When your divorce is finalized, the court issues a legally binding decree that can only be modified under certain circumstances. Obtaining an amendment is not easy, but life can and does change after a divorce, and Utah law allows you to modify portions of the decree to ensure ongoing compliance with its terms. It is important, however, to remember that the party seeking the change must prove that a “substantial Read More
Understanding the 4 Main Types of Child Custody in Utah
Child custody is one of the most important issues that needs to be addressed and resolved in a Utah divorce. Will the kids spend more time with you or your former spouse? Which parent (if not both) will have the authority to make legal and medical decisions for them? The answers will help you (or a judge) determine what type of custody arrangement is in the children’s best interests. In Utah, there are four Read More
A Step-by-Step Guide to the Utah Adoption Process
Divorce and remarriage has created close and loving blended families all over the country. It has also resulted in more and more stepparents wanting to adopt their spouse’s children, strengthening the bond and making the family feel more complete. There are also practical reasons for such a move: adoption allows the stepparent to make important legal and medical decisions for the child, and the child can receive Read More
Abuse It and Lose It: 5 Ways You Can Lose Your Driver’s License in Utah
For many of us, having a driver’s license is essential for getting to work, shopping for necessities, and travel in general. A suspension interferes with your freedom to get where you need to go, when you need to be there. In Utah, certain offenses will cause you to lose your license and spend a lot of time and money trying to get it back. Without legal assistance, you may not be able to get it back at all before Read More
Utah Bankruptcy: Understanding Adversary Proceeding
Although adversary proceedings are a potential part of any bankruptcy case, they are entirely separate processes. Simply put, an adversary proceeding is a lawsuit that arises when a complaint is filed during your bankruptcy case. Such an action can be initiated by the debtor, the trustee, and / or one of the creditors. Debtor Filings When a debtor files, it is usually because they believe that a creditor took Read More
5 Key Criteria for Determining Gross Monthly Income for Child Support
Parents have a joint responsibility to provide financially for their children, regardless of whether they are together, separated, or divorced. When a marriage ends, the court will order child support to provide for the children’s needs and protect them from any major change in lifestyle due to the divorce. When determining how much child support a parent will have to pay, Utah courts take a number of factors into Read More
Loan Modification Risks: Understanding Utah’s “Statute of Frauds”
Loan modifications are changes made to an existing loan’s terms beyond the specifications of the original agreement. With mortgages, loan modifications are often used to help homeowners catch up on their obligations and avoid foreclosure. Examples include: Reducing the interest rate Reduce the amount of the principal Extend the terms of the loan Apply a cap to monthly payments Homesaver Read More
Fighting Foreclosure: 5 Possible Approaches to Help Prevent the Loss of Your Home
When you first bought your home, the thought of losing it to foreclosure was likely the last thing on your mind. With the exception of those who intentionally commit mortgage fraud, homeowners facing the imminent loss of their home have been brought to that point by extenuating circumstances such as: Job loss Sudden illness of disability Divorce High debt obligations Fortunately, there are several Read More
Debunking the Most Common Myths About “Beating the Breathalyzer”
There are more urban myths surrounding the breathalyzer than any other law enforcement tool. Perhaps your best friend swears she was able to trick the machine by sucking on a penny, or you overheard your coworker boasting how breath spray saved him from a DUI charge. Does it sound too good, too easy, to be true? That’s because it is. Here are some of the more common myths about the breathalyzer, and why they are Read More
Post-Divorce Parenting: 4 Things to Consider When Developing a Parenting Plan
Whether you and your spouse are preparing to divorce or midway through the process, you both need to think about and come to an agreement on arrangements about your children. Cooperation between parents not only makes mutual decision-making easier, it also creates a healthier environment for the children and can lead to an increasingly collaborative relationship between the parents over time. Creating an effective Read More
