Most people going through a divorce have two questions before anything else. How long will this take, and what is it going to cost. The honest answer is that it depends on how much you and your spouse agree on, but the road itself is predictable. Here is a plain-language overview of how a divorce moves through the Utah courts and where the money goes.
Where the Case Is Filed
Divorce in Utah is governed by Title 81 of the Utah Code, the Utah Domestic Relations Code, which was reorganized effective September 1, 2024. To file, you or your spouse must have lived in the county where you file for at least 90 days before filing, under Utah Code Section 81-4-402. The case is filed in the district court for that county.
The Steps, Start to Finish
How a Utah Divorce Moves
The 30-Day Waiting Period
Utah imposes a waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. Under Utah Code Section 81-4-402, the court may not enter a decree of divorce until 30 days after the day the petition is filed, unless the court finds that extraordinary circumstances exist. This is a minimum. An uncontested case can finalize shortly after the 30 days run, while a contested case takes considerably longer, often several months, because the disputed issues have to be worked out first.
The Required Courses
If you have minor children, Utah requires both parents to complete a divorce orientation course and a parenting course before the court will grant the decree. The orientation course is short, at least one hour, and by statute the provider may not charge a party more than $30, or more than $15 for a party who attends a live course promptly. Couples without minor children are not required to take the orientation course but may choose to.
What It Actually Costs
Divorce costs fall into two buckets: the fees you pay the court and others, and the fee you pay your attorney. The court costs are relatively fixed. The attorney fee is the part that swings widely, and it swings based on one thing above all, which is how much you and your spouse disagree.
The Fixed Costs
Court filing fee. The fee to file a divorce petition in a Utah district court is currently $325, set by the Utah courts under Utah Code Section 78A-2-301. Court fees change from time to time, so confirm the current amount when you file. If you cannot afford the fee, you can ask the court to waive it based on income.
Required courses. For parents, the orientation course is capped at $30 per party by statute, with a parenting course in addition.
Service and other costs. Serving the other spouse and obtaining certified copies carry small additional fees that vary.
The Attorney Fee
Uncontested. When you and your spouse already agree on all the major terms, Jim handles the entire uncontested divorce for a flat attorney fee of $500. The court filing fee above is separate and not included.
Limited help. If you want to represent yourself but need the paperwork done right, Jim offers a middle option where you handle the filing and he prepares and reviews the documents at a lower cost than full representation.
Contested. When major issues are genuinely disputed, the cost depends on how much work the case requires. Contested divorces are billed based on the actual time involved, and the total is driven by the level of conflict, not by the law firm alone. Jim will give you an honest assessment of the likely range at the consultation.
The single biggest cost driver is conflict. Two people who can agree on property, support, and a parenting plan will spend a fraction of what two people who litigate every issue will spend. Where it is possible, settling is almost always cheaper than fighting.
How Long Will It Take?
An uncontested divorce can be finished not long after the 30-day waiting period. A contested divorce, especially one involving custody disputes or complex finances, commonly takes several months and sometimes longer. The timeline is mostly in the parties' hands. The more you can agree on, the faster and cheaper it goes.
Cheap mistakes are expensive later
A divorce decree controls your finances and your time with your children for years. Doing the paperwork wrong, or agreeing to terms you did not fully understand, can cost far more than any fee you saved up front. Even an amicable, low-cost divorce should be done correctly the first time.
Find Out What Your Divorce Will Cost
Free, confidential consultation. Jim will walk you through the process, the likely timeline, and the real cost for your situation before you decide anything.
(801) 641-0883 Why Most Utah Divorces Are No-FaultThis article is attorney advertising and is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Fees, procedures, and timelines depend on your specific circumstances and on current Utah law, and court fees change. Contact an attorney to discuss your situation.