Lawyers like to joke about bar exam questions because they always throw every possible wrinkle into a fact pattern to trip us up.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Housewives star Taylor Frankie Paul is 100% a bar exam question.
The following are some of the ways in which she exemplifies the complexity of family law:
- Divorced from first husband because of an alternative lifestyle gone awry by not following polyamorous rules set in the relationship (cheating)
- Established a co-parenting plan with the children from that marriage
- Enters into a new relationship fraught with questions around financial and “clout” dependence – if the two of them ever chose to get married, better have a prenup!
- New relationship yields a new baby, and they break up and now she has a coparenting relationship with two fathers.
- During the process of formulating this co-parenting relationship the two cycle in and out of toxic relationship and lack boundaries that eventually yields multiple domestic violence complaints
- After an unexpected release of sealed video to the public, she is stripped of custody temporarily because her child was hurt during an altercation several years back and there’s a new allegation
- Custody and relationship situation devastatingly impacts her economic/career options
Why is this important to you?
- Observe how everyone has an opinion about all of these things and the vast chasm of different opinions – her friend group and the public. You will experience this in your life to some degree as you go through your family law conflicts. The easiest way to avoid a good deal of this is to keep private your family law conflicts – stay off social media with it, complain only to trusted individuals who you know will give you objective advice.
- Note the imperfections of the family law system and realize you aren’t alone in experiencing that.
- Form appropriate boundaries in toxic relationships before they devolve further. If you need to coparent, keep focused on the children and don’t allow things to get heated.
- Before you allow yourself to spiral, think about the possible consequences of making the choice to act out in violence, in a harassing way or in any inappropriate way to the pressures of the situation.
- Have clear boundaries in your financial life and get that prenuptial agreement.
- Don’t add new relationships until you’ve healed from old ones.
If you need help navigating YOUR law school question, call for a free consult 856-227-7888.