Sunday, April 29, 2018

Can Bankruptcy Help Me?

Good question, with no easy pre-packaged answer. If you’re struggling with debt and looking for a way out, it’s in your best interest to at least talk to a professional. There are simply too many variables involved with the “can bankruptcy help?” question to get competent advice from the internet. With sites like this, you have the opportunity to begin your research and learn quite a lot, but ultimately, you’ll need a lawyer familiar with the laws of your state and the particularities of your local system.

Can Bankruptcy Help Me

Filing For Bankruptcy is a Major Decision. Necessary For Some, Unnecessary For Others…

You don’t just throw a bankruptcy in your shopping cart and head for the check out, it’s a major life decision that should not be entered into lightly. In some cases, bankruptcy can really help. Some families who are avoiding filing for bankruptcy shouldn’t be, they could use the help. In other situations, filing for bankruptcy would be a big mistake. One of the themes we try to emphasize on this forum is that no two bankruptcy cases are identical. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, filing for bankruptcy is much more than just filling out some forms. Debt relief at the federal level is powerful, complicated and unforgiving. It can offer tremendous relief when done the right way (see: Filing Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer? Know The Risks). You pay a bankruptcy attorney to weigh all of the variables and to guide you through the process if you need it, or point you in another direction if you don’t. But I can hear the readers researching bankruptcy, at home, late at night, saying: “OK, we get that no two bankruptcy filings are the same, and that we need good representation, but can you answer the question please! Will bankruptcy help me?” Again, ultimately a question for a lawyer, not Google, but to begin your research, let’s roll up our sleeves and delve into some common debt scenarios and break it down.

Can Bankruptcy Help With Credit Card Debt?

A softball pitch to start. High interest credit card debt is one of the most common reasons folks file for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy can be a big help with your credit card bills. How? Assuming they were incurred in good faith, the bankruptcy discharge eliminates unsecured debts such as credit cards and medical bills. After you file for bankruptcy, your credit report should reflect zero balances on credit cards and lenders are permanently prevented from trying to collect. If they try, they can get in hot water with the bankruptcy judge.

Will Bankruptcy Help With Collection Calls?

Yes, we can check that box as well. Take some time to read up on the automatic stay, it’s a powerful injunction that stops all collection activity in its tracks the minute a bankruptcy case is filed. Once you seek bankruptcy protection, your creditors are prohibited from calling you. Even “friends” checking in on debts need to respect the bubble.

Does Bankruptcy Stop a Foreclosure?

Not only does the automatic stay stop creditor phone calls, it stops all collection activity including lawsuits, garnishment and, yes, foreclosure. Bankruptcy and foreclosure is a complicated subject, but bankruptcy can help at least delay a foreclosure sale of your home.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a faster process than Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Most Chapter 7 cases are open and shut within a six-month window. When you file bankruptcy (7 or 13), a court-ordered injunction, known as the automatic stay, prevents the bank from foreclosing on your home. This is true even if you file bankruptcy the day before the foreclosure sale is set to take place. That’s the good news, now on to the not so good news. Even after a bankruptcy case has commenced, and the almighty stay is in place, lenders can file what is known as a motion for relief from stay. The motion for relief allows them to continue with the foreclosure process even while your bankruptcy case is live.

For a detailed breakdown of how bankruptcy can help stop foreclosure, see this post: Bankruptcy and Foreclosure: What You Need to Know.

Will Bankruptcy Help My Spouse if I Don’t File?

Potentially, yes it can. However the answer will hinge on whether your debts were incurred jointly or separately. Bankruptcy only eliminates the personal liability of the individual that actually files. If you and your spouse have incurred joint debt, she files and you don’t, you’ll still be on the hook for the debt. Conversely, if your spouse has incurred quite a bit of debt in her name and you haven’t, bankruptcy can help get you out of debt while preserving your credit. Check out this post for more information.

Can Bankruptcy Help With IRS and State Taxes?

Yes, but only in limited circumstances. If your taxes have been due for at least three years and your returns were filed more than two years ago, your taxes are likely dischargeable in bankruptcy. If you don’t meet this criteria, you’re stuck with your tax debts even if you file bankruptcy. Keep in mind, your taxes are due in April of the next tax year. 2012 taxes aren’t technically due until April of 2013. The three year time period starts running from the due date. assuming no extensions have been filed, your 2012 taxes become dischargeable in April of 2016. The IRS wants to make sure they have a number of years to take a good crack at you before you’re allowed to wipe out the tax debts in bankruptcy. For more information, see this post: Tax Debts and Bankruptcy.

Will Bankruptcy Help With My Mortgage?

Yes and No. On the one hand, filing for chapter 13 bankruptcy can help you save a home from foreclosure by forcing your lender to take past due mortgage payments in small increments over a 3-5 year period rather than forcing you to pay back what you owe in a lump sum right away. The concept is explained well in this post: Can Bankruptcy Save My Home?

The all too common scenario unfolds a lot like this: a consumer falls behind on their mortgage and starts to get calls and letters from their lender. They then try to negotiate a modification or payment plan to get caught up. Unfortunately, in most cases the mortgage modification attempt fails after many months of haggling with “loss mitigation” bureaucrats or the bank demanding the arrearages in one lump sum. The consumer can’t afford to come current on their entire past due balance and eventually they lose their home to foreclosure. Chapter 13 bankruptcy changes the playing field by forcing lenders to accept past due mortgage payments in small increments over a period of 3-5 years which gives many families a realistic chance of getting caught up and saving their home. The past due mortgage payments are then added to the existing mortgage payment going forward.

Although the ability to catch up on past due mortgage payments can be a big help for many families who are struggling to stay in their homes, it is important to remember that filing for bankruptcy doesn’t give you a free house. You’ll always need to maintain normal monthly mortgage payments if you wish to keep your home. Failure to pay the mortgage on time will almost always result in the lender seeking permission to foreclose. If, on the other hand, you’re one of the millions of Americans who find themselves underwater on their home values, and your mortgage has become a financial albatross that you can no longer afford to carry, filing for bankruptcy gives you the right to surrender the property and walk away with no liability for a deficiency judgment.

Can Bankruptcy Help With My Mortgage Modification?

Well, maybe not in exactly the way you might be envisioning. Your bankruptcy judge won’t get on the phone and take Bank of America to task for giving you the runaround for a year or more. However, the bankruptcy laws do allow junior liens to be stripped from your primary residence in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. What does this mean? First off, the rule only applies to your primary residence, investment property need not apply. If you find yourself owing more than your home is worth based on the balance of your first mortgage, the second and third mortgages can actually be stripped or removed from your house. You’ll need a current appraisal to prove property value. Once this has been accomplished, your bankruptcy lawyer will file a lawsuit in the bankruptcy court seeking to have the liens removed. If the appraisal is credible, it is unlikely that the mortgage company will object and you’ll be left with a reduced housing payment.

Can Bankruptcy Help With My Car Payments?

Another yes. The same principle applies in the car context as it does in the mortgage context. First, you have the option of surrendering a car you can no longer afford and walking away. This is true regardless of whether you are currently leasing or financed the purchase of the car. If you wish to keep the car and lower payments, filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy can do that as well. Just as second and third mortgage liens can be stripped from your home, the balance of a car loan can be reduced or “crammed down” to match the current market value of your car. In the cram down scenario, there is no requirement that there be a junior lien before your primary loan can be chopped, however, loans made within 910 days of filing are not eligible for cram down. The cram down option is a powerful tool for many consumers because, as we all know, the value of a car starts to go down the minute you drive it off the lot.

Free Consultation with a Utah Bankruptcy Lawyer

If you have a bankruptcy question, or need to file a bankruptcy case, call Ascent Law now at (801) 676-5506. Attorneys in our office have filed over a thousand cases. We can help you. Come in or call in for your free consultation.

Michael R. Anderson, JD

Ascent Law LLC
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506
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Is a Foreclosure Better or a Short Sale?

As Utah Real Estate Lawyer, we get a lot of calls from clients who tell us that their real estate agent has recommended a short sale as an alternative to foreclosure.  The selling point is that you will avoid a foreclosure on your credit report.  Homeowners think this is a great option, but, while it sounds great, the reality isn’t as wonderful.  A short sale can lead to a number of pitfalls, short sales are not necessarily better than the dreaded foreclosure. Some common short sale traps are outlined below.

Is a Foreclosure Better or a Short Sale

Short Sales Cost Time and Money

(1) You don’t receive any money from a short sale, yet you have to keep your home in sale ready condition: in a short sale, your lenders are agreeing to take less than what is owed.  This means that there is no equity in the home for you.  When the sale is closed, you will receive no income whatsoever.  Your real estate agent, in an effort to get the house sold, will probably ask you to spend some time and money throwing a fresh coat of paint on the walls, repair some items that are damaged, in one instance, a client of mine was asked to install a new furnace before the sale.   These are all costs that you will not recover from the sale of the home.

You Might Still Owe the Bank After a Short Sale!

(2) You may still be obligated on the debt: when the lender agrees to a short sale, the lender is only agreeing to ‘release’ their lien on the property for less than what they are owed.  It is very likely that the lender will ask you, the seller, to sign an unsecured note for the difference owed between what was received in the short sale v. what the value of the original promissory note was.  This can leave you without a home and owing thousands of dollars to the mortgage lenders!  This is particularly egregious because in many states, the first mortgage is considered to be a non-recourse mortgage.  This means that when the home is foreclosed on, the senior mortgage lender does not have the right to come after the homeowner for any deficiency balance.  This is the case in Washington State.  Second mortgages do have a right to sue for any deficiency they may have in a foreclosure in Washington State.  However, if you do a short sale, the mortgage company can essentially contract around this ‘non-recourse’ provision and make you liable for the money they didn’t recover from the sale.  This is a terrible position to be in!

Short Sales Bring With Them Tax Liability for Debt Forgiveness

(3) You may owe taxes on the amount of forgiven debt from the short sale: although there is some recent federal law that may remove your tax obligations from a short sale, you should be cautious that the amount of the forgiven loan is not reported by your mortgage company as income to you.  This would take place in the form of a 1099 tax form and you could be liable for taxes after the home has sold at short sale.  Consult with a tax attorney in your jurisdiction to learn more about this.

Short Sales are Only Slightly Better on Your Credit than Foreclosure

(4) On your credit report, a short sale doesn’t look much better than a foreclosure.  Both are big marks against you in the credit world.  While a foreclosure looks slightly worse, with the time and effort you have to put in to keep you home in sale ready condition, the potential pitfalls of owing the balance of the mortgage anyway after the short sale, as well as the potential tax consequences, it might be worth it to simply let the home go into foreclosure and walk away.  I spend a lot of time counseling debtors away from short sales.  In the final analysis, they are the ones doing all the work and getting none of the benefit.  It is easier to simply let the home go into foreclosure, file bankruptcy to deal with the debt and start over again from scratch.  When your back is against the wall, sometimes you have to be able to see the forest through the trees. A short sale is not always what you real estate agent advertises it to be.

Free Initial Consultation with a Real Estate Lawyer

When you are faced with foreclosure, call Ascent Law for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you.

Michael R. Anderson, JD

Ascent Law LLC
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506
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Saturday, April 28, 2018

Equal Rights for Fathers and Mothers

I live in the United States of America, and I’ve been a Child Custody Lawyer for long, long time, and I believe most people would agree is a country in which the equality of men and women is the greatest on earth.

Equal Rights for Fathers and Mothers

The U.S.A. works vigilantly to ensure that men and women are not treated unfairly under the law because of their sex and/or gender.

Equality Problems for Moms and Dads

One of which is the treatment of parents in child custody disputes.

Everyone knows as a de facto matter that women/mothers are generally favored over men/fathers in matters of child custody awards. The reasons why can be explained briefly by this excerpt from Wikipedia on the “tender years doctrine”:

Historically, English family law gave custody of the children to the father after a divorce because the father is able to provide the child. Until the 19th century, the women had few individual rights and obligations, most being derived through their fathers or husbands. In the early nineteenth century, Caroline Norton, a prominent social reformer author, journalist, and society beauty, began to campaign for the right of women to have custody of their children. Norton, who had undergone a divorce and been deprived of her children, worked with politicians and eventually was able to convince the British Parliament to enact legislation to protect mothers’ rights, with the Custody of Infants Act 1839, which gave some discretion to the judge in a child custody case and established a presumption of maternal custody for children under the age of seven years maintaining the responsibility from financial support to their husbands.[1] In 1873 the Parliament extended the presumption of maternal custody until a child reached sixteen.[2] The doctrine spread in many states of the world because of the British Empire. By the end of the 20th century, the doctrine was abolished in most of the United States and Europe.

Equal Rights In United States

Tender years doctrine was also frequently used in the 20th century being gradually replaced towards the end of the century, in the legislation of most states, by the “best interests of the child” doctrine of custody.[3] Furthermore, several courts have held that the tender years doctrine violates the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.[4]

Even though it is said that the tender years doctrine was ostensibly abrogated in most of the U.S.A., it really hasn’t been. Culturally, the pervasive belief goes something like, “Let’s face it, everyone knows that women are generally better parents than men, so it’s a safe bet that awarding custody of the kids to mom is a safe bet.” And, frankly, there is some truth underlying this belief. Women carry their children for 9 months and develop a bond with their children in the course of pregnancy and birth. Only women can nurse. Women constitute the overwhelming number of personal care providers for a couple’s children, particularly their very young children. In the animal kingdom the “mama bear” is a real thing.

But a problem arises when courts approach a child custody award with an unfounded presumption that women are better parents than men and then “determine” that the mother is the better parent primarily based upon that presumption. That’s bias. That’s sexual discrimination, pure and simple.

I don’t have rigorously up to date data, but while equal custody awards are on the upswing, the estimates are that in the U.S. mothers are awarded primary custody at least 70% of the time, fathers receive primary custody slightly more than 10% of the time, and equal custody is awarded less than 10% of the time.

If this is the way the courts treat men and women in the U.S.A., I must hypothesize that countries that care less about preventing sexual discrimination favor one sex over the other even more when it comes to making child custody awards.

Divorce and Custody

Because divorce almost invariably changes the nature of both parents’ parental roles.

Where the husband/father has (usually) been, previous to divorce, the primary breadwinner, both parents will find themselves working, and usually working full-time for their individual support. The mothers end up taking on more breadwinner responsibilities. This and other consequences of divorce compel the fathers to take on more personal child caretaking responsibilities.

Regardless, the idea that “children are better off in the care of the mother than the father” is a notion that is hardly settled by hard data. Children don’t want one of their parents to be relegated to second-class status. Where two loving and fit parents go through divorce and both are ready, willing, and able to exercise joint custody of their children, it appears to me painfully and rationally obvious that the best “parent” [singular] is both parents.

Free Consultation with Child Custody Lawyer

If you have a question about child custody question or if you need help with a child support issue, please call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will help you.

Michael R. Anderson, JD

Ascent Law LLC
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506
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Friday, April 27, 2018

Are Prenuptial Agreements a Good Idea?

The law that governs prenuptial agreements (known as “premarital agreements” in Utah) is found in the Utah Code in Title 30, Chapter 8. We will answer most questions about premarital agreements by referring to the applicable sections of the Utah Code and some Utah case law on the subject.

Are Prenuptial Agreements a Good Idea

Should I get a Prenup?

In answering this question, as a prenup lawyer, I could give you the generic opinions that you can find in dozens of other blog postings and articles online or in the library, so I will leave you to the web or the library to find those.  As to my personal opinion:

For most people (especially young people marrying for the first (and hopefully the only) time, I don’t feel that prenuptial agreements are a good idea.  The very fact that the question (of whether prenuptial agreements are a good idea) is asked implies that people have their doubts.

Briefly, prenuptial agreements often make sense for people entering into another marriage after divorce or after the death of a spouse.  Prenuptial agreements in these situations can help prevent friction between the couple over ownership of property you worked hard with your previous spouse to obtain and that you may feel the new spouse ought not claim or share an interest.  By the same token, prenuptial agreements help previously wed couples protect their children’s inheritance from the “evil step parent.” Prenuptial agreements can also make sense for people of extraordinary financial means to protect them from “gold diggers” too.  Otherwise, however, I think prenuptial agreements start a marriage off on the wrong foot.

Prenup Lawyer

Let me give you an imperfect analogy to explain why I’m against prenuptial agreements generally, especially for first-time marriages by the relatively young and poor:

You commit to training for and running a marathon, but just in case you decide not to finish training or finish the race itself, you enter into a “pre-marathon agreement,” which provides that in the event you do not finish, you are paid half of your hourly wage you would have otherwise earned if you had chosen to work at your job instead of train and two weeks’ vacation.  How likely are you to finish when you have not just a safety net, but an escape hatch?

How likely are you to stay committed to your training regimen?  How easy will it be for you to “realize” that you really didn’t want to finish a marathon in the first place, or that the rewards of training for and completing a marathon don’t justify the personal sacrifices required of you?

“But wait,” you may say, “what if through no fault of my own I can’t finish the training or the marathon?”  What if a car hits you during a training run?  What if you get dehydrated and can’t finish?  Friend, finishing the race is important, but it isn’t the point.  It never was.  In life there are no guarantees.  Training for the marathon is about conquering yourself (not coddling yourself), and in conquering yourself, you know yourself and your purpose more fully, deeply, and accurately.  Knowing the truth about yourself, your unique talents and limitations, you better equipped and more willing to bring out the best in yourself.  “Bring out the best” denotes that you must give of everything—your time, your money, your property, your attention, your labor, your comfort, your convenience, your body and soul.

Marriage is not simply a question of “what’s in it for me?”  Marriage is bigger than you, it’s bigger than your spouse.  It’s even more important than the both of you combined.

Don’t get a prenup to avoid the demands of divorce.  As my mother told me, it’s the people who do nothing who never fail.  Burn your ships and turn your back on the single life when you marry.  Commit to your spouse and to your marriage and their success.  Success is meaningless without the risk of loss, of pain, of sacrifice, of failure.  Success lies in transcending risk, pain, and sacrifice.

I know that the following thought comes from Jewish philosophy, but as I was writing this I could not find the reference, so I apologize for that, but I still wish to share it with you because it encapsulates both the value of marriage and why a prenuptial agreement in most cases (you’ll note that I did not state “in all cases”—there are times when a prenuptial agreement makes good sense):  Marriage is a lifetime commitment to provide constantly to your spouse emotional intimacy, thereby uncovering your true self and, ultimately, your unique purpose for being created.

Free Consultation with Prenup Attorney

If you have a question about getting a prenup or family law in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will help you.

Michael R. Anderson, JD

Ascent Law LLC
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506
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Thursday, April 26, 2018

Bankruptcy and Foreclosure

OK, here’s the deal with bankruptcy and foreclosure. Despite what you may have heard, filing for bankruptcy does not necessarily permanently stop a lender from foreclosing on your home. Filing for bankruptcy will always temporarily stop the bank foreclosing on your home. This is true regardless of which chapter you file under.

I can tell you this because I’m a bankruptcy lawyer, that filing for bankruptcy can put a permanent stop to foreclosure, but that often hinges on your ability to pay the mortgage.

This post will give a basic consumer’s overview of bankruptcy and foreclosure. If you are thinking of filing for bankruptcy or dealing with foreclosure, you should always consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney to see how bankruptcy may be able to help you get out of debt and back on your feet.

Bankruptcy and Foreclosure

How long does bankruptcy stop foreclosure?

Bankruptcy and foreclosure are often linked because bankruptcy is somewhat famous as a foreclosure stopper.

How long does bankruptcy prevent foreclosure? That will depend on whether you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, whether you are able to maintain normal monthly mortgage payments, and how aggressive your lender chooses to be in pursuing the foreclosure sale.

Let’s begin with the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy when it comes to foreclosure.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Foreclosure: How it Works

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a faster process than Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Most Chapter 7 cases are open and shut within a six-month window. When you file bankruptcy (7 or 13), a court-ordered injunction, known as the automatic stay, prevents the bank from foreclosing on your home. This is true even if you file bankruptcy the day before the foreclosure sale is set to take place.

That’s the good news. Now, on to the not-so-good news. Even after a bankruptcy case has commenced and the almighty stay is in place, lenders can file what is known as a motion for relief from stay. The motion for relief allows them to continue with the foreclosure process even while your bankruptcy case is live.

Your Mortgage Lender May Gain the Right to Foreclose

If you enter bankruptcy behind on the mortgage, there’s a good chance that your lender will file a motion for relief from stay and will be given the right to continue with the foreclosure. However, even lenders who have successfully lifted the protection of the automatic stay are not always motivated to immediately resume with foreclosure. In fact, one of the biggest problems that consumers in bankruptcy are facing right now is lenders who are unwilling to foreclose on collateral.

Until your name is officially removed from the deed to your home, either through foreclosure or by surrendering it in bankruptcy, you are responsible for insurance, homeowners association dues, etc. There is a tremendous backlog of foreclosures in this country and, depending on your location, your lender may not have the resources to foreclose on your home for quite some time. It is possible that a Chapter 7 bankruptcy could disrupt the foreclosure process for a year or more. It is possible that it will only disrupt it for a couple months.

The point to take away is this: filing bankruptcy will temporarily stop foreclosure BUT lenders have a workaround. They can file the motion for relief from stay to get your home. Whether they choose to do this is entirely up to them.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and Foreclosure: How it Works

Unlike its faster cousin Chapter 7, Chapter 13 bankruptcy lasts for a period of between three to five years. During this time, you pay back a percentage of the debts you owe to your unsecured creditors.

If you file Chapter 13 bankruptcy with income that is below the median for a family of your size in your state, your Chapter 13 payment plan will be for three years. If you are like most debtors and file with income that is above the median in their state, your Chapter 13 payment plan will be for a period of five years. The automatic stay will prevent foreclosure for the length of the payment plan, either three or five years, as long as you maintain normal monthly mortgage payments during the life of the plan.

A little background: Many debtors enter Chapter 13 bankruptcy because they are hopelessly behind on their mortgage. The bank is demanding a lump-sum payment, or series of lump-sum payments to get caught up on a past-due mortgage. Many families simply do not have the means to comply. In order to stop foreclosure, they file for Chapter 13 because it allows for them to pay back the past-due mortgage balance over the life of the Chapter 13 plan. The amounts that are past due are broken up into small increments and added to the normal monthly mortgage payment, making the process of getting caught up far more manageable.

While this is a significant benefit for consumers, it is crucially important to understand that whether you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you do not get a free house. If you fall behind on your mortgage payments, the bank will have the right to foreclose on your home once they are successful in gaining relief from the automatic stay. If you can afford payments in a timely fashion, the bank can’t foreclose for the entire three- to five-year period or any other time in the future.

By handling your past-due payments through a Chapter 13 plan, you have the opportunity to permanently stop the foreclosure.

Do I need to file bankruptcy because of foreclosure?

Foreclosure is a scary process. Most people are not used to receiving official documents in the mail from scary authority figures. When they do, they tend to panic, and understandably so. However, before you go rushing off and file for bankruptcy to prevent foreclosure, take a hard look at the condition of your finances as well as your state’s deficiency laws. Many states, such as Arizona, have anti-deficiency laws on the books, which prevent lenders from suing borrowers on the note after a foreclosure sale.

You may have an emotional attachment to your home and because of that, you probably want to keep it, but if you can’t afford to maintain it, filing for bankruptcy won’t make things all that much better. Sure, it may buy you some time, and depending on your circumstances this could be valuable, but make absolutely sure it is before you throw yourself into the federal court system head-first.

Free Consultation with Bankruptcy Lawyer

If you have a bankruptcy question, or need to file a bankruptcy case, call Ascent Law now at (801) 676-5506. Attorneys in our office have filed over a thousand cases. We can help you now. Come in or call in for your free initial consultation.

Michael R. Anderson, JD

Ascent Law LLC
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506
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Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Utah Divorce Timeline

We’ve tried to put together a time line for you to understand how divorce works from a divorce lawyer point of view.

Consider that Utah law (Utah Code § 30-3-39) requires that a divorcing couple participate in at least one session of mediation before the case can proceed to trial, although this mediation requirement can be waived for good cause, if the director of the dispute resolution program for the courts can be persuaded to conclude that mediation should be waived. Waiver of mediation rarely occurs, so you are typically better off giving mediation a try, even if it’s only for the purpose of ensuring you’ve met the requirement.

Utah Divorce Timeline

Mediation can last for several hours or over the course of several days, depending upon what the parties choose to do. If mediation results in you and your spouse reach an agreement and settling all of the issues, then it is not uncommon for your divorce action to be completed quickly; you and your spouse prepare and sign a settlement agreement, file that with the court, and then draft and file with the court the documents needed to dispose of your case. Once the court receives proof of your settlement and all the documents that the court needs to issue your decree of divorce, it is not uncommon for everything to be turned around in just a few weeks.

If you and your spouse do not agree upon the terms of your divorce, and one or both of you feels it necessary to go to trial and have the judge decide some or all of the issues in your divorce action, then this is how the process of preparing for and going to trial in your divorce case progresses:

Week 1:

Meet with your attorney, provide information needed to prepare your pleadings.

Week 2:

Prepare and file your complaint for divorce (this is also called a petition for divorce).

Service of process. Serve opposing party with a summons and a copy of complaint for divorce. Service of process usually takes about a week but can be longer if the opposing party evades service. You must serve the summons within 120 days of filing the complaint or your case can be dismissed.

Weeks 2 through 5:

Within 21 days of being served the summons and a copy of the complaint (30 days, if you serve the opposing party outside the state of Utah), the opposing party must respond to your complaint after being served with the summons and a copy of the complaint. Usually this response takes the form of what is known as an “answer” to the divorce complaint or, in most cases an answer and counterclaim. If the opposing party files a counterclaim against you, you have to respond within 21 days of being served with the counterclaim.

Week 6:

If a party fails to respond to a complaint for divorce (or to a counterclaim) within 21 days of being served (or within 30 days, if the opposing party was served outside the state of Utah), the opposing party is known as being “in default,” which means that the opposing party has failed to respond to your complaint for divorce within the time permitted, which allows you to seek judgment against the opposing party for failure to respond and participate in the action. This rarely happens, and even if you apply for default judgment and obtain it, if the opposing party moves to have your default judgment set aside in a timely manner, so that the case can be heard and decided on the merits rather than by forfeit, courts will often set aside the default on that basis. Still, don’t let that give you the idea that you can ignore court deadlines.

Week 6 through 8:

Prepare your Financial Declaration and Initial Disclosures and serve them upon the opposing party. The opposing party has 42 days after filing of the first answer to the complaint, or 28 days after the opposing party’s initial appearance in the action, which ever period is later.

Week 9:

This is the discovery period.

Discovery is the process by which the parties through the rules of civil procedure, can obtain evidence from each other and from other witnesses or other sources. Discovery tools include interrogatories, request for admissions, requests for production of documents, depositions, mental health examinations, custody evaluations, vocational assessments, and subpoenas, to name some.

Under the rules of civil procedure this period is 180 days long, unless the court modifies the time period for discovery. Rarely, if ever, is discovery shortened, although it can be. And frequently discovery is extended beyond the 180-day period.

Week 35:

At this point, the case should be ready to certify as ready to schedule for trial. If so, either party can file with the court a certificate of readiness for trial, and then ask the court to schedule a date for the judge and the parties to meet to preparations for the trial.

Week 43 to 47:

Trial is usually set about 3 months, give or take, after the pretrial scheduling conference.

Week 56:

Trial is held. Trials usually last 2 to 5 days, although they can take longer, depending upon how many issues there are to try and how complex the issues are.

Week 57 (or perhaps 61):

After the trial has been completed, the judge can take up to 60 days to decide the case, unless the judge obtains permission from the presiding judge of the court to take even more time to render a decision. Usually the court reaches a decision within several weeks, instead of 60 days, however.

Week 58:

After the judge decides the case, the judge will usually direct one of the parties to prepare a proposed draft of the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and to prepare a proposed draft of the Decree of Divorce.

Week 59:

The party who the judge has the proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and the proposed Decree of Divorce is required to send the opposing party the drafts for review. If the opposing party finds anything in the proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and/or the proposed Decree of Divorce that does not comport with the trial judges decisions, the opposing party can file an objection to the proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and/or to the proposed Decree of Divorce, and the opposing party has seven days in which to do so.

Week 60:

If the opposing party files an objection to the proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and/or the proposed Decree of Divorce, the other party can respond to that objection within seven days. At that point the proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and the proposed Decree of Divorce are submitted to the judge for the judge to decide what the ultimate form of the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and of the Decree of Divorce will take.

Week 61:

Assuming that the court gets back to you within a week or two, the court will then issue the final Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and final Decree of Divorce.

If either party or both parties feel that the judge’s decision does not comply with the laws governing divorce, then either party or both parties may appeal the judge’s decision by filing a notice of appeal with the Utah Court of Appeals, which notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days after the date of the entry of the Decree of Divorce.

Free Consultation with Divorce Lawyer in Utah

If you have a question about divorce law or if you need to start or defend against a divorce case in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will help you today.

Michael R. Anderson, JD

Ascent Law LLC
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506
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Tuesday, April 24, 2018

If You Agreed to Bad Terms in Your Divorce Settlement, You Will Get Screwed

So you don’t like the terms of your divorce settlement and you want to modify those terms. I’ve heard this many times because I’m a divorce lawyer. Hopefully you met with an attorney before you signed the divorce papers.

I hope that when you signed that settlement agreement you didn’t agree to getting hosed and then think you can complain about being hosed and have the court bail you out.

With rare exception, by agreeing to the hosing that means you’re stuck with getting hosed. If you pulled the equivalent of a “Yes, Dear” when you settled your divorce case out of court, and now you want to “modify” your divorce settlement, you likely have a serious problem.

If You Agreed to Bad Terms in Your Divorce Settlement You Will Get Screwed

We know what you probably did: you got tired, depressed, scared, your ran out of money, and so you agreed to what you knew to be a lousy settlement out of frustration and/or fear and thought “any settlement is better than continuing to litigate.”

You may have also settled thinking that you’d broach the subject again down the road, when your ex had calmed down. We get it. We see this all the time. But the “I’ll just agree to getting hosed now and seek a change later, after the dust settles” mentality doesn’t fly. Agreeing to the hosing means you’re stuck with what you agreed to. You asked for it.

Coming back to your ex or to your judge a few months or even a few years later proposing some changes won’t work unless you can convince your ex to change or unless you can show the court that the law warrants a change. That’s not easy.

You can’t just request a change because you feel a change is appropriate. People who try to get their decrees of divorce modified on this basis are in for disappointment. Deep down, they know why: the one who got the better end of the lop-sided deal you made rarely grows a conscience (no matter how long you let them “cool down”), nor will they magically concede you are being taken advantage of. Your ex will respond with, “You agreed to these terms. You told me they were fair and acceptable to you then. Well, they’re fair and acceptable now too, and I am not willing to change them.” And that’s not your only problem.

The court follows the same reasoning in saying “I approved your agreement, and I won’t reconsider it after the fact.” Now don’t confuse a bad deal you made voluntarily with a fraudulent deal you made innocently. If you agreed to a settlement based upon your ex making false and misleading representations to you, AND if you can prove that to the court AND you file a motion or new law suit within the VERY short time periods the court rules permit, you can get a fraudulent settlement overturned.

And don’t confuse a bad deal you made voluntarily with a material and substantial change in circumstances. If you agreed to pay alimony based upon an income of $75,000, and then you lost your job because of a medical condition that leaves you unable to work that job or any other job that comes close to paying $75,000, that’s known as a material and substantial change in circumstances that arose through no fault of your own. If material and substantial circumstances arise, you can ask your ex to modify, and if your ex won’t agree, you can go to the court asking the judge to modify the decree to fit the change in circumstances. Just remember: to modify a divorce decree based upon a material and substantial change in circumstances means generally that it has to be a big, serious change, a change you didn’t cause, and a change that wasn’t foreseeable.

OK, now back to settlements made out of desperation and fear, etc. If you choose to make a bad deal—whether with the used car dealer or after you order Miracle Blade knives off the TV or in a divorce—you’re stuck with the outcome. Even if you get a good attorney to try and get a change your decree down the road, it won’t work (so save your money on that attorney). Courts honor and enforce agreements between divorcing spouses. So, no matter how ugly your divorce might be, no matter how long it drags on, if you think a quick settlement now, followed by a second bite at the apple later is a smart “strategy,” think again.

Free Consultation with a Utah Divorce Lawyer

If you have a question about divorce law or if you need to start or defend against a divorce case in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will help you now.

Michael R. Anderson, JD

Ascent Law LLC
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506
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Monday, April 23, 2018

Divorce Can Make Good People Bad

Why is it that people who seemed to be fairly rational before divorce turn into complete paranoid, hyper-defensive maniacs once the separation and divorce process begins? Couples who promised to do this divorce thing respectfully suddenly turn into ferocious warriors, letting their mean-and-petty streak show through, especially when they get into the pit with their attorney.

Sure, some people are just jerks, but what makes otherwise good people behave so poorly? It turns out this “crazy” behavior is fairly predictable and normal in such circumstances. That’s not an excuse for it, but when you better understand what’s pushing your buttons so badly, you can finally begin to make healthier choices and address the feelings of overwhelm that are triggering such unseemly (read: king of the jerks) behavior.

Divorce Can Make Good People Bad

Here are the panic-button pushing reasons that divorce makes us act so out of character:

Disappointment Over Unmet Expectations

When you said “I do” you did so with expectations about what marriage is all about. But maybe you never fully shared those expectations with the person you actually said your vows to. Many times we don’t articulate our expectations specifically because we assume everyone just knows this is how marriage is supposed to be. But, “everyone” may only be your family and the way they did things, or your closest friends with whom you have discussed this over and over. It never included your now soon-to-be-ex-spouse who (don’t forget) came into marriage with some unspoken expectations of their own. When our deeply held expectations (like “marriage is forever, no matter what”) are unmet, we often feel betrayed, making it easy to feel indignant and cast our ex as the enemy. We believe they let us down. But, if we’re honest, were they ever fully on page with us to begin with?

The big challenge of marriage is putting both partner’s expectations on the table and then working together to create a mutually agreed upon vision for how your marriage will actually work.

Fear of Change

During periods of immense and drastic change (such as divorce), your mild-mannered brain goes into survival mode, ready at a moment’s notice to fight or retreat, thanks to that reptilian brain you inherited from your ancient ancestors.

Whether is it your fear of losing status (social, financial, etc.), a sense of uncertainty about the future, a worry that you don’t belong anymore in your social circle, or just a feeling like this whole situation is so unfair—the problem-solving part of your brain can’t do its job until your panicked reptilian brain calms down.

Uncertainty and fear about how things will turn out take a steep toll on you mentally and physically. Stress from staying in an “I’m in danger” primal mindset can short-circuit your patience, your willingness to listen, and your ability to communicate effectively. Your health is also likely to take a dive as well, making you prone to sleep deprivation and low stamina at a time when you are taking on mountains of critically important paperwork, decisions, and details as part of the divorce. So, even if you want to make good choices, the stress response of facing so much uncertainty and change at once is sure to cause you at least some temporary loss of rational thought and behavior.

Feeling Powerless and Out of Control

In normal life, you are used to being competent and in charge, but now you are thrust into the unfamiliar, unsure of how to get things done right in the divorce process (and in the new life waiting after it). You are being forced to make important decisions immediately. You have to hire a high-priced expert to navigate you through the legal aspects. And hiring a lawyer kicks off what could be seen by the other as an attack; you have drawn up sides and are now ready for war.

Communication is out the window when you feel powerless and unable to fully control things that profoundly affect your life. You have to trust your attorney (who was likely a complete stranger to you before this situation) to lead the charge and make decisions that will affect your future (and your childrens’ future) for years to come. It all costs a fortune. Is it any wonder each side feels like they are being screwed?

A Sense of Entitlement

Splitting apart all of the property (and associated memories) the two of you acquired through your sweat, equity, and hard-earned money can feel like a spiteful business transaction. Each of you has a sense of ownership and “it wouldn’t have happened without my efforts” point of view. Your decisions right now are dominated by your emotions, not your logical problem-solving self.

If you have kids, there is likely an overwhelming sense of guilt and worry that this divorce experience might be damaging them. They may even think it is their fault that mommy and daddy are splitting up. The kids end up as pawns in a fight over what you and your ex believe you each deserve or never deserved. Each of you are in it to “get yours” in the name of fairness. But the ego battle waging between you both in the pursuit of “emotional justice” ends up feeling more like scrambling down an endless tunnel with no cheese at the end.

So, what’s a stressed out person to do in order to keep divorce-induced jerky behavior in check?

Take back your dignity. Get in touch with who you are when you are at your best. Be clear about what is important to you and why, and how you want to remember yourself when this is over. Now, behave your way into that outcome.

Assemble a good team to support you in this transition from married to single. Identify where you need more information, different perspectives, and validation that will get you through this in a way that lifts you up (versus pulling you down). Pick people who can support you in being your best. Fight the urge to surround yourself with people who will urge you to seek revenge, act petty, or take your ex to the cleaners. When you look in the mirror, you want the best version of you reflecting back as you move into your new future.

Listen, listen, listen. Communicate, communicate, communicate—with your children, with your ex-spouse, and with the experts you are relying on to help you make the best decisions based on your needs, wants and values. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your role in how things are going. If you misstep and act like a jerk for a moment, own it, and then apologize and move on.

Remember your past successes. Take care of what is important to you, ask for help, and remember the times when you successfully dealt with challenging times in the past. What allowed you to be resilient then? How can that help you here and now? You’ve been through hard times before—you can handle this.

Dealing with a difficult ex certainly doesn’t make the divorce process any easier. But neither does being a difficult ex. So keep yourself in check. By understanding some of the hot buttons that you both are pushing in each other, then maybe you can pause, take a breath, drop the jerk behavior and make better choices.

Free Consultation with Divorce Lawyer in Utah

If you have a question about divorce law or if you need to start or defend against a divorce case in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will fight for you.

Michael R. Anderson, JD

Ascent Law LLC
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506
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Sunday, April 22, 2018

Reasons Parents Lose Custody of Their Children

Although most laws are designed to help divorced parents maintain a healthy relationship with their children, there are times when some issues may disqualify divorcees from having legal custody of their kids. Most of these cases involve allegations related to child abuse or neglect. However, some allegations could be false statements from a contentious former spouse. If you are dealing with a child custody matter is best you contact a Salt Lake City child custody attorney to discuss your legal options.

Reasons Parents Lose Custody of Their Children

THE PROCESS

The process generally starts with one of the parents notifying the court about his or her concern involving a former spouse or parent of the children. Evidence must be provided otherwise the allegations of abuse are not valid. If the judge determines the behavior is a threat to the child’s safety, an investigation will take place. An investigator may take a look at the circumstances surrounding the allegations and decide whether or not the allegations are true.

CHILD ABUSE

This is a common reason why some parents may lose the custody of their children. The court will see if there is a history of child abuse. Some factors that help the judge determine if there was child abuse include scars, bruises, marks, and cuts. Whether it was initiated by anger or inappropriate behavior, child abuse will definitely cause the parents lose custody of their children. If you suspect your former spouse has abused your child, notify the police and contact Salt Lake City child custody attorney.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

There are cases that don’t involve child abuse yet if the child witnessed child abuse against the other parent during the last 5 years; the court may deny sole child custody. A history of abuse will be considered when making custody decisions. Granting custody to an abusive parent is not in the child’s best interest.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

Courts will also take a look at other factors such as the use of controlled substances. The habitual use of drugs or alcohol by either parent is detrimental to the interests and safety of the kids, therefore, the parent addicted to these substances can’t be trusted with raising the children.

VIOLATING A COURT ORDER

Parents should respect custody orders. Doing otherwise may result in a parent losing custody. Although it’s all based on how the order was written, violating the order doesn’t help advance the case. Some cases involving joint custody, for example, require both parents making important decisions about the child. If one of the parents fails to consult the other parent before making an important decision, the custody order could be modified and the parent may lose custody.

PARENTAL ALIENATION AND CO-PARENTING

When one of the parents is manipulative and he or she uses these tactics to alienate the children from his or her former spouse, there is a chance he or she will lose the custody. Co-parenting is sometimes the best option in some scenarios as it allows parents that can’t get along to follow a strict joint custody schedule.

PROTECTING YOUR CHILDREN FROM PARENTAL ALIENATION

It is natural for children whose parents live apart to want to spend more time with them. Most children feel that they will not be able to spend enough time with mom and dad after divorce. Custodial parents generally have less time for the children due to the many responsibilities they have and non-custodial parents aren’t around as much as they used to. In the midst of all this chaos, some parents may take advantage of the situation and manipulate their children into fearing or expressing hostility towards their former spouses. This is when parental alienation takes place. A child may reject one parent following a harshly contested divorce. These cases generally require the intervention of a Salt Lake City divorce attorney. Several problems may arise that only an experienced attorney is equipped to handle.

Divorce can be one of the most frightening experiences for children since their lives may change dramatically after their parents decide to go separate ways. They have to adapt to a new family structure they do not like yet they have no control over it. Children need the love and care of both parents when growing up. Unfortunately, some parents don’t understand this and they choose to involve their children in a harsh divorce battle. It is a way to harm a former spouse by taking the children from them.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN?

Let’s start by taking a closer look at the common signs of parental alienation:

  • The child avoids contact with the targeted parent for no particular reason.
  • The targeted parent is constantly being accused of wrongdoing.
  • The child says inappropriate things for their age.
  • The child feels confident about the rude behavior.
  • The child insists that it is their decision to no longer spend time with the targeted parent.
  • The child may also refuse to no longer be with the family of the targeted family.

DEALING WITH PARENTAL ALIENATION

It all depends on your child’s age and your relationship with them. If you still communicate with your children, there are some steps you can take to stop the alienation:

  • Don’t talk bad about your former spouse in front of your children.
  • Don’t act like the other parent or imitate the alienating behavior.
  • Reassure your children that you will always love them and care for them no matter what.
  • Don’t blame your children.
  • Remind your children of the great times you had together.
  • Respect your visitation schedule.
  • Talk to aSalt Lake City divorce attorney to help you combat parental alienation.

Free Initial Consultation with Family Lawyer

It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. Legal problems come to everyone. Whether it’s your son who gets in a car wreck, your uncle who loses his job and needs to file for bankruptcy, your sister’s brother who’s getting divorced, or a grandparent that passes away without a will -all of us have legal issues and questions that arise. So when you have a law question, call Ascent Law for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you.

Michael R. Anderson, JD

Ascent Law LLC
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506
at No comments:
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