Ask a Question

Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Questions Answered by Lane Wood
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Utah on
Q: My brother is in jail he’s have charge for aggravated sexual abuse of child in Orem Utah he’s no got sentenced yeah

He’s never went to jail before no trouble I wondering we can finder lawyer for reduction the years in prison?

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on May 21, 2021

You brother is facing a very serious charge. The charges potentially carry a sentence of 15 years to life. The statute does allow a reduced term in certain circumstances. You absolutely should be looking for legal representation to assist in this type of case.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Utah on
Q: After 43y married husband (66yr) and I (63)yr are divorcing. How many years of support can I expect realistically?

My husband recently told me he can retire anytime he likes and he is not required to pay me anything except 1/2 of his military retirement and also a portion of his social security. He then informed me that he intends to keep working, perhaps starting his own business or consulting but I would... View More

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Feb 19, 2021

The answer to your question really depends on the specific facts of your case. By law, the Court can award support up to the length of the marriage. In your case, that is very unlikely. Where he is around retirement age, Alimony can become difficult if someone does retire. However, if he does open... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Criminal Law and Family Law for Utah on
Q: I am on a Child Abuse Registry for a chronic offense but never criminally charged what to do to remove name?

Is there a chance to remove my name from DCFS database, and somewhere down the line to adopt my cousins in case they get put into fostercare? i'm willing to undergo any psychological testing or other proof to show i am not a danger.

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Dec 7, 2020

My reading of the statute is that being on the child abuse registry alone does not prevent you from adopting a child. I don't know the process, if any, for removing oneself from the child abuse registry, but I have successfully completed an adoption for an individual who was on the registry.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Utah on
Q: Do Custodial Parents receive birthday time with their child?

I have full custody of my 3 children. My ex-wife has Columbus Day (Monday) for her holiday, which as I understand will be from Friday 9am until Monday at 7pm. My daughter's birthday is Sunday and my ex-wife has birthdays ON their birthday this year. I have usually had birthday time either the... View More

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Oct 8, 2020

This will depend on your court order and your parent-time schedule. Without reviewing your order, it is impossible to tell you whether you have birthday time or not. The statutes for parent-time when you live within 150 miles include holiday time for birthdays. The statutory schedule for when you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Utah on
Q: I have been divorced for 2 years. From before the divorce was final, ex-husband would pick up and drop off our child.

He has missed a lot of visits saying that I am refusing to let our child go (which is untrue), he just never contacts me and/or picks him up. He is now engaged and has started saying I need to meet him in the middle. When we did our divorce papers, he would not agree on a meeting provision, so it... View More

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Oct 8, 2020

The answer to this question could depend on a few factors, including how far apart you live, who was the relocating parent (if applicable), your parent-time schedule, your parenting plan, etc. I think that the default position if you live in the same town is to share transportation. However, you... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Health Care Law for Utah on
Q: Does my step daughter have to change her name to receive health insurance benefits?
Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Oct 2, 2020

This sounds highly suspect. Husbands and wives with different last names can share an insurance policy. Parents often insure step children with different last names. Parents can insure their children who change their last name in marriage (assuming the other requirements are met). I know these do... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law for Utah on
Q: How can I take an Emergency Order for Child Pick up from UT Court and have it enforced in MN? he took kids against order

My name is Jessica. We have been in divorce process for over a year. The temp order on 9/3/19 gave us joint custody as we sought fit. He moved back to MN 11/2019 after the order was placed . He came to visit our kids a couple times then we had a status hearing due to me in fear of him taking the... View More

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Oct 2, 2020

I'm sorry that you are going through this. The process can be a tricky process. If Utah is the Court with jurisdiction, you can request a "pick up order" in Utah. This order should allow the police to help you regain custody of your children. Once you have the Utah Order, you would... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Utah on
Q: Is there public record of Family Trusts?If so where would such documents be located?

THE MURPHY FAMILY TRUST

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Aug 29, 2020

There is no public database where trusts are recorded. Trusts are generally kept private. If you know who prepared the trust, you may want to call them as they may still have a copy of it.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Utah on
Q: How do I access court records which state that I gave up my parental rights in St.George, Ut, in 2008?

After giving up my parental rights in court , in 2008, at St. George, Ut, I was later told to pay child support ,in 2019, in Las Vegas, Nv , where I currently live. Utah court denies that I gave up my rights , though. How do I get records about this - as it did happen and I need proof ? Thank you .

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Aug 23, 2020

In Utah if you relinquish your rights, the court has to accept that relinquishment. This can be done in either the juvenile court or the district court depending on the exact circumstances. If it happened in the juvenile court the records can be tracked down but it is a little harder.

You...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Utah on
Q: I am seeking a divorce. My "husband" owes me $1000.00, my name is on his car title and I need to get off his title

He is upside down on the car and has ruined my credit due to his late payments. In spite of that, he recently bought himself a new truck. What can I do to get my name off of the car?

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Aug 21, 2020

With there being a loan on the vehicle, the only way that you can remove your name is through a refinance. Within the divorce decree, you will want to make sure that he is required to refinance the car to remove you from it.

Having said that, if you are going through a contentious divorce,...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: What is needed to prove ownership of a dog in Utah?

I am going through a break up. We bought a dog together. Luna is licensed under my name in the state of Utah, and all Of her vet/medical/microchip stuff is all under my name as well. Does this make her legally my dog? Or is there more to it than that?

I want to add that we purchased the... View More

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Aug 19, 2020

Since you posted this question in the divorce section, I am going to assume that you are married and going through a divorce. If that assumption is incorrect, the answer may be different. In Utah, dogs are considered personal property under the law. The presumption is that all property (including... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Utah on
Q: Mysiswasgiven guardianshipinMt.nowshe has told me to file a change of custodywith courtshereinUt. Isthis possible?

I did not loose my Parental rights & they are telling her this is what I'm to do now to get my kids back is this right? What do I file?

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Jul 29, 2020

The answer to your question will require more facts to answer specifically. I suggest that you consult with an attorney on this issue. Here is some general information that may be helpful:

1. Generally speaking jurisdiction over minor children falls under the UCCJEA. The UCCJEA generally...
View More

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law for Georgia on
Q: My son lives in Utah and has a Final Visitation Order in place from GA. It states his daughter can travel to UT from GA

when she turns age 6, which will be this July. Mother is denying travel/visitation to UT due to Coronavirus. Can she do this?

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Jul 3, 2020

Unfortunately, your question can't be answered with a simple yes or no. Since the Order is in place in GA and it sounds like the child and her mom remain in GA, the answer to this may depend on how GA is treating such arrangements during COVID. You may want to ask this same question in the GA... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Utah on
Q: What can be done failure to be served rule 109 with parentage petition, as well as ex statement of good joint cust pet?

Daughters dad has had no contact, but after several attempts to reduce child support, has now filed a joint custody petition, and served it on me.

First, he did not serve me rule 109, which was granted. Second, he did not include his statement of goodwill as required, with his petition... View More

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Apr 28, 2020

I'm sorry that you are going through a custody fight. Custody battles are often hard fought and emotional. I will do my best to answer your questions, but I would also recommend that you seriously consider hiring an attorney to represent you. Custody determinations can have lasting effects on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Utah on
Q: My parents kicked me out but kept my child. I want to go get her now but they won’t let me.

My husband and I had moved into my parents back in August of last year from St George so he could finish school at Weber. My parents made us sign a contract in order to move in- no drinking no smoking no cussing. And we werent paying rent . In December my husband left me so I was living with my... View More

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Apr 23, 2020

I am sorry to hear that you are going through this process. You may want to consider calling the police. Unless they have established guardianship over your daughter, they have no legal rights to keep her from you. If that is not successful, consider doing a consultation with an attorney who can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Utah on
Q: I was not married, but we filed the Voluntary Dec. of Paternity. Do I have any visitation rights, before I go to court?

As I understand it, (but could be wrong), in Utah, a father in divorce proceedings has automatic, and enforceable (though minimal) visitation rights, without having to go to court and ask for them, based on the idea that marriage is cause to assume paternity. If he wants more than the minimum, he... View More

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Apr 10, 2020

The answer to your question is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. Do you have parental rights before going to court? Yes, you absolutely do based upon the voluntary declaration of paternity. Does that mean you have visitation (Utah calls this parent-time) rights? Yes and no. You... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Utah on
Q: Can a ex spouse get equity on a house that they both owned and have been divorced since 2008.

The divorce decree states that she had 90 days from april 30 2008 to get a appraisal and he has 30 days and neither of them have done this. She she was the equity in the house that wehave been paying for for 12 years.

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Mar 20, 2020

Your question is going to be fact intensive. I don't think I have enough information here to fully answer your question. The terms of your decree will likely govern. However, there may have to be some adjustments based upon a 12 year delay. I would recommend taking a copy of your divorce... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Utah on
Q: I was mailed an order from my ex husband that does not have a judge’s stamp or signature. Is this even valid?

This is for an order on order to show cause. My incorrectly spelled maiden name is also on it (and everything was filed with my married name). The certificate of service also does not have an address on it or my ex’s signature. This is in Utah.

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Mar 5, 2020

Generally a court order will have an electronic signature stamp at the top right corner. If you have a question about whether or not it is valid, your best bet would be to call the Court to confirm. You could also do a consultation with an attorney who could check the docket online to give you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Utah on
Q: My child’s father hasn’t seen her or paid child support in 2.5 years. We have no custody order. What do I need to do?

I would like to get sole custody and potentially go after child support but am afraid he will try and get custody of my daughter. Will he be able to get rights after not seeing her for 6+ months?

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Mar 2, 2020

The answer to this question is that it depends. Generally speaking, a termination of parental rights is a very difficult task. From your question, it does not appear that you are seeking to terminate parental rights. However, short of a termination of parental rights, a parent will always have some... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence for Utah on
Q: What can happen if you were arrested for DV-Assault-Simple and intoxication?

Both parties participated in a physical altercation but only one was arrested.

Lane Wood
Lane Wood
answered on Mar 2, 2020

What can happen and what will happen are fact dependent questions. This can depend on what evidence exists, what happened in the physical altercation, who was the aggressor, etc. DV assault is generally charged as a class B misdemeanor. As a Class B, the maximum penalty is 6 months in jail and a... View More

View More Answers

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.