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Divorce Lawyers in Salt Lake City
After saying, “I do,” no couple expects to have their marriage end in divorce. Navigating the emotional wounds caused by separating are stressful enough. This stress only increases as you add to the mix the legal process of dividing the life you built together. Which is why the help of an experienced Salt Lake divorce lawyer is essential to your future.
Don’t navigate your divorce alone, let us help ensure you have what you need to thrive in your next chapter. Schedule your free 30 minute consultation today!
Considering Divorce? You Need an Experienced Lawyer on Your Side
At Read Law, our Salt Lake City divorce lawyers understand the importance of providing their clients with skilled legal counsel during the divorce process. Facing the unknown and taking steps to end a marriage can be overwhelming and daunting for many clients. Our lawyers listen carefully to our clients and provide straightforward, effective legal advice. We will answer all of your questions and help you understand your options and how to proceed in your divorce. Contact us today to schedule a free 30-minute initial consultation.
Deciding to end your marriage is never easy. Even if you are not entirely sure that you are ready to pursue a divorce, it is wise to consult with a Salt Lake City divorce lawyer. Your divorce lawyer can help you understand what the divorce process looks like and how you can prepare yourself should you end up seeking a divorce.
For more information on the Utah divorce process, please read:
- Facts & Questions About Utah Divorce
- A Guide to the Utah Divorce Process
- A Guide to Legal Separation in Utah
- A Guide to Divorce Mediation in Utah
- A Guide to Divorce Decrees in Utah
No-Fault Divorce in Salt Lake City
If you are ready to file for divorce, we can help you understand the statutory grounds for divorce. Utah is a no-fault divorce state, meaning you do not have to prove a specific ground for divorce to get a divorce. In a no-fault divorce, the couple agrees on their own to avoid the tension involved with a divorce trial. Couples can file for a no-fault divorce in Utah when they have not cohabitated for three consecutive years. Or, they can say that they have irreconcilable differences.
Even in a no-fault divorce case, Nothing stops either spouse from proving fault as a grounds for the breakup of their marriage. In other words, even if the couple agrees to a no-fault divorce, one party’s fault could be a factor in determining child custody or spousal support. For example, one spouse may bring up the fact that the other spouse commits adultery when seeking spousal support. In Utah, judges are allowed to consider things like abandonment and adultery when making alimony determinations.
If you plan on pursuing a no-fault divorce, you will still benefit from consulting with an experienced divorce lawyer. Even if you and your spouse agree that you will not claim one of the recognized grounds for divorce, disputes regarding child custody, alimony, and property division can still arise. You will need an experienced lawyer to represent your interest and help you obtain the best divorce settlement possible.
For more information, please see:
- Navigating No-Fault Divorces in Utah
- How Long Does a Divorce Take in Utah? Understanding the Waiting Period
Grounds for Divorce in Salt Lake City
Utah residents still have the option of pursuing a fault-based divorce. Utah recognizes several statutory grounds for divorce, including the following:
- Adultery
- Conviction of a felony-level charge
- Habitual drunkenness
- Mental or physical cruelty
- Permanent and incurable insanity as established by competent medical testimony
- Willful desertion of a spouse for one year or longer
- Willful neglect to provide the common necessities of life
For more information, please see:
Property Division in a Utah Divorce
In Utah, family courts will accept any fair and reasonable property division to which both spouses agree. If you and your spouse can agree on how to divide your property, your lawyer or your spouse’s lawyer can draft a divorce settlement agreement and ask the court to enter it. Negotiating a divorce settlement out of court has several benefits, including saving time, money, and stress. However, negotiating a divorce settlement is not always possible.
When you cannot negotiate a divorce settlement out of court, a family court judge will decide how to divide your marital estate. Utah courts only have the authority to divide assets that are considered marital property. Marital property generally includes any assets that either spouse obtained during the marriage. Property that a spouse acquired before the marriage or as an inheritance is considered separate and not subject to division through the divorce proceedings.
Utah judges use multiple factors to determine how to divide the couple’s marital property. Judges have discretion when it comes to the division of property in Utah. They will consider the spouses’ age, the length of the marriage, and how they acquired their marital property. They will also consider what each spouse’s financial situation will look like after the divorce. They will consider child care costs, medical needs, and the earning potential and level of education of each spouse.
Utah judges often divide property unequally between divorcing spouses based on the factors mentioned above. However, if the marriage was relatively short, they may decide to split the marital property 50/50. For short marriages, judges often try to restore each spouse to the financial situation he or she enjoyed before getting married. Due to the vast amount of discretion that Utah judges have regarding the division of property, it is crucial that you work with an experienced lawyer who understands Utah’s divorce laws and will advocate for your best interests.
Post-Divorce Modifications
Once a judge finalizes the divorce decree, spouses cannot change the division of property. However, spouses can petition the court to modify other orders. For example, when a spouse experiences a material change to his or her situation, he or she can petition the court to modify an alimony, child custody, child support, or child visitation order.
Contact a Salt Lake City Divorce Lawyer Today
If you are seeking a divorce in the Salt Lake City area or seek a post-divorce modification, the experienced lawyers of Read Law are here to help. Contact our Salt Lake City divorce lawyers today to schedule your 30-minute consultation.
Salt Lake City Divorce Attorney Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Liz S.
David Read and his office staff were wonderful to work with. They helped me and my father work through his divorce as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Staff was incredibly professional and answered every question with knowledge and accuracy. I would recommend the Law Office of David W. Read to anyone having to go through a divorce, or any other family law needs. 5-Star Review on Google.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Meet S.
I absolutely love this law office! They made the divorce process simple and easy. They were quick to respond to any questions I had and they took care of everything. They also made everything affordable. I highly recommend! 5-Star Review on Google
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