When a petition for divorce is filed, a party is asking the court to legally dissolve a marriage, determine custody of the parties’ minor children, establish child support, parent-time, divide property, assign debts and make other appropriate orders depending on the circumstances of the parties.

When the parties have minor children, Utah law requires that both parents attend a divorce education class (in-person if in the state of Utah, or by video if a party resides out of state). This class can be completed before or after the commencement of a divorce. For more information and class schedules, visit the Utah Courts Website.

A legal separation, is where both parties terminate cohabitation but remain married to each other. Some couples decide to separate on a trial basis to determine whether divorce is the best solution to their marital difficulties.