How Does Remarriage Affect Alimony Payments After Divorce?

Robert M. HenriksenDivorce

Wedding rings sit in a small dish next to a stack of legal documents on red and blue folders near a bouquet of flowers.

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

7 Factors That Affect the Cost of Hiring a Family Lawyer in Utah

Robert M. HenriksenFamily Law

A man gestures while speaking to a woman seated across a table in an office lined with bookshelves.

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

What Factors Affect the Enforceability of a Prenuptial Agreement in Utah?

Robert M. HenriksenPrenuptial Agreement

A couple sits across from a woman discussing paperwork in an office with mountain views through the windows.

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

What Parents Should Know About the Child Custody Evaluation Process in Utah

Robert M. HenriksenChild Custody

A woman sits across from a man in a living room discussing something serious while a young girl colors at a table in the background.

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

Fault vs. No-Fault Divorce in Utah: What’s the Difference?

Robert M. HenriksenDivorce Law

A father holds his young daughter on a couch while a woman sits in the background, illustrating a family affected by a fault vs. no-fault divorce case in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

How a Utah Divorce Lawyer Can Help You Secure Rehabilitative Alimony

Robert M. HenriksenRehabilitative Alimony

Close-up of an attorney's hand signing a legal document next to a gavel, representing rehabilitative alimony case work in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

Why Prenuptial Agreements Are Important for Couples to Consider Before Marriage

Robert M. HenriksenPrenuptial Agreement

A couple meets with an attorney at a desk in a law office with bookshelves, discussing a prenuptial agreement in South Salt Lake, Utah.

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

What Happens If My Ex Stops Paying Child Support in Utah?

Robert M. HenriksenChild Support

Close-up of two people at a table with a gavel and scales of justice, discussing child support laws with an attorney in South Salt Lake, Utah.

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

Restraining Order vs. Protective Order in Utah: Which One Do You Need?

Robert M. Henriksenestraining order vs. protective order

a lawyer going over the difference between a restraining order and a protective order with the client

The text comes in at midnight. A heated argument has gone too far, and now you have to decide what kind of court order to file the next morning. The wrong move costs time, money, and in some cases, real protection. According to the Utah Commission on Criminal Domestic Violence, Utah courts handled 4,276 cases involving domestic violence in the … Read More

What Is a Protective Order in Utah and How Do You Get One?

Robert M. HenriksenDomestic Violence Protective Order

a utah judge assigning a protective order

The argument escalates. The threats turn serious. The safety of you, your children, or someone you love is suddenly on the line, and a court order is the next real step. According to the Council on Criminal Justice, domestic violence remained elevated through 2025 even as other violent crimes declined, with domestic violence the only major offense category to rise … Read More