Cost of Divorce in Utah

• The nature of your divorce impacts your cost
• What is the average cost of divorce in Utah?
• What does a Utah lawyer cost?
• How much does mediation cost?
• How to save money on your Utah divorce
• References

How expensive will your Utah divorce be? That depends. Most people pay a court filing fee and process server fees, but not everyone has to pay attorney fees and other court costs. 

The total cost of your divorce depends on how cooperative or complicated it is and how much legal intervention you need. It could range from the cost of just the filing fee – approximately $325 – to thousands of dollars in additional attorney fees and court costs. 

If you and your spouse can agree on the terms of a settlement agreement without the added costs of divorce lawyers and court intervention, you will pay less for your divorce.

The nature of your divorce impacts your cost

In Utah, there are two types of divorce cases: uncontested and contested. 

Uncontested divorce

An uncontested divorce requires you to agree on matters concerning your property division, the support and custody of your minor children, and spousal support/alimony. It is often the most desirable type of divorce. Because you agree to your divorce terms outside of court, it is unlikely for your case to be caught up in court hearings and other problems. The judge will likely review your agreement for fairness and sign off on your divorce. 

If you want an uncontested divorce but disagree on some matters with your spouse, you may be able to work them out through divorce mediation instead of going to court. Working with a mediator is generally cheaper than hiring a divorce attorney and paying their retainer fee. (Once lawyers get involved and the mechanics of the divorce process begin, attorney fees and court costs begin to mount.)

Contested divorce

A contested divorce is when spouses disagree over some aspects of the divorce or even over the divorce itself. In a contested divorce, if the couple cannot work it out with a mediator or another collaborative process, each spouse will likely need to hiare a family law attorney. The attorneys try to reach a settlement and guide the divorce through the court process.

If disputes can’t be resolved, the divorce will go to trial, and a judge will make the final decision. 

A contested divorce can be stressful, cost a lot of money, and lead to even more post-divorce animosity between couples. 

What is the average cost of divorce in Utah?

Just as every marriage is different, so is every divorce. The cost of a divorce in Utah can range between $400 and nearly $12,000, depending on some factors you can control and others you can’t.

These are common fees associated with divorces in Utah, and how they might shift depending on the type of divorce you have:

What does a Utah lawyer cost?

Divorce lawyers aren’t required in an uncontested divorce, but they can significantly increase your out-of-pocket fees for a contested split. 

On average, Americans spend $11,300 on divorce attorney fees. The average hourly divorce lawyer rate across the country is $270. 

Know that lawyers charge you for every moment they work on your case, including the time they need to answer your emails, research your options, and prepare paperwork. A complicated cases that involves many issues and conversations will take more time (and cost more) than a simple split .

How much does mediation cost?

Mediation involves asking an impartial third party to guide your negotiation. Mediators can’t propose solutions to problems (such as telling you how to split an asset like a house). But a mediator can help you understand what your partner wants, what’s really important to you, and how you can meet in the middle.

A mediator could be an important part of an uncontested divorce. For example, you might disagree with your partner about child custody, and that issue may be pushing you toward a contested divorce in court. Instead, you could hire a mediator, solve the problem in conversations, and move forward with an uncontested divorce.

Mediators can help you solve just one issue, or they can work on every part of your divorce negotiation. In general, the more problems you have, the longer the mediation will take and the more it might cost.

In general, mediation sessions cost an average of $970 nationwide. While this might seem expensive, it’s much less costly than hiring a lawyer.

How to save money on your Utah divorce

Most divorcing couples don’t want the stress and cost of a contentious divorce. They would like to legally end their marriage quickly and inexpensively so they can move on to their next chapter.

Fortunately, there are options for couples who don’t want the hassle, expense, and anger of a long, drawn-out divorce. With a DIY divorce, you can get divorced for little more than filing fees. You may even be able to waive these fees.

At Hello Divorce, we understand the overwhelm that comes with the divorce process, and we’re here to help.

We are an online divorce platform that offers as much or as little help as you need. With online divorce plans and flat-fee professional services, including time with attorneys and mediators, we can help you navigate your Utah divorce for far less.

Schedule a free 15-minute phone call to see how we can help.

References