Utah Divorce & Family Law Blog

Bad behaviors can cause issues during child custody proceedings

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Getting a divorce can be a time of stress and conflict for some Utah residents. Though many methods can allow individuals to work through the various proceedings in an amicable way, many people do not feel able to follow those methods. In fact, some parties may believe that child custody and other related proceedings are becoming more contentious.

One possible reason that individuals feel more likely to cause conflict during a case is because bad behaviors see less punishment these days. For example, individuals can post on various social media outlets making offensive comments, and rather than being reprimanded in some way, someone else typically offers an offensive retort. As a result, these contentious, negative behaviors are often fueled and can spill over from online life to real-life situations.

Is it possible to maintain privacy during your divorce?

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates on Friday, January 24, 2020.

You, like most other Utah residents, undoubtedly value your privacy. You do not feel the need to poke your nose into the personal goings-on in other people's lives, and you hope that others would provide you the same courtesy. Of course, now that you are getting a divorce, you worry about your personal information becoming public knowledge.

It is true the information in public divorce cases become part of the public record. The idea of interested parties having access to such information may make you squirm. As a result, you may wonder whether you have options for better maintaining your privacy during this time.

Living arrangements will play a part in child custody outcomes

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.

For many Utah parents, it can be immensely difficult to be away from their children for any length of time, especially when their kids are young. Of course, when parents divorce, it is likely that at least one parent will be spending much less time with the kids than hoped. Because making a good presentation to the court can make a considerable difference in child custody outcomes, parents may want to ensure they have everything in order.

In particular, parents may want to consider how their living arrangements could affect a judge's view of their custody capabilities. For example, the court wants children to have enough space in both parents' homes. Even if the children only come for visitation every other weekend, the noncustodial parent still needs to have enough space for their children to sleep and conduct activities. If a child may have to sleep on the couch, the court may limit visitation.

Financial concerns are normal when heading toward divorce

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

Though many people try to make their marriages work even when they hit hard times, it is not meant for all relationships to work out. As a result, numerous Utah residents may be considering divorce, but they may also worry about how the process will affect their lives. In particular, they may have concerns about the property and the financial impacts of ending a marriage.

Fortunately, individuals do not have to fear that they will be left with nothing after a divorce. They can take steps to prepare for the process and work toward protecting their assets. For example, parties can inventory their assets and gain a clear idea of what is marital property and what is separate property. By having this information, each person can know what he or she may need to put more effort into protecting.

Even with court orders, child support is not easy to collect

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Ending a marriage is not typically an easy decision to make. Most people in Utah and across the country give the idea a great deal of thought before deciding to move forward with this life-changing process. If children are involved, the decision can be even more difficult, and in some cases, obtaining child support can be as well.

It may come as a surprise to some that child support is not as readily obtained by custodial parents as some might think. While statistics from 2018 indicate that five out of six custodial parents are mothers, only about half of those mothers receive child support. When it comes to custodial fathers, only approximately 30% receive this type of support payment.

A New Year's resolution to stay healthy could apply to divorce

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

Being healthier is a common goal that many people in Utah set as a New Year's resolution. While many people think of going on a diet and exercising more as ways to get or remain healthy, it is important to think of mental health as well. It may be particularly important to find ways to remain healthy when going through a divorce.

If a relationship was toxic, it is likely that a divorce will be too. However, even individuals who ended their relationships on good terms can still face contention when dissolving their marriage. If individuals want to have a healthy divorce, they may want to focus on putting kindness and compassion at the forefront. They may be less likely to start conflicts when thinking about the needs of the other party, but showing kindness and compassion to oneself can also help the process remain a healthy one.

Heading for a Utah divorce court in the new year?

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates on Friday, December 27, 2019.

If you're one of many Utah spouses who have decided to file for divorce as part of your ultimate New Year plan, you still have time to research state laws and learn as much as you can about the process before heading to court. It is definitely not a good idea to show up in court while lacking even the most basic knowledge of how the family law system works and what to expect as you work toward a fair and agreeable settlement.

As a parent, your children's best interests will no doubt be a main focus of all proceedings, especially those pertaining to custody, visitation or child support. It's critical that you know your rights and how to protect them as you and your kids make plans for a new lifestyle.

New year, new relationship status? Divorce common in January

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Monday, December 23, 2019.

Getting through the holidays can be more difficult for some Utah residents than others. This season can be filled with many emotions, and it is possible for the stress associated with multiple family gatherings and end-of-the-year obligations to bring more negative emotions to the forefront. In fact, it is common for holiday strain to cause couples to consider divorce.

With January just around the corner, many people may be thinking about the ways that they can improve their lives in the coming year. It may be of little surprise to some that getting divorced may seem like an improvement to those who are in unhappy marriages. Because couples and parents certainly do not want to spring the news of ending a marriage right before Christmas, individuals often wait until after the new year to begin the marriage dissolution process.

Telling the kids about divorce over dinner

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.

When wanting to end a marriage, many people worry about how they will break the news to their spouse. However, it can be just as difficult to break the news to their children. As a result, it is important for Utah parents who are getting a divorce to approach the topic gently with their children.

One way that parents can tell their children about a divorce is by doing it over dinner. Both parents can sit down with the kids and tell them what is going to happen. This method gives the children the opportunity to ask questions to both parents and express their feelings with the entire family. It may be difficult, but if both parents remain calm and civil, they may be better able to help their children through this discussion.

Physical activity during divorce can help combat stress, anxiety

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, December 10, 2019.

Ending a marriage can cause major disruptions to any Utah resident's life. Some people may think that divorce is the best option for their unhappy relationships, and others may feel completely devastated by the turn of events. In either case, it is important to remember that ending a marriage can be a stressful ordeal and that taking care of oneself during this time is important.

When individuals are stressed and overwhelmed, it is common for them to feel unmotivated or even as if they are in some kind of fog. It can be difficult to muster the energy necessary to combat the negative effects of stress, but physical activity can help in many ways. Exercise can help fight feelings of anxiety, depression and stress as well as allow for social interaction if parties go to a gym with friends or take a class.