Utah Child Support

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Utah child support is based upon official guidelines for the calculation of support. The Utah child support guidelines contain a calculation table that considers both parents’ income in determining the correct amount of child support. The number of children entitled to receive Utah child support and other factors, coupled with the parents’ incomes, will determine how much child support should be paid.

In Utah, either or both parents may be ordered to pay child support payments, including medical and dental expenses and health insurance. The courts will also order the parents to share day care and childcare expenses while the custodial parent is working or undergoing any training.

The amount arrived at under the guidelines is presumed to be correct unless there is a showing that the amount would be unjust or inappropriate. The Court may consider several factors when awarding the appropriate amount of support. Utah child support awards may deviate from the guidelines after the Court considers the standard of living and particular situation of the parties, the relative wealth and income, and the earning ability of the parties. The ages, and needs of the parents and child are also considered by the Court. The Court may also examine the parents' responsibilities to the support of others when determining the appropriate amount of child support.

After a Utah child support order has been issued, it is subject to a later modification. Either parent may request a modification and will be required to show that a substantial change of circumstances has occurred warranting a change of child support. Factors which Courts generally consider in Utah child support modification cases include: (1) the parent’s income and earning capacity, (2) the assets available for child support, (3) the employee benefits of each parent, (4) the income of a new spouse or cohabitant, (5) new family responsibilities of each spouse, (6) an increase in the cost of living, (7) changes in the cost of rearing the child, (8) the health conditions of parents and child and (9) a change in the custodial arrangement. You should remember, that before child support can be modified, the Court must issue an Order. You should not unilaterally increase or decrease the amount of child support until directed to do so by the Court.

Most states, including Utah, have a provision for withholding child support directly from the earnings of the parent who has been ordered to provide support. Unless the support order was issued or modified before October 13, 1990 and the support payor has always paid support on time, Utah will require that child support be paid out of the support payor’s paycheck. Income withholding is an easy way to meet your child support obligation because your employer withholds the appropriate amount from your paycheck and sends it directly to the appropriate state agency. You do not have to worry about going to the bank, writing a check, finding a stamp, etc. The majority of Utah employers withhold child support from many employees' paychecks each pay period. Paying through income withholding is no longer indicative of a delinquency. It is simply viewed as a no fuss way to meet your monthly obligation.

In Utah, child support generally ends when the child reaches 18 years of age or the child graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. A child will also automatically be ineligible for child support if that child marries, is removed from disability status by a court order, or the child dies.