Fathers' Divorce Issues Archives

Child refuses to leave noncustodial parent’s house. What happens now?

May 14, 2021

Abuse, Addiction, Child Abuse, Child Custody, Child Custody Modification, Child Neglect, Children in Divorce, Co-parenting, Coping With Divorce, Court Orders, Court Rules, Custodial Interference, Custody, Dirty Tricks, Divorce, Divorce Fears, Divorce Law, Divorce Mistakes, Divorce Preparedness, Family Law, Fathers' Divorce Issues, Joint Legal Custody, Joint Physical Custody, Judges, Legal Custody, Legal System, Men's Divorce Issues, Modification of Child Custody, Modification of Decree of Divorce, Modification of Parent-time, Mothers' Divorce Issues, Parental Alienation, Parental Fitness, Parental Rights, Parenting Plan, Petition to Modify Decree of Divorce, Physical Custody, Sole Custody, Women's Divorce Issues

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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 answer this question in the context of my experience as…

I paid my ex in cash for child support. Will the court give me credit for it?

I paid my ex in cash for child support. Will the court give me credit for it? In Utah (where I practice family law), the answer is: yes. And while I cannot speak for all jurisdictions, I would presume that…

I suspect my husband fathered a child with someone else. Can I challenge our divorce ruling?

If I suspect my ex-husband fathered a child with someone else while we were married, can I challenge our divorce ruling? If, by this question, you mean that you are the wife; and you discovered, after you divorced, that your…

What would happen if there were no alimony or splitting assets in divorce without kids?

May 11, 2021

Divorce Utah

Alimony and Support, Best Interest of the Child, Children in Divorce, Coping With Divorce, Court Orders, Division of Marital Property, Divorce, Divorce Causes, Divorce Costs, Divorce Court, Divorce Fears, Divorce Law, Divorce Mistakes, Divorce Preparedness, Divorce Prevention/Marriage Preservation, Fathers' Divorce Issues, Finances, Husband's or Wife's Business, Marital Debts, Marital Estate, Marital Home, Marital Property, Men's Divorce Issues, Mothers' Divorce Issues, Pension, Personal Property, Retirement Benefits, Spousal Support, Spouse's Business, Termination of Alimony, Women's Divorce Issues

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That is an interesting question. Before I answer it, know this: anyone who is motivated to marry on a “what’s in it for me?” basis and who stays married motivated by a “what’s in it for me?” basis is likely…

Custody order says mother and child can’t leave the state. Is that legal?

If custody order says mother and child are not allowed to leave the state, is there any chance the court would allow them to go on a vacation to another country if the father says no? I cannot speak for…

Father has 50/50 custody. Now ex is trying to take it away. What to do?

May 7, 2021

Divorce Utah

Best Interest of the Child, Child Custody, Child Custody Modification, Child Support, Child Support Modification, Children in Divorce, Co-parenting, Coping With Divorce, Custody, Custody Evaluation, Dirty Tricks, Divorce Costs, Divorce Court, Divorce Fears, Divorce Law, Divorce Lawyers, Divorce Mistakes, Divorce Preparedness, Divorce Procedure, Family Law, Fathers' Divorce Issues, Joint Legal Custody, Joint Physical Custody, Judges, Justice and Equity, Legal Custody, Legal System, Men's Divorce Issues, Modification of Child Custody, Modification of Child Support, Modification of Decree of Divorce, Modification of Parent-time, Mothers' Divorce Issues, Noncustodial parents, Parent Time, Parental Alienation, Parental Fitness, Parenting Plan, Physical Custody, Sole Custody, Women's Divorce Issues

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I am a father who has exercised at least 50/50 custody with my ex. Now she’s trying to take me to court for full custody and me getting every other weekend visits. How can I avoid losing 50/50 custody? First,…

Who are the family law attorneys who offer services at a big discount?

With rare exception, the family law attorneys who offer services at a big discount are either 1) incompetent and inept attorneys or 2) attorneys whose source of income or main source of income does not come from paying clients. Attorneys…

Did you ever go to court and realize for the judges and attorneys it’s kind of all a big game?

Yes, in my experience, there are aspects of the legal system and the practice of law that some lawyers and judges see and treat as a game. You see lawyers and judges who observe, regularly that “that lawyer/that judge did…

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 feel are worth sharing: – Too often litigants and attorneys…

Does a spouse have the right to see a DUI report?

Does a spouse have the right to see a DUI report? First, if you are referring to a police report of a DUI citation and/or arrest, in most jurisdictions such records are public record, and thus available not only to…

If an ex uses illness to stop working, can she get more alimony?

If an ex uses illness to stop working, can she get more alimony? Can being debilitated by illness be a reason for a spouse receiving alimony or more alimony than he/she would have received in the absence of the debilitating…

How do I console a father who has lost custody of his child?

April 27, 2021

Divorce Utah

Child Custody, Child Custody Modification, Custody, Custody Evaluation, Divorce Court, Divorce Fears, Divorce Law, Divorce Lawyers, Divorce Mistakes, Divorce Preparedness, Family Law, Fathers' Divorce Issues, Legal Custody, Legal System, Men's Divorce Issues, Parent Time, Parental Alienation, Parental Fitness, Parental Rights, Parenting Plan, Personality Disorders, Petition to Modify Decree of Divorce, Physical Custody, Utah Law, Women's Divorce Issues

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How do I console a father who has lost custody of his child? “He’s [the father who lost custody] permanently damaged.” That’s what someone else wrote in response to your question. It’s true. Time lost between a parent and child…

Why is child support and alimony rooted in revenge, power, and humiliation?

Why is child support and alimony rooted in revenge, power, and humiliation? The full question was actually: “Why is child support and alimony rooted in revenge, power, control, and humiliation over the father instead of support for the child?” This is…

Can a divorced spouse claim rights to a previous primary residence?

April 19, 2021

Divorce Utah

Assets/Debt/Property, Business Interests, Coping With Divorce, Divorce Fears, Divorce Law, Divorce Mistakes, Divorce Preparedness, Fathers' Divorce Issues, Finances, Husband's or Wife's Business, Marital Estate, Marital Home, Marital Property, Men's Divorce Issues, Personal Property, Real Estate/Real Property, Special Circumstances, Spouse's Business, Utah Court of Appeals Decisions, Utah Supreme Court Decisions, Valuation, Women's Divorce Issues

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Can a divorced spouse claim rights to a previous primary residence? A court can, in exceptional circumstances, award a spouse some or all of your premarital and separate property that is clearly not a marital asset. In the jurisdiction where…

Can a divorced spouse claim rights to a premarital primary residence?

April 15, 2021

Divorce Utah

Assets/Debt/Property, Business Interests, Coping With Divorce, Divorce Fears, Divorce Law, Divorce Mistakes, Divorce Preparedness, Fathers' Divorce Issues, Finances, Husband's or Wife's Business, Marital Estate, Marital Home, Marital Property, Men's Divorce Issues, Mothers' Divorce Issues, Personal Property, Real Estate/Real Property, Special Circumstances, Spouse's Business, Utah Court of Appeals Decisions, Utah Supreme Court Decisions, Valuation, Women's Divorce Issues

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Can a divorced spouse claim rights to a premarital primary residence? A court can, in exceptional circumstances, award a spouse some or all of your premarital and separate property that is clearly not a marital asset. In the jurisdiction where…

If an ex uses illness to stop working, can she get more alimony?

If an ex uses illness to stop working, can she get more alimony? Can being debilitated by illness be a reason for a spouse receiving alimony or more alimony than he/she would have received in the absence of the debilitating…

Good news, for parents deserving of joint equal physical custody

April 13, 2021

Divorce Utah

Best Interest of the Child, Child Custody, Child Custody Modification, Children in Divorce, Coping With Divorce, Custody, Custody Evaluation, Dirty Tricks, Divorce Court, Divorce Fears, Divorce Law, Divorce Mistakes, Divorce Preparedness, Family Law, Fathers' Divorce Issues, Joint Legal Custody, Joint Physical Custody, Legal Custody, Legal System, Men's Divorce Issues, Mothers' Divorce Issues, Noncustodial parents, Parent Time, Parental Fitness, Parental Rights, Parenting Plan, Physical Custody, Separation, Sole Custody, Termination of Parental Rights, Unwed Parents, Utah Law, Visitation, Women's Divorce Issues

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Good news, apparently, for parents deserving of joint equal physical custody of their children but who have, up until now, been fighting an unfair, unnecessarily uphill battle. The Utah Legislature passed, during the 2021 legislative session, a new Utah Code section.…

What would you do if your child’s father who is only entitled to supervised visitation filed for a modification of a court order so a family member you don’t approve of could supervise visits?

What would you do if your child’s father who is only entitled to supervised visitation filed for a modification of a court order so a family member you don’t approve of could supervise visits? Here’s what I would do: First,…

What are tips for parents sharing custody during COVID-19?

What are the different tips for parents sharing custody during this COVID-19? Best tip: don’t use COVID-19 as a pretext for withholding/preventing/sabotaging contact and care and communication between the children from the other parent. Don’t use COVID-19 as a pretext…

Can a mother lose custody even if the child is still very young?

April 2, 2021

Divorce Utah

Best Interest of the Child, Child Abuse, Child Custody, Child Custody Modification, Child Neglect, Children in Divorce, Co-parenting, Coping With Divorce, Court Orders, Court Rules, Custody, Custody Evaluation, Dirty Tricks, Divorce Fears, Divorce Law, Divorce Mistakes, Divorce Preparedness, Divorce Procedure, Education, Evidence, Family Law, Fathers' Divorce Issues, Joint Legal Custody, Joint Physical Custody, Legal Custody, Legal System, Men's Divorce Issues, Mental Illness, Modification of Decree of Divorce, Modification of Parent-time, Mothers' Divorce Issues, Noncustodial parents, Parent Time, Parental Alienation, Parental Fitness, Parental Rights, Parenting Plan, Personality Disorders, Preparing for Divorce, Sole Custody, Stepchildren, Stepparents, Supervised Parent-time, Supervised Visitation, Utah Code, Women's Divorce Issues

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Can a mother lose custody even if the child is still very young? Are there any situations where a mother can lose custody even if their child is still very young (e.g., under 5 years old)? Oh, heck yeah. Many…

Fathers’ Divorce Issues