Protective Order Battle Between Reality TV Star Taylor Frankie Paul and Ex-Partner Dakota Mortensen

Attorneys for Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen will present dueling petitions for protective orders at a Thursday hearing before Third District Court Commissioner Russell Minas. Both seek to convert short-term orders into long-term restrictions, a decision that could award primary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

A 2023 video shows Paul punching, kicking and throwing chairs at Mortensen while their daughter watched. The clip prompted ABC to pull Paul’s season of *The Bachelorette* and Hulu to pause *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*. Paul pleaded guilty to assault; the felony will be reduced to a misdemeanor if she completes a three-year probation ending in August.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

• Taylor Frankie Paul – mother of Ever.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

• Dakota Mortensen – father of Ever.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

• Russell Minas – Third District Court Commissioner.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

• Eric Swinyard – Paul’s attorney.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

• Daniela Diaz – Mortensen’s attorney.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

• 2023: Video of the dispute recorded; assault charge filed.

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• April 7, 2026: Commissioner Minas cites “concerns going both ways.”

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

• April 27, 2026: Judge refuses to seal the protective-order hearing.

Taylor Frankie Paul and Bachelorette Pick Doug Mason Reportedly “Trying to Make It Work” Again, Plus Judge Rejects Taylor’s Request in Legal Dispute

• Early May 2026: Thursday hearing will decide long-term orders and custody.

Taylor Frankie Paul and Bachelorette Pick Doug Mason Reportedly “Trying to Make It Work” Again, Plus Judge Rejects Taylor’s Request in Legal Dispute

Eleven fights are under review. The court ordered a 100-foot separation distance. Ever is 2 years old. The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office declined to file new charges, citing Paul’s probation.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

Paul’s lawyer Swinyard claims Mortensen is the aggressor, presenting photos of Paul’s bruises and alleging Mortensen slammed her head into a dashboard. Mortensen’s lawyer Diaz argues Paul uses Ever to provoke conflicts and cites additional incidents. Commissioner Minas noted Paul may lose unsupervised access to Ever because of prior volatile behavior. Child-representative attorney McDonald expressed concern for Ever’s safety under any arrangement.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

Observers note the case has attracted massive online viewership, raising concerns that public scrutiny could affect Ever’s social environment. Swinyard warned that exposure might lead classmates to confront the child about his parents’ allegations. Diaz stressed the need for transparency and rejected sealing the proceedings.

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Police footage shows Paul assaulting Mortensen, yet the district attorney declined to file new charges, creating a gap between law-enforcement evidence and prosecutorial action. Several assault counts were dismissed, leaving uncertainty about the full extent of alleged violence.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

• “concerns going both ways” — Russell Minas, Commissioner

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

• “as a pawn to start fights.” — Daniela Diaz, Mortensen’s attorney

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other

• “They were hanging out recently and want to see if they can get back together and be a couple,” — source, Us Weekly

Taylor Frankie Paul and Bachelorette Pick Doug Mason Reportedly “Trying to Make It Work” Again, Plus Judge Rejects Taylor’s Request in Legal Dispute

• “hundreds of thousands of viewers” — Eric Swinyard, Paul’s attorney

Taylor Frankie Paul and Bachelorette Pick Doug Mason Reportedly “Trying to Make It Work” Again, Plus Judge Rejects Taylor’s Request in Legal Dispute

The Thursday hearing will decide whether either protective order becomes long-term and which parent, if any, receives primary custody of Ever. The ruling may also affect the future of *The Bachelorette* and *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, which remain paused.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-partner push for protective orders against each other