You need to consult with an experienced juvenile court lawyer. If DCFS opens a court case, you may be able to seek the appointment of a public parental defender.

Yes! However, if there is a court order of custody until he has graduated from high school or supposed to graduate from his regularly-matriculated class, there may be some kind of child support issue. Also, if there is some kind of guardianship order of your son, that would need to be considered... View More

You state in your question that you have paid a lawyer to terminate your ex-wife's parental rights, which I assume is in the context of your current wife seeking to adopt your child. You must consult with you existing attorney, or specifically consult another attorney for a second opinion... View More

You can, it just depends on whether the bank finds out and demands that there be a refinance or assumption of the mortgage. I have seen where the mortgage company did nothing for years because the house payment continued to be made.

You have asked several questions, but I think the answer to all of them is, it depends on what is stated and directed in the will. You should sit down with an experienced lawyer and have her/him review the will specifically to advise you on what must/must not happen and where there is discretion... View More

You had better talk to a lawyer. We cannot answer this question in this forum, as it is too specific, cannot be generalized and should be subject to the attorney-client privilege.

Under Utah law, until a child turns 18 or emancipates, the child must live where any court order says the child must live.

Under Utah law, everyone must report any believable allegations of child abuse or neglect (including getting "handsy") to either law enforcement or the... View More

Absent a court order, the mother of your 18 year old boyfriend cannot stop him from moving in with you. If there may be financial or other consequences, that is a different situation.

There are several things your daughter can do to protect herself and the baby; you will want to consult with an experienced lawyer to determine what steps to take or not take given your daughter's circumstances.

Many times unmarried fathers threaten to take custody of an unborn or... View More

Given the facts you have presented in your question, it is unlikely that your situation would result in a change in custody. However, if there are additional negative facts, a change in custody is possible. Your ex could seek some kind of restraining order prohibiting you from having your... View More

In Utah, by law, you usually cannot change your back child support obligation, and a judge can only modify child support "back" to the date of filing of a petition to modify your child support obligation. You should consult with an experienced lawyer to discuss the full specifics of your... View More

In Utah, a home equity loan would usually not be considered income for the purpose of changing child support amounts. There are many factors that go into the calculation of child support, so it is recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced lawyer to review all the facts of your... View More

This is a very difficult question that is very fact specific. You need to seek the advice of a lawyer to discuss the particular facts of your situation, as it may not be necessary or in you or your child's best interest for you to have your parents have "full custody" in order for... View More

Under current Utah law regarding alimony and cohabitation, you likely have to prove that she is cohabiting "in a marriage-like relationship." If it is a Utah case, you should consult with a Utah lawyer and discuss the additional particular facts of your case.

Whether or not you have to give your ex first pick to watch the kids depends on the custody and parent-time orders in your case. You need to read that order and any statutes referenced by the order to determine this issue. A quick appointment with an attorney with those documents should answer... View More

The legal answer is always, "It depends". Generally any income earned during the marriage is marital property, which would include any overpaid taxes that would result in a tax return refund. Consult with an attorney to discuss the particulars of your case.

In Utah, the correct formula is to take the entire amount of the insurance, regardless of the various pricing structure, divide it by the number of people covered (including your new wife and 3 kids), multiply that number by the number of children with your ex-wife covered by the plan, then divide... View More

In Utah, a spouse is not liable for a new spouse's child support obligation. It is unlikely that you can obtain custody of a step child on the basis that the natural mother with custody of the children is living on government support. You will need to consult with a Georgia lawyer to learn... View More

You need to file a parentage action in the appropriate court to establish your deceased fiancé as the father so that he can be added to the birth certificate. There may be a jurisdictional issue depending on where your child was conceived, where the biological father died, etc. A lawyer can help... View More

Alimony is the area where judges have the most discretion. The primary factors in order of importance are (1) recipient spouse's need, (2) payor spouse's ability to pay, and (3) length of the marriage and standard of living during the marriage. There are many other factors as well, but... View More