How to File for Divorce in Utah

The overall divorce process in Salt Lake City, Utah

Divorce procedure varies greatly from county to county, and sometimes even within different courts in the same county. Some of these rules are unwritten. Ben Franklin was right: a stitch in time really does save nine. By investing a few hours and a few dollars now, you can save yourself almost 10 times as much, and perhaps even more, because your divorce will be done right the first time.

I see more and more divorce kiosks every day, at public libraries, in courthouses and online. But even if you have no children and no property, a divorce is much more involved than simply filling out forms. At the Law Office of Melvin A. Cook, I can personally guide you through the process and show you what a significant difference an experienced attorney can make.

What are the phases of a divorce proceeding?

A Utah divorce is quite different from a civil or criminal lawsuit. Even if English is your first language and you have a graduate degree, an attorney is better equipped to handle all aspects of your divorce:

• Petition and answer — You must pay the filing fee and file your petition in the county in which you reside, and you must have lived there for at least three months. If your spouse files a petition, you have 21 days to file your written answer.
• Service of process — It is not enough for your spouse to learn of the divorce proceeding secondhand. The non-filing spouse must be personally served with court papers or waive service of citation.
• Preliminary hearing — At the temporary hearing, the judge sets provisions for child custody, child support and property division until the divorce is finalized.
• Discovery — I take the deposition of the other spouse and fact witnesses and request documents.
• Mediation — Mediation is mandatory in most Utah divorce cases. If the parties cannot reach a settlement at mediation, the case goes to trial.
• Trial and appeal — If we feel that the judge made a mistake at trial, we may choose to appeal the case to a higher court.

How can a lawyer help?

I can advocate for you in court and take care of all the paperwork. In addition, because of my financial background, I have keen insight into the property division aspects of your divorce. Because of my family law background, I can help your case through the system. Because of my commitment to Utah families, I will fight for you.

Contact an experienced Salt Lake City Divorce Attorney focused on your legal needs

At the Law Office of Mel A. Cook, I can reduce or eliminate costly mistakes, so do not have to worry about going back and doing things over again. Contact my firm at 801-746-5075 to learn about the process of Filing for Divorce in Salt Lake City.