Russell Y. Minas, PC

Comprehensive Family Law Services

This lawyer is licensed to practice in Utah and has no record of discipline from the Utah bar association.*

Firm Overview

I established my private practice in 1995 after having previously served as the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake. I am located in the Sugar House neighborhood of Salt Lake City. My practice is dedicated to cases involving family issues, with an emphasis upon alternative dispute resolution. I am a fully trained collaborative family lawyer and member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. Having handled thousands of cases in the courts, my philosophy has evolved to a firm belief that the courts should be used only as a place of last resort - that the best outcomes are agreed upon by the parties themselves, rather than imposed by a judge. I litigate when necessary, but I favor private dispute resolution processes that build community and foster civility.

Example cases
I serve in the capacity of litigator, mediator and collaborative practitioner in all types of family law matters including:

Divorce
Child Custody
Child Support
Parent-Time
Post-Decree Modification
Paternity
Child Abuse
Protective Orders
Stalking Injunctions
Adoption
Guardianship
Termination of Parental Rights

Main Office

Main
1945 South 1100 East
Suite 200
Salt Lake City UT 84106

Phone

(801) 531-7400

Fax

(801) 746-5004

Fees

Free Initial Consultation?

$250.00 consultation fee, for as long as it takes. If retained I will credit the consultation fee to the initial retainer.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

I handle uncontested divorces for a flat fee, depending upon whether there are children involved, and depending upon the degree to which the matter is truly resolved. The cost is usually between $600 and $1,000 plus the filing fee.

Hourly Rates

$250.00

Office Information

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Office Manager

Linette and Brooke

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Divorce

I handle all aspects of divorce including child-related issues, financial issues, real and personal property issues, business interests, taxation issues, retirement benefits, prenuptial agreements, enforcement issues and post-decree modification.

I've been handling divorce maters from start to finish since 1989. To me obtaining a satisfactory outcome not only means a fair resolution, but well-drafted documents for guidance in the future, tying up loose ends and creating the best working co-parenting relationship possible in a post-divorce environment. Family practice is unlike other areas of the law, in that there are dynamics of parties who once were intimate and loved each other, who may still have feelings for each other, both positive and negative, and who in many instances will continue interacting with one another long after the case is resolved. I am sensitive to these dynamics and do my best to not make the situation any worse than it already might be.

Collaborative Divorce

I am a fully-trained collaborative practitioner, a member of the International Association of Collaborative Practitioner (IACP) and the Utah practice group. My IACP Profile can be found at http://tinyurl.com/9vcf5rz

I am passionate about Collaborative law. I am a veteran of years and years of in-court family law litigation. I have witnessed over and over how the adversarial, litigation process harms children and destroys what might have been salvageable in terms of relationships and effective co-parenting. When questioning that there must be a better way, collaborative law is the best model I have encountered. A nice description of the collaborative process can be found at http://tinyurl.com/37kzra

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

It was not by design. As indicated, my desire was to work in the public interest. At the the time of my graduation from law school there was one public interest agency in the Salt Lake City area with an opening, the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake, which handles domestic relations matters for the indigent. Accepting the offer to work at Legal Aid set me on the course which would become my career area of practice.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I believe that greater client knowledge and participation results in a greater likelihood of satisfactory long-term outcomes. Although I am an attorney hired for certain expertise, I try never to forget that it is my client's life, children and money at issue.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

I am always willing to review client-generated documents and collaborate as to the final product. Although I am responsible for documents submitted with my signature, on major documents I do not submit until my client has had the opportunity to review, comment and approve.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I am willing to provide assistance to self-represented persons to avoid default, to preserve rights, and to assist with procedural aspects, such as paperwork finalization. In addition, as an attorney mediator I am able to assist the parties in drafting the necessary court documents based upon the agreements reached in mediation.

Russell Minas

• Owner, Russell Y. Minas, PC, Attorney at Law, (1995 - Present)
• Associate Counsel, Mooney & Associates, Salt Lake City, UT (1994-1995)
• Executive Director, Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake (1993-1994)
• Domestic Violence Program Director, Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake (1990-1993)
• Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake (1989-1990)

Straight from law school my desire was to work in the public interest, and Legal Aid was the only agency for which I sought employment. My time there was invaluable and gave me a better understand the struggles of people of limited means. I believe in equal justice under the law, and since leaving Legal Aid have volunteered my time to make the legal system more accessible to those otherwise unable to afford it.

I make a true effort to treat all I encounter with dignity and respect. At the same time part of my job is being a reality check for clients, and I pride myself on telling people (as diplomatically as possible) what I think, as opposed to what I think they might want to hear. I also believe that what serves a child's best interests also serves my client's best interests, whether or not it is what my client wants. I try to be direct, to the point, to give my clients good value, to make the best use of client resources, and to be accessible.

Personal interests:
I enjoy rafting the rivers of the American West, summer outdoor music festivals, the deserts Southern Utah, skiing the Wasatch Mountains and being the best possible father and husband I can be.

License

Bar Number: 5522
Utah , 1989

Education

University of Utah College of Law
Juris Doctor , 1989
Salt Lake City, UT

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.