Utah Family Law Questions & Answers
Q: Can I record mine and my step-child's in person conversations?
Mike Branum's answer
Utah law only requires one party to the conversation be aware a recording is being made, so, yes, you may legally record the conversations with or without his knowledge. As far as helping your case, requesting the appointment of a guardian ad litem would probably be more advantageous than your recordings. A guardian ad litem is a non-attorney volunteer who will be the child's neutral advocate during court proceedings. It is helpful to have an outside party privately speak with the child and...
Utah law only requires one party to the conversation be aware a recording is being made, so, yes, you may legally record the conversations with or without his knowledge. As far as helping your case, requesting the appointment of a guardian ad litem would probably be more advantageous than your recordings. A guardian ad litem is a non-attorney volunteer who will be the child's neutral advocate during court proceedings. It is helpful to have an outside party privately speak with the child and...
Q: Joint custody and child abused in other home... do we have to take her back there?
Mike Branum's answer
You would need to file a petition in Juvenile Court. See https://www.utcourts.gov/abuse/child.html for the form or seek advice from a licensed attorney who practices in the Fifth District (Washington and Iron Counties).
You would need to file a petition in Juvenile Court. See https://www.utcourts.gov/abuse/child.html for the form or seek advice from a licensed attorney who practices in the Fifth District (Washington and Iron Counties).
Q: I became pregnant through sexual assault, can I have the fathers parental rights terminated? Where do I terminate?
Jason F. Barnes' answer
What you are asking is highly complex and the correct answer is fact dependent. Please have your sister contact our office so we can discuss the same. Phone #801-546-3874.
What you are asking is highly complex and the correct answer is fact dependent. Please have your sister contact our office so we can discuss the same. Phone #801-546-3874.
Q: My son is planning on moving out of his mother's house for conflict reasons. Do I have still have to pay child support?
Paul Waldron's answer
Whether you continue to pay or not depends on your court orders. You should immediately get the matter before the Court for an order changing your child support obligation, whether that is paying your son the child support directly (and the mother also paying her obligation directly to your son) or terminating your obligation altogether.
Whether you continue to pay or not depends on your court orders. You should immediately get the matter before the Court for an order changing your child support obligation, whether that is paying your son the child support directly (and the mother also paying her obligation directly to your son) or terminating your obligation altogether.
Q: Can my ex take our son out of state if we have joint legal custody / sole physical
Wesley Winsor's answer
this is not really my area of law here, so I would encourage you to seek more advice, but to my understanding, if the ex has sole physical custody, then they can decide where to live independent of your preferences. You still have a say in medical decisions and other areas, but they have independence on where to live.
I hope this helps.
Wes
this is not really my area of law here, so I would encourage you to seek more advice, but to my understanding, if the ex has sole physical custody, then they can decide where to live independent of your preferences. You still have a say in medical decisions and other areas, but they have independence on where to live.
I hope this helps.
Wes
Q: I have raised my nephew as my son, my sister has been collecting child support for him do i have a right to sue her?
Wesley Winsor's answer
If you are doing it voluntarily, then no you don't have a right to sue her. She is supposed to be using the funds she is collecting to take care of her son. If she isn't, then the son has a claim or the father has a claim against her. If you are the guardian of the son then you might as well.
With only volunteer status, you don't have standing to assert a claim on the child support funds received by your sister.
I hope this helps.
Wes
If you are doing it voluntarily, then no you don't have a right to sue her. She is supposed to be using the funds she is collecting to take care of her son. If she isn't, then the son has a claim or the father has a claim against her. If you are the guardian of the son then you might as well.
With only volunteer status, you don't have standing to assert a claim on the child support funds received by your sister.
I hope this helps.
Wes
Q: I need to get a separation and don’t know where to start? Worried about income differences?
T. J. Jesky's answer
Generally speaking, those who choose legal separation instead of divorce is usually based on religious beliefs, a desire to keep the family together legally for the sake of children, or the need for one spouse to keep the health insurance benefits that would be lost with a divorce.
A separation is not the same as a divorce. With a separation, you’re still legally married until you obtain a judgment of divorce from a court. Generally a separation does affect the financial...
Generally speaking, those who choose legal separation instead of divorce is usually based on religious beliefs, a desire to keep the family together legally for the sake of children, or the need for one spouse to keep the health insurance benefits that would be lost with a divorce.
A separation is not the same as a divorce. With a separation, you’re still legally married until you obtain a judgment of divorce from a court. Generally a separation does affect the financial...
Q: How do i go about collecting for back child support? He is currently 5 months behind and we both live in Utah
Paul Waldron's answer
The least expensive way is to contact the Utah Office of Recovery Services (ORS) and ask them to collect for you. However, this takes several months. If you are in a hurry and have the means, you can hire a private attorney to enforce the existing child support order, obtain and judgment and collect it for you.
The least expensive way is to contact the Utah Office of Recovery Services (ORS) and ask them to collect for you. However, this takes several months. If you are in a hurry and have the means, you can hire a private attorney to enforce the existing child support order, obtain and judgment and collect it for you.
Q: Does my ex have the right to refuse me taking my kids overnight just because he wants to meet my boyfriend?
Paul Waldron's answer
It depends on the terms of the court orders. Generally, the other parent cannot control who the other fparent allows to be around the children. However, if there are no court orders, whoever has the children has custody and you are stuck with what your boyfriend may agree to until you get court order. Unless your boyfriend is an ax murderer, drug abuser, child abuser, etc., a judge will not enter an order restricting contact with your boyfriend. You would be well served by hiring an...
It depends on the terms of the court orders. Generally, the other parent cannot control who the other fparent allows to be around the children. However, if there are no court orders, whoever has the children has custody and you are stuck with what your boyfriend may agree to until you get court order. Unless your boyfriend is an ax murderer, drug abuser, child abuser, etc., a judge will not enter an order restricting contact with your boyfriend. You would be well served by hiring an...
Q: When my girlfriend turns 18 and i marry her, can she legally move in with me even if she has some "disabilities"?
Paul Waldron's answer
It depends on your girlfriend's level of "disabilities" and whether or not someone else has guardianship of her. Otherwise, generally speaking, without any other information regarding your situation, there is nothing stopping your girlfriend from moving in with you when she turns 18. Working with an experienced lawyer will help you more fully understand any legal problems that may need to be considered.
It depends on your girlfriend's level of "disabilities" and whether or not someone else has guardianship of her. Otherwise, generally speaking, without any other information regarding your situation, there is nothing stopping your girlfriend from moving in with you when she turns 18. Working with an experienced lawyer will help you more fully understand any legal problems that may need to be considered.
Q: How hard is it to get full custodial/ parental rights for my two kids?
Paul Waldron's answer
Generally speaking, without any other information regarding your situation, your chances of getting sole custody completed through the court system is 100%, as long as you can get the father served with the court papers. De facto, you have 100% sole custody right now, so it is unclear why you want to obtain a court order of custody. The first issue will be getting the father served, but there are various ways you can get this done without having him served personally. Working with an...
Generally speaking, without any other information regarding your situation, your chances of getting sole custody completed through the court system is 100%, as long as you can get the father served with the court papers. De facto, you have 100% sole custody right now, so it is unclear why you want to obtain a court order of custody. The first issue will be getting the father served, but there are various ways you can get this done without having him served personally. Working with an...
Q: My child’s father is willing to sign his rights over. He is incarcerated what is my next step?
Paul Waldron's answer
Normally the relinquishment of rights is part of the paperwork that goes along with proceeding with an adoption. It is best to consult with and retain the assistance of an attorney that deals with stepparent adoptions to assist you in getting all the necessary paperwork to begin and complete your stepparent adoption.
Normally the relinquishment of rights is part of the paperwork that goes along with proceeding with an adoption. It is best to consult with and retain the assistance of an attorney that deals with stepparent adoptions to assist you in getting all the necessary paperwork to begin and complete your stepparent adoption.
Q: question on my great grandmother's will.
William Tyler Melling's answer
Generally, a Will is only effective for 3 years after death. After that point, a determination of heirs proceeding will be used instead of a probate proceeding. Either way, it appears to be the same distribution in this situation. When someone passes away without a Will in Utah, their estate is distributed to their descendants per capita. This Wikipedia article does a good job of explaining what that means using pictures: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_stirpes
I hope this helps.
Generally, a Will is only effective for 3 years after death. After that point, a determination of heirs proceeding will be used instead of a probate proceeding. Either way, it appears to be the same distribution in this situation. When someone passes away without a Will in Utah, their estate is distributed to their descendants per capita. This Wikipedia article does a good job of explaining what that means using pictures: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_stirpes
I hope this helps.
Q: My sons dad and I were never married. Do I have to give him visitation if there is no order?
Mr Aric M Cramer Sr.'s answer
I don't practice Family Law, only Criminal Defense. I am sorry I don't know the answer.
I don't practice Family Law, only Criminal Defense. I am sorry I don't know the answer.
Q: If no custody order is in place can my ex keep my son from me . can I go get him with a police officer
William Head's answer
This issue needs a local lawyer to assist you. Plus, reading this question, the first thing that comes to an attorney's mind is, "What did you OMIT from this question?"
The fact that she is "keeping" your son from you raises a red flag.
Have you legitimized the child?
Have you been arrested or convicted of crimes?
Who do you live with?
Where do you live, as in a safe place?
Are you addicted to alcohol or drugs?
Quit looking online for...
This issue needs a local lawyer to assist you. Plus, reading this question, the first thing that comes to an attorney's mind is, "What did you OMIT from this question?"
The fact that she is "keeping" your son from you raises a red flag.
Have you legitimized the child?
Have you been arrested or convicted of crimes?
Who do you live with?
Where do you live, as in a safe place?
Are you addicted to alcohol or drugs?
Quit looking online for...
Q: What is the process for a step parent to adopt the child of his/her spouse?
Jason F. Barnes' answer
To answer your first question, you can start the adoption process now. However, please understand that 78B-6-136.5 states:
(2)(a) If the prospective adoptive parent is the spouse of the pre-existing parent, a final decree of adoption may not be entered until the child has lived in the home of that prospective adoptive parent for one year, unless, based on a finding of good cause, the court orders that the final decree of adoption may be entered at an earlier time.
(b) The court...
To answer your first question, you can start the adoption process now. However, please understand that 78B-6-136.5 states:
(2)(a) If the prospective adoptive parent is the spouse of the pre-existing parent, a final decree of adoption may not be entered until the child has lived in the home of that prospective adoptive parent for one year, unless, based on a finding of good cause, the court orders that the final decree of adoption may be entered at an earlier time.
(b) The court...
Q: Can I sue the mistress who lives in Utah for "alienation of affection"?
Stephen J. Plog's answer
No. You might consider contacting a UT attorney. You should also post this question in the civil or torts law section, as it is not really a "family law" question.
No. You might consider contacting a UT attorney. You should also post this question in the civil or torts law section, as it is not really a "family law" question.
Q: What is the criminal code for paternity fraud?
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Family Law, Federal Crimes and Criminal Law
for
Utah
on
Answered on Jul 12, 2017
Answered on Jul 12, 2017
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.
