Click on Divorce Timeline image below to print a full size flowchart for the Utah Divorce Court Process.

Divorce Timeline Flow Chart and Glossary of Terms

The above divorce timeline is a useful overview of the legal steps and divorce court processes you will encounter in Utah divorce court.

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Divorce Timeline Flow Chart and Progress Record

Meet with Attorney, provide information needed to prepare pleadings

Prepare and File Divorce Complaint

Service of Process – Service on Respondent within 120 days of the date petition for divorce is filed.

Respondent must file an answer (within 20 days if in-state, in 30 if days out-of-state) or will be in default.

If the couple has children, both parties must* attend: 1) the Mandatory educational course for divorcing parents (§30-3-11.3) and 2) the Mandatory orientation course for divorcing parties (§ 30-3-11.4) before a decree of divorce can issue.

*While it is possible to obtain a waiver from attendance, it almost never happens.

If no answer filed, seek default

Default Judgment (cannot have decree entered until court until 90 days shall have elapsed from the filing of the complaint, unless court waives this Answer (may also contain counter petition) filed requirement (§ 30-3-18)

If Respondent files an Answer

Answer (may also contain counter petition) filed and served

If Answer contains counter petition, petitioner has 20 days to file and serve a Reply to Counter Petition (failure to file reply will result in default).

Temporary Orders (regarding child custody, spousal support, etc.), if requested and granted, apply during pendency of the action

Mediation can (but is not required to) take place before discovery (unless the director of dispute resolution programs for the courts, the court, or the mediator excuses either party from the requirement to mediate for good cause).

Attorney Planning Meeting

Discovery and Case Management Order

Initial Disclosures

Discovery process

Interrogatories

Requests for Production of Documents

Requests for Admission

Depositions

Custody Evaluation

Custody and/or Parent-time evaluation can be requested during discovery period if matters of child custody and parent-time are disputed.

Medical / Psychological Evaluations

Occupational Evaluation

Other discovery techniques

Mandatory Mediation must take place before trial can take place (unless the director of dispute resolution programs for the courts, the court, or the mediator excuses either party from the requirement to mediate for good cause).

Certificate of Readiness for Trial/Motion for Trial Setting

Pre-Trial Settlement Conference with Commissioner.

If parties do not settle then hold Pre-Trial Settlement Conference with Judge

Trial

Submission of proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and proposed Decree of Divorce

Issuance of Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law, Decree of Divorce

Do not remarry until 30 days have elapsed from the date the Decree of Divorce is entered by the court.

Appeal