Legal Help for Single Mothers in Utah

Where to start in Utah

Start with the paper that has the closest deadline. Take a clear photo of it and keep the envelope. Write down the case number, court or agency, date received, hearing date, and response date.

ASMOM’s Utah emergency guide may also help when a court problem is tied to rent, food, transport, or another urgent need.

Quick reference table

Utah court forms, self-help, and fees

Self-Help Center

The Utah State Courts Self-Help Center gives free help to people without lawyers. Staff can explain court process, forms, and options. The center’s toll-free line is 888-683-0009, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The line can be busy.

Reality check: Self-Help Center staff do not become your lawyer and do not represent you in court. They also cannot choose a legal strategy for you.

MyPaperwork and court forms

MyPaperwork prepares forms for selected cases, including divorce, parentage for unmarried parents, some protective orders, civil stalking injunctions, and guardianship reports. Review every answer before filing and ask the Self-Help Center when you are unsure.

Fee waivers

If paying court fees would keep your family from food, shelter, clothing, or other basics, use the fee waiver page. Public benefits, nonprofit legal help, income, assets, and expenses may be considered.

Reality check: A judge decides the request. Some costs may not be waived, and the court may ask for more proof.

Language help

If you need an interpreter for a hearing, use the court interpreter request. Utah Courts says to ask at least three days before the hearing when possible.

Free civil legal aid in Utah

Utah Legal Services

Utah Legal Services eligibility is based on legal status rules, finances, and case type. Its page, updated July 2, 2026, says income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level in most cases. Some domestic-violence and senior cases use different rules.

Where to apply: Apply online or call 801-328-8891 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Reality check: Meeting income rules does not promise representation. The office also checks current priorities, conflicts, urgency, and available staff.

Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake

Legal Aid Salt Lake handles family cases that can be filed in Salt Lake County. It may help eligible low-income families with divorce, custody or parentage, and minor guardianship. It also helps domestic-violence victims seek protective orders and civil stalking injunctions regardless of income.

Legal clinics

The Utah clinic list includes free civil clinics. Most provide short advice rather than ongoing representation, so bring your papers and list your most important questions first.

Low-cost lawyer and paralegal choices

The Utah State Bar’s specific Modest Means page still says the program is paused and is not accepting new applications. Do not wait for it if a deadline is close.

Use the State Bar help page to search for a licensed lawyer and other services. The reduced-cost guide explains how to filter for free consultations, sliding fees, flat fees, or limited-scope work.

A Licensed Paralegal Practitioner may help with selected family, eviction, and debt matters at a lower cost. They can prepare and review documents, explain orders, and help with settlement work within their license. Ask what they can and cannot do before paying.

Custody, parent-time, paternity, and child support

Family-law forms can affect where a child lives, decision-making, parent-time, support, and safety. Try to speak with a lawyer when the case includes abuse, relocation, another state, military service, disputed paternity, or complex property.

Child support services

The Utah Office of Recovery Services (ORS) can establish paternity and child or medical support, locate parents, collect support, and enforce or review orders. The ORS child support page explains its services.

Parents and caregivers can use the ORS application page. Cash-assistance and Medicaid cases are automatically referred, but ORS still requires an Application for Services and supporting information.

Reality check: ORS does not give either parent legal advice or private representation. It does not decide custody or parent-time. Use ASMOM’s Utah child support guide for more case and application steps.

Household costs may also affect a parenting or support plan. ASMOM’s Utah child care guide and Utah food guide cover related help.

Eviction, unsafe housing, and landlord problems

Utah eviction cases can move very quickly. The tenant eviction page lists common notice periods. Nonpayment notices generally give three business days to pay or move. Other notices may use three calendar days, five days, or 15 days, depending on the reason and rental terms.

If a landlord files in court, the eviction summons generally requires an answer within three business days after service. File and serve the answer by the stated deadline or the landlord may seek a default judgment.

A landlord must get a court order before forcing a tenant out. Changing locks, shutting off utilities, taking belongings, or blocking entry without a court order may be an illegal lockout.

Utah Community Action offers statewide housing mediation. Mediation may help with communication or an agreement, but it does not replace filing an answer or going to court.

ASMOM’s Utah housing guide and Utah utility guide cover related bill and housing support.

SNAP, cash aid, child care, and Medicaid appeals

The Utah Department of Workforce Services manages SNAP, cash assistance, child care assistance, and several other family programs through myCase. If an application is denied, delayed, reduced, ended, or listed as an overpayment, read the notice before calling.

The public assistance appeal page explains how to request a hearing. Deadlines can differ by benefit and action, so follow the date on the notice. Keep proof of when and how you filed.

For Medicaid, use the Medicaid appeal page. When a health plan denies a service, you generally appeal with the plan first. If the plan upholds the denial, the current state guidance says a Medicaid Fair Hearing request must be filed within 30 days of the plan’s final decision.

Reality check: Ask whether benefits or services can continue during an appeal and what deadline applies. Do not assume filing automatically keeps them open. ASMOM’s denied benefits guide can help you track notices and follow-up.

For medical coverage and care options, use ASMOM’s Utah health guide.

Work, disability, debt, and other legal problems

Wages and discrimination

The Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division handles wage claims and certain employment and housing discrimination complaints. Use the Labor Division page to choose the correct intake form.

For pregnancy, leave, or workplace-rights information, ASMOM’s workplace rights guide explains national protections and official complaint paths.

Disability rights

The Disability Law Center intake offers free statewide help for selected disability-rights matters, regardless of income, legal status, language, or location. It may cover access, discrimination, education, employment, housing, health care, and abuse or neglect issues.

Reality check: The center does not handle every problem and says it does not assist with applications or denials of public benefits such as Social Security Disability or Medicaid. ASMOM’s Utah disability guide lists more service and benefit paths.

Unemployment appeals

Utah unemployment decisions generally must be appealed within 15 calendar days of the decision date. Use the unemployment appeal page and keep filing weekly claims while waiting, unless the agency tells you otherwise.

Documents and information to gather

Do not miss a deadline because one paper is missing. Start the intake or filing, explain what you have, and ask what can be sent later. ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you build one folder.