You cannot have one attorney represent both husband and wife in a divorce.  It is a conflict of interest.  If an attorney represented two parties in a dissolution, divorce, annulment or legal separation, he or she would be subject to discipline for ethical violations.  Attorneys know this or should know this.  If you think both you and your spouse are being represented by the same attorney, think again.  Ask yourself this – who signed a fee agreement with the Attorney?  That person is the client.  That is the ONLY person an attorney is representing.

A Divorce Lawyer Knows

Attorneys generally try to be pretty clear about this, but unfortunately, sometimes people believe their spouse rather than what the attorney says.  Even though an unrepresented party in an Utah dissolution must sign an acknowledgement saying that the attorney represents only their spouse and not both parties, sometimes people believe that the acknowledgment is “just paperwork”.  It’s not just paperwork, it’s real, and I can tell you, as a Utah divorce attorney we want things done right. If there is only one attorney involved and you did not sign a fee agreement with that attorney, then you do not have an attorney and your spouse is the only person getting legal advice about his or her best interest.  You are entitled to represent yourself in a dissolution.  Each spouse can have their own attorney, each spouse can choose not to get an attorney, or one spouse can hire an attorney, but in Utah you cannot have one attorney representing both spouses in a dissolution, divorce, legal separation or annulment.  For more information about deciding whether or not you need an attorney to handle your divorce.

Grounds for Divorce. There must be grounds for dissolution, just like divorce.  Generally, people agree to the “no-fault” ground of incompatibility.  There are 8 grounds for ending a marriage in Utah, but once parties start going down the blame path things generally start to disintegrate.

Is either spouse going to pay spousal support to the other? Spousal support is a touchy subject.  Nobody likes being court ordered to pay spousal support.  But when reaching agreement on this issue, the sensible approach is to look at what a judge would decide if the parties cannot agree.  To learn more about spousal support, or alimony, in Utah.

If spousal support is going to be paid

• • How much spousal support will be paid per month?
  • Have the parties planned for the tax effect of spousal support?
  • How long will spousal support (or alimony) be paid?
  • Under what conditions will spousal support stop?
    • Death of the recipient only (payable by the estate)?
    • Death of either party?
    • Remarriage of the recipient?
    • Cohabitation of the recipient?
    • Expiration of the period of years?

• Will spousal support obligations be insured with a life insurance policy?
• If life insurance is to insure the obligations, who will pay for the life insurance?
• If the parties have no children and no child support is being paid, spousal support can be paid, but is not required to be paid, directly to the recipient.  Will spousal support be paid through wage withholding or directly to the recipient?
• Is the amount of spousal support that will be received set out in a Prenuptial Agreement (aka Antenuptial Agreement, or “prenup”)?
• If a Prenuptial Agreement dictates how much spousal support will be paid, or how much spousal support will be paid, is that amount still fair in light of the parties’ current circumstances? (The keyword here is unconscionable – and whether the amount is unconscionable is determined based on the parties’ circumstances at the time the marriage ends, not the time the marriage begins).

• Health Insurance:
• If health insurance is provided through one spouse’s employer, are COBRA benefits available to allow the other spouse to keep their health insurance?
• If COBRA is available, how much does it cost?
• Is either spouse going to seek COBRA coverage?  If so, who will pay for it?
• If COBRA coverage is not available, does the spouse who will be losing coverage have health insurance available through his or her employer?
• If private health insurance is necessary for the spouse losing coverage, how much does it cost?
• If the parties have children, who will provide health insurance for the children after the dissolution?
• What percentage of co-pays and other costs for the children’s medical care which are not covered by insurance will each parent pay?
• Are medical care expenses going to include dental, psychological, counseling and other expenses?

Free Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer

If you have a question about divorce law or if you need to start or defend against a divorce case in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will help you.

Ascent Law LLC St. George Utah Office

Ascent Law LLC Ogden Utah Office

About Salt Lake County Utah

Salt Lake County, Utah

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Salt Lake County
County
Salt Lake County

Utah Supreme Court at Scott M. Matheson Court House in Salt Lake City

Logo

Location within the U.S. state of Utah

Utah’s location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 40°40′N 111°56′WCountry United StatesState UtahFoundedJanuary 31, 1850Named forGreat Salt LakeSeatSalt Lake CityLargest citySalt Lake CityArea

• Total807 sq mi (2,090 km²) • Land742 sq mi (1,920 km²) • Water65 sq mi (170 km²)  8.1%Population

 (2020)

• Total1,185,238 • Density1,500/sq mi (570/km²)Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain) • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)Congressional districts2nd, 3rd, 4thWebsiteslco.orgSalt Lake County is located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 1,185,238,^[1] making it the most populous county in Utah. Its county seat and largest city is Salt Lake City, the state capital.^[2] The county was created in 1850.^[3] Salt Lake County is the 37th most populated county in the United States and is one of four counties in the Rocky Mountains to make it into the top 100. (Others being Denver County and El Paso County, Colorado and Clark County, Nevada.) Salt Lake County is the only county of the first class in Utah – under the Utah Code (Title 17, Chapter 50, Part 5) is a county with a population of 700,000 or greater.^[4]

Salt Lake County occupies the Salt Lake Valley, as well as parts of the surrounding mountains, the Oquirrh Mountains to the west and the Wasatch Range to the east (essentially the entire Jordan River watershed north of the Traverse Mountains). In addition, the northwestern section of the county includes part of the Great Salt Lake. The county is noted for its ski resorts; Salt Lake City won the bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. Salt Lake County is the central county of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. Sustained drought in Utah has more recently strained Salt Lake County’s water security and has caused the Great Salt Lake level drop to record low levels.^[5][6]

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Michael Anderson

People who want a lot of Bull go to a Butcher. People who want results navigating a complex legal field go to a Lawyer that they can trust. That’s where I come in. I am Michael Anderson, an Attorney in the Salt Lake area focusing on the needs of the Average Joe wanting a better life for him and his family. I’m the Lawyer you can trust. I grew up in Utah and love it here. I am a Father to three, a Husband to one, and an Entrepreneur. I understand the feelings of joy each of those roles bring, and I understand the feeling of disappointment, fear, and regret when things go wrong. I attended the University of Utah where I received a B.A. degree in 2010 and a J.D. in 2014. I have focused my practice in Wills, Trusts, Real Estate, and Business Law. I love the thrill of helping clients secure their future, leaving a real legacy to their children. Unfortunately when problems arise with families. I also practice Family Law, with a focus on keeping relationships between the soon to be Ex’s civil for the benefit of their children and allowing both to walk away quickly with their heads held high. Before you worry too much about losing everything that you have worked for, before you permit yourself to be bullied by your soon to be ex, before you shed one more tear in silence, call me. I’m the Lawyer you can trust.

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