How Do Utah Courts Enforce Domestic Violence Protective Orders in Divorce?

Robert M. HenriksenDomestic Violence Protective Order

a judge looking over a domestic violence protective order

A divorce is hard enough on its own. When domestic violence allegations enter the picture, the case suddenly carries criminal charges, protective orders, and consequences that follow you long after the marriage ends. According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, more than 84,000 survivors were served by U.S. domestic violence programs in a single 24-hour period. Thousands of … Read More

What Happens if Family Members Disagree About a Parent’s Estate?

Robert M. HenriksenEstate Planning

A family sitting at the table going over an estate plan

The funeral is over. The casseroles are gone. Now you and your siblings are sitting around the kitchen table with a stack of papers and a thousand questions about what your parent actually wanted. Who decides what happens next, and why does your sister suddenly have the only key to the house? According to a Cerulli Associates wealth transfer report, … Read More

What Happens When Child Support Payments Are Late?

Robert M. HenriksenChild Support

a mother walking her daughter into school

The rent is due Friday. Groceries needed a refill yesterday. And the child support check that was supposed to land on the first is now nine days late, with no call, no text, and no explanation. For thousands of Utah custodial parents, this is a recurring threat to the household budget. According to the Utah Office of Recovery Services, Utah … Read More

What Should You Know Before Signing a Prenuptial Agreement?

Robert M. HenriksenPrenuptial Agreement

client going over prenuptial agreements with an attorney

The dress fitting is next week. The caterer needs a final count. And somewhere in the middle of it all, someone slid a draft prenup across the kitchen table. Suddenly, you are reading legal language about property and debt. According to Slate’s reporting on a Newsweek poll, Gen Z Americans carry the highest average personal debt at $94,101, followed by … Read More

5 Ways to Create a Parenting Plan That Works for Both Parents

Robert M. HenriksenChild Custody

dad creating a parenting plan while his kids play with toys

Sunday night, and the texts are flying again. Who has the kids on Wednesday? Who’s picking up from soccer? Did last weekend count?. A parenting plan was supposed to settle this, but the one written six months ago never matched the way life actually moves. A 2025 study in Child & Youth Care Forum found that 79.8 percent of children … Read More

5 Ways to Prevent Family Conflict Through Estate Planning

Robert M. HenriksenEstate Planning

older man with an attorney for estate planning

The funeral was on Tuesday. By Friday, two siblings stopped speaking, the executor was being accused of hiding accounts. A house everyone agreed should be sold sat empty for months. No one set out for it to go this way. The absence of a clear plan made the rest inevitable. According to the Trust & Will 2026 Estate Planning Report, … Read More

How Utah Courts Determine the Best Interest of the Child

Robert M. HenriksenChild Custody

utah neoclassical courthouse blue sky American flag green trees summer midday

TL;DR: Utah courts weigh stability, safety, parental involvement, mental/physical health, and abuse evidence, not one factor alone, to decide custody based on the child’s overall best interest. Child custody cases rarely come down to one argument or one disagreement between parents. Utah courts look at the bigger picture of a child’s life, including stability, safety, emotional development, and each parent’s … Read More

What Happens If a Spouse Refuses to Sign Divorce Papers in Utah?

Robert M. HenriksenDivorce Law

utah divorce papers and a pen on a desk overlooking a suburban neighborhood and mountains at sunset

TL;DR: Utah divorce can continue even when one spouse refuses to sign papers. The case moves forward through the default process after proper service. The court can still issue final orders. Property, custody, and support are decided based on filings and evidence. The unwilling spouse does not stop the divorce process. You filed for divorce, served your spouse, and now … Read More

What Happens If Someone Violates a Protective Order in Utah?

Robert M. HenriksenDomestic Violence Protection Orders

utah judge signing a protective order in a courtroom with a gavel on the bench and a state seal visible

TL;DR: When someone violates a protective order in Utah, the court may respond quickly. Violations include contact, threats, or proximity restrictions. Police can arrest the individual. Judges may issue penalties, jail time, or modified orders. The protected person can report violations and request immediate court enforcement through legal filings and hearings. The call came from a blocked number. A quick … Read More

How Utah Judges Determine What Is in the Best Interest of the Child?

Robert M. HenriksenChild Custody

child playing on school playground equipment in utah during mid day with school building in background

Your marriage is ending, and now the most important question of your life is on the table: where will your child live, and who will make decisions about their future? In Utah, that question comes down to a legal standard every parent in a custody dispute needs to understand. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one-third of American children … Read More