Utah Family Law Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to the most common questions about divorce, custody, child support, and other Utah family law matters.

• Do both spouses have to agree to get divorced in Utah?
• How long does a divorce take in Utah?
• How much does a divorce cost in Utah?
• Do I need a lawyer for a divorce in Utah?
• What is Utah’s divorce waiting period?
• What are the grounds for divorce in Utah?
• Can I get divorced if my spouse lives in another state?
• What happens if my spouse will not respond to the divorce papers?
• Can I date while my divorce is pending?
• Can I move out before the divorce is final?
• Is Utah a no-fault divorce state?
• What documents are needed to file for divorce in Utah?
• Can a divorce be finalized without going to court?
• How is property divided in a Utah divorce?
• How are debts divided in a Utah divorce?
• Who keeps the house in a Utah divorce?
• Can I keep my retirement account after divorce?
• What happens to business interests in divorce?
• Can the divorce decree be changed later?
• Can we use mediation instead of court?
• What happens during mediation?
• Can a divorce settlement be overturned?
• What if my spouse is hiding assets?
• What if my spouse files first?
• Can we get divorced if we still live together?
• How does Utah determine child custody?
• What is the difference between legal and physical custody?
• How can a father get 50/50 custody in Utah?
• Does Utah favor mothers in custody cases?
• What is joint legal custody?
• What is sole custody?
• What factors does a Utah court consider in custody cases?
• How does a judge decide what is in the child’s best interests?
• Can a child choose which parent to live with?
• At what age can a child decide where to live?
• What is the Utah parent-time schedule?
• What is minimum parent-time in Utah?
• Can a parent move out of state with the child?
• Can a parent move within Utah with the child?
• How do I modify custody in Utah?
• How do I modify parent-time in Utah?
• What happens if the other parent violates the custody order?
• Can grandparents get visitation rights?
• What if the other parent will not return the child?
• Can custody be changed because of substance abuse?
• Can custody be changed because of domestic violence?
• What is supervised parent-time?
• Can a parent lose custody rights?
• Do judges listen to custody evaluators?
• What is reunification therapy?
• How is child support calculated in Utah?
• How long does child support last?
• Can parents agree to no child support?
• Can child support be modified?
• What if the other parent does not pay child support?
• Can child support be collected from wages?
• Can child support be waived?
• Does child support cover medical expenses?
• Does child support cover extracurricular activities?
• What happens when a child turns 18?
• Can child support be ordered retroactively?
• Does equal custody eliminate child support?
• What income counts for child support?
• Can unemployment affect child support?
• What if a parent is self-employed?
• How do I get a protective order in Utah?
• What evidence do I need for a protective order?
• How long does a protective order last?
• Can a protective order affect custody?
• What happens if a protective order is violated?
• Can a protective order be dismissed?
• What is the difference between a protective order and a stalking injunction?
• Can text messages be used to get a protective order?
• Can I get an emergency protective order?
• Does domestic violence affect divorce?
• How do I establish paternity in Utah?
• Can a court order DNA testing?
• What if the alleged father refuses testing?
• What rights does an unmarried father have?
• Can paternity be challenged later?
• How long do paternity cases take?
• Can custody be decided in a paternity case?
• Can child support be ordered in a parentage case?
• What if another man is listed on the birth certificate?
• What happens after paternity is established?
• Can my spouse empty the bank account before divorce?
• Can I record conversations with my spouse in Utah?
• Can text messages be used in a divorce case?
• Does adultery affect divorce in Utah?
• How is alimony determined in Utah?
• How long does alimony last?
• Can alimony be modified?
• Can alimony be terminated?
• What happens if my spouse refuses to follow the divorce decree?
• What if my ex will not let me see my child?
• Can social media affect a custody case?
• Should I leave the marital home?
• What should I do before filing for divorce?
• What mistakes should I avoid during divorce?
• What questions should I ask a divorce lawyer?

This page provides general information about Utah family law and is not legal advice. Viewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.