A Utah judge on June 1, 2026 recommended lifting the supervised visitation restriction on "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Taylor Frankie Paul, granting her alternating weekends plus one midweek day with her 2-year-old son Ever, per Us Weekly. For Utah parents, the ruling shows how supervised visitation can be modified once a parent demonstrates changed circumstances under Utah Code § 30-3-34.
Key Facts
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What happened | Utah judge recommended lifting supervised visitation; granted alternating weekends + one midweek day |
| When | June 1, 2026 virtual hearing; next hearing July 8, 2026 |
| Where | Utah family court (state jurisdiction) |
| Who's affected | Taylor Frankie Paul, ex Dakota Mortensen, 2-year-old son Ever |
| Key conditions | Continued therapy, no disparagement, 100-foot mutual protective orders |
| Practical impact | Demonstrates Utah's modification standard for supervised-to-unsupervised parent-time |
Why this matters legally
This ruling demonstrates that supervised visitation in Utah is a temporary, modifiable arrangement — not a permanent loss of parent-time. Utah courts impose supervised visitation when there are safety concerns, but they restore standard parent-time once the restricted parent shows the underlying concerns have been addressed. According to Us Weekly, the reversal followed months of restriction tied to dueling domestic violence allegations that stalled both parties' careers.
The legal significance is that Utah's modification framework rewards documented rehabilitation. When a judge orders continued therapy, no-disparagement terms, and a 100-foot separation under mutual protective orders, the court is building a structured path that lets both parents demonstrate ongoing fitness while protecting the child. The next hearing on July 8, 2026 signals the arrangement remains provisional pending further review.
How Utah law handles this
Utah measures every custody and parent-time decision against the best interest of the child standard codified in Utah Code § 30-3-10. When determining parent-time, courts apply the minimum schedule guidelines in Utah Code § 30-3-35 for children age 5 to 18, and the separate guidelines for children under age 5 in Utah Code § 30-3-35.5. Because Ever is 2 years old, the under-5 framework governs his parenting schedule.
To change an existing order, the moving parent must satisfy Utah Code § 30-3-10.4, which requires a material and substantial change in circumstances since the prior order, plus proof that modification serves the child's best interest. Completing court-ordered therapy and complying with protective-order terms can supply that material change. Supervised parent-time itself flows from Utah Code § 30-3-34, which lets courts restrict parent-time when necessary to protect the child and lift those restrictions when the safety basis no longer exists.
Mutual protective orders in Utah arise under the Cohabitant Abuse Act at Utah Code § 78B-7-603. A 100-foot stay-away provision is a common term courts use to separate parents with conflicting domestic violence allegations while preserving each parent's relationship with the child. Utah law specifically directs courts to weigh evidence of domestic violence as a factor in parent-time under Utah Code § 30-3-10, which is why therapy and no-contact terms frequently accompany a restoration of parent-time rather than an unconditional lift.
Utah also requires divorcing or separating parents of minor children to complete a mandatory divorce education and orientation course under Utah Code § 30-3-11.3. When co-parenting conflict is high, judges often layer additional requirements — therapy, communication apps, exchange protocols — on top of the statutory minimum to reduce friction and document each parent's cooperation over time.
Practical takeaways
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Document your compliance. If you are under supervised parent-time in Utah, keep records of every completed therapy session, parenting class, and clean exchange. Under Utah Code § 30-3-10.4, you must prove a material change in circumstances, and documentation is your evidence.
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Treat protective-order terms as non-negotiable. A 100-foot stay-away or no-disparagement clause under Utah Code § 78B-7-603 is a court order. Even one violation can reset your progress toward unsupervised time and expose you to contempt.
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Know which schedule applies to your child's age. For a child under 5, Utah uses Utah Code § 30-3-35.5, not the standard schedule. Ask your attorney how the under-5 guidelines shape what "alternating weekends plus a midweek day" looks like in practice.
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Expect interim hearings. A follow-up date — here, July 8, 2026 — means the order is provisional. Continue meeting every condition between hearings; courts watch consistency, not single good days.
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Keep co-parenting communication professional and written. Disparagement terms are common in high-conflict Utah cases. Communicate through a documented channel so your conduct is verifiable if the schedule is challenged again.
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Complete required education early. Finishing the Utah Code § 30-3-11.3 divorce orientation and education course promptly signals good faith and removes one obstacle to expanded parent-time.
If you are navigating a supervised visitation or custody modification in Utah, an experienced Utah family law attorney can help you build the documentation and meet the statutory standard required to restore standard parent-time. Our directory connects you with attorneys who handle these high-stakes parent-time disputes across Utah.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.