Child Custody Attorney in Draper

Clarity & Support For Parents Facing Custody Decisions

If you are worried about how a custody decision will affect your child and your daily life, you are not alone. When a family is changing, questions about where a child will live and who will make important decisions can feel overwhelming. As a child custody attorney whom Draper's parents turn to during these transitions, I focus on helping you find a clearer path forward.

Child custody is not just a legal issue. It is your relationship with your child, their sense of stability, and your ability to be present in their life. I take the time to understand your story, your child’s needs, and your goals before we talk about any legal strategy. My practice is built on listening first so that every step we take fits your specific family.

Every case that comes into my office is treated as a new chapter, not a repeat of the last file. I do not place clients into categories or rely on a one-size-fits-all plan. If you are feeling outmatched by the other parent, confused about Utah law, or unsure what to do next, I am here to guide you through the process with compassion and determined advocacy.

Contact our trusted child custody lawyer in Draper at (801) 901-8159 to schedule a confidential consultation.

How I Help Parents Facing Child Custody Decisions

Parents reach out to me at many different stages. Some are just starting a divorce. Others have been separated for a while and now face disputes about schedules, holidays, or a possible move. A few already have a custody order that no longer matches real life. Wherever you are in this process, my first goal is to understand where you and your child stand today.

During our first conversation, I asked about your child’s routine, your involvement, the other parent’s role, and any concerns about safety or conflict. I want to know what you hope the future will look like, not just what you want to avoid. This helps us talk about custody and parenting time in a way that is grounded in your actual family rather than abstract legal terms.

I strive to level the playing field when you feel the other parent has more resources, a stronger personality, or a head start in the legal system. That may mean helping you prepare for hearings, supporting you in negotiations, or explaining how to handle communication in a high-conflict situation. At every point, my focus is on protecting your relationship with your child and making sure your voice is fully heard.

What Matters In Utah Child Custody Cases

Utah law uses the phrase “legal custody” to describe decision-making authority and “physical custody” to describe where a child spends their time. In many families, parents share both types in some form. In others, one parent may be the primary home while both remain involved in decisions. Understanding these terms in plain language can make a complicated process feel more manageable.

Courts in Utah look at the “best interests of the child” when they consider custody arrangements. This is not a single rule, but a collection of factors that include the child’s emotional needs, each parent’s past involvement, the ability to provide a stable home, and the willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. No single factor automatically controls the outcome. Instead, courts typically weigh the full picture.

For many parents, the idea that a judge will look into their private family life is unsettling. Part of my role is to explain which details are likely to matter most and how to present your history and concerns in a clear, respectful way. I work with you to identify what supports your child’s best interests so that you are not guessing about what the law expects from you.

My Approach To Your Child Custody Case

Starting With Your Story

When you meet with me, we start with your story, not with forms. I want to hear about your child, your routines, and what has led you to consider or respond to a custody case. I listen for the details that often get lost, such as the quiet work you do every day to support your child at school, in health care, or in activities. These pieces matter when we begin to plan.

Planning The Path Forward

After we talk through your situation, we discuss options together. That may include pursuing an agreed parenting plan, responding to a petition, requesting temporary orders, or considering a modification of an existing arrangement. I explain what each step could look like, what the possible timelines are, and what your role would be. My goal is that you leave with a clearer sense of the path ahead, not more confusion.

Fair & Transparent Fees

Fees are a real concern for most parents. I am committed to fair and transparent fees, which means we talk openly about costs before significant work begins. I explain how different approaches, such as settlement-focused work versus contested hearings, can affect time and expense. This allows you to make informed decisions about how to move forward in a way that respects both your legal needs and your budget.

Common Child Custody Situations I Handle

Every family is unique, yet certain patterns often arise in my practice. Describing them briefly can help you see that you are not alone, even though your own story is personal to you. I treat these situations as starting points for discussion, not as molds to force you into.

Parents commonly come to me in situations such as:

• Starting a divorce when there are no existing orders and routines is shifting.
• Living under an older custody order that no longer matches work schedules or a child’s needs.
• Facing a possible relocation that will affect school, friends, and parenting time.
• Feeling deeply worried about a child’s safety or emotional health in the other home.

In each of these situations, I work with you to identify what is working, what is not, and what your realistic goals are. For one family, that might mean building a detailed parenting plan that eases conflict. For another, it might involve seeking a change to custody based on significant developments since the original order. The constant across all cases is that I do not assume your situation fits anyone else’s pattern. I treat your case as a new chapter and shape our plan around your child and your life.

What To Do If You Are Worried About Custody Right Now

When you are anxious about custody, it can be tempting to react quickly or to avoid decisions altogether. Taking a few careful steps now can protect both your child’s well-being and your position if a case is filed or already pending. These steps are general, and I tailor more specific guidance after we talk about your circumstances.

Consider taking these actions as you prepare:

• Keep a simple record of your parenting time, school involvement, medical appointments, and important interactions that relate to your child’s care.
• Save messages, emails, or other communication that show efforts to co-parent and any patterns that concern you, while avoiding heated responses that could be used against you.
• Avoid making large changes, such as moving far away or changing schools, without understanding how a court might view that decision.
• Focus on your child’s routine, emotional support, and stability as much as possible during this time of uncertainty.

Early legal guidance can often prevent missteps that are hard to undo later. If you know a hearing has been set, or if you expect the other parent to file, it is especially important to understand your options. During a consultation, I listen to what is happening, answer your questions, and help you consider next steps that match your values and your child’s needs.

Working With A Local Child Custody Lawyer

Choosing a local child custody lawyer gives you someone who understands both Utah law and the practical realities of how cases involving Draper families typically move through the courts. Your case will follow statewide rules, but it will also be shaped by local procedures and the expectations of the court that hears your matter.

Working with an attorney nearby also makes it easier to meet in person when that would help you feel more comfortable or when we need to review documents together. Many parents find it reassuring to sit across the table from someone who will stand beside them in court and who is familiar with the courts that serve south Salt Lake County. That familiarity can help set more realistic expectations about timelines and how hearings often proceed.

I am part of the same community where you are raising your child. That means I understand not only the legal framework but also the day-to-day realities that families here face. My goal is to pair that local understanding with individualized legal guidance so that you feel supported both as a parent and as a person navigating a difficult chapter.