Divorce Attorney in Provo & Utah County
Direct, experienced representation for divorce, custody, and family matters throughout Utah County. English and Spanish service available.
Duvanced Law’s office is located in Provo and represents clients throughout Utah County.
Divorce & Family Law Cases We Handle
Uncontested & Contested Divorce
From agreed settlements to disputed matters — every type of divorce.
Child Custody & Support
Parent-time schedules and support calculations under Utah guidelines.
Property & Asset Division
Homes, retirement accounts, and shared assets divided under Utah law.
Spousal Support (Alimony)
Pursuing or defending alimony based on your specific circumstances.
Modifications & Enforcement
Changing existing decrees and enforcing orders the other side ignores.
Paternity Establishment
Legal parentage for unmarried parents so custody and support can be set.
Don't see your specific case?
Family law covers many situations. If yours isn't listed above, just ask.
How Divorce Works in Utah
Understanding the Utah divorce process can make it easier to prepare for the steps ahead. Learn about filing, service of process, waiting periods, financial disclosures, mediation, trial preparation, and the final decree.
Is your case in another Utah county? We also handle divorce and family matters in neighboring counties. See our statewide coverage
Common Questions
Do both spouses have to agree to get divorced in Utah?
No. One spouse may file for divorce even if the other spouse does not agree. A cooperative case may be resolved by agreement, but disagreement does not prevent the court from ultimately deciding the disputed issues and entering a divorce decree.
How long does a divorce take in Utah?
Utah generally does not allow a divorce decree to be entered until at least 30 days after the petition is filed, unless the court finds extraordinary circumstances. The full case may take longer depending on service, required courses, disclosures, negotiation, mediation, contested motions, and the court’s schedule.
How much does a divorce cost in Utah?
The total cost varies. Court filing and service fees are only part of the expense. Attorney fees, mediation, experts, custody evaluation, discovery, and trial preparation can increase the cost. An uncontested matter is usually less expensive than a case involving disputed custody, support, property, or business interests.
Do I need a lawyer for a divorce in Utah?
Utah permits a person to represent themselves, but self-representation can be risky when the case involves children, real estate, retirement, a business, significant debt, domestic violence, or unequal access to information. A lawyer can identify claims, deadlines, evidence, and decree language that may have long-term consequences.
What is Utah’s divorce waiting period?
A Utah court generally may not enter the decree until 30 days after the petition is filed. The court may waive that period when extraordinary circumstances are shown. The waiting period is a minimum, not a promise that the case will be completed on day 30.
What are the grounds for divorce in Utah?
Utah law recognizes irreconcilable differences and other statutory grounds. Many cases proceed on irreconcilable differences because it does not require proving marital misconduct. The appropriate ground depends on the facts and the relief requested.
Can I get divorced if my spouse lives in another state?
Possibly. Utah must have authority to enter the divorce, and separate jurisdiction questions may apply to property, support, and children. Residence, service, the child’s home state, and the other spouse’s contacts with Utah can affect what the Utah court may decide.
What happens if my spouse will not respond to the divorce papers?
After valid service and expiration of the response deadline, the filing spouse may ask the court to enter default. Default is not automatic. The requesting party must still submit proper documents and evidence supporting the requested relief, and special notice rules may apply.
Can I date while my divorce is pending?
A pending divorce means the parties are still legally married until the decree is entered. Dating can create practical or litigation issues, particularly if marital funds are spent, a new partner is introduced to children, or the conduct becomes relevant to a disputed claim. Obtain case-specific advice before making decisions that could affect the case.
Can I move out before the divorce is final?
A spouse may be able to move out, but doing so can affect access to the home, possession of property, expenses, and the practical parenting arrangement. Moving with a child may raise additional custody, relocation, or temporary-order issues. Preserve records and obtain advice before changing the status quo.
Is Utah a no-fault divorce state?
Yes. Irreconcilable differences are available as a ground for divorce, so a spouse ordinarily does not have to prove misconduct to end the marriage. Conduct can still matter when it is legally relevant to issues such as custody, financial dissipation, or alimony.
What documents are needed to file for divorce in Utah?
A case generally begins with a petition and related court forms. Depending on the case, additional documents may address children, jurisdiction, vital statistics, service, financial disclosures, temporary relief, settlement, findings, and the proposed decree. The required set depends on the facts and whether the case is contested.
Can a divorce be finalized without going to court?
Often, yes. If all issues are resolved and the required papers are complete, the judge may sign the decree without an in-person trial. The court may still require corrections, additional evidence, or a hearing, particularly if the proposed terms involving children are unclear or not in their best interests.
How is property divided in a Utah divorce?
Utah courts divide marital property equitably, which means fairly under the circumstances and not necessarily by a mechanical 50/50 split. The court commonly considers what is marital versus separate, the source and timing of acquisition, contributions, debts, and the practical method of division.
How are debts divided in a Utah divorce?
Marital debts may be allocated equitably between the spouses. The decree can assign responsibility between the parties, but it does not automatically change a creditor’s contract. If both names remain on an account, the creditor may still pursue either obligated borrower despite the divorce decree.
Who keeps the house in a Utah divorce?
The result depends on equity, financing, the parties’ needs, and the overall property division. One spouse may receive the home subject to a refinance or buyout, or the home may be sold and net proceeds divided. The decree should address possession, payments, sale procedures, deadlines, and responsibility for expenses.
Can I keep my retirement account after divorce?
The portion earned before marriage may be treated differently from the portion accumulated during marriage. A court may divide the marital portion even if the account is in only one spouse’s name. Some plans require a separate qualified domestic relations order or other plan-specific division document.
What happens to business interests in divorce?
A business interest may require classification, valuation, and an equitable allocation. The analysis can include ownership, start date, marital contributions, income, goodwill, liabilities, and tax consequences. Courts often seek a result that divides value without unnecessarily damaging the operating business.
Can the divorce decree be changed later?
Some provisions may later be modified if the legal requirements are met, especially custody, parent-time, child support, and sometimes alimony. Final property division is generally much harder to change. A party may also seek correction, clarification, enforcement, or relief from judgment depending on the issue and timing.
Can we use mediation instead of court?
Yes. Mediation allows the parties to negotiate with a neutral mediator, while each party retains control over whether to settle. If a complete agreement is reached and approved, trial may be avoided. Unresolved issues can still be presented to the court.
What happens during mediation?
The mediator helps identify issues, exchange proposals, and explore settlement. The mediator does not represent either party and ordinarily does not decide the case. Parties should understand the financial information and proposed legal terms before signing a binding settlement.
Can a divorce settlement be overturned?
A signed settlement is not set aside merely because a party later regrets it. Relief may be available in limited circumstances such as fraud, duress, mistake, nondisclosure, lack of authority, or another recognized legal basis. Timing and the exact language of the agreement matter.
What if my spouse is hiding assets?
Tell your lawyer promptly and preserve lawful evidence. Financial disclosures, document requests, subpoenas, depositions, account tracing, and experts may be used to investigate. Do not unlawfully access password-protected accounts or destroy, alter, or conceal records.
What if my spouse files first?
Filing first makes that spouse the petitioner, but it does not create an automatic advantage on the merits. The responding spouse must meet the answer deadline, evaluate any requested temporary relief, preserve evidence, and assert appropriate claims or defenses.
Can we get divorced if we still live together?
Living in the same home does not necessarily prevent a divorce based on irreconcilable differences. The court will still require jurisdiction and legally sufficient grounds. Continued co-residence may affect factual questions about separation, finances, parenting, and temporary arrangements.
This page provides general information about Utah family law and is not legal advice. Viewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.