Utah courts do not require both spouses to sign divorce papers for the divorce to go through. Only the filing spouse needs to complete and file the Petition for Divorce. The other spouse has the legal right to respond, but not the power to stop the case by ignoring or refusing paperwork.

If the non-filing spouse does nothing after being properly served, the case can move toward a default divorce. The court can still make decisions about custody, support, and property without that spouse participating.

Before anything moves forward, the filing spouse must legally serve the divorce papers. Utah allows several methods of service, including:

• Personal service on the other spouse
• Service by sheriff or constable
• Service by a licensed private process server
• Alternative service, with judge approval, when a spouse cannot be found or keeps avoiding service

Once service is completed, the clock starts. The deadlines are:

• 21 days to respond if served while in Utah
• 30 days to respond if served outside Utah

If no response is filed within that window, the filing spouse can ask the court for a default judgment and move the case forward without the other spouse.

A default divorce means the court moves forward without the other spouse’s participation because they did not respond in time. In a default, the judge reviews the paperwork you filed and can sign orders that become part of the final Decree of Divorce.

In a Utah default divorce, judges may enter orders on all major parts of the case. The items below show what can be decided when one spouse refuses to answer or sign.

Utah requires mediation in most contested divorce cases. Mediation is a structured meeting with a neutral mediator who tries to help the spouses reach agreements.

If the other spouse refuses to show up or participate, that non-cooperation is documented. The mediator reports it to the court, and judges can decide that further mediation would be pointless and waive additional sessions.

Non-cooperation in mediation does not block the divorce from moving forward. It simply becomes one more piece of information a judge considers when deciding how to handle the case.

Utah judges can finalize a divorce without both spouses signing the Decree of Divorce. In a default or non-cooperative situation, the judge signs the decree and enters it as a court order, even if the other spouse refuses to sign or keeps saying they will never agree.

Utah is a no-fault divorce state, so one spouse’s refusal to agree does not stop the case. The main timing rule is the minimum 30-day waiting period from filing to final decree, although courts can shorten that period for good cause.

Non-cooperation does not stop the waiting-period clock. As long as service and procedural steps are handled correctly, the case can move toward final orders on the usual timeline.

Some spouses try to drag out a divorce by refusing to sign, ignoring communication, or playing games with the court process. Common delay tactics include:

• Refusing to sign any paperwork, even simple forms
• Ignoring texts, emails, and letters about the case
• Evading service so they can say they never got the papers
• Requesting unnecessary extensions or continuances
• Filing repetitive or baseless motions to slow the calendar

Utah courts see these patterns often and have tools to keep the case on track. Judges can issue scheduling orders, limit needless delays, and in some situations order fees or other sanctions when a party abuses the process.

The big picture is simple: a non-cooperative spouse can make things frustrating, but they cannot keep the divorce from becoming final forever.