- (1) There is established a mandatory domestic mediation program to help reduce the time and tensions associated with obtaining a divorce.
(2)
- (a) If there are any remaining contested issues after the filing of a response to a petition for divorce, the parties shall participate in good faith in at least one session of mediation.
- (b) The requirement described in Subsection (2)(a) does not preclude the entry of pretrial orders before mediation takes place.
- (3) The parties shall use a mediator qualified to mediate domestic disputes under criteria established by the Judicial Council in accordance with Section 78B-6-205.
- (4) Unless otherwise ordered by the court or the parties agree upon a different payment arrangement, the cost of mediation shall be divided equally between the parties.
- (5) The director of dispute resolution programs for the courts, the court, or the mediator may excuse either party from the requirement to mediate for good cause.
- (6) A mediation described in this section shall be conducted in accordance with the Utah Rules of Court-Annexed Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 366, 2024 General Session