Divorce Attorney in Salt Lake City & Salt Lake County
Representation for divorce, custody, and support matters throughout Salt Lake County. Remote consultations available, in English and Spanish.
Duvanced Law’s office is located in Provo. The firm accepts appropriate family-law matters in Salt Lake County and offers remote consultations.
Divorce & Family Law Cases We Handle
Uncontested & Contested Divorce
From stipulated decrees to fully litigated Salt Lake County cases.
Child Custody & Support
Parent-time schedules that work around valley commutes and school boundaries.
Property & Asset Division
Home equity, 401(k) and pension division, and separately-owned property claims.
Spousal Support (Alimony)
Alimony analysis for dual-income and single-earner households.
Modifications & Enforcement
Post-decree changes when income, relocation, or parent-time needs change.
Paternity Establishment
Establishing parentage so unmarried parents get enforceable orders.
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
How is child support calculated in Utah?
Utah generally uses statutory guidelines based on both parents’ adjusted gross incomes, the number of children, and the physical custody arrangement. Child-care costs, medical insurance, and other adjustments may also apply. The court can deviate only when the legal requirements are satisfied.
How long does child support last?
Support usually continues until the event specified by Utah law or the controlling order, such as a child’s emancipation. Different rules may apply when a child remains in high school, has a disability, marries, or is otherwise emancipated. Review the exact decree and current statute.
Can parents agree to no child support?
Parents may propose a support arrangement, but child support is considered the child’s right and remains subject to court review. A zero-support provision or deviation should be supported by the required findings and must be consistent with law and the child’s needs.
Can child support be modified?
Yes, if statutory requirements are met. The available procedure and required showing may depend on the size of the guideline change, the time since the order, and whether there has been a material change in circumstances. Modification is generally prospective from the legally permitted date.
What if the other parent does not pay child support?
Past-due support may be enforced through the court or appropriate child-support agency. Remedies can include income withholding and other collection or contempt-related measures. Keep an accurate payment history and do not deny parent-time solely because support was not paid.
Can child support be collected from wages?
Yes. Income withholding is a common collection method and may be included in or implemented under a support order. The employer sends the required amount through the designated payment system, subject to applicable limits and procedures.
Can child support be waived?
A parent generally cannot permanently waive a child’s right to support by private agreement. The court may approve a lawful deviation in a particular order, but the arrangement must satisfy statutory requirements and remain subject to later modification when legally justified.
Does child support cover medical expenses?
The base child-support award is separate from provisions commonly addressing health insurance and unreimbursed medical expenses. The order should state who maintains insurance, how uncovered expenses are divided, and the deadlines for proof and reimbursement.
Does child support cover extracurricular activities?
Ordinary extracurricular costs are not always separately allocated by the guideline amount. Parents can agree, or the court may order where authorized, how approved activities are selected and paid. Clear advance-consent and reimbursement language can reduce disputes.
What happens when a child turns 18?
Turning 18 may affect support, but it is not always the only relevant event. The child’s high-school status, emancipation, disability, and the language of the order may matter. Support for other children under the same order may need recalculation rather than simply reducing the payment informally.
Can child support be ordered retroactively?
Retroactive support may be available in circumstances authorized by Utah law, including some parentage and support proceedings. The court may consider the applicable statutory period, prior payments, notice, and equitable factors. The result is fact-specific.
Does equal custody eliminate child support?
No. Equal or near-equal parent-time does not automatically eliminate support. The guideline calculation still considers both parents’ incomes, overnights, and other allowed adjustments. A deviation requires legally sufficient reasons and findings.
What income counts for child support?
Utah’s guidelines use adjusted gross income and define the forms of earned and unearned income that may be included. Wages, self-employment income, bonuses, commissions, benefits, and other receipts may require analysis, along with allowable deductions and exclusions.
Can unemployment affect child support?
Yes, but unemployment does not automatically suspend an existing order. The court may examine whether the income change is genuine, temporary, or voluntary and may impute income when permitted. A parent seeking relief should act promptly rather than allowing arrears to accumulate.
What if a parent is self-employed?
Self-employment income is evaluated from business receipts minus appropriate business expenses, not simply the amount shown as taxable income or owner draws. Personal expenses paid by the business, retained earnings, depreciation, and the reasonableness of deductions may require additional records or expert review.
How do I get a protective order in Utah?
A qualifying person may file the appropriate petition describing the relationship, conduct, requested protections, and supporting facts. The court may review an initial request without the other party present and may later hold a hearing. The correct remedy depends on the relationship and type of conduct.
What evidence do I need for a protective order?
Useful evidence can include a detailed chronology, messages, photographs, medical records, police records, witness information, damaged-property records, and prior orders. A petition should state specific acts, dates when known, threats, injuries, and why protection is currently needed.
How long does a protective order last?
The duration depends on the type of order, the provisions entered, and later court action. Some provisions may have different durations. Read the signed order carefully and calendar any hearing, expiration, or renewal deadline.
Can a protective order affect custody?
Yes. A court may enter temporary safety-related provisions involving custody, parent-time, exchanges, communication, and residence. The family court must also consider domestic violence evidence when making longer-term custody decisions.
What happens if a protective order is violated?
A violation can have criminal and civil consequences. If safe, preserve evidence and contact law enforcement or legal counsel as appropriate. Only the court can modify the order; private agreement by the protected person may not make prohibited conduct lawful.
Can a protective order be dismissed?
A court may dismiss or modify an order through the proper procedure. The protected party should not assume that informal reconciliation or contact ends the order. Until the court changes it, all terms remain enforceable.
What is the difference between a protective order and a stalking injunction?
The remedies address different legal relationships and conduct. Protective orders generally depend on a qualifying relationship and abuse-related statutory requirements, while stalking injunctions focus on a qualifying course of conduct. The correct filing depends on the facts.
Can text messages be used to get a protective order?
Yes, messages may be relevant evidence of threats, harassment, admissions, coercive control, or context. Preserve the complete conversation, dates, sender information, and original device where possible. Isolated screenshots may be challenged if they omit context or cannot be authenticated.
Can I get an emergency protective order?
Utah law allows expedited temporary relief in qualifying circumstances. The judge considers the petition and available evidence, and a later hearing may be scheduled. If there is immediate danger, contact emergency services and use a safe device if digital monitoring is a concern.
Does domestic violence affect divorce?
Yes. Domestic violence may affect protective relief, temporary orders, custody, parent-time, residence, communication, and litigation safety planning. It can also affect how mediation and exchanges are conducted. Inform counsel and the court through appropriate filings rather than relying on informal assurances.
This page provides general information about Utah family law and is not legal advice. Viewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.