Domestic / Family Law

The attorneys at Howard, Lewis & Petersen have a long history of experience with domestic/family law issues. For more than fifty years, our firm has been handling domestic cases involving every aspect of the law, including:

• Divorce and Asset Division
• Alimony/Spousal Support
• Child Custody/Paternity
• Child Support
• Adoption
• Prenuptial/Post Nuptial Agreements
• Annulment
• Juvenile Court

Adoption

Adoptions can be a difficult and lengthy legal process, be it a traditional adoption or a step-parent adoption. No matter what stage you are at in an adoption, at Howard, Lewis & Petersen, P.C., we can guide you through that process.

Likewise, if you are a biological parent needing representation in a contested adoption or other related matters, we can work to protect your rights.

Prenuptial / Postnuptial Agreements

Prenuptial agreements are legal contracts that are made between two parties prior to marriage. Their purpose is to protect the property and/or monetary rights of one or both parties in the event of divorce or death. Postnuptial agreements occur after marriage but, like prenuptial agreements, generally involve the property or property rights of the parties.

At Howard, Lewis & Petersen, P.C., we can help you negotiate, prepare and execute both prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. In addition, we can help provide assistance should you be seeking counsel as to whether or not to sign a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement proposed by another party.

Annulments

In certain situations, a party to a marriage may be able to seek an annulment rather than a divorce. An annulment is a court decree stating that a valid marriage never existed, whereas a divorce decree dissolves a marriage. There are various legal grounds for seeking an annulment rather than a divorce.

Our attorneys have experience with annulments and can help guide you through the particularities and procedures involved in seeking an annulment.

Divorce / Asset Division

Going through a divorce can be a stressful and difficult time. It helps to have the advice and guidance of experienced lawyers to help you meet the emotional and economic challenges of divorce, so that you can focus on what matters most to you - your family. At the Provo law offices of Howard, Lewis & Petersen, P.C., we have been handling divorce cases for more than forty years. We will assist you in negotiating a divorce settlement, participating in mediation, and being your advocate in the event a trial is necessary.

There are many personal and economic factors to consider when pursuing a divorce. We can help advise you concerning all the economic implications of your divorce, from asset division to the settlement of marital debts. If you own a business, we can help you divide the assets in a way that allows your business to continue to generate revenue. Property and debt division can often be adjusted to make certain both parties are treated fairly and equitably.

Alimony / Spousal Support

In divorce, there is often issues of support. Alimony or spousal support is a subjective system in Utah and may be awarded to either a husband or wife. If alimony is awarded, it is based on the need for support, the ability to provide, the length of the marriage, and the standard of living both parties grew accustomed to during the marriage.

The sooner you call an experienced attorney, the sooner you can protect your rights and interests. Our firm is also experienced in helping parties enforce alimony orders or seek modifications of alimony based on changes in circumstances.

Child Custody / Paternity

Whether you are going through a divorce, ending a long-term relationship, or needing to establish paternity, nothing matters more than the future of your children. You want to provide them with the most stable home environment possible, so we will help you understand the system and make sure both your rights and the rights of your children are protected.

Child custody is determined based on a number of factors, including your children's primary care provider and the ability of each parent to provide a stable and supportive home environment. Visitation/parent time is important for both the custodial and non-custodial parent to understand. Children have the right to have a relationship with both of their parents.

Howard, Lewis & Petersen, P.C. has handled thousands of custody and visitation cases with complex issues including service member parents, parents moving out of state or the country, and neglect. We understand the challenges in litigation in custody cases and are sensitive to the personal, emotional, and financial issues involved.

Child Support

Providing for your children is an important issue. In Utah, child support is based on a Uniform Child Support Table provided by the legislature. The table itself is based on the gross annual income of both parents. Our attorneys are familiar with the table and can provide assistance in determining the amount of child support owed. We can help you whether you are seeking child support as part of a divorce decree, a paternity action, or trying to modify the amount due based on a change of circumstances.

Juvenile Court

Sometimes the law requires that domestic law proceedings occur in juvenile court. Such proceedings include:

• Abuse/Neglect
• Termination Proceedings
• Juvenile Delinquency

Whether you are fighting abuse or neglect accusations, seeking a termination of parental rights or dealing with a child who has had problems with the law, the attorneys at Howard, Lewis & Petersen can guide you through the process.