLIAM THOMAS JAMES, Appellant. Opinion No. 20200565-CA Filed March 10, 2022 Sixth…
Must I hand a cop my license, or just show it?
I get this question a lot, and frankly, I am curious to know the answer myself: If you have a dedicated sleeve in your wallet that holds your driver license…
More proposed family law-related proposed laws 2022 Utah
More proposed family law-related proposed laws from the 2022 Utah Legislative Session Last week I covered four family law bills proposed during the 2022 session of the Utah State Legislature.…
Should a parent prorate child support to include the child’s 18th birthday?
What would you think of a parent who makes the last child support payment prorated 7 days because the child’s 18th birthday falls on the 7th? I see nothing illegal…
Christmas/Winter Break for Parents Under the Utah Code
Christmas/Winter Break for Parents Under Utah Code § 30-3-35 or (§ 30-3-35.5 for a child 18 months and older) If your Christmas/Winter break starts December 17, 2021 and ends January…
What are the divorce laws in Utah?
I don’t want to appear immodest, but honestly, my book is probably the best source in one volume: https://store.legal.thomsonreuters.com/law-products/Treatises/Utah-Family-Law-2020-2021-ed-Vol-2-Utah-Practice-Series/p/106664782 You can also find the laws governing Utah divorce and family…
When a restraining order expires, is there some documentation that the respondent can get to prove the expiration?
In Utah, the answer to your question would be: Yes, in the form of the restraining order itself. The restraining order itself states that “[t]he order shall expire by its…
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…
MacFarland v. MacFarland – 2021 UT App 58
021 UT App 58 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS BRUCE RAY MCFARLAND, Appellant and Cross-appellee, v. NICOLE S. MCFARLAND, Appellee and Cross-appellant. Opinion No. 20190541-CA Filed June 4, 2021 Second…
Can I get a stalking injunction against someone in a different state who stalks via social media?
How would you go about getting an order of protection against someone in a different state for harassment and stalking via social media? I will answer your question based upon…
Why do I have to give the court my Social Security Number?
Why do I have to give the court my Social Security Number in my divorce, child custody, paternity, protective order, or other family law or family law-related case? Here is…
2021 UT App 28 – Utah Ct. Appeals – In re C.Z.
2021 UT App 28 - THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF UTAH, IN THE INTEREST OF C.Z., A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. M.Z., Appellant, v. STATE OF…
S.B. 122 just passed! So what? Joint equal physical custody.
S.B. 122 (4th Substitute) passed by the Utah State Legislature March 5, 2021! Who should care and why? The elephant in the room is this: if there is no gender…
Are there laws that protect one parent from being a victim of the other parent’s continuous reporting, through the other parent’s attorney, about violations of a restraining order that are all lies?
Are there laws that protect one parent from being a victim of the other parent's continuous reporting, through the other parent's attorney, about violations of a restraining order that are…
How does emancipation of a minor child work in Utah?
How does emancipation of a minor child work in Utah? Utah law provides a way for a minor child (a child under the age of 18 who is not yet a legal…
Does having the judge interview the children traumatize the children?
Does having the judge interview the children traumatize the children? This post is the second in series of 15 posts on the subject of custody evaluations and the appointment…
What would happen if an individual gets a second job after child support has been determined?
What would happen if an individual gets a second job after child support has been determined? Would the individual be forced to go back, or would it change anything? In…
Do I pay half of any child care costs my ex incurs? What kinds?
QUESTIONS: Do I pay half of any child care costs my ex incurs? Or just work-related child care costs incurred? Are “occupational training”-related child care costs something I have to…
How can I choose which of my parents gets custody of me?
How can I choose which of my parents gets custody of me? In Utah, a child can’t choose. At least not anymore. Under current Utah law, children do not get…
What income is counted when calculating child support?
What income is counted when calculating child support? This is a great question. In the jurisdiction where I practice family law (Utah), the Utah Code tells you exactly what kind…
What would happen if a witness in court was asked if they will swear to tell the truth and they said no?
What would happen if a witness in court was asked if they will swear to tell the truth and they said no? If the witness were unwilling to swear or…
2020 Changes to Fall Break parent-time in Utah Code
When the fall school break parent-time period begins was a common question that the Utah State legislature addressed in the 2020 legislative session by making a clarifying change to the…
2020 UT App 73 – Utah Court of Appeals – civil stalking, contempt, intent
2020 UT App 73 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS ALICIA W. KOEHLER, Appellee, MARK STEWART ALLEN, Appellant. Opinion No. 20190395-CA Filed May 7, 2020 Fourth District Court, Provo Department The…
What is the “right of first refusal”? Is it a statutory right in Utah?
What is the "right of first refusal"? Is it a statutory right in Utah? Many of you dealing with child custody disputes may have heard the time "right of first…
2020 UT App 21 – UTAH COURT OF APPEALS – common law marriage
2020 UT App 21 - THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS JULIE RIVET, Appellant, v. LOUIS HOPPIE, Appellee. Opinion No. 20181018-CA Filed February 13, 2020 First District Court, Logan Department The…
Is it legal to record threatening callers? Are recordings admissible?
You question has two parts. Part 1: can you legally record phone calls (or an in-person conversation)? ANSWER: It depends on the jurisdiction. Some states won’t allow you to record…
Is it illegal to video record people in your home without their knowledge?
Not absolutely, but it can be illegal to video record someone in your home without his/her knowledge. Here is the answer for my jurisdiction (Utah): Utah Code § 76-9-401. Definitions.…
Is there a “statute of limitations” for seeking child support?
I can’t speak for all states, but I can answer the question for the state where I practice law (Utah): Utah Code § 78B-15-109. Limitation on recovery from the obligor.…
Nebeker v. Orton – 2019 UT App 23 – child custody and parent-time
Nebeker v. Orton - 2019 UT App 23 THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS SHANE NEBEKER, Appellant, v. TRISHA ANN ORTON, Appellee. Opinion No. 20170438-CA Filed February 14, 2019 Sixth District…
2019 Utah Legislative Session – animal cruelty is now domestic violence
Welcome back to our feature on new laws from the 2019 Utah Legislative Session. There were a lot of changes in family law in 2019, and one amendment was made…
2019 Utah Legislative Session – parentage, child custody factors
Welcome back to our feature on new laws from the 2019 Utah Legislative Session. There were a lot of changes in family law in 2019. The legislature amended section 78B-15-610…
2019 Utah Legislative Session Makes Keeping a Protective in Place Even Easier! (Boo).
Welcome back to our feature on new laws from the 2019 Utah Legislative Session. There were a lot of changes in family law in 2019, and one amendment was made…
2019 Utah Legislative Session – expanded definition of incestuous marriage
Welcome back to our feature on new laws from the 2019 Utah Legislative Session. There were a lot of changes in family law in 2019, and were going to tell…
Child Custody, Utah Code Section 30-3-10, and medical cannabis
Section 30-3-10 provides some of the criteria the court must consider in analyzing and making its custody award. With the legalization of medical marijuana, the Utah legislature amended Section 30-3-10…
New laws from 2019 Utah Legislative Session – Section 30-3-34 – step parents and others
Welcome back to our feature on new laws from the 2019 Utah Legislative Session. In 2019 the legislature amended section 30-3-34 rather extensively. We discussed some of those changes in…
New laws from 2019 Utah Legislative Session – Section 30-3-34 – “best parent”?
New laws from 2019 Utah Legislative Session - Section 30-3-34 - "best parent"? Welcome back to our feature on new laws from the 2019 Utah Legislative Session. In 2019 the…