| The State of Utah has a high rate of divorce cases | | | | divorce case, making it unaffordable for some. Also, in |
| with parties not represented by an attorney. Looking at | | | | Utah, many of the couples are young and have not |
| the statistics provides some insights that may help | | | | been married long enough to reach their most |
| explain this. | | | | productive money earning years, and are unable to |
| Residents of Utah are no less divorce prone than | | | | afford legal representation. |
| those of any other state. The Utah divorce rate is at | | | | This year, the Utah courts have been trying to figure |
| least 4.3 per 1000 which is actually higher than the | | | | out what number of divorce cases have parties |
| United States divorce rate of 4.1 per 1000. The median | | | | unrepresented by counsel. Estimates are that at least |
| age at divorce in Utah for first marriages for husbands | | | | one party does not have a lawyer in 70% of the |
| is 31 and for wives, 29. | | | | divorce cases in Utah. Judges are encouraging |
| According to statistics from 2000, in Utah over ten | | | | lawyers to do everything they can to provide help to |
| thousand children were affected by a divorce that | | | | litigants who are tempted to go forward without the |
| year. This number has since increased significantly. | | | | advice of counsel. |
| Statistics from 2000, which is the most recent available | | | | Judges and commissioners now have to handle higher |
| data, show that 50% of Utah divorces happen within | | | | caseloads due to funding cut-backs for the Utah court |
| the first five years of marriage. In Utah, 18% of | | | | system, and are receiving less administrative help than |
| divorces occur during the first 12 months of marriage. | | | | before. This makes dealing with self-represented |
| So why do many parties in Utah choose to go without | | | | litigants even more frustrating as the lack of proper |
| representation? One possibility is that children and | | | | arguments and procedures decreases the efficiency |
| custody issues can add complexity and expense to a | | | | of the courts. |