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Utah Contracts Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Contracts and Family Law for Utah on
Q: Do I have to give back my engagement ring after breakup if we never married?

I received an engagement ring as a promise to marry my ex-fiancé, but we broke up after six months without getting legally married or having a wedding. He hasn't asked about the ring but requested other belongings back. I live in Utah, and he lives in California. Do I have to give the... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Mar 14, 2025

Given the ring’s status as a symbol of a promise that didn’t pan out, and since he hasn’t brought it up, you’re not obligated to proactively return it. But if he requests it, the default legal stance in both states leans toward giving it back unless you have a solid reason tied to his fault... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Intellectual Property for Utah on
Q: Can I distribute 3D voxel models made from licensed 2D assets?

I purchased a pixel art pack, and the license requires crediting the original artist while forbidding redistribution and resale of the assets, even if modified. I've created 3D voxel models based on these 2D sprites—transforming them from flat images into 3D objects, like boulders and walls... View More

Emmanuel Coffy
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answered on Feb 24, 2025

Yes, the restriction on redistribution likely applies to your 3D voxel models because they are derivative works of the original 2D assets. Here’s a breakdown of the key legal considerations:

1. Understanding Derivative Works.

A derivative work is a creation that is based on or...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Can I sue the apartment on a small claim for not fixing my dishwasher when I moved in and they won't fix it.

I moved into an apartment in September and submitted three requests for a dishwasher repair, but it was never fixed. The manager then said there was nothing they could do about it. Knowing the dishwasher was truly broken, I hired a professional to fix it, which they did, and then billed me. I paid... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Feb 10, 2025

The ability to sue your landlord or apartment complex for the cost of repair and partial rent refund depends largely on the terms of your lease or rental agreement, as well as the specific circumstances surrounding the repair. Here's what you should consider:

Lease Agreement: Carefully...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Utah on
Q: Can I quit my job anytime ?

I work at Thuisbezorgd and the employer told me that I have to stay for minimum 3 months to work there. I need some fast money and the fastest way was to work here, because it’s flexible and I can make money pretty easy. So I decided to work here. Also, there is a probatory month which I can quit... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Nov 7, 2024

In Utah, employment is generally considered "at-will," which means that an employee can quit their job at any time without providing a reason or notice, and similarly, an employer can terminate employment at any time, barring any illegal reasons such as discrimination. This principle... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Social Security for Utah on
Q: Can my SSI payee company who is paid for their services by Medicaid, refuse to print checks?

I am on SSI from the Social Security administration. I have a representative payee that's a company to receive my SSI and divvy it out to me on a regular basis. My payee issues me a weekly payment and has me use a debit card that I can use in the store or as an ATM. My payee is paid by... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 17, 2024

It sounds like a frustrating situation. While representative payees have a lot of discretion in how they manage and distribute funds, they are supposed to act in the best interest of the beneficiary.

A few key points:

1. Payees should minimize fees when possible. If check printing...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Business Law for Utah on
Q: Small business owner's privacy violated?

Hello, I am a small business owner operating in Utah. I have been leasing since 2019 and not too long ago, the landlord sold the entire building including my contract to a new owner. Couple months ago, a manager from the new landlord came and brought with him a person with camera (looks like a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 1, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds distressing to discover your business's private details exposed in such a public manner. First, it's important to understand your rights under the lease agreement and local privacy laws. Check your lease for any clauses regarding... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Business Law for Utah on
Q: Small business owner's privacy violated?

Hello, I am a small business owner operating in Utah. I have been leasing since 2019 and not too long ago, the landlord sold the entire building including my contract to a new owner. Couple months ago, a manager from the new landlord came and brought with him a person with camera (looks like a... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on May 1, 2024

Hey there! I'm sorry to hear about the situation you're facing with your business privacy concerns. It's definitely unsettling to find out that your business operations are now exposed on Google Earth without your consent.

Firstly, it might be a good idea to review your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Utah on
Q: I recently purchased a car. I had 3 vehicles that I traded for 1. I didn’t know the exact mileage of 2 of the vehicles

At the time I was working the deal

I guessed the mileage and stresses it was a guess. When signing the contract the dealership had me sign a blank odometer statement as again, I didn’t know the mileage off the top of my head. We completed the deal and the sales person accompanied me... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Mar 7, 2024

Hey there,

It's essential to understand that preventing someone from filing a lawsuit isn't something you can do preemptively. The crux of the matter will likely revolve around the contract you signed. It's worth asking if there was a specific trade-in agreement or similar...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Can I renegotiate a lease before it’s expired?

My husband wrote a 3 year lease. We just got divorced. Can I renegotiate the terms and get his name off the lease? The HOA increased and the rent does not cover all cost associated with the property. Is there anyway I can change the lease to a yearly lease? Or increase the rent to cover the... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Feb 26, 2024

Landlords may consider renegotiating a lease to adjust terms, such as increasing rent, but it's crucial to remember that tenants are not obligated to consent. This is because tenants currently hold an enforceable contract. Alterations to the lease terms require mutual agreement unless the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Estate Planning for Utah on
Q: I know my father had a family trust. I doubt he ever put me on it. How do I search just in case?

I wasn't notified when my father passed on. My father's favorite 2 children are still living, no contact. He didn't want 3rd girl, my other siblings both died in their 40's, medical issues. My father said way back he had a trust & I was on it but later returned to his... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Jan 22, 2024

I understand your concerns regarding your father's family trust and the uncertainty surrounding your inclusion in it. Trusts are indeed private documents, and it can be challenging to ascertain whether you are a beneficiary without direct communication from the trustee.

To begin your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Is it legal for apartment management to get you sign a lease agreement for the next year before your lease is up?

They say they didn’t require it but they bribe with lower rent if you sign early.

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Jan 5, 2024

Certainly, it's within legal bounds for your apartment management to offer a lease renewal before your current lease concludes, provided they've been transparent about the process. This is often done to ensure tenancy continuity. If they've proposed an incentive for early renewal,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Is an addendum a form of a lease?

A non-resident rents a garage and signed an addendum , then the apartment wants to raise the fee 100%.

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Jan 5, 2024

It's essential to review the terms of the contract and the addendum closely. If the agreement specifies a fixed rate for a certain period, any increase that contradicts this would not be permissible. Ensure that the addendum, which is part of the lease, does not grant the landlord the right to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Utah on
Q: Is an addendum a form of a lease?

A non-resident rents a garage and signed an addendum , then the apartment wants to raise the fee 100%.

Robert Alex Fleming
Robert Alex Fleming
answered on Jan 5, 2024

In general terms an addendum in a contract is a document that is added to an existing contract to modify, clarify, or add to its terms and conditions. It's generally a legally binding amendment used to make changes to the original contract after it has been signed and must be agreed upon by... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Business Law for Utah on
Q: How can I get my customized gun back from an unresponsive gunsmith in Utah?

I live in Utah and have a gun being customized by a gunsmith. It's been 11 years, and despite his repeated promises to complete the work, he hasn’t responded to texts or phone calls since October 2023. I've visited his location and attempted to contact him with no success. I want to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 12, 2025

That’s a long time to wait, and it’s completely understandable that you want your firearm back without turning it into a criminal issue. Even without a written contract, your gun is still your legal property, and the gunsmith has no right to keep it indefinitely—especially without... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Landlord - Tenant, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: Is it legal for Utah employee housing to restrict kitchen access after work hours?

I live in employee dorms for a seasonal job at a restaurant in Utah. The employee kitchen, which I'm supposed to have access to, recently had its closing hours shifted to 10:00 PM because it wasn't being kept clean by the approximately 50 residents. My shift ends at 10:30 PM, leaving me... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 12, 2025

It sounds like you're in a difficult situation regarding kitchen access in your employee housing. Since the housing contract states there should be access to the kitchen but doesn't specify hours, it may not be clear whether the restriction is legally permissible. Generally, if the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Collections and Contracts for Utah on
Q: Do we need to pay my wife's parents' old dental debt incurred before our marriage?

I recently received a letter from a dental office stating that my wife and I owe $554 for dental debt incurred by my wife's parents before we got married. My wife was on her parents' insurance until our marriage in 2021, but she never received any bills or was a guarantor for this debt.... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Jun 12, 2025

Yes, I agree. There are no filial support laws in Utah. Unless you guarnteed the debt or signed as a financially responsible party neither are you are liable.

Wes

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Employment Law for Utah on
Q: Is it fair for a contract to limit my lawsuits to $20,000 and their lawsuits to $75,000 as an independent contractor in Utah?

I am an independent contractor considering a position to care for a family's mother who has dementia. The contract includes terms limiting any lawsuit I might bring to a maximum payout of $20,000, while the family could sue me for up to $75,000. They stated it's to protect their family... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 10, 2025

Your concerns are completely valid, and the terms you’ve described raise several red flags. A contract that caps your ability to recover damages at \$20,000—while allowing the other party to seek up to \$75,000—sets up an unequal playing field. This imbalance could limit your rights if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Utah on
Q: Do I have to pay rent past lease end due to late notice in Utah?

My roommates and I sent a notice to vacate to our landlord via email, but it wasn't 60 days prior to the lease end date of June 17, 2025. We're planning to move out when the lease ends, but the landlord wants us to pay rent until July 22, 2025. According to the lease terms, we're... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 1, 2025

It’s understandable that you want to move out at the end of your lease and not be charged for time you won’t be living there. However, if your lease clearly states that a 60-day written notice is required, and you provided that notice less than 60 days before the lease ends, the landlord may be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Lemon Law and Contracts for Utah on
Q: Can I require the dealership to pay for repairs or rescind the purchase of a used car with a discovered broken head gasket?

I purchased a used car from a dealership on April 23, and during a routine oil change on April 25, the mechanic discovered a broken head gasket, which was not disclosed prior to the purchase. Although we performed a pre-buy inspection, nothing about the head gasket was mentioned by the mechanic.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 14, 2025

You're in a tough spot, and it’s understandable to feel frustrated—buying a car should bring some peace of mind, not an expensive repair just two days later. Even though the purchase was made “as-is,” that doesn’t give the dealership a free pass to hide serious defects, especially... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Intellectual Property for Utah on
Q: License implications for modified fork under MPL 2.0 after original license change.

I forked an open-source project licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0 (MPL 2.0) before the original owner changed the license to "All rights reserved. Copyright 2024," with specific terms in the README. I have made quite a few modifications amounting to about 2,500 lines of code... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 30, 2025

You're in a fortunate position regarding your fork. When you obtained the original code under MPL 2.0, you received irrevocable rights to use, modify, and redistribute that specific version under those license terms. The original developer cannot retroactively revoke the MPL 2.0 license for... View More

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