If you’re considering divorce in Utah, it can feel completely overwhelming and unnerving. Even if you’re sure of your decision, the process is long, emotional, and can be costly. However, for many, divorce is the best possible option as opposed to continuing an unhealthy or unhappy marriage. If this sounds like you, you may be wondering:
Do you need cause to divorce in Utah?
In this article, we’ll be exploring the potential reasons for divorce in Utah, Utah divorce laws about cause, and what you need to know about how a lawyer can help you through the Utah divorce process.
Why do couples want to divorce in Utah?
There are several different reasons and “triggers” that could prompt a divorce request between a couple. While reasons for divorce are generally personal, common causes include:
- Spousal misalignment: If two people are unable to get along together due to fundamental disagreements on key topics (such as politics and religion). The couple may or may not have tried therapy.
- Infidelity: If one of the people in the relationship cheated on the other, or had any form of an affair, this can sow seeds of insecurity and anger in the other partner and lead to a divorce.
- Toxic behavior or unhealthy patterns: If one or both of the spouses fall into unhealthy relationship patterns, they may decide to divorce for the sake of themselves or the children.
- Communication problems: This can lead to constant fighting and disagreement, further pushing the couple toward a divorce rather than a resolution.
Of course, there are a variety of other reasons and causes for divorce. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a noticeable lack of compatibility between the two parties, even if there once was intimacy and cohesion.
Do you need a cause to divorce in Utah?
Divorce laws are state-specific regulations that are designed to protect the interests of both parties involved, as well as those of children or minors (if applicable.) Utah has had a mixed history with divorce law.
Prior to 1987, Utah abided by a legal “fault” system for divorces in-state. This means that in order for a couple to divorce legally, there would have to be a reason that a spouse gave for the dissolution — otherwise known as assigning fault. Common instances of fault included adultery, abuse, and unhealthy behavior. This ultimately allowed the possibility of further harm between partners in a relationship to try to “cause” a fault event when, in reality, either one of them wanted to depart from the marriage in a legal way.
After the updated divorce law clause in 1987, the law expanded to allow divorce in cases of “irreconcilable differences.” This included key disagreements between the couple that otherwise prevented the marriage from moving forward, effectively upholding a “no-fault” divorce law in place for couples in Utah after the update was signed into law.
While you do not currently need cause for divorce in Utah, there are several sample instances outlined in the current law that would count as grounds for divorce in Utah:
- Irreconcilable differences: Key disagreements that undermine the overall success and progress of the marriage.
- Impotency: The inability of one spouse to provide children for another.
- Drunkenness: If it is habitual and otherwise undermines the ability of the marriage to progress or threatens the safety of the partner or children (if applicable).
- Abuse: Specifically named as instances of mental or physical cruelty. Desertion is named separately but may be conflated with this if it is willful and intentional.
- Adultery: Instances of cheating.
- Separation: If spouses have lived separately for over three consecutive years.
- Insanity: If one partner is mentally unable to care for themselves or others. This must be proven by a sworn medical expert under oath.
- Neglect: If one partner cannot provide for the other in key ways, such as living expenses or survival needs.
Considering divorce? You aren’t alone.
If you’re considering divorce, you aren’t alone. In fact, statistically, 50% of marriages end in divorce in 2022. The rate is even higher if one or both partners are in their second or third marriage. While common, divorce is especially painful, frustrating, and time-consuming. Because of this, it’s important to secure competent legal aid to help you through this.
Your legal expert can walk you through every step of the divorce case, from petition to hearings. They can also help you move through the process of organizing any sort of documentation or proof that you may need to bring your case to completion.
The team at Ascent Law has had years of experience assisting people through their unique divorce processes and is here to partner with you in your success as you bring your case to a successful resolution. For more information and to book your free intro call today, please visit our website. We look forward to serving you.
Salt Lake City
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Salt Lake City, Utah
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| City of Salt Lake City[1] | |
Clockwise from top: The skyline in July 2011, Utah State Capitol, TRAX, Union Pacific Depot, the Block U, the City-County Building, and the Salt Lake Temple
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| Nickname:
“The Crossroads of the West”
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Interactive map of Salt Lake City
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| Coordinates: 40°45′39″N 111°53′28″WCoordinates: 40°45′39″N 111°53′28″W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Salt Lake |
| Platted | 1857[2] |
| Named for | Great Salt Lake |
| Government
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| • Type | Strong Mayor–council |
| • Mayor | Erin Mendenhall (D) |
| Area | |
| • City | 110.81 sq mi (286.99 km2) |
| • Land | 110.34 sq mi (285.77 km2) |
| • Water | 0.47 sq mi (1.22 km2) |
| Elevation
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4,327 ft (1,288 m) |
| Population | |
| • City | 199,723 |
| • Rank | 122nd in the United States 1st in Utah |
| • Density | 1,797.52/sq mi (701.84/km2) |
| • Urban
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1,021,243 (US: 42nd) |
| • Metro
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1,257,936 (US: 47th) |
| • CSA
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2,606,548 (US: 22nd) |
| Demonym | Salt Laker[5] |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 |
| ZIP Codes | |
| Area codes | 801, 385 |
| FIPS code | 49-67000[7] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1454997[8] |
| Major airport | Salt Lake City International Airport |
| Website | Salt Lake City Government |
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Salt Lake City (often shortened to Salt Lake and abbreviated as SLC) is the capital and most populous city of Utah, as well as the seat of Salt Lake County, the most populous county in Utah. With a population of 199,723 in 2020,[10] the city is the core of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which had a population of 1,257,936 at the 2020 census. Salt Lake City is further situated within a larger metropolis known as the Salt Lake City–Ogden–Provo Combined Statistical Area, a corridor of contiguous urban and suburban development stretched along a 120-mile (190 km) segment of the Wasatch Front, comprising a population of 2,606,548 (as of 2018 estimates),[11] making it the 22nd largest in the nation. It is also the central core of the larger of only two major urban areas located within the Great Basin (the other being Reno, Nevada).
Salt Lake City was founded July 24, 1847, by early pioneer settlers, led by Brigham Young, who were seeking to escape persecution they had experienced while living farther east. The Mormon pioneers, as they would come to be known, entered a semi-arid valley and immediately began planning and building an extensive irrigation network which could feed the population and foster future growth. Salt Lake City’s street grid system is based on a standard compass grid plan, with the southeast corner of Temple Square (the area containing the Salt Lake Temple in downtown Salt Lake City) serving as the origin of the Salt Lake meridian. Owing to its proximity to the Great Salt Lake, the city was originally named Great Salt Lake City. In 1868, the word “Great” was dropped from the city’s name.[12]
Immigration of international members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, mining booms, and the construction of the first transcontinental railroad initially brought economic growth, and the city was nicknamed “The Crossroads of the West”. It was traversed by the Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway, in 1913. Two major cross-country freeways, I-15 and I-80, now intersect in the city. The city also has a belt route, I-215.
Salt Lake City has developed a strong tourist industry based primarily on skiing and outdoor recreation. It hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. It is known for its politically progressive and diverse culture, which stands at contrast with the rest of the state’s conservative leanings.[13] It is home to a significant LGBT community and hosts the annual Utah Pride Festival.[14] It is the industrial banking center of the United States.[15] Salt Lake City and the surrounding area are also the location of several institutions of higher education including the state’s flagship research school, the University of Utah. Sustained drought in Utah has more recently strained Salt Lake City’s water security and caused the Great Salt Lake level drop to record low levels,[16][17] and impacting the state’s economy, of which the Wasatch Front area anchored by Salt Lake City constitutes 80%.[18]
About Salt Lake City, Utah
Neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, Utah
Poplar Grove, The Avenues, Ballpark, Lower Avenues, Downtown, Woodbury, Central City, Neighborhood House, Salt Lake City Community Development, Rio Grande, The Neighborhood Hive, Neighborhood Services, University Neighborhood Partners, Salt Lake City, Neighborhood Auto Service, Sunnyside Park, Building at Rear, 537 West 200 South, Washington Square Park, Area 51, Brigham Young Historic Park
Things To Do in Salt Lake City, Utah
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Reviews for Ascent Law LLC Salt Lake City, Utah
John Logan
We've gotten divorce and child custody work from Ascent Law since the beginning because of my ex. We love this divorce firm! Staff is gentle, friendly and skilled. Tanya knows her stuff. Nicole is good and Ryan is fun. Really, all the staff here are careful, kind and flexible. They always answer all my questions, explain what they're doing and provide great legal services. I personally think they are the best for divorce in Utah.
Jacqueline Hunting
I have had an excellent experience with Ascent Law, Michael Reed is an absolutely incredible attorney. He is 100% honest and straight forward through the entire legal process of things, he also has a wonderful approach to helping better understand certain agreements, rights, and legal standing of matters, to where it was easy to know whats going on the entire process. I appreciate the competency, genuine effort put forth, and assistance I received from Ascent and attorney Michael Reed, and I will be calling these guys if ever I have the need again for their legal assistance! 5star review Wonderful attorneys!
Anthony Ziegler
This review is well deserved for Ryan and Josh. New clients should know they are worth the 5 star rating we give them. We needed 2 sessions from them because of the complexity of the matter, but they are both very passionate about his helping others in need. My sister needed bankruptcy and I needed divorce. Sometimes they go hand in hand but a large shout out to this team - also Nicole is one of the sweetest people you ever did meet - she offered me warm cookies!
Thomas Parkin
Mike Anderson and his colleagues & staff are knowledgeable, attentive and caring. In a difficult and complex case that eventually went to trial, Mike was the voice of reason and the confidence I needed. His courtroom abilities are amazing and I felt his defense of me was incredible. His quick thinking and expertise allowed for a positive result when I felt the World was crumbling. His compassion, after the case, has helped me return to a good life. I trust Mike and his staff. They are friendly and very good at what they do.
Yeran Merry
I worked with Attorney Alex and Paralegal Ami in my divorce case. I got to know the team very well over the course of two years. I cannot think of a better team to have worked with. Ami and Alex are not only exceptional law professions who are very knowledgeable and thorough, they are also the best human beings who empathize with the emotions I was experiencing. Alex was conscious of my budget and worked efficiently to try to reduce unnecessary legal expenses. My case also involved some dealings with a foreign country that Alex and his team had previously dealt with. They did an amazing job addressing cultural barriers in a very respectful manner and did not fall short in quality of work or in standards when dealing with some of these new challenges. Ami deserves a medal for being extremely professional, calming, and compassionate when it is needed most. When you need family law attorneys, call this firm. I now feel I can move forward with grace and dignity.
