Utah Divorce Representation Statistics
Tuesday, 24 November 2009 09:15 | 
Written by Rebecca Long |
Utah has a very large number of divorce cases where parties are unrepresented. Looking at the statistics provides some insights into this phenomenon.
Utah has quite a large number of divorce cases where parties are unrepresented. Looking at the data provides some insights into this phenomenon.
Utah is not any less divorce prone than any other State. The Utah divorce rate is at least 4.3 per 1000 which is actually higher than the United States divorce rate of 4.1 per 1000. The median age at divorce in Utah for first marriages for husbands is 31 and for wives, 29.
According to statistics from 2000, in Utah over ten thousand children were affected by a divorce that year. This number has since increased significantly.
According to a study of statistics by Utah State University on the most recent data available, nearly half of the divorces in Utah happen during the first five years of marriage. Nearly 1/5 of divorces in Utah happen before the couple make it to their first wedding anniversary.
So why do many parties in Utah decide to go without representation? One possibility is that kids and custody issues can add complexity and expense to a divorce case, making it unaffordable for some. Also, in Utah, many of the couples are young and haven't been married long enough to reach their most efficient money earning years, and are unable to afford legal representation.
Attempts are being made this year (2009) by the Utah state courts to determine what proportion of divorces involve parties without legal representation. The courts estimate that approximately 7 out of 10 divorce cases have an unrepresented party. Local Utah attorneys are being encouraged by judges to make an effort to supply services for litigants who are trying to navigate through the legal process without representation.
Because of cut-backs in the Utah court system, Judges and Commissioners are working additional cases with less administrative help and they're losing their patience with pro se litigants (unrepresented parties), who do not have any idea of proper procedure or argument.
Several law firms have responded to this call by providing free consultations or allowing clients to hire the attorney for bits and pieces of the litigation when the help is strongly needed. Some firms are offering both, such as Long Okura, P.C. in Salt Lake City, Utah. Consider obtaining help before you walk into court without a lawyer.
Utah has quite a large number of divorce cases where parties are unrepresented. Looking at the data provides some insights into this phenomenon.
Utah is not any less divorce prone than any other State. The Utah divorce rate is at least 4.3 per 1000 which is actually higher than the United States divorce rate of 4.1 per 1000. The median age at divorce in Utah for first marriages for husbands is 31 and for wives, 29.
According to statistics from 2000, in Utah over ten thousand children were affected by a divorce that year. This number has since increased significantly.
According to a study of statistics by Utah State University on the most recent data available, nearly half of the divorces in Utah happen during the first five years of marriage. Nearly 1/5 of divorces in Utah happen before the couple make it to their first wedding anniversary.
So why do many parties in Utah decide to go without representation? One possibility is that kids and custody issues can add complexity and expense to a divorce case, making it unaffordable for some. Also, in Utah, many of the couples are young and haven't been married long enough to reach their most efficient money earning years, and are unable to afford legal representation.
Attempts are being made this year (2009) by the Utah state courts to determine what proportion of divorces involve parties without legal representation. The courts estimate that approximately 7 out of 10 divorce cases have an unrepresented party. Local Utah attorneys are being encouraged by judges to make an effort to supply services for litigants who are trying to navigate through the legal process without representation.
Because of cut-backs in the Utah court system, Judges and Commissioners are working additional cases with less administrative help and they're losing their patience with pro se litigants (unrepresented parties), who do not have any idea of proper procedure or argument.
Several law firms have responded to this call by providing free consultations or allowing clients to hire the attorney for bits and pieces of the litigation when the help is strongly needed. Some firms are offering both, such as Long Okura, P.C. in Salt Lake City, Utah. Consider obtaining help before you walk into court without a lawyer.
