Divorce Lawyers Archives

How Long Does a Child Custody Court Hearing Take?

rprise that it usually takes much less time and effort to prepare for a proffer hearing than preparing for a full evidentiary hearing. In a proffer hearing the client won’t do much, if anything, during the actual hearing, with the…

What Does It Mean When Your Partner Hires an Attorney and Says He/She Is Going to Fight for Custody of the Children? How Likely Is It That They Will Get Sole Custody of the Kids?

April 5, 2023

Divorce Utah

Divorce, Divorce Lawyers

attorney

Merely hiring an attorney does not give one an automatic advantage in a divorce and/or child custody case. It can, but it’s not guaranteed. Why? Because some attorneys are incompetent. Being represented by a really bad attorney might even be…

Flat Fee Billing Questions

February 27, 2023

Divorce Utah

Attorney Fees, Divorce Attorneys, Divorce Costs, Divorce Lawyers, Divorce Preparedness, Finances, Lawyer Fees, Lawyers, Utah

attorney fees, billing rates, flat fee

I am frequently asked questions about my flat fee billing. I bill on a weekly flat fee basis. Usually $500 per week, although the weekly fee can be higher if the case is a an unusually challenging or demanding one.…

What Made You Want to Become a Family Law Attorney?

December 23, 2022

Divorce Utah

Divorce Attorneys, Divorce Law, Divorce Lawyers

divorce law, lawyer

Thank you for asking this question. It comes at a time when I’ve been thinking about this very subject. I am the first lawyer in my family. I am also, at this point, the only lawyer in my family. I’ve…

How Do You Get a Divorce That Involves No Children and No Property or Money if You Haven’t Been Able to Find Your Spouse for Almost 10 Years, and Without Having to Hire a Lawyer?

December 16, 2022

Divorce Utah

Abandonment and Desertion, Divorce Lawyers, Hiring a Divorce Lawyer

AWOL, hiring a lawyer, lawyers

You probably worry that hiring a lawyer will bankrupt you, and so you’re afraid to get the help a good divorce lawyer could be to you. Before you resolve not to hire an attorney to represent you, find out what…

What are your thoughts on a second marriage?

December 12, 2022

Divorce Utah

Divorce, Divorce Attorneys, Divorce Causes, Divorce Lawyers, Divorce Prevention/Marriage Preservation

another try, divorce, divorce attorney, divorce lawyer, family, marriage, marriage difficulty, marriage problems, second marriage

My answer comes from the perspective of a divorce lawyer who’s been in practice for 26 years. Note that I believe in marriage. Although I am a divorce lawyer myself, I am not divorced, and God willing, I never will…

Do I have to pay the court to go to trial?

Do I have to pay the court to go to trial? I am a divorce and family lawyer. I was asked this question and was a little surprised that this wasn’t widely known: In Utah, do I have to pay…

Do attorneys ever have to represent relatives?

November 14, 2022

Divorce Utah

Court Rules, Divorce Attorneys, Divorce Lawyers, Justice and Equity, Lawyers, Legal System

attorney, conflict of interest, duty, law, lawyer, legal, moral dilemma, officer of the court, relative, representing a relative

Do attorneys ever have to represent relatives or is that a conflict of interest? I will give my personal opinion (as a lawyer, but not as a lawyer giving anyone any particular legal advice) as it applies in the jurisdiction…

When it comes to divorce and family law firms, never hire on faith and hope

October 28, 2022

Divorce Utah

Divorce, Divorce Attorneys, Divorce Lawyers, Firing a Divorce Lawyer, Hiring a Divorce Lawyer, Lawyers, Legal Assistant

divorce law, divorce law office, divorce lawyer, good lawyer, law office, law staff

Do your research with due diligence. Interview a lot of different firms and attorneys (I’m talking 5 to 10, not just 2 or 3—you’ll never get a feel for the diversity of competence and incompetence unless you do). Don’t be…

Why are so many attorneys seemingly against legal separation?

Why are so many attorneys seemingly against legal separation? I truly feel in my circumstance its best for me/us. Is it because they wont make as much money? We have already started the divorce process. Can it be switched? I…

How do I file a response in a divorce if the summons is invalid?

How do I file a response in a divorce if missing the court’s address for filing invalidates the summons? Be very careful getting cute with procedural technicalities. If you were served with a summons that is defective only because it…

How can I make my abusive husband divorce me?

Short of holding the proverbial gun to his head (i.e., forcing him to do so against his will), you can’t. While you might contrive to motivate your husband to file for divorce against you by committing marital fault yourself, that…

What are the 3 main issues that lead to divorce these days?

Every time you hear about divorce, what are the 3 main issues that lead to divorce these days? I have been a divorce and family law attorney for 26 years. In that time I have spoken to thousands of people…

How much should you trust your lawyer? Part 2

August 30, 2022

Divorce Utah

Court Orders, Court Rules, Divorce Attorneys, Divorce Lawyers, Firing a Divorce Lawyer, Hiring a Divorce Lawyer, Judges, Lawyers, Legal System

attorney, comment, lawyer, legal counsel, legal system, research, response, trust

This blog is in response to a comment made to a video entitled How much should you trust your lawyer? “The biggest problem I’ve encountered with attorneys isn’t legal competence but the “to a hammer, everything looks like a nail”…

How much should you trust your lawyer?

The more power to be entrusted, the higher the stakes, the less I trust anyone under such conditions. Many of us find or will find ourselves in a situation where we must retain an attorney’s services. Essentially, it must be…

How do you win a case against your ex for false accusations?

August 23, 2022

Divorce Utah

Dirty Tricks, Divorce, Divorce Court, Divorce Law, Divorce Lawyers, Divorce Mistakes, Divorce Procedure, Family Law, Fathers' Divorce Issues, Judges, Justice and Equity, Lawyers, Men's Divorce Issues, Mothers' Divorce Issues, Women's Divorce Issues

If you find an attorney who knows a sure-fire, fail-safe way to defend an ex-spouse or an ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend against “false accusations,” that attorney is likely a multimillionaire because possessing such a skill/power would superhuman/miraculous. False accusations exist because they often…

What will the court do if I do not sign a letter sent by my ex-husband?

What will the court do if I do not pick up a letter my ex-husband sent that needs to be signed by me from the courts about his back court ordered alimony of $20,000.00 that he is in default already and has…

What are two lines of work that fit together well?

August 17, 2022

Divorce Utah

Divorce, Divorce Attorneys, Divorce Law, Divorce Lawyers, Family Law, Lawyers

business of law, contractor, John Grisham, law firm, law practice, lawyers, novelist, novels, remodeling

What are two lines of work that fit together well? For example, a remodeling contractor and a divorce lawyer. I do not believe a lawyer or client would really want to interact with each other any more than necessary. I…

Is it easier to get a divorce if you and your spouse have nothing shared?

Is it easier to get a divorce if you and your spouse have no debts, no shared property, and no children? Typically, generally, usually, yes. In the overwhelming majority of cases. You identified three of the top four reasons, in…

Would the divorce rate drop if the parties had to see a psychologist first?

What do you think would be the rate of divorce in marriages if psychologists were to be consulted in court by couples before proceeding to see the lawyer for divorce? Your intentions are good, your proposal won’t work. Short answer:…