Litigating a Utah divorce runs $15,000 to $100,000 or more. Divorce mediation with divvi is $3,000 or $5,000 and leaves the decision with the two of you rather than a judge — which is why Utah Code § 81-4-403 requires you to attempt it once a spouse files an answer. Modification mediation is a separate price ($750 per person ($1,500 total, split between both parties) for up to 3 hours).
Yes. divvi Mediate is $3,000 — mediation with a qualified mediator for as long as your case needs, in sessions of 2, 3 or 4 hours, with no additional-hour charge ($1,500 each or $3,000). divvi Mediate Pro is $5,000 ($2,500 each or $5,000) and adds up to 3 hours with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and the Premium Parenting Plan. Your case manager prepares your initial filing packet and sends it to you, and you file it with the court yourself. You also send the final pleadings yourself. divvi does not file, submit, or transmit anything to a court. divvi also offers a free do-it-yourself path for couples who have already agreed on everything, so you can use divvi whether you need help reaching an agreement or just help filing one.
With divvi, divvi Mediate is $3,000 total (best for couples with less than $500K in assets) and divvi Mediate Pro is $5,000 total (best for couples with $500K or more in assets) — one flat price, with no hour count to watch and no additional-hour charge. By comparison, a litigated Utah divorce commonly runs $15,000 to $100,000 or more once both spouses are paying attorneys.
It depends on whether the two of you can negotiate safely. Mediation is usually the better choice when both spouses can communicate in good faith: it costs less, stays private, finishes in months rather than years, and leaves the decisions with the two of you instead of a judge. Litigation is the better path when there is domestic violence or a serious power imbalance, when one spouse is hiding assets, or when one spouse refuses to take part — situations where you need a court’s discovery tools and authority.
Only once an answer is filed. Under Utah Code § 81-4-403, when your spouse files an answer contesting the petition, the remaining disputed issues are referred to mediation and you must attend at least one session before the case proceeds. If you both agree and sign a stipulation, no answer is filed and the requirement never applies — though many couples still choose mediation voluntarily because it is faster and cheaper than litigating.
A mediated Utah divorce typically resolves in about 3 to 6 months, while a litigated one can take 1 to 3 years or more. Either way, Utah requires a 30-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized.
No. An attorney is not required for mediation, though you can bring one or have one review your agreement before you sign. Litigation, by contrast, almost always requires an attorney. Whichever path you choose, divvi prepares the Utah court documents you file with the court.