78A-2-501. Definitions -- Online Court Assistance Program -- Purpose of program -- Online Court Assistance Account -- User's fee -- Use of fund.

372 words·~2 min read·/ut/title-78a/chapter-2/78a-2-501

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 5/6/2026

(1)As used in this part:

(a)"Account" means the Online Court Assistance Account created in this section.

(b)"Program" means the Online Court Assistance Program created in this section.

(2)There is created the Online Court Assistance Program, administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts, to provide the public with information about civil procedures and to assist the public in preparing and filing civil pleadings and other papers in:

(a)uncontested divorces;

(b)enforcement of orders in the divorce decree;

(c)landlord and tenant actions;

(d)guardianship actions; and

(e)other types of proceedings approved by the board.

(3)The purpose of the program shall be to:

(a)minimize the costs of civil litigation;

(b)improve access to the courts; and

(c)provide for informed use of the courts and the law by pro se litigants.

(4)The program shall include information on how a pro se litigant can access court records from other cases that may be relevant to the pro se litigant's case, including information on how to access court records through the Xchange database.

(a)An additional $60 shall be added to the filing fee established by Sections 78A-2-301 and 78A-2-301.5 if a person files a complaint, petition, counterclaim, or counterpetition prepared through the program.

(b)There is no fee for:

(i)using the program;

(ii)papers filed after the initial pleading; or

(iii)preparing a request for a protective order.

(a)There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the Online Court Assistance Account.

(b)The fees collected under Subsection

(5)shall be deposited into the restricted account described in Subsection (6)(a) and appropriated by the Legislature to the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop, operate, and maintain the program and to support the use of the program through education of the public.

(7)The Administrative Office of the Courts shall provide on the front page of the program website a listing of all forms and proceedings available to all pro se litigants within the program.

Amended by Chapter 83 , 2026 General Session