Divorce Lawyers in Utah – Henriksen Law

Utah is not strictly a "50/50 divorce state" regarding asset division. 

The state of Utah following equitable distribution – meaning marital property is divided fairly, but not necessarily equally. The courts consider each spouse's income, duration of the marriage, the health and age of each spouse, and their future financial prospects. The goal is to reach an outcome that is just and reasonable for both parties.

Divorced women in Utah are entitled to an equitable share of the marital assets. This may include alimony and child support. Mothers may also seek custody of her children based on their best interests. Other rights include retaining personal property, which include items owned before the marriage or acquired as a gift/inheritance during the marriage). They also have the ability to request modifications to support custody orders.

Under Utah divorce laws, money and assets are split according to the principle of equitable distribution. This approach means the court divides jointly-owned assets between the spouses based on the duration of the marriage, each spouse's financial condition and earning capacity, contributions to marital assets, and who was at fault in the divorce.

Utah courts determine this based on equitable distribution principles. The court considers the needs of any children, each spouse's financial situation, and the spouse's contribution to the acquisition and maintenance of the house. If the house is deemed marital property, the court may award it to one spouse while the other receives a fair share of the marital assets.

The average cost of a divorce in Utah can vary widely depending on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, the marital assets involved, as well as child custody and alimony. 

Uncontested divorces are generally much less expensive than contested divorces – as they consist of filing fees and minimal attorney fees. This can range anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Contested divorces in Utah require extensive legal representation, negotiations, and possibly a trial. All these factors significantly increase costs.

There is no specific “minimum” number of years a couple must be married to be eligible for alimony. Alimony is awarded based on the needs of the requesting spouse and the other spouse's ability to pay, rather than a predetermined marital duration.

The courts consider the recipient's financial condition and needs, the spouse’s ability to pay, the length of the marriage, and whether the recipient spouse worked in a business owned or operated by the payer spouse.