Utah Family Law Blog
Welcome to the BartonWood Family Law Blog, your trusted resource for insights, updates, and guidance on family law matters in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah. Kara Barton and Ashley Wood, are experienced attorneys dedicated to helping families navigate legal challenges with clarity and compassion. This blog offers practical information on divorce, custody, adoption, and more. Whether you’re just beginning your legal journey or looking for guidance along the way, we’re here to help you stay informed and empowered.
Child Support for Special Needs Children
June 17th, 2025
Both parents have a legal obligation to financially support their child, regardless of whether they were ever married. Child support payments can be crucial to ensure a child’s basic needs are met. However, in cases where a child has a physical or…
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Categories: Child Custody
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Dividing Assets in a Same-Sex Divorce
April 24th, 2025
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in the landmark case, Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex marriages became legally recognized nationwide, including in the state of Utah. Consequently, in addition to having the same right to marry as opp…
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Categories: Utah Divorce
What is the Difference Between Collaborative Divorce and Traditional Divorce?
April 1st, 2025
Divorce is, by definition, a life-changing process. No one goes into marriage planning to divorce, but if you find yourself at that crossroads, you want to end your marriage in the way that is least damaging: for you, your finances, and especially yo…
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Categories: Utah Divorce
Utah Child Support Guidelines: What Parents Need to Know
March 6th, 2025
Utah Code 81-6-304 and 305: Changes to Child Support Guidelines Both of a child’s parents have an obligation to support their child. When the parents are divorced or have never been married, that obligation is formalized through a child support ord…
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Categories: Child Support
Divorce Communication Tips: How to Keep Conversations Calm and Productive
January 27th, 2025
Communicating with a spouse during divorce proceedings can be challenging at best, and downright disastrous at worst. Emotions tend to run high on both sides, making it difficult to get your point across or to hear what the other person is trying to…
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Categories: Utah Divorce
When Can a Child Support Modification Be Obtained?
December 18th, 2024
Under Utah law, both parents have a legal obligation to support their children — regardless of marital status. Child support is court-ordered payment from the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to help ensure a child’s basic needs are m…
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Categories: Child Support
Documents Needed for Your Utah Divorce Case
November 30th, 2024
With all the paperwork and documentation involved, preparing for divorce can often feel overwhelming. While marriage is just as much an economic relationship as it is an emotional one, there are a number of documents needed for divorce to ensure your…
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Categories: Utah Divorce
Who Do I Need to Notify When I Am Divorced?
October 24th, 2024
Going through the divorce process involves a number of legal and administrative steps. Once the legal proceedings are over and your divorce has been finalized, certain parties must be notified of your change in marital status, name or address. Howeve…
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Categories: Utah Divorce
Steps to Take if Domestic Violence is an Issue During Divorce
September 30th, 2024
Domestic violence is a serious issue in some marriages — and it often leads to divorce. If you’ve been a victim of abuse in your marriage or your spouse began to act abusive after the divorce papers were filed, there are several important steps y…
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What You Need to Know About Utah’s 50/50 Child Custody Statute
August 23rd, 2024
On May 1, 2021, Utah’s 50/50 child custody statute went into effect. Also referred to as the “Equal Parent-Time Schedule” statute, this law allows parents to share equal physical custody unless there are reasons it would not be in the best inte…
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