Salt Lake City Divorce Lawyer

Protecting Your Rights in the LEGAL Divorce Process

Going through a divorce in Utah can be a complex legal divorce process to navigate. Still, you must protect certain rights throughout the process.

In Salt Lake City, our divorce lawyer provides and protects your legal rights throughout your divorce:

1. The right to a fair and equitable division of assets. This includes property and financial assets such as bank accounts, investments, and other forms of wealth. 
2. The right to fair alimony or spousal support. Both parties must understand their legal rights regarding spousal support and negotiate accordingly to ensure fairness for both sides.
3. The rights of any children involved in the divorce must also be considered through child custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and proper financial support from both parents. 

Our law firm's reputation, reviews, and case results speak for themselves. When you hire Solon Law PLLC, it is evident that we will go above and beyond to advocate for our clients' legal rights. You will always have experience and a dedicated lawyer, delivering guidance, imparting legal expertise, and working toward a favorable result.

To speak to an experienced Salt Lake City divorce lawyer, give us a call at (801) 770-0073 or contact us online today.

How to Get a Divorce in Utah

Getting a divorce in Utah can be a stressful and complicated process. Still, you must take steps to ensure the divorce process succeeds.

1. You must meet all of the Utah residency requirements for filing for divorce. This includes having lived in UT state for at least three months prior to filing and living within specific counties or districts if applicable.
2. Couples must then file a petition for dissolution of marriage with their county clerk and pay the required filing fee to divorce. Depending on the situation, additional documents such as proof of income, financial disclosure forms, parenting plans, and orders may also need to be submitted.
3. In divorce cases where both parties can reach an agreement without going to family court in UT, they may file an agreed decree, simplifying the process significantly. 
4. Suppose negotiations fail or both parties cannot reach a mutually beneficial outcome. In that case, either party may call on a judge to make a ruling via trial proceedings instead.

Regardless of whether trial proceedings continue, all couples in Sandy or Salt Lake City should get legal help from a family law attorney with experience to ensure their legal rights are respected throughout the divorce process and that they end up with an arrangement that best serves themselves and any children involved.

Grounds for Divorce in Utah

In Utah, as in many states, divorce can be sought based on various grounds, which are legal reasons that validate the dissolution of a marriage. Utah allows for both "no-fault" and "fault-based" grounds for divorce.

No-Fault Grounds:

• Irreconcilable Differences: Utah allows for divorce to be granted when couples assert irreconcilable differences or an irreparable breakdown of the marriage. This means that the spouses can no longer get along and there is no reasonable chance of reconciliation.

Fault-Based Grounds:

• Impotence: If a spouse is unable to consummate the marriage due to impotence and this was not known to the other spouse before marriage, it can be a ground for divorce.
• Adultery: If one spouse engages in extramarital affairs, the other spouse can file for divorce based on adultery.
• Willful Desertion: If one spouse voluntarily leaves and is absent from the home for at least one year without any reasonable cause, it can be grounds for divorce.
• Cruelty or Violence: If a spouse is subjected to physical, emotional, or mental cruelty, this can be a valid ground for divorce.

Understanding the grounds for divorce in Utah is important for individuals contemplating divorce. Consulting with an experienced Salt Lake City divorce lawyer can provide essential guidance in determining the most appropriate grounds based on one's specific situation, and navigating the legal process of divorce smoothly.

Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce in Utah

In Utah, divorce proceedings can be broadly categorized into contested and uncontested divorces, each having its own characteristics and processes.

• Contested Divorce: A contested divorce in Utah occurs when the spouses cannot reach an agreement on one or more critical issues related to the divorce, such as division of property, child custody, alimony, or child support. When disagreements persist, the case goes to court, and a judge will make decisions based on presented evidence and arguments. Contested divorces tend to be more time-consuming, emotionally draining, and expensive due to legal fees and court costs.
• Uncontested Divorce: An uncontested divorce in Utah is a more amicable and streamlined process where both spouses agree on all aspects of the divorce, including property division, spousal support, child custody, and visitation. Since there are no major disagreements, an uncontested divorce is typically faster and less costly. This collaborative approach often facilitates a more peaceful transition for both parties and any children involved.

In Utah, couples are encouraged to pursue uncontested divorces when possible, as they save time, money, and emotional stress. However, if disagreements persist, a contested divorce becomes necessary, allowing the court to intervene and make decisions in the best interest of all parties involved. Consulting with an experienced Salt Lake City divorce attorney can provide valuable insights and assistance in navigating either a contested or uncontested divorce, tailoring the approach to suit the specific circumstances of the couple.

To speak to an experienced Salt Lake City divorce lawyer, give us a call at (801) 770-0073 or contact us online today.

Understanding Fair Distribution of Assets & Debt 

When you divorce, you’re separating two lives. If couples in Sandy or Salt Lake City split everything down the middle, it would be easy — but it’s never easy. 

The couple’s assets and debt should be divided fair and equally in a divorce case. But other factors come into play.

• How much of the assets were brought into the marriage by each partner? 
• How much debt predated the marriage, how much was accrued after the marriage, and for what reasons? 
• Did one partner pay off the other’s debts? 
• Who gets the house? 
• How are the retirement accounts split? 
• What if one spouse makes significantly more money than the other?

Some of these questions are easy to answer based on the divorce laws in UT, but others can be a matter of opinion. That’s why getting knowledgeable divorce lawyers in Salt Lake City, Utah, with legal experience in family law matters. Our law firm is located in Sandy, less than 30 minutes South of downtown Salt Lake City. 

Am I Eligible to File for Divorce in Utah?

To file for divorce in Utah, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. Firstly, either you or your spouse must have been a resident of Utah and a resident of the county where you intend to file for divorce for at least three months before filing. If these residency requirements are met, you can proceed with the divorce.

Utah recognizes both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce. For a no-fault divorce, you can simply state incompatibility or irreconcilable differences. Alternatively, fault-based grounds could include impotence, adultery, willful desertion for more than one year, habitual drunkenness, cruelty, and more.

Understanding your eligibility and the grounds for divorce is vital before initiating the legal process. Consulting with our Salt lake City divorce lawyer can provide clarity on your situation and guide you through the appropriate steps to ensure a smooth and lawful divorce process.

Can I get a Divorce Without any Trial?

Yes, you can get a divorce without going through a trial in Utah, typically through an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses agree on all significant issues, including division of assets, child custody, child support, alimony, and any other relevant matters pertaining to the divorce.

In Utah, an uncontested divorce often involves submitting a stipulated divorce decree or settlement agreement to the court. This document outlines the agreed-upon terms and conditions of the divorce. If the court finds the agreement fair and in compliance with the law, they may approve the divorce without the need for a trial.

This approach is generally less time-consuming and less expensive than a contested divorce that involves court appearances and potentially lengthy legal proceedings. It's crucial to ensure that the terms of the divorce agreement are fair and in the best interests of both parties involved. 

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Divorce in Salt Lake City?

Whether or not you need a lawyer for your divorce in Salt Lake City depends on the complexity of your case and your comfort with the legal process. However, it's highly advisable to at least consult with an experienced Salt Lake City divorce attorney.

Divorce involves intricate legal procedures, paperwork, and negotiations. An attorney can provide crucial guidance and ensure that your rights and interests are protected throughout the process. They can assist in navigating complex issues such as child custody, spousal support, division of assets, and more.

In cases where there are significant assets, child custody disputes, or disagreements regarding alimony, having a lawyer is vital. They can negotiate on your behalf, potentially leading to a more favorable outcome. Additionally, if your spouse has legal representation, it's usually in your best interest to have an attorney to ensure a level playing field.

Ultimately, while it's possible to proceed without an attorney, divorce is a major life event, and having the professional legal assistance of our experienced Salt Lake City divorce lawyer at Solon Law PLLC can provide peace of mind and increase the likelihood of a fair and equitable resolution.

To speak to an experienced Salt Lake City divorce lawyer, give us a call at (801) 770-0073 or contact us online today.