Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Questions Answered by Samuel Sorensen
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Utah on
Q: 1) Can one parent pay the entire cost of health insurance premiums for the child?

2) When stating the alternative tax year exemption for the child involved, what constitutes odd and even years? Does the year you earn the income or the year you file the tax return?

Samuel Sorensen
Samuel Sorensen
answered on Apr 27, 2016

1) Yes, although the default provision in Utah law provides for the parties to split the cost of insurance.

2) Good question, it is usually the tax year. So, if you are filing your 2015 tax return in 2016, that is an odd year (because it is the 2015 tax return).

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Utah on
Q: Can I "the boyfriend" be drug tested at my girlfriends custody court date with her ex? We live together but not married

The info is all in the question the only other info , is that I have 2 kids of my own and she has 1 son, if her ex argued that I was a drug abuser would I even have to take a test if I could prove that I've raised my kids on the time I have with them and my ex have arranged with no problems... View More

Samuel Sorensen
Samuel Sorensen
answered on Apr 27, 2016

It is possible. Since you are around the children regularly (as you live with them), your conduct and character is an issue in the custody determination. You should keep yourself out of trouble and then it won't be a problem, even if they do order a drug test (which would be unlikely unless... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Utah on
Q: can I contact the judge to let him listen to a voicemail left on my phone?

My ex husband and his lawyer left a message on my cell phone today, they didn't hang up and you can here his lawyer state since we can't get her going over the fact your suing her that little message I left should.... My ex asks if he "his lawyer is sure the judge will rule in his... View More

Samuel Sorensen
Samuel Sorensen
answered on Apr 27, 2016

Short answer, no. You cannot have communications with the judge outside court. Depending on the nature of the voice message, you may be able to submit it as evidence to the Court. However, it may or may not be relevant depending on the issues in your case.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Utah on
Q: Can I get custody of my daughter even if I'm not the biological father?

Me and my ex split but she was pregnant when we got together she wasfour months pregnant when we got together I was there till birth I cut the umbilical cord I was there the two nights we were there I bought the child close bottles formula anything she needed by now that me and my X-Play I... View More

Samuel Sorensen
Samuel Sorensen
answered on Apr 27, 2016

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, you don't have a great case to get custody of the child as you don't have any biological connection. You could initiate a contested adoption case, but that would require that your ex's rights to the child be terminated. I... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Utah on
Q: do grandparents have to have consent from both parents to take child on trip outside state?

father lives with his parents and has temporary custody. He allowed his parents to take our child out of state without even talking to me about it before hand. when I clearly stated I was not in agreement with it, father acts like I have no say and he can do what he wants. What can I do about this?

Samuel Sorensen
Samuel Sorensen
answered on Apr 27, 2016

The answer to your question really depends on what you mean by "temporary custody". I am assuming that you and your child's father have joint legal custody, which would require that he notify you of the trip.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.