Same Sex Divorce Attorney in Salt Lake City

Compassionate Legal Guidance For A Major Life Change

Ending a same sex marriage in Utah can feel confusing, emotional, and, at times, unfair. You may be trying to protect your children, your home, and your sense of dignity, all while wondering how the courts will see your family. In the middle of that, it can be hard to know what to do next.

I focus my family law practice on individualized divorce representation, including for same sex couples in this area. I take time to listen carefully, understand the personal weight of your decisions, and help you move through the legal process in a way that fits your life. My role is to help level the playing field so you are not facing this transition alone.

When you reach out to Emy A. Cordano Attorney at Law, you work directly with me. I treat your case as a new chapter, not as another file in a stack, and I am committed to fair, transparent fees so you can get reliable help without guessing what it will cost.

Contact our trusted same-sex divorce lawyer in Salt Lake City at (801) 901-8159 to schedule a confidential consultation.

How I Approach Same Sex Divorce

If you are reading this, you may already feel like your relationship story does not fit neatly into a legal box. Maybe you shared a life long before your marriage could be legally recognized. Maybe you built a family in ways the law sometimes struggles to understand. I begin by accepting that your story is your own, not a category.

In our first conversation, I listened more than I talked. I want to hear how your relationship grew, what your family looks like now, and what matters most to you as you consider divorce. That context guides every recommendation I make. Rather than forcing you into a standard path, I work with you to build a plan that reflects your values, your comfort level, and your priorities for children and finances.

Throughout the case, I stayed directly involved. I explain each step, from paperwork to hearings, in plain language so you always know what is happening and why. If something changes, I talk with you about options before decisions are made. My goal is to balance legal analysis with the emotional reality of what you and your family are experiencing.

Fees are a real concern for most people who contact me. I address that openly. I am committed to fair fees, clear billing practices, and discussing costs before we head down any particular path. That way, you can decide how to move forward with a full picture of both the legal and financial implications.

Unique Issues In Same Sex Divorce

Same sex divorce can raise questions that are less common in other cases. One frequent issue is timing. Many couples lived together, bought property, and built financial lives long before they were able to legally marry. Courts often look at what is considered marital property under Utah law, and that can feel disconnected from the true length of your relationship. I work with you to organize the story of your financial life so we can present a clear picture when we address property and debt.

Parenting is another area with unique concerns. Same sex couples often become parents through adoption, assisted reproduction, or step-parent relationships. One parent may not be biological or gestational, yet may have acted as a full parent from day one. In any case that involves children, I pay close attention to how your family formed and how your children see their parents, then help you pursue parenting arrangements that reflect those realities, where the law allows.

There are also questions about retirement accounts, health insurance, and spousal support. When a couple could not marry during earlier years, time spent building careers and savings may not be fully recognized in a straightforward way. We talk through how Utah courts typically view these issues and what documentation can help show the contributions each of you made. I then help you weigh options, including negotiation and, when needed, asking the court to make specific findings.

Many of my clients quietly worry about bias or misunderstanding when they step into a courtroom. While Utah courts are required to apply the law equally, I understand that concern. Part of my work is to present your case clearly and respectfully so the focus stays on the facts that matter. By preparing you for what to expect and grounding our approach in your specific history, I work to reduce the space where assumptions can creep in.

Divorce Process In Salt Lake City

Understanding the path ahead can ease some of the anxiety you may feel. If you live in Salt Lake City, your divorce case typically runs through the Third District Court in Salt Lake County. The specific schedule depends on where you live, how contested your case becomes, and how the court is currently handling family law calendars.

The process usually begins when one spouse files a petition for divorce and arranges for the other spouse to be served. After that, the case moves through stages that can include temporary orders, information exchange, settlement discussions, and, if necessary, a trial. Throughout this process, issues like parenting time, decision-making for children, property division, and support are addressed either by agreement or by the court.

When you work with me, I guide you through each of these steps. We talk about what to expect at the Third District Court, how deadlines work, and what you need to do to prepare for key events, such as a mediation session or a hearing. You will not be left to decipher court notices or legal forms alone.

Here is how working together generally unfolds:

• We start with a conversation about your situation, your goals, and any urgent concerns about safety, children, or finances.
• I review documents you already have, such as prior orders, financial records, or parenting agreements, and help identify what else we may need.
• We outline a strategy that fits your priorities, whether that means aiming for a negotiated resolution, preparing for possible hearings, or both.
• As the case proceeds, I keep you informed, explain each development, and adjust our plan when new information or opportunities arise.

By understanding how the process works in Salt Lake County and what your role will be, you can focus more on making thoughtful decisions and less on worrying about the unknown.

Protecting Children & Your Future

For many people, the hardest part of divorce is worrying about children. If you are a same sex parent, those worries can be even sharper. You may ask whether the law will see you as a full parent, how much time you will have with your children, and how decisions about schooling, health care, or religion will be made.

When a case involves children, I focus first on understanding their daily lives and relationships. I want to know who takes them to school, who helps with homework, and how they experience each parent. If one parent is not a biological parent, we review any adoption orders, prior court decisions, and the history of how you both presented yourselves as parents. My goal is to help you pursue a parenting plan that reflects the reality of your family within the boundaries of Utah law.

Your future also includes your financial security and your sense of safety. Divorce often means moving from one household to two, which can strain budgets. It can also raise concerns if there has been control over money, information, or daily life. I work with you to identify what you need to move forward, from temporary financial arrangements to longer-term support or property division choices that make sense for you.

In every case, I strive to look beyond the moment of divorce. I encourage clients to think about how they want to communicate with a former spouse over the years, how to reduce conflict around children, and how to structure agreements that are realistic to follow. When we build a plan with the future in mind, the outcome is more likely to support real change instead of creating new battles.