Bountiful resident, Doug Butts, has spent untold hours compiling a convincing report that details what he says are the inconsistent rulings of Judge Rodney Page in the Second District. Specifically, Butts alleges that Judge Page fails to consistently and correctly apply Utah Statute 78-45-7.15(3) when determining shared medical costs for children of divorce or custody orders. In his video posted on YouTUBE and below, Butts shows four cases where Judge Page orders different percentiles to parties which, according to Butts, is contrary to Utah Statute that states parties 'shall' share the costs of medical expenses 'equally'. Butts plans on delivering a 6 inch report including graphs, case history and support analysis to the Judicial Review Committee for further consideration.
Utah State Senator Greg Bell addresses a group of concerned non-custodial parents on Thursday, August 2 at the Salt Lake City, County Library. In attendance were various persons representing fathers, mothers, grandparents, step-parents and interested groups. MF4J.org was joined by IAMNOTAVISITOR.org, ForgottenParent.org, Utah Fathers Rights Meetup and Shared Parenting.
Senator Bell fielded a number of questions and concerns ranging from issues related to mediation, child support, visitation and parent time. Thanks go out to the many individuals and persons who made this possible. MF4J.org plans to aid in further discussions with other Utah legislators. (MF4J.org will post a summary of Senator Bell's answers and concerns as soon as video and audio have been reviewed.)
One of the most discussed issues at the meeting was 50/50 equal parenting legislation. Senator Bell explained the difficulties with jumping immediately to a 50/50 parenting presumption from the legislative and practical points of view and was open to looking further into 50/50 equal parenting based on research and studies.
Another of the obvious concerns to non-custodial parents that was brought up was child support. Concerned non-custodial parents contend that child support does not always go to the best interest of the child, but rather to support the custodial parent's interests. See this clip from the meeting with Senator Bell that clarifies that child support is a multi-million dollar interest for the state of Utah. Halfway through the video see a child of divorce question the senator about accountability for the child support the custodial parent receives.
Audience member:The best interests of the child is what I want to talk about. When we discuss this issue of 50/50 custody what often comes up is the economic situation for mothers. That's not talking about the best interests of the child then. You've switched from the best interests of the child now to the best interests of one parent. And what I would like to say about this is we really need to separate those two issues, because if it's truly in the best interests of the child having involvement from both parents, then why are we messing with that because we're concerned about economics for one parent?
Senator Bell:Well, you make a great point and if you and I were designing a new world that's where we would start. But we're not. We're stuck with a system and I'm just saying that there's no way you're going to lop off hundreds of millions of child support overnight or for even a three year ammortization. You know what I'm saying. It's a huge economic and social shift and you know whether you and I and all the angels agree or not we're not going to get the governor and 103 other people you know to move there overnight so ah you're right. The interests of the child is not necesarily found with the child support cause the child support may or may not go to the best interest of the children.
Another audience member:Senator Bell, I am one of those children. My parents divorced in Montana. And my dad currently lives here in Utah. It was a very unfair situation and I'd like to see something on the legislature that puts parents in responsibility to that child support. I'd like to see a program like Horizontee cards for welfare that maybe we keep track of that child support so that we know it's going for the children cause it's not parental support, it's child support. And my mom took the child support and didn't use it to support me. My mom never gave me a college fund. She never made sure I had the tools to be a successful adult. I escaped from my mother from a very abusive situation at the age of 17. My dad had to continue paying child support till I was 19. And I didn't live with my mom and I had no support from her. I would like to see something on the legislature that changes to where we do keep track of child support. My dad is currently $140,000... of what it goes towards, of what it's spent on. Because the price of raising a child is not dependent on a percentage of a wage, it is a price, but shouldn't we keep track of where that money goes so it's not used for mommy when the children are gone, for her and the new husband to go away to Hawaii. That's not a very useful use of that child support... and there's parents trading there child support for drugs and all sorts of ridiculous things.
Just how much money is this hundreds of millions in child support?? According to the website of the Utah Office of Recovery Services, over $195.9 million was collected in fiscal year 2006. Of this amount over $23.4 million was distributed to the Utah Department of Health (as apposed to being distributed to recipient parents), and at least $6.3 million made it directly into the state's general fund (as apposed to being distributed to recipient parents).
As a response to the above a member of Utah Fathers Rights Meetup submitted the following link to a video where a former worker for a state office of child support enforcement testifies as to the ulterior motives these offices have and employ.
On July 2, the CRISPE.org rv came to Salt Lake City. Larry Kerkman, President of CRISPE.org, brought his campaign RV and parked it at strategic areas throughout the city. (CRISPE is a non-profit organization that promotes the importance of equal parenting in divorce.) MF4J.org joined along with other local parental rights interest groups and individuals and donated funds to bring the CRISPE RV to Utah. The RV was parked at strategic locations throughout the city where promotional materials were handed out to passerby's by Larry and other local parental rights groups including MF4J.org, IAMNOTAVISITOR.org, Shared Parenting, Fathers Meetup Group Utah , ForgottenParent.org, and other individuals.
The first stop was was the Murray City Parade, then off to Sugar House Park where T-shirts and frisbees were handed out. Then a few days later the RV moved on to Liberty Park where local support groups passed out literature and held out signs to passing cars. The response was incredible as passing cars 'honked' in approval of the message that children need both parents - equally. The CRISPE RV then made its way over the next few days to the Salt Lake City County Building, the Salt Lake County Court, and even the Utah Legislature. It was a pleasure to have Larry and his mobile billboard at all of these locations - the local media even came out to do an interview.
Hopefully this visit has made more Utahns aware and informed on equal parenting difficulties in Utah and how legislative and court reform can help ensure children have equal access to both parents.
MF4J.org would like to thank Larry Kerkman and those who donated funds to bring Larry to Utah.
Utah Lawyers who support Fathers' (and Parental) Rights
-TR Spencer and Associates
Recommended for divorce, custody and visitation issues, alimony and child support.
140 W 9000 S STE 9
SANDY, UT, 84070 Voice Telephone: (801)566-1884 FAX: (801)562-5151 Website:www.trspencer.com
-Jolley & Jolly, PLC
9710 South 700 East Suite 205 Voice Telephone: (801) 495-1442 FAX: (801) 495-1444
-Wall & Wall
2168 East Fort Union Blvd
Salt Lake City, Utah 84121 Voice Telephone: (801) 274-3100 FAX: (801) 365-8223 Website: www.walllegalsolutions.com
-Utah Bar Legal Match
Use this as a starting point if you are looking for a lawyer for your needs. Excellent way to submit your case to a large number of lawyers. This service is free and you control the information, privacy, hourly rate range etc.
Utah Courts and code:
Links from the Utah Courts web pages that offer information for your case.
-Family Court Code
Review and search the Utah Code for Family and Divorce. Search for Titles that deal with Husband and Wife, Domestic Violence, Custodial Interferece, Custody, etc.
-Utah Courts Information
Get addresses, resources, and helpful infromation on Utah Courts, districts and appelate inforamtion.
-Forms and How-tos for Utah Courts
Download forms and learn how-to in Utah courts. Online divorce forms, protection orders, landlord/tenant disputes.
-Legal Aid
Find legal resources in your city/area.
Multi-cultural Legal Center
(addresses legal issues impact Utah's racial and ethnic communities)
309 E 100 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
(801) 486-1183
Legal Aid Society
(protective order assistance,etc)
225 S. 200 E. #200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
(801) 328-8849
Utah Legal Services
(legal services to low income clients on civil legal matters)
254 W. 400 S. 2nd Floor
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
Dr. Warren Farrell is the author of many books, including two award-winning international best-sellers, Why Men Are The Way They Are plus The Myth of Male Power. His most recent books are Women Can’t Hear What Men Don’t Say, which is a selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club, and Father and Child Reunion about how fathers can be successful at both work and home. His latest book, just published this year, Why Men Earn More: The Startling Truth Behind the Pay Gap and What Women Can Do About It, helps both employers and employees understand what makes a company want to increase an employee’s pay. His books are published in over 50 countries, and in 10 languages.
Utah Mediation Services
-Court Ordered Mediation
FAQ on mediation in Utah, your rights, roster of mediators, etc.
Utah ORS
Utah GAL Office
-Utah Office of Guardian Ad Litem
Be aware that you may be required to have a 'private' Guardian Ad Litem for your case. Discuss this with an attorney.
Utah Shelters for Abuse Victims
South Valley Sanctuary
(domestic violence shelter for male and female victims and their children)
Address Unlisted
Call ahead for screening
(801) 255-1095
The Road Home
(homeless shelter for men, women and children)
210 S. Rio Grande St.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
(801) 359-4142
Utah Support Groups
-MF4J.org
Men and Fathers for Justice of Utah. (You're here!)
-Mens Rights Utah (Chris Cantu) Meetings hosted by University of Utah students.
-Shared Parenting Coalition
Shared Parenting is a spin-off of FOCUS. -Fathers Meetup Utah
Fathers Meetup Utah is an online place to get more information on all the fathers groups in Utah. (Lou Langholtz) -ForgottenParent.org
Forgotten Parent (Tony Curtis)
Utah Legislature
-Utah Legislature
Contact information, proposed bills, meetings, find your representative, etc.
Utah Newspapers
-Contact for Letters to the editor, opinions, etc.
Below are a few recommended attorneys and a source (LegalMatch) where you can screen attorneys for your case:
-TR Spencer and Associates
Recommended for divorce, custody and visitation issues, alimony and child support.
140 W 9000 S STE 9
SANDY, UT, 84070 Voice Telephone: (801)566-1884 FAX: (801)562-5151 Website:www.trspencer.com
- Philip Reichenbach
PO Box 377
CENTERVILLE, UTAH 84014 Voice Telephone: (801)255-2055 FAX: (877)349-4103
Use LegalMatch's FREE service to find an attorney for your case. You control the fees range, expertise level, location of practice and contact methods to help you screen attorneys.
What All Parents Need to Know to Protect Their Children in Divorce The Ultimate Evidence to Submit In Your Child Custody Case
This Video Reviews the Scientific Proof That Shows Shared Parenting is Far Superior For Children of Divorce in Every Way When There are Two Fit Parents
It is based on over 200 scientific research studies and is the result of the largest compilation of research ever done on this topic. It took Dr. Warren Farrell over thirteen years to compile this research and you can hear all the important results.
Every Judge and Parent Needs to View This Video to Help Their Children!
- The Best Interests of the Child
- How to Save Our Child When We Can’t Save our Marriage
- An In-Depth Dialogue with Dr. Warren Farrell, Author, Father and Child Reunion, The largest meta study ever done on what is best for children of divorce.
For years we had theories. Now we have real answers. Answers based on tens of thousands of real-life experiences and hard scientific evidence, not theories and highly charged emotions typical in divorce courts.
Imagine hiring one of the world’s top minds to spend years to discover the best research, analyze it, and in two hours, answer all these questions for you:
*What three conditions must prevail if your child is to have the best chance of doing well psychologically, socially, academically and physically?
*Is an excellent stepparent as good—or better than-- a so-so biological parent?
*If one parent has a job opportunity that will allow for the child to be in a nicer home and better school district, but it is across the country from the other parent, will moving be helpful to the child?
*If your child can be in a “new intact family” that’s peaceful and loving, but at a distance from a biological parent, is that better than being shuttled back-and-forth from mom to dad?
*Are there certain advantages to your child being brought up primarily by mom, or primarily by dad? Does it make a difference if that child is a boy or a girl?
*In high-conflict situations can shared parenting work for the child? If not, should the child be with the parent with whom the child has been living, or are there more important considerations?
*How far apart is optimum for parents to live?
*At what age should a child’s parental preference be important? Which explanations for preference are actually signs the child should have more time with the other parent?
*How important is overnight time with the child?
Submit this as evidence at your trial
This science practically requires judge's who are working under the "best interest of the child" doctrine to award joint custody and shared parenting when there are two good parents. Anything else would be ridiculous unless there is an unfit parent. Dr. Farrell is also available as an expert witness.
*Debunk that “mother custody” is best for children - IT'S NOT!
*Results are from over 200 carefully evaluated scientific studies
*Put your judge on the spot for any biased and sexist custody orders driven by tradition, not science and evidence
*Judges MUST legally rule on the facts, evidence and the law, not any personal bias - But you must put the facts into evidence. Your lawyer may not.
Dr. Warren Farrell is author of seven books and one of the world’s top experts on what is REALLY best for children of divorce. He spent 13 years gathering, reviewing and compiling over 200 scientific research studies on children of divorce. Dr. Farrell is the author of seven books including “Father and Child Reunion” and “Why Men are the way they are”. He has appeared on over 1,000 TV and radio shows, and been interviewed frequently by Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters, Larry King and Peter Jennings. He has been featured repeatedly on 20/20 and in The New York Times, in People and, in men's journals, The Wall Street Journal, and on the Today Show, the Tomorrow Show, and many others.
Dr. Farrell is the author of Father and Child Reunion, based on more than a decade of analyzing the most significant studies of what is best for children of divorce. He has trained psychologists for more than thirty years. His books on men and women (e.g., Why Men Are The Way They Are and Women Can’t Hear What Men Don’t Say) and on family finances (Why Men Earn More) are published in more than 50 countries in 13 languages. He has taught in five disciplines (most recently the School of Medicine at the University of California in San Diego) and been chosen by the Financial Times as one of the world’s top 100 Thought Leaders. Dr. Farrell lives with his wife and teenage daughters in Carlsbad, California.
The video explains why it is now 100% clear scientific fact that shared parenting with equal time and custody is by far the best for children – not by 10% or 50%, but by some measures a factor of 20.
Judges and the divorce system are living in the dark ages and ruling based on myth, money and outdated sexist traditions, not reality, facts or science. If you want your children to do well in life you need to see this video and use it as evidence to get shared custody. If you want your children to grow up with a balanced perspective and not repeat the divorce cycle themselves - you need to see and use this video. Don’t let your children’s lives be ruined by the divorce system. Know the facts so you can help them be successful in life.
Force your judge to watch this at trial as evidence and you will not only help yourself but you will benefit many other parents and children coming behind you.
More Background on Dr. Farrell
Dr. Farrell is the author of Father and Child Reunion. The goal of Father and Child Reunion is to determine what is best for children of divorce. Dr. Farrell’s findings are based on an analysis of the most significant studies world-wide. The result, Father and Child Reunion, is the most extensive recent analysis in book form of what is really in the best interests of children.
Although Dr. Farrell has trained psychologists for thirty years, he looks at the family from every perspective. For example, he has been selected by The Financial Times as one of the top 100 Thought Leaders in the world, and has also taught in five disciplines (most recently, the School of Medicine at the University of California in San Diego). Warren Farrell’s most recent book--Why Men Earn More-- is on family finances and economics. Why Men Earn More was chosen by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top four career books to be read in 2006.
Dr. Farrell can communicate complex ideas simply, which is why he has appeared repeatedly on Oprah and on 1,000 other TV and radio shows worldwide, and doubtless why two of his books-- Why Men Are The Way They Are and The Myth of Male Power -- became international best sellers. Finally, his Women Can’t Hear What Men Don’t Say teaches everyone in the family how to communicate.
No matter what your perspective or background, you will be fascinated with how Dr. Farrell brings child development, career development and communication together in a way that is both so new and so sensible. Maybe that’s because his research is also grounded in his real-life experience with his wife and two teenage daughters. It is only when all this is considered that we know what is best for our children.
We also offer a complete evidence kit which includes the following:
1. Three DVD sets (6 DVDs total) for submission to court, opposition and for you
2. Copy of the hardcover book "Father and Child Reunion" with all the footnotes and research references
3. A collection of appropriate case law governing parental rights with over 100 case citations and access to many cases online to include in your court submissions and conclusions of law.
Please provide your email address to receive this.
A version of this video will shortly be made available with CEU training credits for judges, lawyers and other health professionals who work in the divorce field. Email
for details.
Please visit our sponsoring site: www.FathersUnite.org - Over 1,200 pages of searchable information for parents in divorce on custody,
legal issues, restraining orders, the constitutional right to be a parent and more.
This site and video do not provide legal advice but Dr. Farrell is available as an expert witness.
Modern media allows us to synthesize issues in a variety of ways. Newsprint. Radio. Television. Websites and podcasts. MF4J.org has pulled together some of the more prominent youtube.com videos that echo the cry in other forms of media that Fathers Count. Watch the included videos and gain a clearer understanding of the fathers rights movement and growing sentiment against anti-father and anti-family courts and organizations.
Advertisement Promoting Fathers:
To see more videos click on the read more link below:
Last year's Father's Day Picnic was a success and we'd like to have more activities in the community that promote families, fathers and men. Please submit your suggestions ASAP. (Some thoughts have included ... Go fly a kite with Dad... Friday night bowling with Dad... Friday night videos... A Trip to the Museum with Dad... etc.)
Here are a few pics from last year's Father's Day Picnic in Ogden. The turnout was great and everybody had a great time playing soccer, frisbee, and eating all sorts of food! We had many people stop by to ask more about the group and of course welcomed everyone to participate.
Before we can talk about International-VAWA we first need to wake up to the reality of female abuse.
Senator Joe Biden is planning to propose a new bill called “International-VAWA,” a law modeled on his earlier Violence Against Women Act. The bill is designed to eradicate domestic violence from the farthest reaches of the globe.
This is certainly welcome news, because research is now saying that women are more likely to be the instigators of abuse. We guys need all the help we can get — I’m not kidding.
MF4J.org is searching for a few good individuals to direct its efforts in communities throughout Utah. If you are 'equality minded' and believe that all individuals, whether a man or woman, are entitled to equal value and respect, become a part of the MF4J.org movement.
Chapter Directors are responsible for arranging and hosting monthly MF4J.org meetings, special events, recruiting members, and reporting to MF4J.org officer meetings. In addition Directors work closely with MF4J.org officers to bring awareness through media outlets and campaigns in the community.
If you're interested in becoming a Chapter Director or member of the MF4J community contact Alan Millard at 801-776-4766, or email .
Visit www.mf4j.org or www.menandfathersforjustice.org for more information.
(From the Deseret Morning News, Wednesday, February 14, 2007.)
Barring unexpected delays, Senate Bill 23 — seeking an increase in child support payments — should get voted on today.
Oh, and happy Valentine's Day.
Who says the Legislature doesn't have a heart?
Sponsored by Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, SB23 would increase monthly support amounts by as much as 25 percent — an increase considered necessary because the state's monthly support tables have not been changed since 1994.
But while on the surface adjusting the tables for inflation would seem to make perfect sense, there is the not insignificant detail that since support payments are computed as a direct ratio of income, they have risen steadily since 1994 anyway.
Adjusting for inflation has already been happening.
Tony Curtis has been attempting to hammer this point at the Legislature since the 2007 session began, spending every spare minute when he's not at his day job as a software programmer attempting to educate lawmakers.
Curtis is not your garden variety, let's-go-to-dinner, could-you-use-some-Jazz-tickets? lobbyist. Nobody's paying him and his organization is not exactly organized. A few friends help out and occasionally dig up research.
But basically it's just Tony and his computer.
Much like a noncustodial parent once the divorce is over.
It will come as no shock when I tell you Tony has been through a divorce. It happened in 1994. He has been paying child-support for his three children ever since. At first it was about $200 per month per child. Today it's about $400, reflecting the steady rise in his income. He is himself a walking example of the inflation factor.
In 13-plus years Tony Curtis has paid more than $120,000 in child support, and he has the second jobs, the bus passes, the time away from his kids and the years he lived in his mom's basement to show for it.
From firsthand experience, he believes child support to be lopsided — and not in a way that favors the noncustodial parent.
He has papered Capitol Hill with a spreadsheet that shows that when a Utah couple making a median Utah income (about $55,000) decides to split up, current child support ratios leave the custodial parent with 62 percent disposable income ($2,200) compared with 38 percent ($1,360) for the parent without the kids.
If the Legislature wanted to be fair, Curtis contends, it would adjust child support ratios down, not up.
"The system is bad already," he says, "and they want to make it worse."
But they'll have to do it over his objections.
"I'm only working one job now and I have the time to do this," he says, "I'm lucky. Most guys in this boat are too busy making money so they can pay child support."
Even if the Legislature votes to raise rates, Curtis won't be affected because increases would not go into effect until 2010, when his obligations will have ceased.
"I'm not doing this for myself," he says, "I'm doing it because the system is not equitable."
Then he adds, and not as an afterthought, "And because I have three sons."
Lee Benson's column runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please send e-mail to
and faxes to 801-237-2527.
Utah State Senator Greg Bell addresses a group of concerned non-custodial parents on Thursday, August 2 at the Salt Lake City, County Library. In attendance were various persons representing fathers, mothers, grandparents, step-parents and interested groups. 
On July 2, the 
The first stop was was the Murray City Parade, then off to Sugar House Park where T-shirts and frisbees were handed out. Then a few days later the RV moved on to Liberty Park where local support groups passed out literature and held out signs to passing cars. The response was incredible as passing cars 'honked' in approval of the message that children need both parents - equally. The CRISPE RV then made its way over the next few days to the Salt Lake City County Building, the Salt Lake County Court, and even the Utah Legislature. 
It was a pleasure to have Larry and his mobile billboard at all of these locations - the local media even came out to do an interview.
This Video Reviews the Scientific Proof That Shows Shared Parenting is Far Superior For Children of Divorce in Every Way When There are Two Fit Parents
Dr. Warren Farrell is author of seven books and one of the world’s top experts on what is REALLY best for children of divorce. He spent 13 years gathering, reviewing and compiling over 200 scientific research studies on children of divorce. Dr. Farrell is the author of seven books including “Father and Child Reunion” and “Why Men are the way they are”. He has appeared on over 1,000 TV and radio shows, and been interviewed frequently by Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters, Larry King and Peter Jennings. He has been featured repeatedly on 20/20 and in The New York Times, in People and, in men's journals, The Wall Street Journal, and on the Today Show, the Tomorrow Show, and many others. 