Contested Divorce
Weddings and divorces are both popular and life changing experiences. In Western nations, over 90% of couples get married before they are fifty years old. Strong marriages are great for couples’ psychological and physical well-being.
Happy marriages are additionally great for youngsters’ physical and mental well-being if they grow up in a happy, healthy environment where they feel safe and protected; in all manners. Yet, approximately 40-50% of couples end up in divorce court in the U.S. The ratio for future matrimonies is even higher.
Complex Divorce and Contested Divorce
If you reside in the Ogden, Utah area and you or your spouse wants to end the marriage, and either one of you owns personal or commercial property, these problems might be complex and could cause the other party to contest it in court.
A couple other aspects (regarding assets) that might complicate the legalities of a case are:
• One party has inherited money or property
• There are 401(k)s or other retirement funds or plans
Frequently in complex divorces, it is wise to discuss the matters with professionals who deal with estate and financial situations; like financial advisers, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) or real estate appraisers – even if you want to accomplish an uncontested one.
Our law firm collaborates with a vast array of experts so that each case has the utmost of attention and is handled thoroughly and professionally. If you think your spouse might have assets hidden, our legal team can investigate and make certain the personal property is divided equally.
Additional Conflicts that Might Occur
Child custody, visitation and child support issues can be complicated and can slow down the process. Alimony is another aspect when a couple decides to split ways. When a couple decides to split up, legally, all legal relationships between them ends as well.
Protecting Assets
Sometimes in a complex divorce, one of the individuals worries about whether the other partner has hidden assets or will spend them before the legal case is settled. In these circumstances, you can protect your assets now.
To safeguard them, you can implement court orders that state that each spouse is required to limit spending until the case is complete. An additional method that is helpful is to be practical in your divorce-planning tactics by making yourself mindful of your monetary circumstances.
Ogden, Utah – Procedure, Residency Requirements and Grounds
The code states that a resident must live in a Utah county for a period of at least 90 days before you can file a petition to legally end a marriage. If there are minors in the marriage, generally the children are required to live with, at a minimum, one parent in a county in Utah for at least 180 days, however there are exemptions to that rule.
There are reasons why couples split up; listed in Utah Code Section 30-3-1 (3). The most common reason for legally ending a marriage is “irreconcilable differences”.
Fees and Other Costs You May Want to Know About
Fees and costs associated with this type of legal matter could involve:
• Filing fees
• Internet-based help; like OCAP
• Costs for obtaining statistics or vital records
• Costs for serving the legal documents to your spouse (summons fees; when applicable)
• Lawyer fees
• Photocopying fees
• Family counseling or education costs
If you are not able to pay for such costs and fees, you are required to file a fee waiver form and the judge will decide whether you qualify for a fee waiver.
Your Family Matter Documents and Private Records
Whether you have a complex divorce or a contested divorce, it is important that you understand that some court documents become public record once a case commences. Some laws have changed in Utah though, and you can read more about public records here. It is vital to not write personal data on publicly available court paperwork; like social security numbers, for example.
Divorces can be multifaceted and confusing. Preparing the legal paperwork properly is extremely vital. Following your state’s policies is additionally important.