Utah Divorce Laws

Utah divorce laws for people considering a Utah divorce or filing a Utah divorce with issues to be resolved about child custody, child support, visitation and alimony.  Utah statutes can be viewed at   http://www.le.state.ut.us/.  Statutes cover but are not limited to the following subjects:

•Divorce Definitions

•Divorce Residency Requirements

•Grounds for Divorce

•Uncontested Divorce

•Simplified Divorce Process

•Military Divorce Laws

•Child Custody

•Child Support Considerations

•Child Support Definitions

•Child Support Guidelines

•Spousal Support, Maintenance, and Alimony guidelines

•Property Division Considerations

•Grandparents’ Rights

Utah Divorce Definitions

These definitions will help you understand some unique characteristics to the Utah Divorce laws, process and paperwork which is filed with the court.

Filing Party Title: Petitioner -The spouse who will initiate the Divorce by filing the required paperwork with the court.

Non-Filing Party Title: Respondent -The spouse who does not initiate the Divorce with the court.

Court Name: In the District Court of the ______ Judicial District, in and for ______ County, State of Utah -The proper name of the court in which a Divorce is filed in the state of Utah. Each jurisdictional court typically has a domestic relations or a family law department or division.

Child Support Enforcement Website:
http://www.ors.utah.gov/ -The state run office devoted to enforcing existing child support orders and collecting any past due child support.

Document Introduction: In Re the Marriage of: -The lead-in verbiage used in the legal caption or header of the documents filed with the court. The introduction typically prefaces both spouse’s names.

Initial Divorce Document: Verified Petition for Divorce -The title and name of the legal document that will initiate the Utah Divorce process. The filing spouse is also required to provide the non-filing spouse a copy of this document.

Final Divorce Document: Decree of Divorce and Judgment -The title and name of the legal document that will finalize the Utah Divorce process. This document will be signed by the judge, master, or referee of the court to declare your marriage officially terminated.

Clerk’s Office Name: District Clerk’s Office -The office of the clerk that will facilitate the Divorce process. This is the title you would address letters to or ask for when contacting the courthouse.

Legal Separation: The grounds for legal separation are: (1) willful desertion; (2) living separate and apart without cohabitation; and (3) gross neglect. The deserting spouse must be a resident of Utah, or own property in the state in which the deserted spouse lives. [Utah Code Annotated; Section 30-4-1].

Property Distribution: Equitable Distribution-The applicable Utah law that will dictate how property and debt is to be divided upon Divorce.

Utah Divorce Resources -

Utah Specific Divorce Overview

Utah Specific Divorce Articles -

Utah Specific Divorce Documents -

Utah Specific Divorce Professionals -