The Divorce Process in Utah

Prepare Your Divorce Documents

If you are using a lawyer, your attorney will prepare your documents for you. If not, you may use the state’s Online Court Assistance Program (OCAP) to prepare the divorce petition and related documents; there is a $20 fee for using this service. Completed forms must be notarized by a notary public before they can be filed.

File Your Divorce Documents

Your divorce case is only open once you’ve filed all forms in the office of the court clerk in your home county and paid the filing fee of $310.

Serve Your Spouse

After filing your divorce petition, you have 120 days to serve this petition, a summons and any other filed documents to your spouse. Service can be completed via certified mail or by the sheriff’s department or a private company. Proof of service is required to have the court act on your divorce petition.

Wait for Your Spouse’s Answer

After being served, your spouse will have 21 days–or 30 days if they are out of state–to respond. If they do respond, both parties will have to submit a Financial Declaration form to each other outlining all relevant financial items.

If your spouse does not respond, you can request that the court issue a default judgment which will grant you everything you requested in your petition.

If your spouse agrees with all issues as presented in your divorce petition, they can file a stipulation instead of a response. At this point, the OCAP Divorce Stipulation questions can be used to prepare the necessary documents and proceed to a final divorce decree.

Part 2: Complete Required Divorce Education Classes and Mediation

After your spouse has been given a chance to respond to your divorce petition, several steps must be taken before a trial will be scheduled. Many Utah divorce issues are resolved during this stage in the process, eliminating the need for a trial in front of a judge.

Complete a 90-Day Waiting Period

Utah law stipulates that judges must wait 90 days after the date that the divorce petition was initially filed to sign the final divorce order. This is true even if both spouses agree on all issues.

Attend Required Divorce Education Classes if Necessary

All divorcing couples in Utah who have minor children are required to take both a divorce education class and a divorce orientation class before the final divorce decree will be signed. Both classes can be taken online or in person; the orientation class covers alternatives to divorce, while the education class seeks to provide information on how divorce affects children and how parents can make the process easier.

Take Part in Mandatory Mediation for Any Contested Issues

If your spouse responds to your divorce filing, Utah statute requires that both parties take part in a mediation session before a divorce will be granted. The parties are jointly responsible for locating and paying for a mediator.

Ask for Temporary Order if Necessary

Sometimes there are issues that must be addressed before the divorce order is final, such as who can use the marital home or who has custody of any minor children during the pending divorce. In these cases, either party can request that the judge issue a temporary order on the matter that will be effective through the final divorce decree.

Complete Name Restoration

If you had your name changed upon getting married, you can return to your pre-marriage legal name at this stage in the divorce process. To do so, simply include a statement along with your divorce petition to indicate the name change.

Part 3: Go to Trial (If Necessary)

If you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement about any issues in your divorce decree, the next step in the Utah divorce process is going to trial.

Seek a Child Custody Evaluation

If you disagree with your spouse regarding child custody or child support issues, you can request that a professional evaluator conduct a custody evaluation. During this evaluation, the evaluator will observe both parties and the children; the evaluator will then submit a report to the court on all factors that pertain to the child’s best interests.

Appear at Pre-Trial Conferences

You will be required to attend a conference prior to your trial being scheduled to make a final attempt to settle the case. If this fails, the trial date will be set and the list of issues to be addressed at trial will be determined.

Attend Your Trial

If you have hired a divorce lawyer, they can help you prepare for the trial, including assembling any documents and necessary evidence to be presented to the court. Arrive at the courtroom early on the day of your trial, dressed professionally and with any witnesses that you intend to call upon. Remember to treat the judge respectfully and never interrupt your spouse when they are testifying.

Get Copies of Your Divorce Decree

Once the judge has signed the final decree following mediation or trial, you are legally divorced. At this point, you should obtain a copy of the finalized decree for your records. Note that you must file any appeals to the judge’s decision within 30 days.

Contact Salt Lake County Family Law Attorney Eric M. Swinyard Today

Divorce can be complicated. The best way to safeguard your interests throughout the process is to choose a qualified divorce attorney to represent you. Based in Salt Lake County, experienced family law attorney Eric M. Swinyard has helped hundreds of Utahns navigate the divorce process. His broad range of experience allows him to provide personalized and high-quality legal support regarding all family law-related legal issues.

Have questions regarding divorce laws in Utah? Schedule your 30-minute consultation, by contacting Eric Swinyard at (801) 515-4133.