Pleasant Grove Utah Divorce Attorney

Pleasant Grove, Utah County, was founded by Mormon settlers on 13 September 1850, and became an incorporated city on 19 January 1855. It is located twelve miles northwest of Provo and thirty-six miles southeast of Salt Lake City. At this site, the Mormons had their first conflict with the Indians on 5 March 1849 at the head of a stream that became known as Battlecreek; the settlement on this creek at first was unofficially called Battlecreek. Indians had their own name for the area “Mepha” or “Little Waters.” The first settlers built impermanent cabins in a “pleasant grove” of trees. This was a more pleasing name and was adopted for the town. Situated on the northeastern edges of Utah Valley and Utah Lake and along the western slope of the Wasatch Range at the foot of Mount Timpanogos, the area’s gravelly alluvial deposits and sediments from Lake Bonneville are ideal for fruit trees, while the mountains afford protection from late spring frosts. Thus, the higher small-acreage farms of Pleasant Grove became prominent fruit and berry producers. However, with urban growth, now only one large orchard remains in production. Very little industry developed within the community; most that did was farm related. Sugar beets provided a labor intensive crop for the lower, heavier soils, more suited for potatoes and beets. Many of the area’s farmers and laborers worked at the Lehi sugar processing plant and the Pleasant Grove cutting station until these units closed in 1924. In 1915 the Pleasant Grove Cannery was built near the Union Pacific Railroad line; it provided an outlet for row crops, such as peas, green beans, corn, tomatoes, and pumpkins, as well as large fruits. With the development of freezer preservation, the cannery also served a market for fresh-frozen strawberries. From the 1920s through the 1950s, Pleasant Grove was a major strawberry producer, established a mid-June Strawberry Days celebration, and became known as Utah’s Strawberry City.

The three-day community-sponsored activity features parades, rodeos, carnivals, and sports events, and draws numerous visitors. Although local strawberry fields are now nonexistent, the city proclaims the event as the longest established celebration in Utah. Sheep and range cattle were invested in by a small number of farmers at the end of the nineteenth century. Dairies also developed, and several continue in the area today. Early non-farm related industries included two planning mills that shaped and finished wood for building. Fugal Construction has employed numerous men for more than eighty-six years. Fugal Brothers Plumbing was started in 1906 by Chris, Jens, and Niels Fugal. Their first major job was installing Lindon City’s waterworks in 1924; by 1948 they had installed about forty city waterworks in Utah and Idaho. The company now continues into the fourth generation. The Karl B. Warren Concrete Pipe Plant began operation in the late 1930s, providing pipe for the Salt Lake aqueduct. This project stopped during World War II, causing the plant to close. After the war, it operated sporadically under different ownerships– United Concrete Pipe, and now California Pressure Pipe Company. Westroc (formerly Warburton Readymix, and then Ashroc) has operated since 1948. Bayleys Clothing manufacturers employed numerous women from the late 1960s into the 1980s. An industrial park, located on the west side of the city since the 1960s, contains service-oriented businesses. The close-set houses and the small business area of the town grew from a fort the first settlers were forced into because of the 1853 Walker Indian War. The fort became the nucleus of the town and its development. Before 1900 many houses were built of soft rock found in the eastern foothills. This type of rock distinctly marks the town’s early buildings. An influx of Scandinavian LDS converts between 1870 and 1890 changed the population from all Anglo-American to one-third Scandinavian. Religious preference remains predominantly LDS. A First Baptist Church chapel, built in 1960, is the only non-Mormon denominational structure. A Fellowship Bible Church meets in an existing public building. Earlier, Presbyterians built a school in 1879 and a rectory in 1890, and the Reorganized LDS Church purchased those buildings in 1900. A change in the city’s southern border took place in 1924; Lindon, known as the Southfields, a farming stretch two and one-half miles wide, and extending from Utah Lake to the east mountains in length, became an incorporated city. Pleasant Grove’s farming area and population thereupon decreased considerably. From the beginning, men and women often sought part-time work outside the community to supplement their farm income.

With the building in 1942 of Geneva Steel, three miles to the southwest, farmers and their families saw an opportunity for higher wages with fewer work hours invested, and many were enticed into giving up small-acreage farming. Farming as an area occupation began to diminish. Since World War II, Pleasant Grove has experienced ever-increasing major subdividing of farms for house building. Today few farms remain. Sons returning from the war settled in town but worked elsewhere; the population explosion, increased work opportunities outside the community, and fast and convenient transportation all contributed to transform the town into a bedroom community with few shopping amenities. Pleasant Grove has evolved into a desirable living area, with eight parks, a new public library, numerous recreational facilities, and a low crime rate. The 1990 population profile shows that forty percent of the residents are age fourteen and younger, and the median age is twenty-one. During the past decade, the population grew by 2,634. Its current population of 13,476 places Pleasant Grove twentieth largest among Utah cities.

How to File for Divorce in Pleasant Grove, Utah

Married couples in Utah who are uncertain about divorce have the option to first file for a temporary separation. By doing so, the court can grant temporary orders on issues such as property division, child custody and support, and parent time. Both spouses must have resided in Pleasant Grove, Utah, for at least 90 days to seek a temporary separation order, which is typically valid for one year. To file for divorce, at least one spouse must have resided for a minimum three months in the county in which the divorce petition is filed. There are several grounds for divorce in Pleasant Grove Utah, one of which is irreconcilable differences. Except under extraordinary circumstances, there is a mandatory 90-day waiting period from the time the petition is filed to the time the divorce decree is signed. If minor children are involved, the couple must attend a divorce education class. Furthermore, mediation early in the divorce process is required when the parties do not agree on all the issues.

What Paperwork Do You Need to File for Pleasant Grove Divorce?

A divorce petition must be filed with the district court in a county where at least one spouse has resided for a minimum three months. Divorce documents can be found on the Online Court Assistance Program website. Forms offered on other websites should be avoided, as they may not be approved by the court. When in doubt, divorce documents can be prepared by a lawyer. The spouse filing for divorce must serve the other spouse with the documents within 120 days of filing.

Equitable Distribution vs. Community Property

Unlike community property states where property acquired during the marriage is typically divided equally in divorce proceedings, Utah, an equitable distribution state, divides property “equitably.” This means the court will divide the property based on what is fair. It might decide that longer marriages have a close to equal division in property, whereas individuals in shorter marriages are simply awarded what they had prior to the marriage and what they contributed during the marriage. Though the court will ultimately assess for fairness any agreement made outside of court regarding the division of property, it is advisable to seek the help of a lawyer on this matter.

What Should You Do if There are Children Involved?

The battle over child custody and support can become highly emotional, and the parties involved may need a lawyer to help resolve sensitive issues. In determining custody, a court will look to the “best interest” of the child. It will presume that joint legal custody is best, unless there is a history of family violence or other relevant factor such as the parents living far apart. The combined child support obligation is based on the parents’ incomes. In determining alimony, the court looks at a number of factors, including the financial needs of the spouse requesting it, the length of the marriage, the couple’s standard of living at the time of separation, and fault. It also considers whether the paying spouse will in fact be able to make the alimony payments. An award of alimony generally does not exceed the number of years the couple was married. It is important to discuss with your lawyer any questions you might have about alimony early in your divorce proceedings. Divorce can be messy and very stressful, but you can get the professional help you need to ease the process. If you are considering filing for divorce, or you have been served with divorce papers, it’s in your best interest to contact a local Utah divorce lawyer today. Getting a divorce might be the most emotionally exhausting process you will ever encounter. Unfortunately, the process can also end up costing you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, particularly depending on Utah’s specific regulation and requirements. There are, however, preventative measures that you can take to minimize the economic damage.

Understand the Legal Process

Once you and your partner have decided that getting a divorce is the best option for your relationship, you should consider learning the legal factors and implications that will transpire throughout the endeavor. There are local Utah laws you should understand, which can potentially save you money simply by understanding them. A common example of this includes avoiding extra legal fees simply by submitting the required legal documents to the appropriate location the first time. Often, Utah courthouse websites will have checklists and forms readily available for anyone to use, at no cost. Print these out and review them before contacting a legal professional. Utah laws about marital and divorce procedures can be quite complex. Obtaining a report from someone who has experienced the process can make things easier for you. Speak to family friends or acquaintances who have gone through the process. Speaking to someone who has gone through a divorce process, especially one that also took place in Pleasant Grove Utah can help you understand the procedure. You may be able to ask them questions or they may offer tips and advice which helped them. Getting someone else’s perspective can also give you an opportunity to see things you might not have otherwise considered. One of the most beneficial aspects of knowing the process before you even begin it is that you will be able to compile a list of questions and concerns you can ask your attorney, which undoubtedly could save you money. Being prepared will not only ease and potentially speed up the process, it can also help the entire ordeal be less strenuous. While your friends and family members might have a certain experience in regard to the divorce process, even following the same Utah regulations, it is still in fact their divorce process. The only one who will be able to tell you with exactitude what will emerge out of your case is the qualified attorney you have hired.

Consider Mediation

A mediated divorce can be significantly cheaper than disputing your case in court. It is also less costly than hiring two separate attorneys who will negotiate the divorce terms on behalf of both parties. A mediated divorce will usually involve a single Utah attorney who will then serve as a neutral negotiator for both individuals. This attorney will help the divorcing couples separate in a realistic and agreeable way. The divorce process can be a complicated matter. Every divorcing couple will try to find what works best for them. If mediation is not convenient, other less costly options include:
• A collaborative divorce. Both parties contract separate attorneys and ultimately decide to work cooperatively in order to find the least costly and impartial terms.

• An uncontested divorce. Both parties will agree to all terms and conditions in a divorce amongst themselves and will hire an attorney only for the filing proceedings.
Another great way to prepare is by having a professional appraise all of your assets. Items which should be appraised include, but are not limited to:
• Properties and real estate,
• Bank accounts,
• Other personal items of value.
An attorney will likely have you do this, so having it done beforehand will take away any time pressures which will help you find a reasonably priced professional to make these assessments. Staying ahead will not only save you money, it will also contribute to a more peaceful and relaxed state of mind during such a turbulent procedure. There are so many emotions involved in a divorce procedure. Divorcees should seek others outside of the relationship to vent to when experiencing emotional distress. If the divorce process is getting the best of you, do not call your attorney every time you feel upset. Most attorneys will charge an hourly rate which can quickly amount to hundreds of dollars. You may feel like changing your attorney halfway through your divorce process. Perhaps you discovered that he or she was not the right fit for you. If this is the case, know that changing your attorney once the process has begun can be very costly. The change will also undoubtedly be time consuming and could set the entire process behind. It’s best to stick with the same divorce attorney throughout the process if possible.