Family Law Section

Minutes April 11, 2007

MEETING MINUTES FAMILY LAW SECTION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

April 11, 2007
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PRESENT: Christina Miller, Rick Hummel, Stewart Ralphs, Comm. Blomquist, Russ Minas, John Sheaffer, Louise Knauer, Angela Fonnesbeck, Judge Hilder, Judge Jones, Steve Gunn, Dena Sarandos.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the March 2007 meeting were unanimously approved as drafted.

Annual Seminar: Plans are made and committee is ready. Russ and John will make sure the announcement cards go out.

Summer Party: Russ will follow up with the party committee. It will happen in June.

Family Law Lawyer of the Year: An email will go out soliciting nominations.

OCAP Policy Board: Louise is resigning her position. Board voted unanimously for Russ Minas to take her place on the board.

Law School Scholarship Committee: Board voted to establish a law school scholarship committee to explore the possibility of having the section sponsor scholarships for law students involved with family law. Louise Knaur will serve as chair of the committee with Harry Caston having previously volunteered to help with the committee and Commissioner Blomquist also volunteered to help on the committee.

New Child Support Guidelines: Discussed a few new issues that may come up with the recent changes to the child support statute and implementation of the new guidelines. The Court Commissioners will be discussing the issues and will hopefully come up with a uniform position on the issues. No action taken by the board.

New Divorce Education Requirements: Discussed new divorce education requirements. No action taken by the board.

Custody and Visitation for person other than parent: In a recent Utah Supreme Court decision, the Court invited the legislature to clarify public policy concerning visitation or custody by persons other than parents. Discussed a proposed statute that could be used to clarify the legislature’s position. Stewart will discuss the proposed legislation with Senator Hillyard. If the proposed legislation is well received by Senator Hillyard, support of the Bar Commission will be sought. The matter will come back before the Executive Committee at another meeting or by email.

Next meeting: August 8, 2007.