In Utah, being a father gives you the right to pursue custody and visitation of your child, and to make decisions regarding your son or daughter. These rights apply whether you are married or not, but you may have to fight for them, especially in the case of divorce.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Utah?
On average, Utah divorce lawyers charge between $195 and $230 per hour. Average total costs for Utah divorce lawyers are $8,300 to $9,700 but are significantly lower in cases with no contested issues.
How much is a custody lawyer in Utah?
For family law matters, attorneys usually charge based on an hourly fee for work performed. Divorce and custody cases can cost as little as $1,200.00 for an uncontested case and can exceed $10,000.00 for a case with multiple contested issues.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Utah?
Filing Fees The filing fee for a divorce in Utah is $333.00. That fee is paid directly to the Court when you file your divorce papers. Our fee for the Do-It-Yourself Divorce without minor children (for an action not involving custody of minor children) is $575.00.
Is Utah a 50 50 divorce state?
Utah is NOT a community property state, which means that marital property is not automatically divided 50/50 between the spouses in a divorce case.
Does it matter who files for divorce first in Utah?
Generally no, it doesn’t matter which spouse files for divorce. There is no legal advantage to filing the petition for divorce first; however, there may be strategical advantages. For example, whoever files first may get to choose which court will be hearing the divorce.
What makes a parent unfit in Utah?
According to Utah child custody laws, an unfit parent is one who fails to provide proper care, support, and guidance for his or her child. A parent is also unfit if he/she neglects or abuses the child or has substance abuse disorder.
What is the age a child can choose which parent to live with in Utah?
What Age Can a Child Decide Which Parent to Live With in Utah? A child can decide to live with either parent in Utah is age 14 years old. Typically the family court believes a child’s wishes are sufficiently mature to express their preference by 14 on which parent they choose to live.
How far can a parent move with joint custody in Utah?
Utah law requires a custodial parent to give advanced notice if they plan on moving more than 150 miles from their current residence or from the residence of the other parent. The parent must send the notice to the court and the other parent at least 60 days in advance of the intended relocation.
Is alimony mandatory in Utah?
Enforcing alimony If the party ordered to pay alimony fails to do so, the recipient may file a motion asking the court to enforce the alimony order. The court may issue a judgment for past due alimony. The court may also find a party in contempt of court and order the party to pay a fine or serve time in jail.
How long does Utah divorce take?
An uncontested divorce in Utah requires an average of 3 months to complete. A contentious divorce, on the other hand, might take 9 months or longer, depending on the complexity of marital assets. Yet, even the fastest marriage termination won’t be shorter than 30 days which equals the divorce waiting period in Utah.
How long do you have to be separated before divorce in Utah?
In Utah, there is no minimum time period that you need to be separated before a divorce is granted. No matter how long you have been separated, the court will grant your divorce 91 days after filing.
Do I get half of my husband’s 401k in a divorce?
A 401(k) account allows employees to set aside a portion of their monthly paycheck for their golden years. If you decide to get a divorce from your spouse, you can claim up to half of their 401(k) savings. Similarly, your spouse can also get half of your 401(k) savings if you divorce.
What not to do when going through a divorce?
- Don’t Get Pregnant.
- Don’t Forget to Change Your Will.
- Don’t Dismiss the Possibility of Collaborative Divorce or Mediation.
- Don’t Sleep With Your Lawyer.
- Don’t Take It out on the Kids.
- Don’t Refuse to See a Therapist.
- Don’t Wait Until After the Holidays.
- Don’t Forget About Taxes.
How long do you have to be married to get alimony in Utah?
If your marriage is less than four years, it will be very difficult to obtain alimony. If your marriage is four or five years, it’s a toss-up. If your marriage is more than five years, it’s likely to end up with an alimony award.
How much is child support in Utah?
The non-custodial parent’s income is 66.6% of the parent’s total combined income. Therefore, the non-custodial parent pays $666 per month in child support, or 66.6% of the total child support obligation.
What is considered abandonment in a marriage in Utah?
According to Utah Code Section 30-3-1, abandonment or willful desertion occurs when one spouse deserts the other for more than one year. The abandonment must occur without consent or justification, and with the intent of not renewing the marital relationship.
Is counseling required before divorce in Utah?
Utah May Mandate Counseling or Mediation If one or both parties requests it, the courts may require that both parties seek marital counseling or mediation to attempt to preserve the marriage.
What do judges look for in child custody cases?
The most basic part of the “best interests” standard is that custody decisions should serve the children’s health, safety, and welfare. Judges will look at whether one or both parents are able to handle a child’s special educational, medical, mental health, and other needs.
What are the 4 types of child neglect?
- Physical Neglect. The failure to provide necessary food, clothing, and shelter; inappropriate or lack of supervision.
- Medical Neglect. The failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment.
- Educational Neglect.
- Emotional Neglect.
How do I get full custody of my child in Utah?
Every child custody case begins with a petition that is filed with the Court. For married parents, a “Petition for Divorce” will be filed and for unmarried parents, a “Petition for Paternity” or a “Petition for Custody, Visitation, and Support” will be filed.
What is parent Time in Utah?
Parent-time, also known as “visitation,” means the time the non-custodial parent spends with a child. When parents cannot agree on a parent-time schedule, state law provides for a minimum parent-time schedule: Children 5-18 (Utah Code Section 30-3-35) Children under 5 (Utah Code Section 30-3-35.5)
Can you date while legally separated in Utah?
Dating while separated can hold up and complicate the divorce proceedings, can effect custody and visitation decisions, and rarely but possibly, depending on the state, may be grounds for a lawsuit.
What age can a child refuse visitation in Utah?
The court will consider the child’s wishes to the extent that the child is sufficiently mature to express reasoned and independent preferences as to the parenting time schedule. Usually the court will not consider child’s preference unless the child is at least 14 years old.
Can a parent take a child out of state without the other parents consent in Utah?
“Technically, Utah law does not require your ex’s written consent or permission for you to take your child out of state during your custodial or parent-time periods,” concludes our experienced divorce attorney in Salt Lake City.