5 things to Reduce Stress as a Divorced Single Parent

Being a single parent can be a really tedious and challenging task as you frequently encounter some new trouble or hurdle every time. We have some tips for you to reduce the single parenting stress and to make it a less formidable task.

Handle your finances-

One of the greatest challenges of being a single parent is, managing the finances. Parenting alone comes up with the tedious task of raising the kids on one income. Try to budget your time and money efficiently. Give priority to the expenses that cannot be avoided and limit your luxurious expenses. Think about the long-term investments and retirement plans.

Remove the communication gap-

Always speak up to your kids regarding the circumstances of the family. Don’t let them stay in the dark. Tell them the truth, answer them honestly and in an age-appropriate way, and make them feel loved.  It is very important to make them feel protected and wanted. Remove any communication gaps and build a strong relationship with the kids to create a healthy environment in your home. Treat kids like kids and don’t let your adult burdens and troubles pass on to them.

Take time for yourself-

If you are a single parent, it doesn’t mean you don’t have an adult life. Be open to others, make friends and do things that you love because the relationship with yourself is the most important relationship that one can keep. Eat healthier, exercise more often, and set a good example for your children.  Stress busters like meditation or yoga will help you to stay calm even in stressful situations. Even the small things like warm bath, or reading a book can help you refuel yourself with positive energy and thoughts. The inner happiness will also nourish your relationship with your kids.

Stay positive-

Always stay positive because there is always a greater plan for you and your kids. If you complain and vent often, your kids can learn those behaviors. If you are divorced, it is advised to not complain about your partner. Just focus on how to let your kids feel important for both the parent. Count your blessings and tell the kids to be thankful for what they have.

Have a support system-

There is no harm in asking for help when things get out of your hand. You can have someone to look after your kids or you can have someone to talk and share your problems with. Don’t hesitate to ask friends or family members to help you out.

Abolish guilt from your heart and mind for you and your kid’s well-being. Focus on little things and find happiness in them.

We at Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC are backed by years of experience and offer the best guidance and solutions to the single parents.  Please visit our website, WallLegalSolutions.com or give us a call at 801-441-2388. We are here to help.



About the Author:
The Wall's have over more 190 years of combined legal experience as divorce and family law attorneys. They aggressively represent their clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property, and debt division.


Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388

3 Tips to Successfully Manage Co-Parenting Conflict

However you ended up in your co-parenting situation, co-parenting isn't easy when you're not together anymore. You might have different parenting styles, or conflict from other parts of the relationship may spill over into the co-parenting part of the relationship.


A good family law attorney in Utah can help you hammer out a co-parenting agreement that spells out such details as who has custody, what the visitation schedule is, and how much and when child support is paid. This can be helpful for cutting down on conflict, but there are still other areas where conflict can arise that can't be put into an agreement on paper.
With that in mind, here are three tips for successfully managing co-parenting conflict:

Choose your battles wisely

As a parent, we always want what's best for our kids, in every aspect of life. Sometimes this desire for the best can lead to unnecessary battles with our child's other parent.


So it's important to choose your battles wisely. Fighting over every small thing is exhausting, creates tension for the kids, and sets up a negative relationship with your ex. It's hard to let go of control and trust your ex to do what's right by your kids sometimes, but to create the best co-parenting relationship and a healthy family for your kids, you have to do exactly that.


Decide what's most important and save the arguments for the big things: education, religion, dating, etc. If you only argue the big points, your co-parent will be more likely to listen to what you have to say and consider your concerns.

Back up the other parent whenever possible

Differences in values and discipline styles can often be one of the biggest points of conflict for parents who are no longer together. One parent disciplines the child in a way that the other parent wouldn't, or disciplines for something the other parent wouldn't. When this happens, it's easy to tell your child that you disagree with their other parent, and to ignore whatever discipline has been meted out.


Whenever possible, however, you should back the other parent up, even if you disagree. Express your disagreement in private to your ex, if you must, but always present a united front to your child. Otherwise, your child will begin to think they can play you against each other, and this will create more conflict between the two of you.

Limit "outsider" involvement

A family law attorney in Utah can help create agreements to make co-parenting smoother. A therapist or family counselor can help everyone express their thoughts and feelings. But beyond that, you should limit the involvement of people outside the two co-parents and the children. Step-parents, new partners, grandparents, and family friends all may mean well, but they simply muddy the water with their opinions.


Co-parenting isn't easy, but a family law attorney in Utah can give you a good base on which to build a better co-parenting relationship. Call Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC today for more information.


About the Author:
The Wall's have over more than 190 years of combined legal experience as divorce and family law attorneys. They aggressively represent their clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property and debt division.


Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388

3 Tips for Thriving Financially After Divorce

A divorce always takes its toll on both parties both emotionally and financially. Your standard of living decreases because you no longer have two salaries on which to depend in your household. Sadly, most people don’t prepare themselves for that particular consequence of divorce, but there are certain tips that can help you thrive financially after your marriage has ended.

Learn How to Budget

Knowing how to budget is the key to having financial success after a divorce. You probably already lived on a budget during your marriage, so it’s just as important to continue doing so after a divorce. After all, your finances are now less because you are relying only on your salary and other assets. It may be a challenge if you have never budget before, but it’s simpler than you might think. A good way to start is to make a list of all your income post-divorce, including alimony and child support. Then, list your fixed expenses like rent, car payments, insurance, utilities and others. Calculate all of those amounts and then you can determine how much money you have left over for the month for other things, such as paying a debt, paying for your children’s education, savings, and entertainment.

Pay Off Debt

One of the best ways to unburden yourself financially is to pay off your debt. It will also help you to thrive financially after you get a divorce. This should be part of your budgeting and you should think about any and all debt that you currently have and whether you would be able to reduce some of your expenses so that you can pay it off. It’s all about priorities, so, for example, if you have credit card balance owed, consider what you might be able to cut from your budget so that you can pay that debt.

It’s important to know what you have in terms of debt. Make a list of all outstanding debts, regardless of type. Always factor in any interest rates, loan terms, and other details so that you can determine the best way to pay back your debts. Generally, you should start with the debt that has the highest interest rate and works your way down.

Reevaluate Your Retirement Savings

It is extremely important to reevaluate your retirement savings after a divorce. When you were married, you probably pooled your finances with your spouse’s to go toward retirement, but now that you are newly single, you will have to think about how to save for yourself. You should include saving for your retirement in your monthly budget. Regardless of how much you put in, there should be enough that your retirement account can earn interest and grow over time.

If you live in Utah and are splitting up with your spouse, you need a skilled Salt Lake City divorce attorney representing you. Contact the office of Wall and Wall, Attorneys at Law to speak to a Salt Lake City divorce attorney at your earliest convenience.


About the Author:
Cory Wall has over 28 years experience as a divorce and family law attorney and is a member in good standing of the State Bars of both Utah and California. Cory aggressively representing his clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property, and debt division.

Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388

3 Tips for Making Visitation After Divorce Easier

If you have children and your marriage is ending, your biggest concern is likely their well-being. One of the biggest issues for children of divorce is visitation with the non-custodial parent. While this can be a challenging adjustment for parents and kids alike, you can take steps you can take to make transitions go more smoothly.

Stay Positive

Regardless of your feelings about your former spouse, you should avoid expressing negative feelings in front of your children. Instead, help them anticipate visitation with the other parent in a positive way, perhaps by talking about the fun they will have while there. By the same token, reassure your child that you'll miss them but will be fine while they are gone. Children may feel guilt if they sense that you are sad about the visit. When the children are with you, show them your love and affection by being present in the moment. Play games with them and have special moments together; avoid working and sending emails and texts when possible.

Be Polite and Respectful

One of the best things you can do for your children is remaining on good terms with the other parent. Respect their time by promptly dropping the children off or arriving at the designated meeting spot on time. If they are picking the child up at your house, make sure he or she is ready when they arrive. Avoid changing plans at the last minute when it's not absolutely necessary (flat tire, for example). Fostering an agreeable environment will help your child love and care for both parents without feeling guilty, an important component of self-esteem and healthy relationships. If possible, spending time together as a family, whether having lunch or seeing a movie, will help your child feel better about the divorce and ease the co-parenting relationship.

Have a Plan in Place

A written custody plan supports successful co-parenting and helps children and parents alike feel a sense of stability that will ease the transition into a two-parent household. This plan spells out information about visitation, including visitation with grandparents and other family members. It can also include details about school, activities, and rules to be followed at both homes. Once your divorce attorney Utah helps you create a plan that both partners agree on, stick to its terms for visitation. Communication about the plan should always be between the parents; children should not be relied upon as go-between to bring messages from one parent to another. Avoid talking about sensitive issues such as custody or support in front of the children. When children know what to expect and what is expected of them, they feel more secure and are able to adjust more easily to the divorce.

If you need a divorce attorney Utah, contact us for knowledge and expertise about the ins and outs of child custody and visitation.


About the Author:

Cory Wall has over 28 years experience as a divorce and family law attorney and is a member in good standing of the State Bars of both Utah and California. Cory aggressively representing his clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property, and debt division.


Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388

3 Tips to Speed Up a Divorce in Utah

Statistics show that 8.2% of men and 10.2% of women in the state of Utah have been divorced. Getting divorced can be a stressful experience; therefore, it is wise to have a divorce attorney Utah on your side to help the process go as quickly as possible. At Wall & Wall Attorneys at Law PC, we can make your divorce proceedings as painless as possible. Here are 3 tips that we use to speed up a divorce in Utah.

Get the Waiting Period Waived

The courts in Utah are not favorable on divorces; therefore, the law states that there must be a 90-day waiting period before a divorce can be final. However, if a divorce attorney Utah can prove there are extraordinary circumstances, he might be able to convince the courts to disregard the 90-day period. These circumstances can be difficult to prove so Wall & Wall Attorneys at Law will work hard to provide evidence to the court that the circumstances, in this case, are unique.

Be Prepared

If we can get organized as quickly as possible, we can speed up the divorce. We will help you collect necessary financial documents and any other paperwork that can be beneficial in your divorce. Some things that will be useful include tax returns, pay stubs, investment accounts, and credit card statements. If you have everything ready when you meet with us, we can get the ball rolling as quickly as possible to speed up the divorce proceedings. Have your questions written down so we can help you understand how the process will work. If a child is involved, we need to discuss child support options or if you wish to gain full custody of the child. We will ask you numerous questions so we can understand the situation.

Be on good Terms with your Spouse

We realize that this is easier said than done; however, a divorce will go much smoother if you two can cooperate. Having said this, cooperation doesn’t mean giving your spouse everything he or she wants. If you can communicate effectively with your soon to be ex, things will go quicker. There are deadlines that need to be met and papers that need to be signed. If both parties involved will get things done as quickly as possible, your divorce can be finalized quicker.


When you get married, you expect it to be forever. However, sometimes, life happens and things do not work out like we planned. Divorce can be very painful, so you want it over as quickly as possible. If you need a divorce attorney Utah, contact Wall & Wall Attorneys at Law PC to assist you with your divorce. We will work hard to get your divorce finalized in a timely manner. Contact us today! You can then move on with your life and put this chapter in your life in the past.


About the Author:
Cory Wall has over 28 years experience as a divorce and family law attorney and is a member in good standing of the State Bars of both Utah and California. Cory aggressively representing his clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property, and debt division.


Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388

3 Things a Family Law Attorney Can Help You With

If you're thinking about divorce or if you're hoping to establish a child custody order, you might wonder what an attorney can do for you. With more than 10,000 people divorcing each year in Utah, you're not alone. Here are three ways that a family law attorney can help you with your case:

We help you make informed decisions

At Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC, we don't just represent our clients. Instead, we educate them about Utah family law and how it applies to their case. That way, they can make informed choices about the best steps in their case.

For example, once a custody order is in place, there are some aspects that are hard to change. Other parts of a custody order are significantly easier to change. Clients can make better decisions about resolving a child custody dispute when they understand the law and how it applies to them. We also make sure that our clients understand how any special circumstances might affect their cases such as a parent's service in the military or a parent's criminal history or substance abuse. Our family law attorney Salt Lake City team helps clients make smart decisions for their case with a full understanding of the law.

We discover and value assets

When you get divorced, it's up to you to prove to the judge what the marital assets are and what they're worth. It's not uncommon for people getting divorced to try to hide their assets or try to convince the other party that the asset is worth much less than its actual value. Our family law attorney Salt Lake City team has a process to find assets and make sure that they're valued fairly.

Our training allows us to demand that the other side produces information about assets and their value. Our experience allows us to look at each piece of information with a critical eye to make sure that the other side has nothing to hide. The end result can be a more favorable outcome for our client than they might have received otherwise.

We can look for loopholes

Our family law attorney Salt Lake City professionals have represented hundreds of divorce clients over many years. We know how to make sure that a divorce judgment and custody order are written in a clear and understandable way. Ambiguities or omissions can become a problem almost as soon as the ink is dry on a court order. When provisions are written in a way that's not clear or that we've seen become a problem in another case, we can correct a potential problem before it even starts.

If you're facing a family law case, let's talk. At Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC, we look for solutions for our clients. We take the time to answer all of your questions and put your mind at ease, and our team measures success one client at a time. You can learn more about our company at WallLegalSolutions.com. Contact us today to meet with our team and explore what we can do for you.


About the Author:
Cory Wall has over 28 years experience as a divorce and family law attorney and is a member in good standing of the State Bars of both Utah and California. Cory aggressively representing his clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property, and debt division.



Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388

3 Tips for Creating a Parenting Plan

Creating a parenting plan after divorce can seem extremely challenging at first. However, creating a plan for your family doesn't have to be stressful. With the help of us here at Wall & Wall Attorneys at Law, you'll be able to create a plan that keeps both the parents and the children happy. Here are some useful tips for creating a plan after divorce from our attorneys.

Consider the strengths of each parent.

Every family's plan is very different. This is because all parents and children have very different needs. Even within your family, it's almost certain that each parent has a specific skill set and is good at very different things.

For example, if one parent has always handled financial matters such as setting up bank accounts and health insurance for the children, allow them to keep these responsibilities after the divorce. If the other parent normally handled child care responsibilities and managing the education of the children, they should keep these responsibilities as well.

When creating a plan, a good rule of thumb is to let each parent continue doing what they're good at.

Let the children have a say and keep their wishes in mind.

Obviously, there are some parts of the parenting plan that children won't understand. eir medical records or who claims them on their income taxes. However, it's important to let them have input in areas that they do understand.

For example, if your child is worried about missing the parent they don't live with during the week, specify in the plan that they can have video calls with them once a day. If they want to spend a certain holiday with one parent and their family, those wishes should be taken into consideration. It's easy for a child to feel like their life is no longer in their hands when a plan is too strict. Therefore it's important to let them have some input about matters that concern them.

Take revisions into consideration.

It's important to include options for revision in the plan. Things may change through the years, and since the plan is intended to last for a long time it's normal to have to revise it now and then. Your plan should clearly discuss the process of revision and how you can incorporate revisions into the plan in the future. Therefore if someone isn't happy with how things are working out, there can always be changes. This freedom of choice will make everyone feel a lot better about the plan.

Creating a plan for your family doesn't have to be difficult. At Wall & Wall Attorneys at Law PC, we aim to make the process as easy as possible for everyone involved. We also strive to create a plan that everyone is hap

About the Author:

Cory Wall has over 28 years experience as a divorce and family law attorney and is a member in good standing of the State Bars of both Utah and California. Cory aggressively representing his clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property, and debt division.

Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388

3 Things a Utah Divorce Attorney Can Do for You

Virtually everyone would agree that divorce is never pleasant. Even during amicable divorce proceedings, disputes frequently arise that can significantly complicate the process and cause you to become tangled in endless red tape. The cause of such complications is usually one or more legal mistakes. Below are three of the most common mistakes that our experienced lawyers at Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC will advise you to avoid:

Failure to Protect Assets

It is advisable for all clients to protect their assets. If you suspect your spouse is disposing of assets, the holder of the notes should be informed that a dissolution is pending. The correspondence should state that a divorce is in a process and the distribution of assets will be determined at the hearing. Court orders are often needed to protect a person's assets, and therefore you should never procrastinate if it becomes obvious that your spouse is attempting to sell off personal property or real estate before the court date. It is also important to keep a close eye on liquid investments: pay special attention to the cash value of insurance policies and closely watch the balance of any joint bank accounts.

Overlooking Tax Implications

The impact of your divorce settlement on taxes can be costly if not properly addressed. Unfortunately, it is very common for a person to misunderstand the tax implications of a divorce and the impact of alimony, child support or capital gains on his or her return. This is yet another area where our professionals at Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law can offer invaluable advice. For example, evaluating capital gains tax when real estate is divided is a vital step. People who attempt to handle a divorce without professional help often overlook this aspect or are unaware that capital gains laws may apply to investments such as mutual funds.

Concerning taxes, you must also proceed with caution regarding any real estate received in a settlement. For example, if you did not seek the advice of an attorney, you may be tempted to take property from your spouse as part of a settlement, but at the same time be unaware of the property's tax liability.

It is easy to see why it is necessary to consult with one of our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys before attempting to wade through the complicated effects of divorce on your taxes.

Perils of a Do-it-Yourself Divorce

Many people fall into the trap of thinking it is possible to become a legal expert by reading a few books on divorce or seeking advice from others who have been divorced in the past. Unfortunately, in most cases, a do-it-yourself divorce ends badly. This is because when expert advice is sought too late or not at all, the legal mistakes that occur cannot be undone.

Seek Competent Counsel Today

Fortunately, our experts are always available to assist you with all phases of your divorce and support you throughout the process. We will ensure that the best possible advice is given and subsequently the most positive outcome achieved. If you are in the process of a divorce and need legal counsel, do not hesitate to contact Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC for professional help.

About the Author:

Cory Wall has over 28 years experience as a divorce and family law attorney and is a member in good standing of the State Bars of both Utah and California. Cory aggressively representing his clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property, and debt division.

Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388

3 Questions to Ask a Divorce Lawyer on First Visit

Preparing for a divorce is a challenging task many people often dread. That is why we take our time to educate clients on the best practices when hiring and engaging a divorce attorney. According to the National Marriage Project, the number of divorce attorneys in the country has nearly doubled since 1960. Due to the increased numbers, clients are most likely to come across untrained and inexperienced divorce lawyers. Here are critical questions to ask a divorce attorney on the first visit to help you get the best experience.

How Much Will the Divorce Case Cost?

We don’t promise clients exact fee quotes. Instead, we analyze the scope of the case to establish a suitable fee. Someone who wants legal services will pay more than a client who needs less. We issue our clients with a retainer agreement for them to review. The retainer agreement includes our hourly rate, the advance retainer amount and a list of other costs related to the case. The agreement also contains our collection approach in case a customer fails to pay the fees as indicated and the penalties for late payments. We allow our clients to ask questions about the retainer before they sign it. We also provide a monthly itemized statement that highlights all the costs related to the case.

What is the Mode of Communication?

We understand how a divorce can affect our customers' assets, children and home. As a result, we take our time to design a mode of communication that is secure, convenient and cost-effective to take care of their interests. Our customer service representatives are always on standby to return calls, emails and texts within 24 hours. We always keep customers informed of what is going on in their case. This includes settlement negotiations, court appointments and witness conferences. The clients also have the freedom to choose their most preferred communication channel.

How Many Divorce Cases Have You Handled?

A good divorce attorney should have at least 10 years of experience. An experienced attorney knows what he is doing and can come up with the best approach to a particular divorce case. An experienced attorney should have a good number of cases in his resume, including custody and parenting time cases. Our team of divorce lawyers boasts a lot of experience spanning over 30 years. They have the required skills and knowledge to negotiate local settlements and handle cases that go to trials. They know the right approach to take when preparing subpoenas, exhibits, trial questions and witnesses. The lawyers handle complex issues such as alimony and division of business assets. They work day in day out to ensure the client achieves the best outcome out of the case.

Do not hesitate to call Wall & Wall Attorneys if you are facing a divorce. Our attorneys will work with you in the most convenient way possible to ensure you get the best out of the case. We also work with many legal professions to enhance customer experience. Call us today for a free initial consultation.

About the Author:

Cory Wall has over 28 years experience as a divorce and family law attorney, and is a member in good standing of the State Bars of both Utah and California. Cory aggressively representing his clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property and debt division.

Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388

3 Benefits of an Uncontested Divorce in Utah

Does anyone really want to spend more time on their divorce? Does anyone really want to drag it out any longer than necessary? If you're like most, your primary goal is to bring the relationship to an end so you can move on with your life. Unfortunately a typical divorce is an adversarial process that naturally brings a great deal of stress to your life. If you choose an uncontested divorce is Utah, though, you'll be able to benefit from the factors below.

It's (Typically) Cheaper - And Faster

Generally speaking, divorce is an expensive proposition. It's not just the fees you have to pay to your lawyer that count - you may have to take time off of work to go to court or miss out on important job opportunities in order to bring the marriage to an end. When you get an uncontested divorce, though, you'll be given a chance to resolve things quickly and inexpensively. Because there is less work involved, there is always a lower cost for an uncontested divorce than a contested divorce. Because there is no need to go to court and less of a need to negotiate, there's also less time spent for all involved.

Less Public Information

If you value your privacy, an uncontested divorce might be for you. Even if there are things about which you disagree, it might be better to simply sign off and move on for those who don't want their dirty laundry aired in public. Once the divorce goes to the court, you'll likely have to air a good bit of dirty laundry that you might hope to keep private. If your divorce is uncontested, though, you can keep these issues between you and your former spouse.
Uncontested divorces are especially important for people how value their standing in the community. Contested divorces will almost always involve some degree of disclosure and you never know who will use that information in the future. Choose an uncontested divorce if you wish to keep your secrets to yourself.

Easier on All Involved

Perhaps more importantly, an uncontested divorce is far easier for everyone involved. Because it is generally faster than a contested divorce, you will be able to bring your relationship to an end without drawing out the process. You will also be given the chance to move on without going through an adversarial process - something that can help you to set the tone for any relationship you might have in the future. Uncontested divorces are also far easier on children, as there will be less of a need for the children to become involved in the divorce process. You can put your children first by avoiding court and going through an uncontested divorce.

An uncontested divorce is your best chance to reduce the length, expensive, and stress generated by your divorce. If you need help moving forward with your divorce process, make sure to contact us at Wall and Wall Attorneys at Law. We're here to help you make the right decisions for your divorce.


About the Author:
Cory Wall has over 28 years experience as a divorce and family law attorney, and is a member in good standing of the State Bars of both Utah and California. Cory aggressively representing his clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property and debt division.

Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388

Things That Determine Alimony Payments in Utah

The state of Utah takes marriage seriously when couples decide to divorce. There are always several factors that must be considered during the decree determination and division of assets is one of the most important. Several factors can impact this division, including length of the marriage and the earning capacity of the paying spouse. The standard of living enjoyed during the marriage can matter as well with regard to income potential and personal assets brought to the marriage. Some property can be allocated as personal, but financial gains accrued on those assets during the time of the marriage could well be included in property division. For couples with significant assets, this can be a very complicated and contentious issue in the final divorce decree, and having an experienced law firm handling the case is very important for an equitable divorce settlement.

Financial Status of the Family

Financial status of the family is involved practically in every aspect of a divorce. Some of factors that will be included are evaluating the asset value and the time at which the assets were acquired. Utah is not a community property state, but the general rule of a one-half split does not necessarily apply in certain situations because the court has considerable latitude when inspecting all marital finances. Debt can be a major factor as well. Value determination of assets can be complicated when retirement packages are included or if the couple owned a viable profitable business. In addition, if the recipient spouse contributed to the earning power of the paying spouse during the marriage by paying for any education leading to that increase, a portion of the ongoing earnings can be included in a final decree. Spouses who have contributed in any manner to the success of the business will be entitled to a portion of the value of the family business based specific factors of valuation.

Fault

In some states, the fault that is listed in the divorce papers for the dissolution of the marriage is not applicable during division of property. Utah is not one of those states. If the behavior of one spouse regarding infidelity or illegal activity is listed as part of the reasoning for the divorce filing, the court can include those claims when determining any financial disposition of property, including direct alimony payments. Behavior that contributes to the need for a divorce can matter greatly in Utah, including ongoing financial viability and standard of living had the marriage continued until the death of one spouse. Emotional damage done during the course of the marriage can matter when the court makes financial decisions.

Dependents

Although child support is usually a separate issue from alimony, the number and health of minor dependent children can matter when alimony is being determined. The earning capacity of the paying spouse is a central consideration along with accumulated assets, but ongoing financial support of dependent children can include valuation of assets that would also contribute to that support, including the cost of health care and insurance.
Alimony can be a complicated issue in a Utah divorce, and it is always a good decision to retain an attorney that is focused in practice on divorce cases like the legal professionals at Wall & Wall Attorneys at Law. Let them put their experience and expertise at work for you.


About the Author:
Cory Wall has over 28 years experience as a divorce and family law attorney, and is a member in good standing of the State Bars of both Utah and California. Cory aggressively representing his clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property and debt division.


Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388