Utah Child Custody Lawyer
Protecting Each Client’s Interests Across Utah
We understand that your children are precious to you. Therefore, their well-being will be central to the case strategy we develop with you when you work with our team at Pearson Butler.
Primary Factors When Determining Child Custody
In every child custody case, the court must decide what arrangement is in the children's best interest. There are many different factors that the court may take into consideration when awarding custody and a parent-time schedule.
The most important thing the court will weigh is each parent’s past participation in the child’s life before the court proceedings. The court may also consider who has more time to spend with the child or whose schedule provides more flexibility.
One critical custody factor the court must consider when determining a custody arrangement is which parent is more likely to promote the other parent’s relationship with the child. There are many additional factors that the court will review, so it’s vital to have a family law attorney knowledgeable about child custody law in Utah.
As a Parent, You Need to Be Sure Your Interests Are Protected in Custody Proceedings. For Experienced Help, Contact the Utah Child Custody Lawyers at Pearson Butler.
Custody Evaluators & Guardian ad Litem
When a case is contested, it becomes necessary to involve professional custody evaluators to make recommendations to the judge about what type of custody and which parent-time schedule will be best for the children. In addition, when there are allegations of abuse or neglect, the court will often appoint an attorney to represent the children in the court case.
A court-appointed attorney for the children is called a Guardian ad Litem. No matter the process you experience in your case, you want to be protected each step of the way so that you don’t do things that unknowingly hurt your custody case.
Do Children Get to Choose Where They Live?
Frequently parents will mistakenly believe that when a child reaches a specific age the child has the ability to choose where he or she lives. A child’s preference is given more weight if the child is over fourteen, but a child never gets to choose a custody arrangement under Utah law.
A child’s preference is just one factor that the court may consider. The court will also consider how integrated the child is into the community at either parent’s home, whether a parent has experienced frequent changes in residence and a parent’s support network.
Get in Touch with Our Child Custody Lawyers in Utah
Our child custody attorneys at Pearson Butler are positioned to serve the entire state of Utah. Schedule a consultation to help you learn more about what to expect in your custody case.
Call Pearson Butler at (800) 265-2314 or contact the firm online.
