In Utah, “restraining order” and “protective order” are not the same thing, and filing for the wrong one costs time you may not have. A protective order is what most people mean: a court order, issued under Utah’s protective order statutes, that prohibits abuse and contact and is enforced by…
At a Glance (Utah Law): 2026 Utah custody evaluations (H.B. 303 is in re-codified Title 81) are amended to put child safety and coercive control closer to the center of custody decisions and create a statutory framework for child custody evaluations. When these changes are read together with Om’s Law,…
Reviewed by Jill L. Coil, founder of CoilLaw, LLC. Last reviewed September 21, 2026. At a Glance (Utah Law) As of 2026, Utah law defines “coercive control” and authorizes courts to consider evidence of coercive control as a factor when deciding custody and parent‑time, alongside other best‑interest factors. Coercive control…
Not yet, and probably not the way you want to. Whether the person who left was a spouse, a partner, or a roommate, their belongings are still their belongings, and Utah law gives you a process for dealing with property someone leaves behind, not a right to put it on…
A Police Report If you call the police for a domestic dispute, the police will arrive and likely take a report of what happened. They will interview you, your spouse, and any other witnesses to the disturbance. These interviews are usually conducted separately so that neither party can corroborate each…
Domestic Violence Defined Domestic violence can be difficult to define because there are so many behaviors that could be considered to be domestic violence, and it isn’t necessary for any of these behaviors to lead the victim to the ER for them to be considered to be domestic violence. Threatening…
Is It Okay to Text Your Ex after Divorce? It Depends Some people choose to remain close after they divorce their spouse, after all, the divorce was fairly amicable and both parties are on good terms so is there really any harm in staying in touch with your ex? If…
In short, adult protective services exists to protect vulnerable adults. In most cases, a family law attorney can help with conservatorships are guardianships if you have concerns about whether or not a family member is getting the care they deserve. However, there may be some cases where you know someone…
If your spouse is a narcissist, you may need to set boundaries, even if you’re already going through the divorce process. “That’s Your Decision” People who are suffering from narcissistic personality disorder love giving ultimatums: “If you do this, I’m leaving you,” “If you do that, I’m not coming over,”…
If you’ve been through traumatic experiences due to a relationship with a person suffering from Narcissistic personality disorder or narcissistic traits, you may be wanting revenge. Unfortunately, seeking revenge is probably not the best use of your time. Here’s why. Not Everyone Is a Narcissist Narcissistic personality disorder affects…
How to Survive and Thrive When Your Marriage Ends