If you’re considering divorce, it’s likely that you want to explore any other possible alternatives. Divorce is painful, complex, and expensive to navigate, leaving many couples looking for a court-mediated alternative solution that protects their interests and time as much as possible. For many, the answer is in alternative dispute resolution, also known as ADR. If you are considering divorce in Utah, read on to learn if ADR would be a possible alternative for your unique needs.
What is alternative dispute resolution (ADR)?
Alternative dispute resolution is an umbrella term that designates different alternatives to the formalized litigation process. Examples of this that apply to cases of divorce include mediation or arbitration. While similar, these two methods are fundamentally different in approach and can help to solve different problems between the two partners as they work toward a common resolution. We’ve summarized key differences and similarities between the two for you below.
- Mediation: Mediation has been required in Utah for instances of contested divorce since 2005, and is a valid alternative to the formal divorce process in the Utah court system. If you choose to pursue this route, a mediator will work with both of you to come to a possible solution. In the case that no solution is found, there may be further court processes and a formalized trial before a judge to resolve the complaints. If there is a solution, however, you can save significant time and cost. Your mediator will be able to draft a memorandum summarizing what was stated during the mediation process, and formalize the resolution through the court on your behalf. It is important to note that a mediator is a neutral third party, and will be completely outside of and separate from your relationships or divorce attorneys. This helps both parties to get as fair of a resolution as possible.
- Arbitration: Arbitration is somewhat similar to litigation, although it is far less formal and usually designates a more collaborative approach. Arbitrators will review the arguments of both parties, and determine the most fair award based on the surrounding details and circumstances of each case to the extent of discovery. The advantages to this process is that it is completely confidential, and often quicker and more affordable than formal divorce litigation would be. As with mediation, your arbitrator will be a neutral third party, and will have no prior relation to or knowledge of you as they help you to go through the divorce process.
How do I know which form of ADR is right for me?
Both mediation and arbitration are perfectly valid forms of dispute resolution if you’re facing a divorce in Utah. However, you may be wondering which option is the best option for your unique needs.
If you’re considering forms of ADR in Utah, we encourage you to connect to a qualified attorney who can review the evidence and maximize your benefits to suit your needs. While arbitrators and mediators take part in non-litigation-based processes to come to a court-finalized solution, an attorney is still absolutely invaluable to guide you through the process, walk you through the administrative requirements, and be your advocate to ensure that your needs are met in this emotionally trying time.
What should I do if I want to pursue ADR in my divorce case?
The Utah Court has found that about 95% of civil cases are resolved before going to trial. This means that ADR can be a very effective means of resolution for your legal needs and Utah divorce case. If you are looking to pursue ADR independently, you can file a Certificate of Selection of Dispute Resolution or a Stipulated Motion of Referral to ADR with the Utah Courts, along with a proposed order. The judge can also do this completely independently of either party, although this is a less common occurrence.
How can attorneys help in ADR?
Your attorney can be an invaluable resource to you during this process and can take care of the filing tasks on your behalf. This can save you time and cost lost from improper filing fees, and can help you to avoid potentially prolonging your case. They can also assist you in case preparation, discovery submission, or choosing a mediator with your partner for the ADR process.
Your lawyer can put your case in the context of relevant case law, and align your proposed solution to be equitable and more likely to accept for all parties involved. They can help you to organize what your true needs are, and partner with you in your success.
If you’re considering ADR in place of divorce in Utah, the experts at Ascent Law are here to assist. We have years of experience helping couples navigate alternative dispute resolution processes, and can help you to get the most out of your meditation or arbitration process. For more information, please visit our website. We look forward to connecting with you soon.
Salt Lake City
|
Salt Lake City, Utah
|
|
|---|---|
| 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
|
|
| Nickname:
“The Crossroads of the West”
|
|
Interactive map of Salt Lake City
|
|
| 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
|
|
| • 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
|
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
|
1,021,243 (US: 42nd) |
| • Metro
|
1,257,936 (US: 47th) |
| • CSA
|
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 |
.svg)
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
Bus Stops in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in Greyhound: Bus Station Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in Greyhound: Bus Stop Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in Salt Lake Central Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in Stadium Station (EB) Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in South Salt Lake City Station Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in Intermodal Hub - Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in Salt Lake Central Station (Bay B) Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in State St @ 1428 S Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in 200 S / 1000 E (EB) Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in Beck Street @ 1765 N (Salt Lake) Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in 200 S / 1100 E (Wb) Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Bus Stop in State St @ 1601 S Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Driving Directions in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ascent Law LLC
Driving Directions from The Grand America Hotel to Salt Lake City, Utah
Driving Directions from Hilton Salt Lake City Center to Salt Lake City, Utah
Driving Directions from The Little America Hotel - Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City, Utah
Driving Directions from Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City, Utah
Driving Directions from Salt Lake City Marriott City Center to Salt Lake City, Utah
Driving Directions from Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City, Utah
Driving Directions from Hampton Inn Salt Lake City-Downtown to Salt Lake City, Utah
Driving Directions from Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown to Salt Lake City, Utah
Driving Directions from Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek to Salt Lake City, Utah
Driving Directions from Salt Lake Plaza Hotel SureStay Collection By Best Western to Salt Lake City, Utah
Driving Directions from Homewood Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City-Downtown to Salt Lake City, Utah
Driving Directions from Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown to Salt Lake City, Utah
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.
