Family Law in Utah -Done Right.
At Ashvale Legal, we handle divorce, child custody, adoption, and more for families across Salt Lake County and the Wasatch Front. Veteran-owned. LGBT-affirming. Fiercely committed.
A Law Firm Built for Real Families
Family law isn't just paperwork — it's the structure your life is built on. At Ashvale Legal, we represent parents, spouses, partners, veterans, and families of every kind across Salt Lake County and the broader Wasatch region.
As a veteran-owned firm and proud LGBT ally, we know that families come in every shape. You'll be treated with respect from the first call.
How We Can Help
Practice Areas
Click any area to learn more
Divorce
Divorce Attorney in South Jordan, UT
Ending a marriage is one of the most significant legal events in a person's life. Utah law has specific requirements — including a 90-day residency period and a mandatory 30-day waiting period after filing. We handle both contested and uncontested divorce.
Division of marital property and debts
Spousal support / alimony
Digital assets and cryptocurrency
Business interests & retirement accounts (QDRO)
Utah Divorce: Key Facts
90-day residency required before filing
Mandatory Mediation after filing
Utah is an equitable distribution state
Most cases resolve in 4-8 months
Child Custody
Child Custody & Parenting Plans
Utah courts make custody decisions based on the best interests of the child. We help parents navigate legal custody, physical custody, parenting time schedules, and modifications when circumstances change.
Holiday and vacation schedules
Relocation clauses
Digital parenting rules (screen time, social media)
Communication protocols between households
⚖️ Joint Custody Threshold: Utah requires 111+ overnight stays/year per parent to qualify as joint physical custody. This directly affects support calculations.
Child Support
Child Support in Utah
Utah uses the Income Shares Model, which calculates support based on both parents' incomes and custody arrangement. We handle initial orders, modifications, enforcement, and interstate disputes. Additional guidance on the Utah Child Support guidelines may be found here.
Step 1
Calculate Combined Income
Both parents' gross incomes are combined
Step 2
Apply Utah Guidelines
Income Shares formula determines base amount
Step 3
Adjust for Custody Split
Overnight count determines final obligation, minus any offsets
Protective Orders
Protective Orders & Domestic Violence
If you or your children are in danger, we can help — immediately. Utah courts can issue emergency protective orders quickly, and we'll stand with you through every step.
Emergency ex parte protective orders
Temporary and permanent protective orders
Violations and enforcement
Safety planning alongside legal strategy
If you or your family are in imminent danger do not wait, call 911 immediately.
Adoption
Adoption Attorney in Utah
Building a family through adoption is one of the most meaningful processes we're privileged to be part of. We guide families through every type of adoption — and we proudly serve same-sex couples and LGBT families throughout Salt Lake County.
Step-parent adoption
Second-parent adoption for same-sex couples
Private domestic adoption
Open adoption agreements
Adoption finalization
Mediation
Mediation & Collaborative Divorce
Not every family dispute needs a courtroom. We support and actively encourage conversations that lead to durable agreements.
Less Conflict
Decisions stay in your hands, not a judge's. Built for families who want resolution over litigation.
Lower Cost
Collaborative processes are faster and less expensive than contested proceedings.
Better for Kids
Research shows children thrive when parents resolve disputes cooperatively.
Military Families
Serving Those Who Served
As a veteran-owned firm, we understand the unique legal challenges military families face — from divorce during deployment to dividing military pensions and protecting VA benefits.
Military divorce under the USFSPA
Military pension division (QDRO)
Active duty protections under the SCRA
Custody modifications due to deployment
🌈 LGBT Ally Practice
Legal Advocacy for LGBT Families in Utah
Every family deserves strong legal representation — no matter its shape. At Ashvale Legal, we proudly serve same-sex couples, transgender individuals, and LGBT families across Salt Lake County and the Wasatch Front with the same dedication and respect we bring to every client.
Same-sex divorce and asset division
Second-parent and step-parent adoption
Parenting rights for non-biological parents
Surrogacy agreements and parentage orders
Name and gender marker changes
Domestic partnership and cohabitation agreements
"Utah law has evolved to be more inclusive — but navigating it as an LGBT family still requires an attorney who understands both the legal landscape and what's actually at stake for your family. That's what we're here for."
— Christopher R. Topham, Ashvale Legal
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Uncontested divorce typically resolves in 5–8 weeks after the mandatory 30-day waiting period. Contested divorces can take 4 months to over a year depending on the issues involved.
-
Utah courts use a "best interests of the child" standard, evaluating factors like each parent's relationship with the child, stability, domestic violence history, and each parent's willingness to co-parent.
-
Not technically — but having one protects you from agreeing to terms that are unfair or unenforceable. Many clients are surprised by what they didn't know to negotiate.
-
Yes — proudly. We serve same-sex couples, LGBT families, and non-traditional family structures throughout Salt Lake County and the Wasatch Front.
-
We offer free initial consultations and are happy to discuss payment arrangements. Reach out — we'll find a way to help.