The UEP was taken over by the courts in 2005 over allegations that FLDS leaders mismanaged the trust by defaulting on lawsuits filed against it. Much of the land, homes and businesses in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., are owned by the UEP in a communal trust fund.

Under the court and Wisan, the UEP was reformed in favor of private property ownership and efforts to subdivide the land in both cities are under way. But FLDS spokesman Willie Jessop said church members depend on the cooperative effort of each other and want to continue living that way.

"Everyone here has a vested interest in the land. We depend on each other, that's how our farms, orchards, businesses are run, and to have a fiduciary step in and order to start selling those (church) assets off, how do these people survive? This is their life," Jessop said.

Wisan's attorney, Jeff Shields, said he was "optimistic and hopeful" that a global resolution of all the issues could be reached.

"I think when people talk, resolutions can happen," Shields said, adding he has petitioned the court to schedule a status hearing on the case within the next few days or weeks.

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com