- DivorceOur Utah divorce and family law attorneys have the experience needed to help you navigate the difficulties surrounding divorce, custody and other pressing family legal matters.
- Child SupportChild support is closely tied to custody, because support goes with the children. Utah has adopted child support guidelines. In order to apply the guidelines, each spouse is required to provide his or her income to the judge. With that information, the guidelines produce an amount of support, based on the income of the parties, the number of children involved and how much time the children will spend with each parent. The judge presumes that the amount of support produced by the guidelines is correct, and most judges are reluctant to depart from the guidelines.
- Child Custody and VisitationDomestic violence is a serious issue. As tragic as domestic violence is, false allegations of domestic violence do occur for a many reasons, such as to gain advantages in divorce suits or child custody battles.
- AdoptionOur family law attorneys are available to help you with an upcoming adoption. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation.
- PaternityA paternity action may be brought by the man or the woman. Men frequently bring paternity actions to make sure that they can be a part of their child’s lives and that their rights will not be disregarded. Women bring paternity actions in order to establish the parentage of their children and to make sure that the father meets his responsibilities to the children.
- GuardianshipWhen a person becomes mentally or physically incapacitated and can no longer take care of themselves, they need help. Soon.Elderly woman learning about Utah guardianships and conservatorships
- Spousal SupportAlimony is one of the most difficult matters for a court to decide or attorneys to predict. Although there is a statute which lists a number of factors which a court should consider in making an alimony determination, alimony decisions remain far more art than science.
- AnnulmentSome people believe that if they change their minds shortly after the marriage, they can get an annulment instead of having to go through a divorce. This is not true.
- Child AbuseThe change of circumstances may include the relocation of one of the former spouses, a change in the children’s situation, child abuse charges brought against either parent, or a change in the income of either party. There is no limit on the kinds of changes which could occur and give rise to a petition to modify the decree.
- Criminal DefenseOur Utah criminal defense attorneys are experienced with Utah criminal law and ready to defend you and your family. Our legal defense team has the knowledge and criminal trial experience needed to advise and defend individuals in Utah accused of violating a crime.
- DUI/DWIThe state of Utah has strict laws against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and they are heavily enforced on Utah highways. On any given weekend, you can come across a DUI checkpoint, screening for Utah drunk drivers. Every DUI charge is different, due to the individual, the circumstances involved in the charge, and offending individuals driving history.
- Wrongful DeathA Utah wrongful death claim is a demand for money by the heirs or estate of a person who died because of the fault of another.
- Traffic ViolationsAs part of Kurt’s criminal defense practice, he loves to help his clients fight their traffic tickets. He knows how important your driving privileges are and can fight to help you keep your drivers license in good standing, avoid paying the expensive traffic ticket fines and avoid raised insurance premiums. For more information on fighting your traffic tickets visit the following link: http://utahtrafficlaw.com/
- Sex CrimesSex crimes is a broad category and includes a variety of different crimes. The following is a list of some of the crimes in Utah that would fall under a sex crime, but not limited to...
- Fraud
- RobberyMurder, rape, child kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery or arson are some of the violent crimes in Utah considered first degree felonies.
- BurglaryProperty crimes is a broad category and includes a variety of different crimes. Property crimes are crimes against property, which include damage to a property or theft and burglary. Penalties for a property crime can range from infractions and misdemeanors to felonies and can vary depending on the nature of the crime, the amount of property involved, if a weapon was used and if anyone was seriously injured. The following is a list of some of the crimes in Utah that would fall under a property crime...
- White Collar CrimesWhite collar crimes are non-violent crimes that typically occur in a business or an organization, or in a corporate or political setting, usually by high-ranking professionals, such as executives, managers, board members, etc. White collar crimes are serious crimes typically committed for financial gains. Penalties for convictions in these types of cases can be federal offenses and carry harsh punishments; including mandatory registering with the Utah White Collar Crime Offender Registry
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsMarijuana offense convictions vary from Class A misdemeanors to felonies and federal charges. The punishments can range from a small fine and probation to a serious prison sentence. Penalties and convictions vary depending on the amount of marijuana involved in the crime, the intended use of the drug– whether it was for personal use, intended to be sold, manufactured or delivered– and if the individual has a prior drug, marijuana or criminal conviction.
- EmbezzlementIf you are facing a white collar crime conviction, such as fraud, extortion, money laundering or embezzlement, the consequences could include serious jail and/or prison time and thousands of dollars in fines. Contact our Layton criminal defense lawyers and get the help and legal defense you need. As your criminal defense lawyers, we will provide you with an aggressive defense to get you the best possible outcome for your specific case. Our criminal defense team is based in Layton, Utah and represents clients in Davis County, Weber County, and Salt Lake County and throughout the state of Utah.
- Drug CrimesPossession of a controlled substance is one of the most common drug offenses in the state of Utah. As mentioned above, it is illegal in the state of Utah for a person to knowingly and intentionally possess or use a controlled substance without a lawful prescription.
- Assault
- MurderIf you are facing a violent crime conviction, the consequences could include serious prison time, thousands of dollars in fine, and criminal record. Capital murder, or aggravated murder, can be punishable by life in prison or even death. Contact our Layton criminal defense lawyers and get the help and legal defense you need. As your criminal defense lawyers, we will provide you with an aggressive defense to get you the best possible outcome for your particular case. Our criminal defense team is based in Layton, Utah and represents clients, both men and women, in Davis, Weber, and Salt Lake County, and throughout the state of Utah.
- Juvenile CrimesSentencing for juvenile crimes is different from sentencing for adult crimes. In Utah, juvenile court serves to help rehabilitate minors who are sentenced rather than punish them. If a juvenile is found guilty, they may have to pay fines, do community service, serve time in a detention center, or go on probation.
- Identity Theft
- HomicideNegligent homicide, DUI with injury, theft, assault on a police officer, criminal mischief are violent crimes in Utah that are considered class A misdemeanors.
- ArsonFor example, an Arson conviction can be anywhere from a first degree felony, if considered aggravated arson, to a class B misdemeanor if the property damage caused is less than $500.
- ShopliftingTheft crimes in Utah are a broad category. Theft crimes include everything from retail theft, or shoplifting, to larceny and aggravated robbery. The penalties for being convicted of these types of crimes ranges from a class B misdemeanor to a second degree felony. If you are convicted of a theft crime, you could spend time in jail. Theft crimes in Utah include the following crimes...
- Restraining OrderRestraining orders can be both temporary or permanent. The duration of the order is based a the parties’ need. It can be modified at any time. Restraining orders are civil actions, meaning if they are violated, the restrained party can be brought back into court for a contempt proceeding. If guilty of contempt, further sanctions may be imposed by the court.
- ForgeryA person is guilty of forgery if, with the intention of defrauding another individual, or with knowledge that the person is facilitating a fraud to be perpetrated by anyone, the person...
- Money LaunderingTransports, receives, or acquires the property which is in fact proceeds of the specified unlawful activity, knowing that the property involved represents the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity
- KidnappingAnyone who is harmed by another person, which includes physical attacks, sexual assault, kidnapping, stalking, harassing, restricting movement, stopping someone from calling for help, breaking things or throwing things to intimidate, or trying or threatening to do any of these things, should contact their local police and file a criminal complaint, as well as file a Request for a Protective Order from the court.
- ManslaughterManslaughter, robbery, residential burglary, kidnapping, forcible sexual abuse, and intentional child abuse are some of the violent crimes in Utah considered second degree felonies.
- Internet Crimes
- Prostitution
- ExtortionA person is guilty of theft if he obtains or exercises control over the property of another by extortion and with a purpose to deprive him thereof.
- Corporate LawJason regularly assists his clients with pre-litigation planning, asset protection planning, corporate governance matters, employment matters, contracts, and transactional matters (including mergers and acquisitions). Additionally, a handful of Jason’s clients regularly include him in their executive management team’s decision-making process where he provides valuable hybrid business-legal advice.
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Business DisputesKeith has represented clients in almost all of the courts along the Wasatch Front and is one of the few attorneys in Weber County who can say he has been to a hearing in the District Court in Panguitch. He practices in the areas of real property, family law, contracts and business law. He has also appeared on a number of occasions in the Utah Court of Appeals and the Utah Supreme Court. He recently successfully briefed and argued the case of Commercial Real Estate Investment, LLC v. Comcast of Utah II, Inc. in which the Utah Supreme Court took a new direction in Utah law on liquidated damages.
- Trade Secrets
- Antitrust
- Real Estate LitigationIn 1988 Rich began focusing his legal work in the areas of homeowner associations, condominiums and real estate law, and has been presenting condominium and homeowner association management seminars on a frequent basis since 1991. He enjoys helping community associations avoid and resolve conflict and difficult situations (outside the courtroom whenever possible).
- Real Estate TransactionsOur experienced real estate attorneys will negotiate terms, draft purchase and sale agreements, and make sure your deal is fair. We will work diligently to protect your interests. Some errors with real estate transactions can cause major problems which may last for years.
- Land Use and Zoning
- Property DamageInvolvement in an auto accident is often frustrating and confusing. There are obvious and not so obvious losses. Some obvious losses include property damage and physical injuries. And some not so obvious losses include lost income, the cost of household services, and emotional distress.
- Personal InjuryOur Layton and Ogden personal injury lawyers have successfully represented hundreds of Utahns in personal injury and accidental death cases. We have successfully represented thousands of Utah clients winning them over $80 million from personal injury and class action cases.
- Medical MalpracticeAs a lawyer who represents severely injured Utahns, Mr. Helgesen has won some of the largest settlements in Utah. He and his partners have helped Utahns and residents of other states in hundreds of injury cases for the last four decades. Early in his career, Mr. Helgesen won one of the first million-dollar awards in a Utah medical malpractice trial. This what the first of many other victories in medical cases.
- Auto Accidents
- Social Security DisabilityOur Utah social security disability attorneys are experienced in Utah social security disability cases. We win almost every appeal we file.
- Medicaid Planning
- Dog Bites
- Slip and Fall Injury
- Estate PlanningScott originally joined the law firm in 2005 as a legal intern. He returned to the law firm in 2006 after graduating from Gonzaga University School of Law. Scott’s area of specialty is in family law issues, specifically divorce, custody, infant and adult adoptions, and surrogacy. Scott also practices estate planning for families.
- WillsThe day my mother-in-law asked me about writing a will for her parents. Again, I’m no attorney and that is not my area of expertise. So, I did what anyone should do and talked with Erik Helgesen. Erik helped me put together some simple wills. As I was looking them over, I wondered, why do my husband and I not have one?
- TrustsThe best way for 98% of Utah families (those who do not have to worry about estate tax) to avoid probate is through creation of a Utah “revocable trust,” also called a “living trust.” This arrangement, a trust agreement, has powerful advantages for...
- Power of AttorneyEssentially, if you own anything, you should have an estate plan — will, trust, health care directive, and power of attorney.
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureAre you having difficulty making your monthly payments? If you are struggling with your finances, you are not the only one. Foreclosure can happen when a homeowner falls behind on his or her mortgage payments. If you think foreclosure may be in your future, a real estate attorney can help you. By looking at your situation, we can offer some options that may help you avoid foreclosure. Please give us a call today and schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
- Tax LawProbably more than 95% of the wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and estate plans written by lawyers in Utah contain provisions which can actually prevent a person from qualifying for Medicaid nursing home assistance. That is because estate plans are written to avoid estate tax which, for 2014, is expected to be paid only by Americans who have a net worth of more than $5,340,000. Few of us need estate tax planning, but more than one-third of us will spend time in a nursing home.