Jeffrey Christensen v. Courtney Jessica Christensen

Salt Lake City, Utah family law lawyers represented the parties in a divorce action.

Reported by Kent Morlan

After some twelve years of marriage, Jeffrey Christensen and Courtney Jessica Christensen divorced. They were able to agree on the terms of their separation, and these terms were incorporated into the divorce decree subsequently issued by the district court (the Decree). In the Decree, Courtney was awarded the equity in the family's minivan, and to effectuate this award, Jeff was ordered to deliver the minivan to Courtney, along with the documentation necessary for Courtney to be able to sell it.[1] In addition, the Decree required Jeff to pay child support for the parties' four children.

The court examined whether a post-divorce order compelling the husband to pay the value of lost minivan equity constituted enforcement or improper modification of the divorce decree, concluding it was a proper enforcement action.

The court addressed whether the district court erred by failing to hold a required hearing and by not conducting an independent assessment of the evidence regarding child support arrears objections, ultimately determining procedural errors warranted reversal and remand.

Divorce granted.

Affirmed