McPherson v. Copp

McPherson v. Copp, 2024 UT App 107 (Christiansen Forster, J.)

Family

McPherson and Copp began living together and had a child together, but eventually separated. After McPherson petitioned for custody of Son, Copp filed a counterclaim to have their relationship recognized as an unsolemnized marriage—and for divorce. The trial court denied Copp’s petition because he failed to show that they held themselves out as and had acquired a uniform and general reputation as husband and wife. Copp appealed. The Utah Court of Appeals affirmed, holding:

  • The trial court’s conclusion that the parties did not enjoy a “uniform and general reputation” as husband and wife was not clearly erroneous.
  • The trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding many of Copp’s witnesses as a sanction for failing to timely disclose them.

Read the full court opinion

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