Utah lawyer costs and court fees
Short answer
Utah has small claims cases up to $20,000, a 4-year personal injury filing deadline, a divorce filing fee of $350. Clio does not publish a Utah rate; the national average is $349 an hour. Below are the verified court fees, deadlines, fee-cap rules and free-help options, each linked to its official source.
Utah legal costs at a glance
| Small claims limit | $20,000 (including attorney fees, excluding court costs and interest)[1][2][3][4] |
|---|---|
| Small claims filing fee | $60 if the claim is $2,000 or less; $100 if over $2,000 and under $7,500; $185 if $7,500 or more (up to $20,000). Counter affidavit: $50 / $70 / $120. (Utah Code 78A-2-301(1)(c),(e), version effective 5/6/2026; fees may change on 1/1/2027.)[1][2][3][4] |
| District Court civil filing fee | $105 if the claim is $2,000 or less; $215 if over $2,000 and under $10,000; $375 if $10,000 or more (Utah Code 78A-2-301(1)(b))[3] |
| Divorce filing fee | $350[2] |
| Personal injury deadline | 4 years (Utah Code 78B-2-307(4), the catch-all period 'for relief not otherwise provided for by law' that applies to general negligence injury)[5] |
| Attorney fee caps | Medical malpractice against a health care provider: contingent fee may not exceed 33-1/3% of the amount recovered, whether by settlement, arbitration or judgment (Utah Code 78B-3-411).[6] |
| Average lawyer rate | No Utah figure published; national average $349/hour[7] |
What lawyers charge in Utah
Clio publishes state-level averages for only some states, and Utah is not one of them. The national average billed rate in Clio's 2025 data is $349 per hour[7]. We do not publish an invented Utah figure: ask two or three local lawyers for their hourly rate and compare it with the national number.
Illustrative budget at $349/hour (not a quote): a 1-hour consultation ≈ $349; a 5-hour document review ≈ $1,745; a 20-hour contested matter ≈ $6,980, before court fees and expenses. Many lawyers quote flat fees for routine work instead; see hourly vs flat fees.
Small claims court in Utah
Small claims cases are heard in the Small Claims Court (Justice Courts). You can ask for up to $20,000 (including attorney fees, excluding court costs and interest)[1][2][3][4]. Applies from Jan 1, 2025 through Dec 31, 2029 and rises to $25,000 on Jan 1, 2030 (Utah Code 78A-8-102(1)(a)(i)).
- Filing fee: $60 if the claim is $2,000 or less; $100 if over $2,000 and under $7,500; $185 if $7,500 or more (up to $20,000). Counter affidavit: $50 / $70 / $120. (Utah Code 78A-2-301(1)(c),(e), version effective 5/6/2026; fees may change on 1/1/2027.)
- Serving the other side: The plaintiff must arrange service. In non-ODR cases service must be at least 30 days before trial; in ODR cases, within 120 days of filing.
- Court self-help: Utah court self-help resources
See how Utah compares with other states in our 50-state small claims table.
Court filing fees
District Court: $105 if the claim is $2,000 or less; $215 if over $2,000 and under $10,000; $375 if $10,000 or more (Utah Code 78A-2-301(1)(b))[3]
Divorce: $350[2] Utah Code 78A-2-301(1)(b)(iv). A petition for temporary separation is $35.
If you cannot afford a filing fee, every state lets you ask the court to waive it; the form is usually called a fee waiver or an application to proceed without paying fees. Our divorce cost guide compares filing fees across states.
Deadlines and attorney fee rules
Personal injury filing deadline: 4 years (Utah Code 78B-2-307(4), the catch-all period 'for relief not otherwise provided for by law' that applies to general negligence injury)[5]. Exceptions exist (for example for minors, government defendants and medical claims), so check with a lawyer before the deadline gets close.
Contingency and fee caps: Medical malpractice against a health care provider: contingent fee may not exceed 33-1/3% of the amount recovered, whether by settlement, arbitration or judgment (Utah Code 78B-3-411).[6]
If you disagree with a lawyer's bill: the Utah State Bar Fee Dispute Program (voluntary) handles fee disputes between clients and lawyers.
Free and low-cost legal help in Utah
- Legal aid: UtahLegalHelp.org (sponsored by the Utah State Bar). Programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation generally serve households at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines; in 2026 that is $19,950 a year for one person and $41,250 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states[8].
- Lawyer referral: Licensed Lawyer (Utah State Bar referral service).
- Before you hire: read what consultations cost and options if you can't afford a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the small claims limit in Utah?
$20,000 (including attorney fees, excluding court costs and interest), in the Small Claims Court (Justice Courts). Applies from Jan 1, 2025 through Dec 31, 2029 and rises to $25,000 on Jan 1, 2030 (Utah Code 78A-8-102(1)(a)(i)).
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Utah?
$60 if the claim is $2,000 or less; $100 if over $2,000 and under $7,500; $185 if $7,500 or more (up to $20,000). Counter affidavit: $50 / $70 / $120. (Utah Code 78A-2-301(1)(c),(e), version effective 5/6/2026; fees may change on 1/1/2027.) Service of the papers usually costs extra.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Utah?
Generally 4 years (Utah Code 78B-2-307(4), the catch-all period 'for relief not otherwise provided for by law' that applies to general negligence injury). Exceptions apply, so talk to a lawyer well before the deadline.
How much is the divorce filing fee in Utah?
$350. Utah Code 78A-2-301(1)(b)(iv). A petition for temporary separation is $35. You can ask the court to waive fees if you cannot afford them.
What can I do if I think my Utah lawyer overcharged me?
Ask the lawyer for an itemized bill first. If that does not resolve it, the Utah State Bar Fee Dispute Program (voluntary) handles fee disputes between clients and lawyers.
Sources
- Utah Code 78A-8-102 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Utah Code 78A-2-301 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Utah Courts, Fees (checked October 11, 2026)
- Utah Courts, Small Claims (checked October 11, 2026)
- Utah Code 78B-2-307 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Utah Code 78B-3-411 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Clio, Compare Lawyer Rates (2025 Legal Trends data) (checked October 11, 2026)
- Federal Register: LSC income guidelines (2026) (checked October 11, 2026)