How much does a divorce cost in Utah in 2025

Last updated 2026-07-09

What is the filing fee for divorce in Utah?

The base filing fee to open a divorce case in Utah is $325 with no minor children and $375 if you have minor children. ^[1] Your spouse then pays a $35 to $50 service-of-process fee when a sheriff or process server hands over the papers. You can skip that cost entirely if your spouse signs a voluntary acceptance of service. Some counties add small technology or records fees that push the total up by $10 to $30.

So the realistic floor to get a Utah divorce on file is about $325 to $395, plus whatever it costs to serve the other party. That is the whole bill if you qualify to waive service.

Can't afford the filing fee? Utah courts let you apply for a waiver using form CCM301 (Motion to Waive Fees). The court measures your income against 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. ^[1] Apply if money is genuinely tight. Nobody gets extra credit for paying a fee they could have skipped.

What does a Utah divorce actually cost from start to finish?

Filing fees are the entry ticket, nothing more. The real number rides almost entirely on one question: is your divorce contested or uncontested?

Divorce type	Typical total cost	Main cost driver
Uncontested, DIY paperwork	$325 to $700	Filing fee + document prep
Uncontested, online service	$400 to $900	Filing fee + service fee
Uncontested, attorney-assisted	$1,500 to $3,500	Flat-fee or limited-scope attorney
Contested, simple issues	$5,000 to $10,000	Attorney hours
Contested, complex assets or custody	$10,000 to $30,000+	Litigation, experts, discovery

Those contested-case numbers come from attorney billing patterns and line up with the American Bar Association's cost surveys, though nobody has a single clean Utah-specific dataset. The ranges reflect what divorce attorneys in Salt Lake City and Provo publicly quote for retainers, which usually run $2,500 to $5,000 to start. ^[2]

Utah's 90-day mandatory waiting period (more on that below) costs nothing by itself. But every extra month of attorney back-and-forth absolutely does. Keeping disagreements out of the courtroom is the single most powerful thing you can do to hold costs down.

How does an uncontested divorce keep costs low in Utah?

An uncontested divorce means you and your spouse have already settled everything: property, debt, alimony if any, and if you have kids, custody, parent-time, and child support. You file a petition, serve your spouse (or have them sign acceptance), wait out the 90-day period, and submit a final decree. The court never holds a contested hearing.

No courtroom fight means attorney fees shrink to almost nothing or nothing at all. Your costs come down to the filing fee plus whatever you spend on paperwork.

Doing the paperwork yourself means using the Utah Courts self-help forms, which are free to download. ^[3] The Utah Courts Self-Help Center also runs free coaching at courthouses in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties if you want a person to look over your documents before you file. ^[3] That help is genuinely useful and genuinely free.

Want a complete, pre-assembled packet instead of hunting individual forms off the court website and guessing which ones apply? Document preparation services fill that gap. DivorceClear offers a $149 complete uncontested divorce document packet for Utah filers. That is worth considering if the alternative is paying an attorney even one hour at $250 to $350 per hour. ^[2]

One trap uncontested filers fall into: you still need to correctly complete a Domestic Relations Financial Declaration (form DR302) if either party earns income or there is any property to divide. Skipping or botching that form is the most common reason clerks send uncontested filings back.

What is Utah's mandatory 90-day waiting period and does it cost anything?

Utah Code Section 30-3-18 requires a minimum 90-day wait from the date the petition is filed before a decree can be entered. ^[4] The statute reads: "No decree of divorce shall be granted until after the expiration of ninety days from the filing of the petition."

The waiting period costs nothing extra. You do not pay a fee to sit in it. But if you are paying an attorney, every email, call, or document revision during those 90 days adds to your bill. Uncontested DIY filers just wait.

The court can waive the 90-day period for good cause under the same statute. Judges rarely do. Don't build your plans around a waiver.

How much do divorce attorneys cost in Utah?

Utah family law attorneys typically charge $200 to $400 per hour, with the Salt Lake City metro running toward the top of that range. ^[2] Most contested cases start with a retainer of $2,500 to $5,000, which the attorney draws down as the work happens.

A straightforward contested case with one or two disputed issues (say, who keeps the house) might take 20 to 40 attorney hours total across both sides. At $275 per hour that is $5,500 to $11,000, and that is before court costs, motion filing fees, and any expert witnesses.

Add a child custody evaluator and the tab grows fast. Guardian ad litem fees in Utah run $1,500 to $5,000 or more depending on how tangled the case gets. A forensic accountant to value a business can cost $3,000 to $10,000.

Need legal advice but can't afford full representation? Look at limited-scope (or unbundled) services. Some Utah attorneys will review your documents, coach you on courtroom procedure, or draft a single agreement for a flat fee of $300 to $800 without taking over the whole case. The Utah State Bar Modest Means Program connects lower-income Utahns with attorneys at reduced rates. ^[5]

For straightforward divorce papers in an uncontested situation, paying an attorney full freight is a waste of money. Save the attorney hours for cases where there is actually something to fight about.

What are the residency requirements before you can file?

You or your spouse must have lived in Utah for at least three months right before filing the petition. Utah Code Section 30-3-1 sets this. ^[4] Three months is one of the shortest residency requirements in the country. Most states want six.

You file in the district court of the county where either you or your spouse lives. Residency carries no extra cost. It just decides which courthouse gets your paperwork.

Are there extra costs if you have children?

Yes, a few.

The filing fee is $50 higher when minor children are involved ($375 vs. $325). ^[1]

Utah also requires divorcing parents to complete a Divorce Orientation course before finalizing. The fee is $35, paid directly to the approved provider. ^[6] Both parents complete it. That is $70 total between the two of you, though each pays their own.

If custody is contested, the court may appoint a custody evaluator or a guardian ad litem for the children, and those costs can land on one or both parents. Uncontested cases dodge this completely.

Child support is not a cost of divorce. It is an ongoing obligation. You can get a rough sense of what Utah courts would order using a child support calculator built on the state's income shares model. The Office of Recovery Services handles enforcement after the decree. ^[7]

Agree on a parenting plan and a child support amount that meets the statutory minimum, and the court generally approves it without a hearing. You stay in the low-cost uncontested lane.

Does Utah have alimony and how does it affect costs?

Utah courts can award alimony (called spousal support in the statute) based on the recipient's financial condition, the payor's ability to pay, the length of the marriage, and whether the recipient can become self-supporting. Utah Code Section 30-3-5 governs it. ^[4]

Alimony is one of the most expensive things to litigate in a Utah divorce because it drags in detailed financial discovery: tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, lifestyle analysis. If you want the framework before you negotiate, the alimony overview is a decent starting point.

In uncontested cases, you and your spouse can agree to any alimony amount, including zero, and the court generally honors it as long as it does not look grossly unfair on its face. Write a clear alimony agreement, fold it into your decree, and you skip the litigation expense entirely.

If alimony is genuinely in dispute, budget for attorney fees. There is no way around it.

What does property division cost in a Utah divorce?

Utah is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. Courts divide marital property fairly, which is not always 50/50. ^[4] What property division costs depends almost entirely on whether you agree or fight.

Agreed division: nothing extra beyond the paperwork you are already filing. You write a Marital Settlement Agreement listing who gets what, both sign, and it becomes part of the decree.

Disputed division with real estate: expect a property appraisal, which in Utah usually runs $400 to $600 for a residential home. If a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) is needed to split a retirement account, drafting services charge $400 to $800, and some plan administrators tack on a processing fee. ^[8]

Disputed division with a business: a valuation can cost $3,000 to $15,000 depending on how complicated the business is. That is before the attorney hours spent arguing over the valuation.

The pattern is not subtle. Agreeing is cheap. Fighting is expensive.

Can you get a fee waiver for a Utah divorce?

Yes. If your income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, you can ask the court to waive filing fees using the Motion to Waive Fees (form CCM301) on the Utah Courts website. ^[1] File the motion at the same time as your divorce petition.

The court clerk reviews it and either approves it, denies it, or sets a hearing. Approval means you pay nothing to file. Denial means you pay the standard fee.

A fee waiver does not cover the Divorce Orientation course fee or service-of-process costs. Budget $35 to $75 for those even with a waiver in hand.

What hidden costs do Utah divorce filers miss?

A handful of costs catch people off guard.

Document recording fees: if your decree transfers real property, you need to record a new deed with the county recorder. Recording fees in Utah run $40 to $50 per document. ^[9]

Name change: if you are going back to a former name as part of the divorce, the decree itself handles the legal change at no extra cost. Updating your Social Security card, driver's license, passport, and bank accounts takes time and sometimes money. The Social Security name change is free. A passport name change costs $130 if you need a new passport book.

Mediation: in a contested case, the court may order mediation before it schedules a trial. Utah family law mediators typically charge $150 to $300 per hour, often split between the parties. A half-day session runs $400 to $800 per person. One mediation session that resolves your case is far cheaper than a trial.

Copying and mailing: small, but court filings have to be organized and properly formatted. If you are printing and mailing instead of e-filing, budget $20 to $40 for printing, postage, and certified mail receipts.

Post-decree modifications: if your circumstances change later (income shifts, a parent wants to relocate), modifying a custody or support order means refiling and more fees. The modification filing fee in Utah currently runs $100 to $150 depending on the district. ^[1]

How long does a Utah divorce take and how does time affect cost?

The floor is 91 days because of the 90-day waiting period. In practice, uncontested divorces filed in Utah courts often finalize in 3 to 5 months when the paperwork is clean and the court's calendar is not backed up.

Contested divorces routinely take 12 to 18 months. Cases with custody disputes or business valuations can stretch to 2 years or longer. Every extra month with an active attorney is real money. At $275 per hour and 10 hours of work per month, that is $2,750 per month per side.

The Utah Courts system allows e-filing in most districts, which speeds up the clerk review step. Check your county's e-filing availability at utcourts.gov. ^[3]

For the wider picture of how divorces play out across the country, the divorce rate in America data puts Utah's numbers in context.

Where can you get free help with a Utah divorce?

The Utah Courts Self-Help Center is the best free resource in the state. Free forms, instructional packets for each family law situation, and in-person coaching at courthouses in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties. ^[3] The online form assistant at utcourts.gov walks you through which forms you need based on plain-language questions.

Utah Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income Utahns, including family law matters. ^[10] They are not going to represent you through a contested trial for free, but they can review documents and answer questions.

The Utah State Bar Lawyer Referral Service connects you with an attorney for a $35 initial consultation. ^[5] That is a reasonable way to get a quick sanity check on your paperwork without committing to full representation.

If you want to know what a divorce attorney actually does and when hiring one makes financial sense, read that before you decide how to proceed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the filing fee for divorce in Utah in 2025?

The filing fee is $325 with no minor children and $375 if you have them. Some counties add small technology fees of $10 to $20. If you cannot afford the fee, apply for a waiver using Utah Courts form CCM301. The fee is due when you submit your petition to the district court clerk.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Utah total?

Most uncontested Utah divorces cost $400 to $700 total if you handle the paperwork yourself. That covers the filing fee ($325 to $375), the Divorce Orientation course ($35 per person if you have children), and minor copying or mailing costs. A document preparation service adds $100 to $300. A flat-fee attorney bumps the total to roughly $1,500 to $3,500.

How long does a divorce take in Utah?

Utah requires a minimum 90-day waiting period from the date you file. Uncontested cases with clean paperwork typically finalize in 3 to 5 months. Contested divorces average 12 to 18 months and run longer when custody evaluations or business valuations are involved. The court will not issue a final decree before the 91st day no matter how smoothly things go.

Can I file for divorce in Utah without a lawyer?

Yes. Utah courts support self-representation and run a Self-Help Center with free forms and in-person coaching at major courthouses. You file the same forms as anyone else. The court cannot give you legal advice, but the clerk can tell you whether your paperwork is complete. Most uncontested divorces are filed without attorneys.

How do I get a fee waiver for a Utah divorce?

File form CCM301 (Motion to Waive Fees) at the same time as your divorce petition. The court waives fees for applicants at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The clerk reviews your income and either approves the waiver, denies it, or sets a short hearing. An approved waiver eliminates the filing fee but not the Divorce Orientation course cost.

What is the mandatory Divorce Orientation course and how much does it cost?

Utah requires both spouses to complete an approved Divorce Orientation course when minor children are involved. The fee is $35 per person, paid directly to the provider. You each complete it separately. The certificate of completion must be filed with the court before your divorce can finalize. Online options are available through the Utah Courts approved provider list.

Does Utah require mediation for divorce?

Mediation is not automatic in every Utah divorce, but judges frequently order it in contested cases before scheduling a trial. Utah mediators charge $150 to $300 per hour, usually split between the parties. A half-day session typically costs each party $400 to $800. Uncontested divorces skip mediation entirely, which is one of the biggest cost advantages of settling before filing.

How much does a contested divorce cost in Utah?

Contested Utah divorces typically cost $5,000 to $20,000 per party, sometimes more. Attorney retainers start at $2,500 to $5,000, and hourly rates run $200 to $400. Add court costs, motion filing fees, and any experts (custody evaluators at $1,500 to $5,000, business valuators at $3,000 to $15,000) and a complex case can top $30,000 per side.

What residency requirement does Utah have for filing divorce?

Either you or your spouse must have lived in Utah for at least three months right before filing. Utah Code Section 30-3-1 sets this rule. You file in the district court of the county where either spouse lives. Three months is one of the shortest residency requirements among U.S. states. Most require six months to a year.

How is property divided in a Utah divorce and what does it cost?

Utah uses equitable distribution, meaning courts divide marital property fairly but not automatically 50/50. If you and your spouse agree, the cost is just the paperwork already in your filing. Disputes add appraisal costs ($400 to $600 for real estate), QDRO drafting ($400 to $800 for retirement accounts), and attorney fees for negotiation or trial.

Does Utah have alimony and can it affect my divorce costs?

Yes. Utah courts can award spousal support based on the recipient's need, the payor's ability to pay, and marriage length, under Utah Code Section 30-3-5. Alimony disputes are expensive to litigate because they require detailed financial discovery. If both spouses agree on an amount (including zero), the court generally approves it at no extra cost beyond standard filing.

Where can I get free divorce forms in Utah?

The Utah Courts website (utcourts.gov) offers free downloadable forms and an online guided interview that tells you exactly which forms you need. The Utah Courts Self-Help Center provides in-person coaching at courthouses in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties. Utah Legal Services offers additional free help for low-income filers.

What happens after the 90-day waiting period in a Utah divorce?

Once the 90-day period expires and all required documents are on file (petition, financial declaration, marital settlement agreement, parenting plan if applicable, and proof of the completed orientation course), you submit your proposed final decree to the judge. In uncontested cases, judges often sign decrees without a hearing. You receive a signed decree by mail or through the e-filing system.

Are there costs after the divorce decree is signed?

Possibly. If you own real property, you record a new deed with the county recorder for $40 to $50. Splitting a retirement account requires a QDRO, which costs $400 to $800 to draft plus any plan administrator fees. Future modifications to custody or support orders require a new filing at $100 to $150. A name reversion through the decree itself is free.

Sources

1. Utah Courts, Civil Filing Fees schedule: Filing fee is $325 without minor children, $375 with minor children; fee waiver available via form CCM301 at 150% of federal poverty guidelines
2. Utah State Bar, Attorney Fee Survey and member directory listings: Utah family law attorneys typically charge $200 to $400 per hour; retainers of $2,500 to $5,000 are common for contested cases
3. Utah Courts, Self-Help Center: Free forms, guided online interview, and in-person coaching available at courthouses in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties
4. Utah State Legislature, Utah Code Title 30 Chapter 3 (Divorce): 90-day mandatory waiting period (30-3-18); three-month residency requirement (30-3-1); equitable distribution and alimony factors (30-3-5)
5. Utah State Bar, Lawyer Referral Service and Modest Means Program: Lawyer Referral Service offers a $35 initial consultation; Modest Means Program connects lower-income Utahns with reduced-rate attorneys
6. Utah Courts, Divorce Education and Orientation course requirement: Divorcing parents with minor children must complete a Divorce Orientation course; the fee is $35 per person paid to the approved provider
7. Utah Office of Recovery Services: Utah uses an income shares model for child support calculation; ORS administers enforcement after a divorce decree is entered
8. U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, QDROs overview: A Qualified Domestic Relations Order is required to divide most employer-sponsored retirement accounts; plan administrators may charge processing fees
9. Salt Lake County Recorder, recording fees schedule: Recording a deed transfer in Utah counties typically costs $40 to $50 per document
10. Utah Legal Services, civil legal aid for low-income Utahns: Utah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance including family law help to income-qualifying residents