No matter how amicable, the divorce process often leaves emotional wreckage in its wake. But the damage extends beyond that. Filing for divorce can be a financially devastating process, as well. It can substantially cost one or both parties, to an extent where neither of them can sustain their pre-divorce standard of living. You do not want to end up like that.
You have to look after your financial interests
Usually, people who are in the process of getting a divorce find it hard to rationalize. It is understandable, as many experience shock, resulting in a shaken mental state. But the divorce process can be particularly harsh for those incapable of looking out for their interests. Hence, short-sighted decision-making during a divorce is not an option.
Your future is at stake. Therefore, you must muster every ounce of courage and put your feelings aside. That way, you can concentrate on finding the most inexpensive option, significantly lowering the cost of divorce. If you live in Utah, the following information could help you get a cheap divorce that won’t break your bank.
What are the terms that you must satisfy for getting a divorce in Utah?
The first thing you need to know is the conditions that you must meet to apply for divorce in Utah:
- You or your spouse must have resided in the state of Utah for three months before the filing of the divorce papers.
- If there is a minor child from the marriage, then the applicable minimum duration of residence in Utah, for you or your spouse, is six months before filing for divorce.
- If the divorcing spouses are parents of a minor child, the court may require them to participate in a Divorce Education class.
On what grounds can you apply for a divorce in Utah?
Next, you must familiarize yourself with the grounds for filing a divorce, applicable in the state of Utah:
- Like all other states, Utah permits you to seek a no-fault divorce. All you have to do is establish the fact that you and your spouse have irreconcilable differences.
- You can also apply for a divorce if your spouse has engaged in any of the following fault-based grounds:
- Sexual Incapacity
- Adultery
- Wilful desertion for a minimum of 12 months
- Wilful neglect of marital responsibilities
- Accustomed to intoxication
- Conviction in a felony offense
- Serious brutality
- Irremediable insanity
How can you get a cheap divorce in Utah?
This is probably the most critical thing for you to know, especially considering that a costly divorce can evaporate your hard-earned fortune and ruin your future. Thus, the most important financial advice is to find all possible options to reduce your cost of divorce.
There are states such as California, where judges have initiated fast-paced divorce programs that offer an easy way for couples to file divorce papers and speedily obtain signed divorce orders. However, Utah does not have such legislation. Thus, the only cost-effective option for getting a divorce in Utah is to apply for an uncontested divorce.
What is an uncontested divorce?
To apply for an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse have to be in complete agreement about pretty much all the significant aspects, including but not limited to, property or asset distribution. Both of you have to resolve all your major conflicts and be on the same page about how you want to proceed with the divorce process.
How does an uncontested divorce save money?
Uncontested divorces are cheap because, in such cases, the participation of lawyers is kept at an absolute minimum. Also, in the majority of uncontested divorces, there is no need for court hearings. That is why you save so much money.
You can also save money through the manner or procedure by which you apply for divorce. Suppose you are getting an uncontested divorce. That means you and your spouse have resolved all major conflicts. Most importantly, you have agreed on all crucial matters, including how you will proceed with the divorce process. It is critical, as the manner of getting a divorce is the principal factor that determines how much you will have to spend. And you will be spending incredibly less if you decide to apply for a divorce online.
How to proceed with an online divorce?
Getting a divorce online could save you a whole lot of money. By taking the help of a capable online divorce agency, you can gain valuable guidance on how to finish the divorce process without the massive investment of time, money, and effort.
You can save thousands of dollars in legal fees by relying on an online divorce service. However, to get access to cheap online assistance or undertake the entire process yourself, your divorce has to be uncontested. Once all conflicts are resolved, all you have to do is hire a credible online divorce agency to help you apply for a divorce.
What would an online divorce agency do?
An online divorce agency can help you in the following ways:
- The online divorce agency will assess whether you are qualified for an uncontested online divorce.
- The agency will help you prepare all the essential divorce papers for your particular case.
- The agency will guide you on how to file your divorce papers and obtain the required signatures from your spouse.
- The agency will provide you with photocopies of all the submitted documents for your record.
- If there is any support, guidance, or assistance required during the process, the agency will help you out.
Do it yourself
The most inexpensive way of getting a divorce is to do it yourself. You can hire an online divorce agency for guidance. Still, if you are representing yourself, you have managed to significantly cut back the cost of divorce because legal representation is what makes the divorce process such a costly affair.
What more should you know about the divorce process in Utah?
You should be aware of a few more things if you are considering filing for divorce in the state of Utah.
- Filing Fees
According to the Utah laws, you must pay a filing fee of $318, which would be submitted directly to the court, as soon as you file the divorce papers. This does not include the cost that you would be paying to the online divorce agency. However, if you are unable to pay the filing fee, you can request a waiver. There are several instances in which the court waives the filing fee.
- Waiting period
At the very least, three months are required for the completion of the divorce process in UtahThere is a mandatory 90-day waiting period that has been imposed on all divorces within the state. This waiting period is to provide time for both parties to ponder the impending divorce and consider its ramifications. The waiting period intends to offer a chance of reconciliation to the estranged couple. However, in some instances, the court may waive the necessary waiting period. To attain a waiver from the court, the parties must establish that their reconciliation attempts have failed and that their current situation offers no hope for future reconciliation.
What are the drawbacks of a Contested divorce?
If you and your partner are unable to resolve the conflicts despite your best efforts, then the financial consequences might be dire for you.
Contested divorces take a lot longer and are much more complicated. They require several affidavits, information sheets, and more documents before the Judge enters the Decree of Divorce. Depending upon the case, it may take a long time before the court provides a decree.
Furthermore, spouses are under obligation to provide complete disclosure of their financial assets. Disclosure occurs through the lengthy and time-consuming process of asset discovery. The process may require you to hire other professionals, such as forensic accountants, home appraisers, and tax experts. This will further escalate the cost of divorce. Thus, a contested divorce could be quite expensive, and therefore, should be avoided if possible.
Conclusion
Divorce is a complex process, even when the parties are willing to work out their differences. The paperwork and the procedural formalities, associated with the process of getting a divorce, could be confusing and sometimes even grueling. It is why taking the assistance of a credible online divorce agency could be a game-changer. Considering the cost of divorce in ordinary circumstances, it makes sense for you to do everything possible to get a faster and easier divorce. Under current Utah laws, your best bet is to settle your differences with your spouse so that you can apply for an uncontested divorce online.