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UTAH MOTHER SUCCEEDS IN GAINING CHILD CUSTODY OF DAUGHTER
Not all parents are able to properly care for their children. Some parents are just leaving childhood themselves, and are not prepared for the arrival of a child, especially if they are single. In such cases, many parents decide that it is in the best interests of the child to have another family member retain custody. Later on, as a parent’s situation improves, they may choose to seek child custody and take on the official role of parent.
One Utah mother has succeeded in being awarded physical custody of her five-year-old daughter, who lived in another state. The child had been in the care of her paternal grandparents for several years after her father was unable to care for her; the father was awarded custody after he divorced her mother. However the mother was able to prove to the judge that she now has the means to care for the child.
The grandparents, however, are planning to appeal the judge’s ruling. Part of their objection lies over the fact that the child has no relationship with the mother and therefore, the sudden change of home and family will likely traumatize her. The other objection is the fact that the girl’s new stepfather was found guilty of child abuse, in relation to his own child, and he lost legal custody of that child.
While the judge did hand over the child to her mother immediately upon her ruling, this is a child custody case that is likely to continue on for some time until the grandparents have exhausted all their legal options. Hopefully the mother and the grandparents decide to work together for the well-being of the child.
WHAT IF PARENTS CAN’T AGREE ON A VISITATION SCHEDULE?
Many Salt Lake divorce cases involve quite a bit of emotion. Oftentimes, that emotion can affect a divorcing couple’s ability to try and work together through their divorce proceedings. One of the areas of these proceedings that can often become hotly contested is the determination of child custody. Many divorcing parents view this as the one aspect for which there can be absolutely no compromise. This often leads to a stalemate between both sides regarding shared parenting time. The obvious question then becomes who ultimately decides on a visitation schedule.
In such cases, the court may actually step in and impose a predetermined schedule. In Utah, state lawmakers have created their own schedules that family courts are allowed to impose if they believe them to serve the best interest of the children. According to Title 30, Chapter 3, Section 35 of the Utah State Code as shared by Utah.gov, non-custodial parents of children between the ages of 5 and 18 should adhere to the following state-sponsored visitation schedule:
- One weekday evening from 5:30 – 8:30 pm
- Alternating weekends from 6:00 pm on Friday to 7:00 pm on Sunday
- The 4th of July, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, the Christmas holiday, the day before or after birthdays, and spring and fall school break on odd-numbered years
- Birthdays, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Pioneer Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the latter portion of Christmas break on even-numbered years
- Father’s or Mother’s Day if he/she is the parent being commemorated
- Two weeks uninterrupted time when school is not in session
Non-custodial parents of children younger than 5 are allowed weekly visits from one to three hours up to the time at which the kids fall under the aforementioned schedule.
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.
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506
