TL;DR: Changing your last name after divorce requires legal proof of the name change and updates with government agencies and personal accounts. In Utah, the easiest option is requesting restoration of your former name during the divorce process so the change appears in the final decree. If the divorce is already complete, a separate name change case may be required. … Read More
TL;DR: Military retirement pay can be divided during a Utah divorce, but it is not automatically split between spouses. State courts decide how marital retirement benefits are divided, while federal rules determine how payments can be processed and what benefits are eligible for division. Factors such as the length of the marriage, overlapping military service, retirement status, and the divorce … Read More
TL;DR: Remarriage can change an existing alimony obligation in Utah, but the outcome depends on which former spouse gets married. The receiving spouse’s remarriage generally ends alimony unless the divorce decree states otherwise, while the paying spouse’s remarriage usually does not remove the obligation. Other changes may require a formal court request before payments can be modified. Remarriage is common … Read More
TL;DR: The cost of hiring a family lawyer in Utah depends on the type of case, the issues involved, and how much legal work is required. Simple matters may involve fewer attorney hours, while disputes involving custody, property, finances, or court hearings can require more time and resources. Understanding fee structures and case factors can help you plan for potential … Read More
TL;DR: A prenuptial agreement in Utah is a legal contract that helps couples establish expectations around property, finances, debt, and spousal support before marriage. However, signing a prenup does not automatically make every term enforceable. Courts may review how the agreement was created, whether both parties understood the terms, and whether the provisions follow Utah law. Prenuptial agreements have moved … Read More
TL;DR: A child custody evaluation in Utah helps the court understand a child’s needs, family circumstances, and each parent’s ability to provide care. The process may involve interviews, record reviews, observations, and professional recommendations, but the evaluator does not make the final custody decision. Parents who understand their role, provide accurate information, and stay focused on the child’s best interests … Read More
You are done with the marriage. Now comes a smaller, stranger decision: whether to tell the court why. Utah lets you name your spouse’s misconduct or stay silent about it. That one choice shapes how long the divorce drags, how much it costs, and how ugly it turns. The country has mostly picked a side. Only 15 states are true … Read More
TL;DR: Rehabilitative alimony can provide temporary financial support while a dependent spouse rebuilds earning capacity through education, training, or a return to work. Utah courts consider financial need, earning ability, the marital standard of living, and the other spouse’s ability to pay. You are forty-two, and you have not held a paycheck since the first baby arrived. The divorce papers … Read More
TL;DR: A prenuptial agreement in Utah lets couples decide how property, debts, business interests, and certain support issues will be handled if the marriage ends. It must be written and signed by both parties, while decisions affecting children remain with the court. You are six months out from the wedding when someone mentions a prenup. The question lands like an … Read More
TL;DR: If your ex stops paying child support in Utah, the unpaid balance continues to grow and can be enforced through ORS or district court. Wage withholding, tax refund interception, license restrictions, court action, and income investigation may be used to recover the support your child is owed. The deposit does not arrive on the first. You check again on … Read More