Divorce Attorney in Utah

Compassionate Legal Advocacy

Salt Lake City Divorce Attorney

Dedicated Lawyers Helping Clients in Utah File for Divorce

No one ever plans to get a divorce, but it is a reality for many spouses. If you can no longer make your marriage work, you must secure skilled legal counsel to guide you throughout this complex legal process and protect your interests. At Full Circle Family Law in Salt Lake City, our experienced divorce attorney is committed to creating innovative legal solutions and compassionate guidance during this difficult time.

Reach out to Full Circle Family Law today at (801) 810-7830 to arrange a 15 minute discovery call
with our knowledgeable attorney or contact us online.

Understanding the Key Legal Issues in a Divorce

There are several issues spouses must resolve during the divorce process before they can successfully dissolve their marriage. If you can reach an agreement on some of these issues, it can potentially save time in court.

Some of the key issues you must address include:

Child support
Spousal support
Child custody and visitation
Property, asset, and debt division

When it comes to matters involving children, the court bases its decisions on their best interests. Our divorce lawyer is particularly skilled in handling these sensitive matters and will ensure you receive the best possible results for you and your family.

What Are the Grounds for Divorce in Utah?

Many states fall into one of two categories when it comes to accepting grounds for divorce: fault-based or no-fault.

In a fault-based divorce, one party alleges the other committed a specific action (like adultery) that makes the marriage untenable. In a no-fault divorce, the party filing for divorce simply cites "irreconcilable differences" as grounds for the divorce.

Unlike many states, Utah allows residents to file for both fault-based and no-fault divorce. Grounds for divorce in Utah include:

If one party is impotent at the time of marriage;
If one party commits adultery after marriage;
If one party abandons the other for more than a year;
If one party is willfully neglectful of the other's well-being;
If one party abuses substances or is an alcoholic;
If one party receives a felony conviction;
If one party engages in an act of cruelty, like domestic violence;
If one party is insane (as determined by the appropriate authorities or competent witnesses);
If the parties live apart from each other for three consecutive years without cohabiting;
If there are irreconcilable differences in the marriage.

Whether a divorce is fault-based or no-fault can play a role in the divorce process. If a party alleges fault, the court will expect them to provide evidence of said fault in court. Additionally, the court may make adjust its judgment depending on the kind of fault committed.

How Does the Divorce Process Work in Utah?

The divorce process in Utah is fairly straightforward. However, whether you intend to file for a contested or uncontested divorce plays a large role in the divorce process.

What is Contested Divorce in Utah?

If you want to file for a contested divorce, the process typically looks like this:

One party (called the petitioner) files for divorce in the county they live in. After filing for divorce, the petitioner serves papers to their spouse (called the respondent), notifying them of the divorce.
The respondent files an "Answer" with the court, and may also file a counterpetition.
If the respondent fails to answer within 21 days, the petitioner may file for a default divorce, allowing the petitioner to continue the divorce without the respondent.
If the respondent does file an Answer, the parties exchange information, including statements about their finances and the terms they seek for the divorce.
After exchanging information, the parties can either attend mediation, or file an Application or Motion to Excuse Mediation if they want to avoid the mediation process.
If the parties fail to resolve their issues during mediation or bypass mediation entirely, one can file a Certification of Readiness for Trial to continue the divorce in court.
The parties then file their proposed terms for the divorce and update information about their finances.
If the parties still cannot resolve their divorce out of court at this point, they proceed to trial and attend a pre-trial conference.
Finally, the court holds a trial, and the judge decides the case, laying out terms for the divorce that they deem equitable.
The parties must then file any remaining documents.
The judge reviews all the documents one last time, signs the divorce decree, and finalizes the marriage's dissolution.

What is Uncontested Divorce in Utah?

If you and your spouse agree on every key issue, such as child custody and property division, you will have an uncontested divorce. Uncontested divorce is ideal for couples with less complex finances and require less time and fewer legal fees.

File a joint Stipulation laying out the reason for the divorce and the terms they've agreed upon.
Wait 30 days.
File any final documents.
Have the judge sign the divorce decree, finalizing the case.

If a contested divorce becomes uncontested through mediation or negotiation, the parties can file a Motion for Temporary Order. At this time, they can then file a Stipulation together, transitioning into an uncontested divorce and preventing the trial process from occurring.

It's important to remember that the details of every divorce are different. You should always consult your divorce attorney before making decisions during the divorce process.

Get Premier Divorce Representation

Divorce is rarely an easy experience for anyone, but with the right legal guidance on your side, you can get through it and move onto the next chapter of your life. At Full Circle Family Law in Salt Lake City, our family law team is committed to helping clients navigate the most emotionally challenging process they will likely ever face.

We understand how overwhelming this situation can be, which is why we are dedicated to providing personalized legal solutions to help you meet your needs and achieve your goals. Given how much is at stake, you should not attempt to field your way through this on your own. Our team is prepared to help.

Our legal team at Full Circle Family Law is eager to help you. Call us at (801) 810-7830 to set up a confidential 30-minute consultation with our trusted attorney.

"You are in good hands when you have Tara."
Tara Reilly at Full Circle Law is my go-to referral for family law matters. As my firm does not have a family law specialist, I know I can count on Tara and her team to take good care of my clients. She is diligent, hard-working and zealously advocates for her clients. She is professional, responsive, and provides exceptional service. You are in good hands when you have Tara on your side.
- Erin S.
"Many thanks to attorney Tara Reilly without you I would've been completely lost."
Many thanks to attorney Tara Reilly without you I would've been completely lost. You went above and beyond to help me and guide me on this moment in my life that I thought I could not get through. Thank you thank you so much.
- Ana T.
"Tara is amazing, kind, compassionate, and brilliant!"
Tara is amazing, kind, compassionate, and brilliant! Like most folks, when I got married I thought it was for life. When I finally had enough, I left and truly believed I could navigate the divorce without counsel. Thank god my parents helped me find Tara! I moved through the process in kind of a fog, but Tara was steering the ship and because of her I came out the other side in a stable position. I have since re-engaged her and know I can trust her to offer the same support and expertise.

- Amanda J.
"Tara Reilly is an AMAZING lawyer."
Tara Reilly is an AMAZING lawyer. She is so easy to get along with and is very open and honest. I trust her 1000% and would recommend her to anyone and everyone!
- Saltxciti
"Tara is the gold standard for lawyers."
Tara is the gold standard for lawyers. She did what I needed in 3 Days! Compared to 10 months of 3 other Lawyers. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Stanton H.
"She always had a couple of choices for me to pick from and following her advice made all the difference."
Tara gave us hope and made us feel very sure about our case. She was fast and just all around kind. We will be hiring her again if we need legal assistance. Thank you, Tara!!
- Travis
"Because of them and their experience and expertise I won my case!"
I loved how welcomed I felt from the moment I walked in their doors for my consultation. they were the first law firm I chose to meet with and ended up being the last because I felt so strongly they were the law firm for me and my case. Tara Reilly and her team are amazing and provided me with everything I could have needed and made this whole process of a custody modification go by smoothly and as quickly as possible, and then to top it all off because of them and their experience and expertise I won my case!
- Former Client
"She was fast and just all around kind. We will be hiring her again if we need legal assistance."
Tara gave us hope and made us feel very sure about our case. She was fast and just all around kind. We will be hiring her again if we need legal assistance. Thank you, Tara!!
- Mariza
"Her advice was thoughtful, quick, professional, and extremely helpful."
When I had a legal question, Tara was right on it. Her advice was thoughtful, quick, professional, and extremely helpful. She turned my stressful situation into a much more manageable one. She also makes sure to give her clients updates at least once per week, which is not something every attorney thinks to do, but is so nice for your peace of mind.
- Chrisella H.
"She was very knowledgeable and provided me with excellent advice."
Tara is an excellent attorney. She helped me with my divorce paperwork. She was very knowledgeable and provided me with excellent advice. She listened to my situation and helped so I could file and protect me during the divorce. She was trustworthy and I felt very confident hiring her. I would highly recommend her for any more legal needs.
- Maureen
"She was very open-minded, answered all of my questions, and is trustworthy."
Tara is very fast, efficient, and explains the documentation in layman's terms you can understand. She was very open-minded, answered all of my questions, and is trustworthy. I am appreciative of everything she was able to accomplish for me. I will tell EVERYONE who asks for help to go to Tara.
- Julie
"I highly recommend Full Circle Family law"
I have had a few interactions with Tara and Full Circle Family Law. Every interaction has been amazing! Tara’s attention to detail, knowledge of law and how they pertain to my particular situation has made a loyal client out of me! I highly recommend Full Cirlce Family law to anyone needing family law services.
- Sasha P.
"Very patient and encouraging!"
After leaving my consultation I get like I found an attorney that would actually listen to my concerns. Very patient and encouraging!
- Ali
"She is great at communicating when I had case questions and was diligent in fighting for me."
Tara is fantastic. She exceeded my expectations: her communication, work ethic and she really listened to my needs and wants during my divorce. It was a PLEASURE. Tara is very professional and always answered all of my questions. She is great at communicating when I had case questions and was diligent in fighting for me. Highly recommend!
- Amberly