When ‘The Bachelorette’ and Family Court Collide: Custody, Domestic Violence, and Social Media Evidence in the Case of Taylor Frankie Paul

Taylor Frankie Paul, known for her starring role in the hit reality tv series, Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has taken headlines by storm in recent weeks. As you may already know, the reality tv star was anticipated to feature as ABC’s newest Bachelorette this season, with her show scheduled to air in March 2026. However, only three days prior to the show’s premiere, a video of Paul engaging in a violent argument with her then-boyfriend resurfaced on the Internet, leading to the cancellation of her Bachelorette season before it even aired.

According to news outlets, Taylor Frankie Paul has already faced legal repercussions with respect to these allegations, including an ongoing custody dispute as well as the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order obtained by her former boyfriend. Taylor Frankie Paul’s current circumstances involve several potential legal issues that are regularly addressed in family court—custody, domestic violence, and the use of social media evidence. While this case arises in Utah, the legal themes are highly relevant to families in New Jersey. Here is how a New Jersey family court judge might weigh them:

 Custody

In many jurisdictions, custody determinations are often made based on the “best interests of the child” standard. This means the child’s well-being is the Court’s paramount concern and will remain at the forefront of the Court’s decision when determining custody. In New Jersey, a Court will look to the factors outlined in N.J.S.A. 9:2-4 to determine what custodial arrangement fosters the child’s best interests. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The history of domestic violence and child abuse, if any
• The safety of the child and the child’s siblings, if any, and the safety of either parent from physical abuse by the other parent
• The preference of the child when of sufficient age and capacity to form an intelligent decision
• The fitness of the parents

These are only a few of the factors outlined in the New Jersey child custody statute. Based on the allegations and video evidence of domestic violence committed by Taylor Frankie Paul, a Court would most likely give this significant weight in determining what custody arrangement would suit the best interests of the child if this case were decided in New Jersey.

Domestic Violence

Taylor Frankie Paul’s former boyfriend was able to obtain a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) based on the acts of domestic violence depicted in the viral video. In New Jersey, TROs may provide an interim remedy for victims of domestic violence. While the burden for obtaining a TRO is relatively low, the burden for obtaining a Final Restraining Order (FRO) is much greater. After a TRO is issued, Courts will typically schedule a hearing within 10 days to determine whether the entry of a FRO is appropriate under the circumstances.

In New Jersey, a victim of domestic violence generally has the burden of proving the following in order to obtain a Final Restraining Order:

• A predicate act of domestic violence occurred, e.g. harassment, assault, etc.
• The entry of a Final Restraining Order is necessary to protect the victim from future harm

Oftentimes, if a FRO is entered by the Court, it can affect custody and parenting time arrangements between the parties. In the case of Taylor Frankie Paul, it’s possible that these domestic violence allegations would lead a New Jersey Court to require supervised parenting time or implement temporary custody changes, especially because the child was exposed to violence.

Social Media Evidence

In New Jersey, courts regularly rely on text messages, social media posts, photos, and videos to decide cases. Digital evidence can significantly undermine or support the credibility of the parties, which can have lasting impacts on a court’s decision. Unlike verbal testimony, which may conflict, social media posts and other forms of digital evidence can show what happened between the parties in real time.

Video and audio recordings are often the most compelling forms of evidence as they can clearly contradict or confirm the parties’ allegations. In New Jersey, video evidence is typically admissible so long as it is properly authenticated, relevant, reliable, and its probative value is not substantially outweighed by the risk of undue prejudice against either party. In Taylor Frankie Paul’s case, this video likely would have been admissible in court given that it was recorded by her ex-boyfriend, a party to the case who was directly involved in the altercation and would likely be able to properly authenticate the video.

Takeaways

Custody disputes involving domestic violence and the use of digital evidence present some of the most serious issues that occur in New Jersey family courts. Although Taylor Frankie Paul’s case takes place in Utah, the core principle is straightforward among all jurisdictions, including New Jersey: protect the child’s well-being above all else. Understanding these factors can help you better understand the family court system and avoid mistakes that could have lasting consequences.

Do you need assistance with a custody or domestic violence matter? Contact the Family Law Department at Stark & Stark, P.C. for a private consultation.