Child Custody Lawyer in Ogden, UT

Trusted Custody Guidance for Utah Families Since 1979

AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Family law attorneys born and raised in Utah
Mediation-first approach to custody disputes
Free consultations with honest case assessments

Why Choose Froerer & Miles
for Child Custody in Ogden, UT

Here When You Need Us Most

“Bob did a great job seeing our difficult situation through to a resolution. If you're looking for a professional attorney then don't hesitate to give the team at Froerer and Miles a call!” – jefferyeddings, 5-Star Review

Father meeting with a Froerer & Miles child custody attorney at a conference table in Ogden, UT

What Can a Child Custody Lawyer Do for You?

Family law requires a special combination of legal expertise, compassion during difficult times, and the ability to balance the many unique circumstances each family faces. Your attorney in Ogden, UT, can help you to:

Avoid Disputes

Whenever appropriate, we try to help clients resolve their differences and issues surrounding child custody, child support, and property division through amicable discussion. Going to litigation is a last resort. We can help you through every step of the mediation process (in which a neutral third party helps parents reach agreements outside the courtroom regarding custody and related issues) and even explore other methods for the resolution of the dispute.

Alleviate Stress

Divorce and custody arrangements can be stressful and confusing for people who aren't familiar with family law. Our lawyers can help you complete and file all necessary documentation by the deadlines, with or without the cooperation of the other parent. With Froerer & Miles on your side, you won't have to worry about missed deadlines or other technicalities hurting your case.

Protect Your Kids' Interests

Our child custody attorneys want clients to be in positions of power when it comes to shaping their children's futures. Rather than having a judge make the decisions, we want to help separating couples come to an agreement that benefits the children and provides the nurturing relationships they need.

Why You Need an Attorney

Family law is complicated. The surest way to achieve an outcome that serves your children's best interests is to enlist the help of a lawyer who understands how to navigate these laws. Having our law firm on your side throughout this process can be especially beneficial if:

Your ex is moving or has already moved
You or your children have been abused by your ex
You have past convictions, a record of arrests, or a history of drug or alcohol abuse

The 4 Types of Child Custody in Utah

There are four primary types of child custody in the state of Utah. They involve physical custody (the parent with whom the child will live) and legal custody (a parent's right to make major educational, medical, religious, or cultural decisions for their child).

These child custody arrangements can be modified to serve the interests of the child and the family as a whole.

How Is Child Custody Determined in Utah?

In Utah, parents can agree on a custody arrangement themselves, or a family court judge can decide it. Either way, the court must find that the arrangement addresses both legal and physical custody and serves the child’s best interests. Utah law presumes that joint legal custody is in the child’s best interest, though that presumption can be overcome. When deciding custody, a judge may consider factors such as:

The child's developmental needs and, in some cases, preferences, which carry added weight at age 14 and older
The strength of the child's bond with each parent
Each parent's emotional stability
Each parent’s willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent
The distance between the parents’ homes when joint custody is at issue
Any history of domestic violence or child abuse, which the court is required to consider

Our Ogden attorney's office serving Layton and beyond can advocate for your children's best interests.

Father reading a picture book with his young daughter on the couch at home in Ogden, UT

Mother filling in a shared parenting calendar on the refrigerator while her son eats breakfast in Ogden, UT

Filing a Parenting Plan

Any parent who requests joint legal or joint physical custody must file a proposed parenting plan. This plan aims to:

Outline how the parents will raise their child
Encourage parents to think about how they will resolve conflict in advance
Foster predictability and stability for the child
Mitigate stress and anxiety for the child

You can write up your own parenting plan or work with one of our attorneys serving Ogden, Layton, and beyond. We're here to guide you through every step of the process and answer any questions you have along the way.

Child Custody FAQ

The mother is the child’s legal parent at birth, but an unmarried father must establish paternity before he can seek custody or parent-time. He can do this by signing a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity, through the Office of Recovery Services (ORS), or by court order. Our Ogden lawyers can help.

No age lets a child refuse court-ordered parent-time, and you can’t withhold it because your child doesn’t want to go. A judge may consider a child’s wishes, giving added weight at age 14, but they’re never the only factor.

Typically, the parent with less physical custody pays child support to the other parent. The amount depends largely on both parents’ incomes and the custody arrangement.

If your case is with the Office of Recovery Services (ORS), it can collect past-due support by intercepting tax refunds, suspending licenses, and denying passports. Even so, you can’t withhold parent-time.

Not necessarily. In mediation, a neutral third party helps parents reach their own agreement on custody and divorce issues, often saving time, money, and stress.

Child Custody Lawyer in Ogden, UT

Why Choose Froerer & Miles
for Child Custody in Ogden, UT

Utah Natives Who Know Local Family Courts

Clear Communication at Every Step

Honest Answers From Your First Call

Here When You Need Us Most