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State research · Utah

Child-centered divorce and custody lawyers in Utah.

Three lawyers whose public records show meaningful child-focused work, substantial family-law depth, professional stature, and a useful first-party online presence.

Research reviewedAugust 17, 2026
01Editorial score97/100

Salt Lake City · Utah

Laura J. Hansen

LJ Law

Hansen may be the strongest child-centered selection in the entire nationwide project. She spent years representing abused and neglected children through Utah’s Office of Guardian ad Litem and continues private GAL work. Her psychology degree and extensive training in child development, trauma, abuse, alienation, domestic violence and personality disorders add interdisciplinary depth that ordinary family-law credentials do not supply. She has practiced divorce and family law since 2004 and offers mediated, collaborative and litigated approaches. Her website is unusually complete, with detailed first-party evidence rather than generic claims, allowing visitors to evaluate her background, read substantive custody and GAL material and contact the firm directly.

Why the children-first signal is real

Former Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem lawyer, current private GAL roster work, psychology degree and training in child development, trauma, abuse, alienation, domestic violence and personality disorders.

Divorce and custody depth

Family and divorce practice since 2004 with mediation, collaborative practice, complex custody and litigation.

Professional stature

AFCC and CASA involvement, professional teaching and unusually relevant interdisciplinary training.

Children 30/30Case depth 25/25Stature 20/20Online presence 15/15License confidence 7/10
Visit attorney profile ↗Custody practiceContact the firm
Verification note and limitations

Status note: Prepublication exact-name verification required

Verify Utah status, private-GAL roster status and disciplinary history immediately before publication.

02Editorial score95/100

Provo · Utah

Kelly M. Peterson

Law Office of Kelly Peterson

Peterson’s child-welfare specialization and private guardian-ad-litem work give the recommendation a direct connection to children’s interests. His practice materials describe complex cases involving abuse, neglect, domestic violence, substance use and mental health, along with roles as mediator and special master. He has practiced complex family law since 2002 and reports thousands of hearings, offering meaningful trial and procedural depth. A long-standing child-welfare-law specialist credential through the National Association of Counsel for Children further distinguishes him. His website is extensive and user-friendly, with a detailed biography, substantive resources, video answers and direct contact information rather than reliance on a directory profile.

Why the children-first signal is real

Private GAL and special-master work, long-standing NACC child-welfare-law specialist credential and extensive cases involving abuse, neglect, domestic violence, substance use and mental health.

Divorce and custody depth

Complex family law since 2002 with thousands of reported hearings, custody litigation, mediation and high-conflict work.

Professional stature

Child Welfare Law Specialist credential since 2010 and substantial reported courtroom experience.

Children 30/30Case depth 25/25Stature 18/20Online presence 15/15License confidence 7/10
Visit attorney profile ↗Custody practiceContact the firm
Verification note and limitations

Status note: Prepublication exact-name verification required

Verify Utah status, child-welfare certification and discipline immediately before publication.

03Editorial score89/100

Orem · Utah

Amber McFee

McFee Law

McFee’s public record reflects child-focused experience from several directions: private guardian-ad-litem appointments, a long pre-lawyer career as a family-law paralegal and personal understanding of blended-family dynamics. Her site discusses safety and stability while also recognizing the value of a child’s healthy relationship with both safe parents. She handles divorce and custody litigation, so the recommendation is not limited to cooperative cases. Her professional-stature record is not as extensive as those of Hansen and Peterson, but the first-party child-centered evidence is unusually concrete. The website provides dedicated custody, divorce and GAL pages and makes it easy for a prospective client to contact the firm.

Why the children-first signal is real

Private guardian-ad-litem practice, blended-family experience and public emphasis on children’s safety, stability and healthy relationships with both safe parents.

Divorce and custody depth

In the legal field since 2001, including approximately 17 years as a family-law paralegal before attorney practice in divorce and custody.

Professional stature

Distinctive GAL and family-systems experience, though fewer elite professional credentials than the higher-ranked choices.

Children 29/30Case depth 23/25Stature 15/20Online presence 15/15License confidence 7/10
Visit attorney profile ↗Custody practiceContact the firm
Verification note and limitations

Status note: Prepublication exact-name verification required

Verify Utah status, private-GAL eligibility and discipline before publication.

Before you hire anyone

A shortlist is the beginning of diligence, not the end.

Kids First Divorce is an independent editorial publication. We do not represent you, refer you to counsel, certify any lawyer, or predict any result. Selection is based on publicly available information reviewed as of the date shown.

Confirm the lawyer’s current license and disciplinary history with the official state authority. Interview the lawyer about conflicts, fees, availability, geographic coverage, relevant experience, strategy, and whether their approach fits your family’s actual facts.

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