RESOURCES

At Bean Family Law, we understand that navigating family law matters can be overwhelming.
To help you better understand your rights and options,
we’ve compiled a list of valuable resources, tools,
and information related to family law.

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Free Resources

Self-Help Center

The Utah State Courts Self-Help Center provides free legal information and resources to individuals who are representing themselves in court. This service can help you better understand court processes, access legal forms, and find answers to common questions about family law and other legal matters.

Visit Self-Help Center

Children’s Bill of Rights

The right to love and be loved by both of your parents without feeling guilt or disapproval. The right to be protected from your parent’s anger with each other. The right to be kept out of the middle of your parents’ conflict, including the right not to pick sides, carry messages, or heal complaints.

View Rights

Protective Orders

If you are experiencing abuse or threats of violence, a protective order may help ensure your safety. The Utah State Courts provide detailed information on how to request a protective order, who qualifies, and what protections it can offer. This resource includes guidance on the process, required forms, and where to get help.

Learn more

What Are My Rights?

This resource from the Utah State Courts is designed specifically for teens and young adults to help them understand their legal rights and responsibilities in areas such as family relationships, school, employment, and the justice system. It provides clear, age-appropriate information to empower teens to make informed decisions and know where to seek help.

Explore Your Rights as a Teen

Negotiation Tips

Melissa takes a proactive and strategic approach to negotiation. She works closely with clients to review, identify, and prioritize concerns before entering any negotiation setting. Clients are fully informed about the process, potential costs, location, and the advantages of reaching a settlement whenever possible.
During negotiations, Melissa provides practical guidance by explaining how a court might evaluate each issue. This insight empowers clients to make informed, confident decisions about the terms of their agreement and promotes outcomes that reflect their best interests.

How To Have A Successful Mediation

Preparation is key to a productive mediation. Melissa and Liberty work closely with clients in advance of mediation to identify disputed issues, clarify areas of agreement, and define clear goals for the process.
We take the time to prioritize each client’s desired outcomes, ensuring that their concerns and objectives are well understood and strategically addressed. As part of this preparation, we help clients gather and organize financial documents and other essential paperwork so that mediation sessions are efficient, focused, and goal-oriented.

Divorce Education Requirements

In Utah, parents with children under 18 may be required to complete court-approved education classes before receiving a final order. For divorce cases, both a Parenting Course and a Divorce Orientation Course are required. For custody or paternity cases involving custody or child support, only the Parenting Course is needed. In temporary separation cases, the Orientation Course is required. Be sure to use a court-approved provider or request a waiver if applicable.

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FAQs

What areas of family law do you specialize in?
How long does the divorce process take?

The length of the divorce process can vary depending on the complexity of the case and how quickly both parties can come to an agreement. In Utah, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period from the time the petition for divorce is filed before the court can finalize the divorce.
How is child custody decided?

Child custody in Utah is determined based on the best interests of the child, which is the guiding principle in all custody and parent-time decisions. In addition to this general rule, Utah law outlines specific statutory factors that courts must consider when making custody and parent-time rulings. These factors include the child’s emotional and physical needs, the parents’ ability to meet those needs, and other relevant considerations.
The full list of factors can be found in Utah Code Ann. 81-9-201 through 81-9-206.
You can view the statutes here: Utah Code – Custody and Parent-Time
How much does it cost to hire a family law attorney?

Affidavit

A written declaration of facts made voluntarily and confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the person making it, before a legal authority.

Bench Trial

A trial conducted by a judge without a jury. The judge decides the facts and the law.

Appeal

When a party requests a higher court to examine the decision of a lower court for errors and potentially reverse or modify the decision.

Witness

A person who provides evidence in a case based on what they’ve seen, heard, or experienced.

Scale

A process where disputing parties agree to resolve their issues through a neutral arbitrator instead of going to court. Decisions are often binding.

Will

A legal document that details how a person wants their assets distributed after death.

Mediation

A process where a neutral third party helps disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

Tort

A wrongful act, such as negligence or defamation, leading to civil legal liability.