Utah's divorce mediation requirement, explained
In Utah, when a contested answer is filed in a divorce, the parties generally must complete at least one mediation session with a court-qualified mediator from the court's roster, unless the court grants an exemption for reasons such as domestic violence, safety, or hardship.
If your Utah divorce is contested, mediation is generally part of the path. This guide explains what the requirement is, who can meet it, and what to know before you choose a mediator.
This is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your own case, talk with a family law attorney.
What does Utah require?
Utah law includes a mediation step for contested divorces. When one spouse files a divorce petition and the other files an answer that contests it, the case is contested. At that point, the parties generally must complete at least one mediation session as part of the case.
The requirement is for one session at minimum. You may choose to keep going if the session is helping. The goal is to give both of you a structured chance to reach agreement on some or all of the issues before a judge has to decide them.
The rule comes from Utah Code §81-4-403. The Utah State Courts website also explains how court-referred mediation works.
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Open the savings toolWhat are the deadlines?
The timelines are short. Generally, the parties pick a mediator within 15 days and begin mediation within 45 days. The statute and the court define exactly when each period starts, so confirm the dates for your case with your attorney or the court clerk.
Who counts as a qualified mediator?
For the court requirement, the mediator generally must be court-qualified and listed on the Utah courts' roster of mediators.
Utah does not license private mediators. Anyone can offer private mediation, and private mediation needs no roster. That is why the roster matters so much here. For court-referred cases, it is the standard the court relies on to know a mediator meets its requirements.
The roster is public. You can find it on the Utah State Courts website, linked in the sources below.
Are there exemptions?
Yes. Utah's rule recognizes that mediation is not right for every couple. Exemptions exist for situations involving:
- domestic violence
- safety concerns
- hardship
If any of these applies to you, raise it with your attorney or the court. Do not simply skip the session on your own. The court decides whether an exemption applies. Our guide on asking the court to excuse or adapt divorce mediation explains the three ways to ask.
If you are in danger, your safety comes before any process. Mediation should never put you at risk. Our guide on mediation when there is a protective order explains how the excusal works and what the law does and does not allow.
Can Salt City Mediation meet the requirement?
No. Salt City Mediation is not on the Utah court roster, so a session with us does not satisfy the court's divorce mediation requirement. If your case is contested and you need to meet that rule, choose a mediator from the court's roster.
David Ring III, who founded Salt City Mediation, completed Utah Dispute Resolution's 40-hour mediation training in 2026. That training is not the same as being on the roster, and we don't want anyone to confuse the two. He is currently completing the additional training the court requires for its domestic roster. Until he is listed, a session with us does not count toward the requirement.
Where can voluntary mediation fit?
Many couples want to talk through practical questions before they file, or alongside the court process. These conversations are voluntary and private, and they don't require a rostered mediator. Common topics include:
- day-to-day parenting logistics, such as school pickups and holiday schedules
- who keeps which household items, vehicles, or pets
- how to tell the children, and what to say
- how you will communicate with each other during the process
A voluntary conversation like this is separate from the court requirement. It does not replace it. If your case becomes contested, you will still need a rostered mediator for the court's session. Whatever you work out in a voluntary conversation can still be useful, and you can bring it to your attorney and to the court-required session.
A mediator in any setting is a neutral guide, not a judge or a legal advisor. Here is more on the mediator's role. Because divorce involves legal rights around property, support, and custody, it is wise for each of you to have your own attorney review any agreement. Our guide on whether you need a lawyer for mediation explains how the two fit together. For a sense of the costs involved, see what a contested divorce costs in Utah.
A quick summary
If your divorce is contested, plan on at least one session with a rostered mediator, and watch the deadlines. If safety or hardship is a concern, raise it with the court. If you want help with voluntary conversations outside that requirement, a non-rostered mediator can help, as long as everyone understands it doesn't count toward the court's rule.
If you have questions about whether a voluntary conversation could help you, you can book a free 15-minute consult with Salt City Mediation.
Common questions
Is mediation mandatory for divorce in Utah?
Generally, yes, in contested cases. Once a contested answer is filed, Utah law requires the parties to complete at least one mediation session with a court-qualified mediator from the court's roster. Exemptions exist for situations involving domestic violence, safety concerns, or hardship. An attorney or the court can tell you how the rule applies to your case.
Can I use any mediator for a Utah divorce?
Not for the court requirement. To satisfy Utah's divorce mediation rule, the mediator generally must be court-qualified and listed on the Utah courts' roster. Utah does not license private mediators, so the roster is the standard for court-referred cases. You can use any mediator for voluntary conversations, but that does not count toward the requirement.
Can I get out of divorce mediation in Utah?
Utah's rule includes exemptions for situations involving domestic violence, safety concerns, and hardship. If any of these applies to you, raise it with your attorney or the court rather than deciding on your own. Your safety comes first, and mediation is not appropriate in every situation. The court decides whether an exemption applies.
Sources
David Ring III
Mediator and founder of Salt City Mediation LLC. Founder of EmpathEase, an app for practicing empathy and Nonviolent Communication. Completed Utah Dispute Resolution's 40-hour mediation training in 2026.