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“Family Law” is the category of laws and rules that define the relationships between family members. The family law attorneys at Schmidt Law Firm provide advice and representation when people desire either to make or break a family relationship. At Schmidt Law, we recognize the emotional aspects involved in family law matters, and we offer clients knowledgeable, compassionate and non-judgmental advice. The Schmidt Law Firm family team can help in a variety of legal areas.
In determining whether to award alimony, Utah courts consider a variety of factors, including: (i) the financial conditions and needs of the recipient spouse; (ii) the recipient’s earning capacity or ability to produce income; (iii) the ability of the payor spouse to provide support; (iv) the length of the marriage; (v) whether the recipient spouse has custody of minor children requiring support; (vi) whether the recipient spouse worked in a business owned or operated by the payor spouse; and (vii) whether the recipient spouse directly contributed to any increase in the payor spouse’s skill by paying for education or allowing the payor spouse to attend school during the marriage. (Utah Code Ann. §30-3-5(8)(a)).
Additionally, Utah courts consider “all relevant facts and equitable circumstances.” (Utah Code Ann. §30-3-5(8)(c)) The family law team at Schmidt Law Firm have the knowledge and experience to apply the relevant factors to your circumstances and offer expert advice as to alimony.
When parents divorce or a child is born out of wedlock, a custody order is necessary to ensure that the child has a stable and consistent visitation schedule. It is important to learn about the child custody and visitation options that are available in Utah. There are two types of child custody. “Legal custody,” refers to which parent will have decision-making authority over the child’s education, child care, discipline and other major decisions regarding the child’s welfare. “Physical custody” refers to with which parent the children will reside. Parents may seek joint custody or sole custody. Custody determinations are complex. The courts consider a large variety of factors in determining what custody arrangement is in the best interest of the minor child. The family law team at Schmidt Law can assist you in navigating your child custody case.
In Utah, child support is the right of the child. A child receives financial support from both parents until he/she turns eighteen or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. Child support calculation pursuant to Utah Child Support Guidelines. Parents generally may not agree to waive or alter a child support obligation, unless there is a showing of sufficient extenuating circumstances. Additionally, parents pay half of all child care and medical expenses incurred on behalf of a child. The Schmidt Law Firm can review your circumstances and assist you in calculating your child support obligation.
During the course of a relationship, you accumulate real and personal property. In the event that your relationship ends, you will need to divide the property. Utah law provides for an “equitable distribution” of all marital property. Marital Property includes assets purchased or debts incurred during a marriage. Likewise, subject to equitable distribution. You will need to protect your separate property from being included in such distribution. Separate property includes assets obtained prior to the marriage, assets excluded from the marital estate through prenuptial agreement, inheritance, and gifts. The longer married, the more difficult it will be to distinguish marital assets from separate assets. The family law team at Schmidt Law can assist you in protecting your property interests.
When marriage dissolves, the experience can be highly emotional and stressful for everyone involved. The team at Schmidt Law can guide you through all of the complex and important issues involved in a divorce, including the division of property, alimony awards, child custody, and child support. We understand that each divorce is unique and personal, and we will work with you to achieve the best result possible and enable you to move forward with your life. Although many cases settle prior to trial, we thoroughly investigate and prepare for each case.
If you have children, Utah family law requires you to attend mediation. We often suggest that parties attend mediation even if they do not have children. Mediation provides an alternative to litigation, which can be significantly less expensive. During mediation, you and your spouse work with a neutral third party to reach an agreement as to all or a portion of your issues. Choosing a professional mediator with experience in legal and emotional matters is important to successful resolving your divorce. The team at Schmidt Law have the resources to assist you in selecting the best mediator for your unique case.
Once you file for divorce, many of your private matters will become public record. Requirements include disclosing detailed financial records, including tax returns, paycheck stubs, account statements, and asset valuations. The team at Schmidt Law can assist you in navigating the discovery process.
Enforcement of an order may, at times, be more difficult that obtaining the order. If a party fails to act as the court ordered, a motion may request compliance. The motion’s served on the other party and heard before the court. Also, you may also request that the other party be found “in contempt” and that additional sanctions be imposed. The experienced team at Schmidt Law can assist you in enforcing the court’s orders.
Over time, your needs or the needs of your children may change. If you can establish that there has been a “substantial change in circumstances” you may request that the court modifies your divorce decree or custody order. Review of child support and custody periodically ensures that the order continues to comply with the Utah Statutory Guidelines. If your circumstances have changed, the team at Schmidt Law can assist you in modifying your divorce, custody or support order.
A paternity action is an action whereby a father’s parental rights are legally recognized. Either parent or the state may file a paternity action to determine whether a man fathered a child. Established paternity warrants certain legal rights and obligations. Including the obligation to pay child support and medical expenses and the right to child custody and parent time. If you wish to assert your parental rights, the team at Schmidt Law can assist you in protecting your interests.
Marriage is a voluntary contract between two adults. When you decide to enter a marriage, you may want to include other rights and obligations in the marriage contract. Negotiating a prenuptial agreement prior to marriage can save you a significant amount of money and time in the event that your marriage ends. You can use a prenuptial agreement to protect separate assets, keep debts separate, provide for children in the event of divorce or death, designate an alimony award, or protect your business interests. The team at Schmidt Law can assist you in valuing assets and negotiating a prenuptial agreement.
If you are the victim of abuse or domestic violence, it is imperative that you seek an order protecting you from further violence. The court can remove an abuser from your residence and workplace and can order the abuser not to abuse, harass or contact you. If the abuser violates a protective order, criminal charges may be filed. The team at Schmidt Law regularly volunteer with Safe Haven to assist victims of domestic violence. We can assist you in ensuring your safety and well-being.
Utah law defines marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman. In addition, in Utah, same-sex couples cannot enter into a marriage and are not eligible for the protections that opposite-sex couples are entitled to. Additionally, Utah law prohibits co habitating unmarried couples from adopting. It is important for gay or LGBT couples to protect themselves legally. We can assist you in drafting a partnership agreement, estate plan or durable power of attorney to ensure that your partner will be taken care of in the event of death and to govern the division of property in the event that the partnership ends.
Let the experienced attorneys at Schmidt Law help you better understand your family law case. Call 801-990-6390 or Click Here to Schedule a Consultation.