JUVENILE COURT

Heritage Law Offices assists clients with all aspects of matters pending in juvenile court including parental defense, private petitions to terminate parental rights, private abuse and neglect petitions, custody, emancipation, and juvenile criminal matters.

As former Guardians ad litem and having prosecuted and defended juvenile court petitions, our attorneys understand the unique challenges that are present in juvenile court representation and the importance of quick action to preserve the rights of parents and family members when children are in state custody.

Heritage Law Offices attorneys are well informed of the evolving laws in the juvenile court to ensure effective and efficient representation of our clients. Additionally, Heritage Law Offices has been involved in developing legal precedent in the juvenile court, including successfully obtaining a reversal at the Utah State Supreme Court.

This video, created by the Parental Defense Alliance of Utah, gives an overview of the child welfare case process. Call the experienced attorneys at Heritage Law Offices to discuss in detail what to expect in your case.

PERSONAL INJURY / WRONGFUL DEATH

Have you been injured due to another individual’s negligent actions?

Don’t be fooled by insurance companies. Most want you to suppose that they will handle all of the details and that you’re better off without a personal injury attorney. But the truth is that the insurance companies have been trained to make projections on you and your circumstance and will offer you a settlement at the lowest possible amount that they feel you would accept. These smaller amounts will typically fall short of covering all of the long-term care that is necessary to properly treat your injuries and does not to include other problematic items, such as pain and suffering or loss of employment.

At Heritage Law Offices, we handle every case with high-level integrity and truly care about helping you start the healing process. During this time, you need good advice and an appropriate perspective of how to properly deal with your personal injury case.

Our personal injury lawyers represent victims of many different types of personal injuries, including people injured in car and truck accidents, and the family members of wrongful death victims killed in any type of accident involving negligence. We also represent victims of professional malpractice. Call today for an initial consultation. We will take care of the insurance company so you can focus on healing.

 

REAL ESTATE

The attorneys at Heritage Law have extensive experience in virtually all aspects of real estate law. We have worked on the negotiation and preparation of documents related to the acquisition and sale of real estate property (commercial, residential and multi-family), commercial leasing (including office building leasing), property disputes and agreements pertaining to the development of real property improvements.

 

ADOPTION

Whether you’re a step-parent already helping to raise a child or a couple hoping for a new family member, the Utah adoption attorneys at Heritage Law Offices can help. We take the time to get to know each client and their situation personally and will work with you in getting your adoption approved. We have years of experience in all types of adoption, including step-parent, agency, private party, and foster child adoption.  We have also prosecuted numerous petitions to terminate parental rights.

If you are interested in learning more about step-parent adoption, out-of-state adoption, or foster child adoption , call Heritage Law Offices today.

 

A GRANDPARENT’S RIGHT

The most difficult family law issues involve child-related issues. Society has long held the belief that children’s lives are generally influenced for the better when they establish relationships with not only their immediate family members, but also their extended family. With this in mind, the Utah Legislature has made it possible for grandparents to assert visitation rights in a pending divorce or other child custody case.

There is a presumption that a parent’s decision regarding whether or not a grandparent’s rights to visitation is in the best interest of the child. A court may, however, allow a grandparent to visit their grandchildren if certain factors are met:

The grandparent is a fit and proper person to have visitation with the grandchild;

Visitation with the grandchild has been denied or unreasonably limited;

The parent is unfit or incompetent;

The grandparent has acted as the grandchild’s custodian or caregiver, or otherwise has had a substantial relationship with the grandchild, and the loss or cessation of that relationship is likely to cause harm to grandchild;

The grandparent’s child, who is the parent of the grandchild, has died, or has become a noncustodial parent through divorce or legal separation;

The grandparent’s child, who is a parent of the grandchild, has been missing for an extended period of time;

Visitation is in the best interest of the grandchild.

The attorneys at Heritage Law have been actively involved in numerous grandparent rights cases, including a Utah Supreme Court case that reversed a district court ruling that a grandmother could no longer see her grandchildren.

If you are a grandparent seeking custody or visitation, it is important to understand your rights in light of recent changes in Utah custody laws. The experienced attorneys at Heritage Law Offices can help you understand the steps you can take to maximize your role in your grandchild’s life.

 

DIVORCE

The final outcome of a divorce can have a significant impact on your financial security and your parental rights. With so much at stake, it is critical that you have qualified legal counsel.

You can find the experienced and dedicated representation you require at Heritage Law. Our family law attorneys have been protecting the rights of clients in divorce and family law cases for more than 26 years. We are prepared to handle all issues that may arise in the course of your divorce case, including:

• Child custody and visitation
• Child support
• Spousal support (alimony)
• Property division
• Domestic violence
• Retirement division

Our goal is to resolve your case as efficiently and effectively as possible. We utilize a proactive approach to dispute resolution that has enabled many of our clients to resolve all legal disputes through mediation without protracted litigation.

However, we understand that some cases will not be resolved by agreement. Accordingly, we prepare meticulously for the possibility of trial in each case. The skilled trial lawyers at Heritage Law Offices ensure that your financial and parental rights are protected every step of the way throughout your case.

 

MODIFICATION

Rearing and supporting a child can involve many challenges. If you are a single parent or sole provider for a child, the challenges are even greater. If either parent has experienced an unforeseen substantial change in circumstances that affects his or her ability to care for or support their child per a previous agreement or court order, the court will consider a request for modification. The attorneys at Heritage Law Offices know what the courts require and can represent you in your request to modify custody, parenting time, spousal support, or child support orders.

Child and spousal support agreements can be modified when a substantial change in circumstances can be shown and are in the best interests of the children. It is important to file a request for change as soon as possible once a change in circumstances has occurred. Changes in circumstances can range from a change in pay, loss of employment, relocation of employment, or becoming disabled. Once your request is filed, support payments can be made retroactively to the date of the filing.

Heritage Law Offices can assist you with a variety of family law issues including requests for child and spousal support and visitation modifications. Contact our office to discuss your case with an experienced lawyer today.

 

APPELLATE LAW

Appellate cases are different from standard cases. Rather than asking a judge to decide an issue for the first time, you ask an appellate court to evaluate a decision that has already been made by a lower court judge. 

Appeals require an intense amount of research to find legal precedent that can provide reason for a court to overturn or affirm the lower court’s decision. The experienced appellate attorneys at Heritage Law Offices can help you with appealing your case by thoroughly researching applicable case law, writing persuasive briefs, and making compelling arguments in front of Utah’s highest courts.

Heritage Law Offices has successfully appealed cases involving a grandparent’s right to adopt, child custody, and wrongful death.

 

CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAW

Heritage Law Offices has successfully defended clients who faced convictions for DUIs, sex offenses, drug possession, assault, domestic violence charges, and traffic infractions.  Our experienced attorneys can assist you with your criminal defense and help you navigate the law while preserving your freedom and protecting your rights.

Our experienced attorneys can also assist you in expunging (removing) past criminal convictions. Let our attorneys help you today.

 

PATERNITY

A paternity action is a lawsuit to determine the rights and responsibilities of unmarried parents.  The issues to be resolved are the same divorcing parents must face regarding children, including child custody, child support, parent-time, child care, tax benefits, and any other issues involving children. 

Paternity disputes can have a grave impact on everyone involved.  We, at Heritage Law, can assist you in filing petitions to establish paternity and petitions to refute paternity. Our experienced attorneys can guide you through your paternity case and help protect your rights and legal interests.

 

FATHER’S RIGHTS LANGUAGE

Fathers are essential for the emotional development and well-being of their children.  The best interests of children are served most effectively by a shared parenting arrangement which allows children to retain the ongoing emotional, physical and financial support of both parents.  Children only know that they want to be with both parents.

While Utah law mandates that both the father and the mother be treated equally, many would argue that favoritism toward women in many Utah cases cannot be denied. Whether dealing with child custody, division of property, child support, or allocation of parent-time, Heritage Law Offices will actively seek and create a resolution that results in the fair and equitable enforcement of your rights as a caring and loving father.

 

CONTRACTS

From cell phones to real estate deals, contracts have become a part of everyday life for most people.  Contracts provide stability in an increasingly uncertain world.  However, contract disputes can arise and cause costly problems for businesses and individuals alike.

The experienced attorneys at Heritage Law can help you no matter what your contract dilemma may be.  We can effectively negotiate and draft new contracts, ensuring your rights are protected and your wishes carried out.  We can also review and interpret existing contracts, to help you better understand your rights and obligations under a contract you’ve already signed.  Finally, we can also help resolve contract disputes in an efficient and effective manner, employing our expertise in the courtroom when necessary.

If you are planning on entering into a contract or need assistance enforcing one, the experienced contract attorneys at Heritage Law can help you every step of the way.

 

ESTATE PLANNING

Every family, whether its assets are large or small, can benefit from having an estate plan of its own, and having it prepared by a firm that specializes in this area of the law.  Heritage Law is that firm. If you don’t have an estate plan, the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Utah will control how your assets are distributed after you pass away.

With a properly designed and implemented plan of your own, you will control who is able to make financial and healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated or are in an end-of-life situation.

Our experienced attorneys take a highly personal approach to estate planning. We devote the necessary time to gain a thorough understanding of your particular goals and concerns. We will also explain all of your options in clear, easy to understand language. Only when we fully understand your unique situation, and you understand the options available to you, do we design a customized plan.

The attorneys at Heritage Law Offices have experience with the following:

• Trusts
• Wills
• Health Care Directives
• Financial Powers of Attorney
• HIPAA Authorizations
• Nominations of Guardianships (who will care for your children)

Call the attorneys at Heritage Law Offices today to ensure that your wishes are met and your estate is secure.