PRACTICE AREAS

Divorce Attorneys in Salt Lake City

Awarded as one of the Best Law Firms by Best Lawyers, Stacey Schmidt and her team are among one of the leading law firms in Utah. Schmidt Law Firm has been helping the Salt Lake City area for more than 25 years, specializing in divorce and areas such as division of property, alimony, child custody and support, and alternative options to litigation.

How Schmidt Law Can Help You

The expert team at Schmidt Law Firm understands that divorce can be a sensitive and emotional time, which is why everyone is always treated with respect and dignity. Most importantly, you can expect the attorneys at Schmidt Law to work tirelessly on your behalf to get the best possible outcome for your family.

Schmidt Law specializes in family law, including all aspects of divorce and separation, such as:

If you are searching for a divorce attorney in Salt Lake City, then Schmidt Law has the right team for your family. With a proficient team and access to crucial resources, Schmidt Law is prepared to help you no matter the severity of the case.

Learn more about how Schmidt Law can help you today.

Division of Property

During a divorce, the state of Utah requires an equitable division of marital property. In this case, equitable means a fair division, so it will not always be split equally to both parties. If both parties can agree on how to divide their properties, then a judge will review it to make sure it is considered equitable.

Deciding on what is fair depends on several factors, such as:

  • The length of the marriage
  • Both parties’ occupations and income
  • Non-monetary contributions, like housework and childcare

In most cases, long-term marriages will result in an even 50/50 split. Short-term marriages will have to consider these factors, but will most likely receive what each party initially had before the marriage. If you and your spouse are in the process of dividing your marital properties, the best thing you can do is have a lawyer help you get the most equitable share.

Alimony Awards

Alimony is a court-ordered allowance that one party must pay to the other as spousal support during separation, divorce, and even sometimes after the divorce is finalized. Alimony is terminated only upon one party’s death or remarriage.

Either party can receive or request alimony—but there are many factors that the court considers first, such as:

  • Financial condition
  • Occupation and income
  • Ability to pay support
  • Length of marriage
  • Custody of children

If you want to request alimony or are being asked to give alimony, contact Schmidt Law Firm as soon as possible. One of our experienced lawyers will help guide you through the process and avoid any missteps so that you can get the best and most fair results.

Child Custody

Since the welfare of any children involved in a divorce is a top priority, custody disputes are among some of the most common types of divorce issues that Schmidt Law comes across.

As expected, there are many factors when making custody decisions. The court will determine both parties’ ability to care for the child, including how they can support the child financially, emotionally, educationally, and any other necessary requirements.

There are several types of custody arrangements that could be made, such as:

  • Physical Custody
  • Legal Custody
  • Joint Legal Custody
  • Joint Physical Custody
  • Parent-Time Enforcement

If you are going through a custody dispute with your spouse, the best thing you can do is call Schmidt Law. Having an experienced lawyer in your corner is the most reliable way to navigate this complicated process.

Child Support

After child custody arrangements are made, child support is addressed. Child support is a court-ordered payment where the noncustodial parent must make to the primary caregiver to help pay for the child’s necessities, such as:

  • School and education costs, like tuition or supplies
  • Medical, like regular doctor visits or medication
  • Leisure, like camp, after school activities, and sports teams
  • Other necessary costs

These payments intend to help the primary parent support the child’s overall wellbeing so that their needs are met consistently and fairly. These costs are determined based on both parties’ incomes among other factors. Not paying child support can result in prison time or a significant fine, although payers are able to eventually request a payment modification.

Mediation

The state of Utah requires that all divorcing parties with children attend mediation, although Schmidt Law also recommends it for all couples. Mediation in Utah is a more civil and less costly alternative to litigation. It’s an excellent way to make major decisions like division of property, alimony, and child support with the help of a third-party mediator.

All attorneys at Schmidt Law in the Greater Salt Lake Area are professional mediators who can help satisfy both parties without any subjective bias. If you want a simpler option like this, then one of our lawyers can help you and your spouse makes final decisions at a much lower cost.

Uncontested Divorce

For those who want an even simpler version of divorce, uncontested divorce might be an ideal option. An uncontested divorce is essentially a “divorce outside of court” since it’s faster, cheaper, and requires less formality.

Qualifying for an uncontested divorce in Utah is simple, but you must meet the following criteria:

  • If you don’t have children, you and your spouse must have lived in Utah for at least three months
  • If you do have children, then you must have lived in Utah for six months
  • You and your spouse must agree on all issues, including child support and custody

It is an excellent option if you and your spouse agree upon all of these critical factors. Schmidt Law can help you and your spouse finalize these decisions and documents so that everything is handled quickly and swiftly.

Contact Schmidt Law Today

Divorce is a sensitive time for the whole family, but Schmidt Law can handle any aspect of your case with delicacy and compassion. With more than 25 years of experience, Stacey’s team of expert attorneys is more than prepared to assist you to obtain the best possible outcome. Contact Schmidt Law Firm today for a consultation.

Divorce Attorney Testimonials

Stacey and Kareema,

Please accept my sincere “Thank You” for the invested interest you put into a very difficult divorce settlement/custody case. The last 14 plus months were extremely challenging and at times unbearable (with the numerous motions, financial declarations, depositions, and interrogatories).

Your hard work and personal dedication, however, resulted in a fair and equitable settlement, and most importantly 50/50 joint legal/physical custody of three adorable children.

Our family is extremely grateful for your support and will never forget you and your personal commitment to this case.

Your gentle words and calming approach helped keep the emotions at a minimum.

Thanks for being there… And, for all your help!

If you need legal counsel for your divorce case, contact us today to learn more about how Schmidt Law Firm can help you. We are offering free 30-minute consultations to discuss how we can best handle your divorce proceedings. Call 801-990-6390 or click here today to learn more.

Need an Attorney?

Call us immediately to schedule an appointment and receive your consultation.

GET A CONSULTATION