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Questions Answered by Brian Craig
2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Utah on
Q: The attorney that wrote up our trusts died one year ago. No one contacted us. No one answers phone or email. Records??

My parents and I both used an attorney in South Jordan, Utah to write up trusts in 2014. My parents are now trying to refinance their reverse mortgage. We need information from the attorney. We tried to contact him via telephone and email. Can't leave message and emails kicked back. Checked... View More

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Dec 10, 2020

As a best practice, clients should safeguard estate planning documents rather than the lawyer or law firm. Having a scanned digital copy is also a good idea. You might be able to find some records with the county recorder's office if real estate was transferred to the trust. Otherwise, you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Utah on
Q: Is it a bad idea to move out of state before a court hearing for a class B misdemeanor for shoplifting under $500?

I've recently been charged with a class B misdemeanor for shoplifting under $500. I don't have a court date yet but I need legal advice. This is my first charge with anything. I was trying to move to Colorado at the end of September and I still want to but I don't know if... View More

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Aug 8, 2020

Consider contacting a Utah criminal defense lawyer. A person convicted of a Class B misdemeanor can face up to six months in jail. Usually, a criminal defendant for a class B misdemeanor needs to make an initial court appearance within 14 days, even it is by video. If the defendant fails to appear,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Utah on
Q: I filed for divorce and paid the fees and just received the receipt in the mail with his signature stating he received

The papers. What is my next step?

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 8, 2020

After the respondent is served, the respondent then files an answer. Next, the parties will be required to submit disclosures under Rule 26.1, including the financial declaration. The parties can then try to reach a settlement agreement, or stipulation on all issues. If there are children, the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Collections for Utah on
Q: Remedy for a frivoulous claim that clouds title

HOA FOr a condo put a cloud on title for past due hoa fees that were in dispute and outside of the statute of limitaitons.

THis caused a sale to fail. What remedies can we seek against the HOA owner?

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 8, 2020

Quiet title, slander of title, and wrongful lien against real property are potential causes of action in a situation where an improper lien is placed on real property. Injunctive relief and money damages, along with attorney fees, may be recoverable with improper liens.

In slander of title...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Utah on
Q: Would I be able to move out of state with my daughter?

I have full custody and he has standard visitation. I was wondering if I'd be able to move out of state with my daughter and what steps I'd need to take to do so? Can I move if I give him notice and have a parenting planning place for when I move or do I have to get approval from the... View More

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jan 3, 2020

Utah Code section 30-3-37 governs relocation if the controlling decree does not address relocation.

At least 60 days before the planned move, the parent who plans to move more than 150 miles from the other parent must send the other parent a Notice of Relocation that tells the other parent...
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3 Answers | Asked in Family Law for Utah on
Q: If i file for visitation, do my children get a say in the matter?

I lost custody due to a very short-lived drug issue. I have been clean for over 3 years and completed all the requirements from the court. My ex husband wouldnt even let me talk to my kids until early this year. I got him to agree to let me see them every other weekend while he supervised. I want... View More

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Dec 26, 2019

This is left to the discretion of the trial judge. Utah Code § 30–3–10(2)(p) indicates that one relevant factor in the best interest of the child includes “the stated wishes and concerns of the child, taking into consideration the child's cognitive ability and emotional maturity.” A... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law for Utah on
Q: How do you start visitation with your children when you're in Utah and your ex is in another state?

My ex has not let me see my daughter for a long time, other factors were an issue with this situation but aren't any more. I don't know where to start.

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Dec 9, 2019

I suggest contacting a family law attorney. Jurisdictional issues involving different states can be complicated in child custody disputes. The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) defines the term as the state in which the child lived with a parent for at least six... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: seller wants to backout

hi I need some advice. I am in UTAH , I am seller of my house. Buyer of my house did not pay the earnest money with in 4 days of offer acceptance( he paid after 5days and did not inform us ). Can I back-out from selling contract? and What other clauses can help a seller backout?

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Nov 25, 2019

If the real estate purchase contract has a "Time of the Essence" clause or provision, this could help the seller rescinding the contract in this type of situation. The general rule with regard to contracts for the sale of land is that time is not of the essence unless the parties... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Utah on
Q: What are the steps someone would need to take to get guardianship of a child in a unstable home?

I live in a unstable home and don't get the proper needs what would be the steps to take for someone to get guardianship of me?

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Nov 1, 2019

If there is suspected child abuse or neglect, the proposed guardian could first report the suspected neglect to the Utah Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS). Call 1-855-323-DCFS (3237). A minor can also contact a school counselor or other adult to self report possible neglect. The school... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Family Law for Utah on
Q: Am I obligated to comply with DCFS in a child welfare case if I have not been through the mediation process yet?

I was the victim of domestic violence and my husband told the police I abused drugs after he physically attacked me in an effort to take the attention off himself. Prior to the argument I had told him that I had used a week prior thinking that it was a priviged cinversation. Can I argue that it... View More

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Oct 22, 2019

There are two privileges potentially involved here: the marital privilege and the privilege against self-incrimination. The marital communications privilege is governed under Utah Rule of Evidence 502. Rule 502 states that a confidential communication is "made privately by any person to his or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Utah on
Q: Is a paper signed out of court a legal guardianship doc? How do I find my children? Where do I start?

Aprox. 5 years ago my 3 children were taken by their father while I was in jail a couple days due to my children not having a guardian in which I had signed a paper of temporary guardianship to my daughters best friends mother which was in effect the day they were taken. Since they were taken they... View More

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 13, 2019

That sounds like a challenging situation. A parent could first report the children missing with the police. If you can afford one, you might consider hiring a private investigator to help locate the temporary guardian and children. Skip tracing services are also available (Google "skip tracing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Utah on
Q: Me and my wife just recently split up. She got a protective order against me so I had to leave the house. She then moved

Her new boyfriend into our house. We are joint tenants on the deed/title. I'm the only one on the mortgage. What are my legal options? Can she take any liability for the mortgage or payment? Or should I prove that I am the only one who made payments on the house? And I can prove that she... View More

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 13, 2019

It is hard to answer your questions without additional facts. If you are still legally married, then the title as joint tenancy will usually remain. In a divorce, the court will typically award allocation of assets and debts, including equity in a house and any outstanding mortgage. The divorce... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Custody for Utah on
Q: Need to find a family law attorney asap to represent myself in divorce invil ing a child born in the marriage not by hus

Husband and I did not live together between 2006 and 2016 never reconciled and he wants custody of second child not his he ordered child support for but he never paid cuz she's not his kid and claimed her on his taxes four yrs in a row and I want this resolved. Custody returned to her natural... View More

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 8, 2019

This sounds like a complicated matter where you need an experienced family law attorney. The best interests of the child test governs child custody matters. You can find lots of family law attorneys here on Justia.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: Is it illegal to leave a dog in the car if all the windows in the car are down and they are very well taken care of

The was this woman who thinks it’s illegal to leave our dogs in the car when all the windows are down while we were eating she broke into our car

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 8, 2019

The animal cruelty statute in Utah Code Ann. sec. 76-9-301 states that "a person is guilty of cruelty to an animal if the person . . . intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence . . . injures an animal [or] abandons an animal." The animal cruelty statute requires... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: Could I press charges against somebody who has fed my dogs without permission?

I have a neighbor that has fed my dogs many times and has been caught doing so, and we have approached him multiple times and he denies doing it though we have caught and approached him in the act! He has made both of our dog extremely sick, and almost killed one when she was younger. The first... View More

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 5, 2019

A pet owner could file a complaint with the local police department for animal cruelty. Utah Code Ann. sec. 76-9-301 states that "a person is guilty of cruelty to an animal if the person . . . intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence . . . injures an animal."... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Utah on
Q: Can I get 50/50 custody or any legal rights of my non biological son?

I got with my ex when she was pregnant, found out she cheated on me at least twice since he was born. I left two months before his third birthday in April 2017, had him every other weekend until October 2018 when I offered to pay half his daycare to get 50/50 custody and have had him every other... View More

Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 5, 2019

A person other than a biological parent, such as a grandparent or a step-parent, may petition the court for custody and visitation of a child in Utah. But there must be special circumstances for the court to award custody and visitation to a person who is not a parent.

Utah Code Ann. sec....
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: I got a ticket because my dog or supposedly my dog barked at the neighbor at 11 at night can I fight this
Brian Craig
Brian Craig
answered on Jul 5, 2019

Noise laws are generally governed by city and county ordinances rather than state law. Under the state statute in Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-102A, a person is guilty of disorderly conduct if the person "makes unreasonable noises in a private place which can be heard in a public place." If the... View More

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