Best Divorce Lawyers in Salt Lake City

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Salt Lake City, Utah?

  Call (801) 799-3000 to reach the Salt Lake City Police Department for non-emergency concerns.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Salt Lake City, Utah?

  Obtain a report request form from the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) lobby or online from https://www.slcpd.com/resources/grama-records-request/ Complete the request form and go to the SLCPD address below to submit it in person. You can also mail the completed request form. If mailing the request form, enclose a notarized copy of your government-issued photo ID, and a money order or check payable to Salt Lake City Corporation. Police report copies cost $10 for the first 50 pages and $0.25 for each additional page.

  In-person submission: Salt Lake City Police Department Service Desk Public Safety Building 475 South 300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5497 Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  Mailing Address: ATT: Service Desk Salt Lake City Police Department 475 South 300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5497 P.O. Box 145497

  For more information, call (801) 799-3101.

• What are the grounds for divorce in Salt Lake City, UT?

  Salt Lake City citizens can file for both no-fault and fault divorces. For a no-fault divorce, the spouses must not have cohabitated for over three years or have irreconcilable differences. For a fault-based divorce, there are several accepted grounds, including impotency during the marriage, intentional desertion of the spouse, adultery, habitual drunkenness, and cruel or abusive treatment.

• Is divorce mediation required in Salt Lake City, UT?

  If the spouses have issues in the divorce, yes. All contested divorces in Salt Lake City are required to go through at least one mediation session before going to court. Mediation is intended to resolve divorce disputes without spending time and money on a trial, as well as reduce the caseload in Utah’s family courts. If the spouses come to an agreement during mediation, then the judge will grant the divorce. If not, the divorce proceeds to trial.

• How long is the divorce process in Salt Lake City, UT?

  For uncontested divorces, the average processing time is two to three months. Contested divorces take at least nine months on average. In Salt Lake City, a minimum 30-day gap is required from the time the divorce petition is filed and the time the judge signs off the divorce decree. The 30 days are given for the other spouse to respond to the divorce papers served to them.

• What is the difference between an annulment, divorce, and separation in Salt Lake City, UT?

  An annulment declares the marriage null and void. It dissolves the marriage completely as if the spouses were never legally married in the first place. On the other hand, divorce does not void the marriage but only terminates it. Separation, also called limited divorce, means the spouses are no longer cohabitating but are still legally married. A Salt Lake City divorce attorney can provide guidance on what each legal option entails and the ideal choice for your situation.

• Can divorcing husbands in Salt Lake City get alimony?

  Yes. Either of the divorcing spouses in Salt Lake City can be awarded alimony, gender is not a consideration. The considerations the court has when determining if alimony should be awarded include the recipient spouse's financial condition and earning capacity, the length of the marriage, custody of minor children, and the paying spouse's capacity to provide alimony. The judge also considers fault in the alimony award, such as one spouse undermining the other spouse's financial stability.

• What are the basic steps to filing for divorce?

  The steps required to file for divorce depend heavily on whether the divorce is contested, if there are minor children or property issues at stake, and if there are disagreements over child support or alimony. The process may also differ from state to state, but generally parties must:

  • File the divorce petition
  • Hire a process server to give the other party divorce papers/respond to the original petitioner's filing
  • Request temporary orders covering issues such as custody/visitation, support, and exclusive property use
  • Make financial disclosures
  • Request discovery from your spouse
  • Propose and/or consider a possible settlement
  • Go to trial if necessary
  • Receive a signed judgment from the court indicating the divorce is final
  • Address post-divorce tasks such as transferring property titles and closing joint bank accounts

• How much does it cost to get a divorce?

  The cost of a divorce differs dramatically based on a litany of criteria, such as whether the divorce is contested, where the divorce petition is filed, and whether the divorce requires a professional intermediary or other legal expert. A simple, low-frills DIY divorce can be as little as a few hundred dollars. Add in mediation and the cost may jump to the mid-four figures and can easily reach $7,000 or more. Hire a lawyer and you may pay anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000+ if there are major custodial issue or complex financial concerns.

• How much does a divorce lawyer cost?

  Most divorce lawyers charge by the hour and billing can vary dramatically. Some attorneys in more affordable markets and/or with less experience may charge as little as $75/hour. More experienced attorney or those who have large staffs, specialize in complex cases, or hold relevant certifications may charge premium rates in excess of $400/hour. Then there are the amount of hours invested; simple cases may be over in a matter of weeks while hotly contested divorces can drag on for years leading to lawyer's fees in the tens of thousands.

• How to choose a divorce lawyer/what to look for?

  Divorce lawyers are not one-size-fits-all. It's important to find a lawyer whose skill set, experience, and resources align with the demands of each specific situation. For instance, some attorneys will push mediation while others are naturals in the courtroom.

  • Know your budget
  • Limit your search to lawyers experienced in family law
  • Zero in on lawyers or firms that can handle the complexities of divorce, especially any issues that may be specific to the current case
  • Read reviews and ask friends for recommendations, but remember that their situations and needs may not be the same
  • Conduct interviews to see who feels trustworthy and can spell out an approach that feels appropriate
  • Try to ignore ad campaigns and office décor and instead consider track record and skills

• What is an uncontested divorce?

  An uncontested divorce is one in which both parties agree on the major issues, such as custody of any minor children, child support, alimony, and how to divide any assets and/or debt. While uncontested divorces still require a judge to approve the terms of the divorcing couple's signed agreement, these relatively simple splits tend to move faster, cost less money, and are easier to execute without the help of a divorce lawyer. A divorce filing that goes unanswered by the non-petitioning party may also be considered uncontested.

• Can you file for divorce without a lawyer?

  It's possible to file for divorce without a lawyer, especially if the divorce is uncontested. Many states offer free divorce forms either online or at legal self-help centers located in or near family court. There are often dispute resolution resources available as well; mediation services can help iron out disputes over custody or financial support without involving lawyers. Still, a free consultation with a divorce lawyer can offer valuable insight, and contentious divorces, whether they go to trial or not, all but require legal representation.

• How long does it take to get a divorce?

  The length of a divorce is contingent on four things: each state's mandatory waiting period, whether the divorce is uncontested or contested, how quickly both sides can come to an agreement, and how quickly a judge is able to hear or review the case and sign off. The best-case scenario is an uncontested divorce in a state with a short waiting period which could see a divorce finalized in a matter of weeks. For divorces with highly combative parties, long discovery periods, and other complications, a decision could take months or even years.

• How to prepare for divorce?

  It's difficult to ever feel truly prepared for the rigors of divorce, but there are several steps that can make the process more bearable and allow for a more positive outcome:

  • Interview attorneys
  • Locate and make copies of important documents like mortgage and car titles, insurance policies, business licenses, financial records, bank statements, and income tax returns
  • Take inventory of valuable household items that should be considered later while splitting assets
  • Make a detailed list of monthly expenses, including utilities, rent or mortgage, childcare, kids' activities like sports or dance classes, school tuition, and insurance
  • Know what the respondent's income is, including any income from self-employment, stock dividends, and interest
  • Double-check credit history and evaluate both short- and long-term earning potential
  • Set goals for ideal custody arrangement, support amounts, and living arrangements
  • Get support from friends and family

• What to do with an engagement ring after divorce?

  Most courts follow state laws that consider an engagement ring to be the recipient's property once a wedding takes place, which means it remains that recipient's individual property even after a divorce. Other states categorize engagement rings as marital property and as such the ring is subject to the same division of assets as a house or art collection might be. For spouses who get to keep their jewelry, engagement rings can be sold, dismantled and repurposed, returned to the original buyer, or kept and handed down to any children the marriage may have produced.

• What is divorce mediation?

  When divorces get heated or even just have the potential to become messy, a neutral third party can help calm both parties and resolve issues without the need for a trial. This is called mediation. A great mediator is unbiased and invested in a balanced, fair outcome; they will ideally listen to both parties, encourage respectful discussions, and raise questions or concerns when appropriate. Once an agreement is reached, the mediator will prepare documents detailing the agreed-upon terms. Using a mediator only works if both sides are willing to meet and discuss a compromise, but doing so can save a considerable amount of time, money, emotional strain, and overall stress.