Utah Child Support Guidelines: What Parents Need to Know

Utah Code 81-6-304 and 305: Changes to Child Support Guidelines

Both of a child’s parents have an obligation to support their child. When the parents are divorced or have never been married, that obligation is formalized through a child support order. In Utah, as in other states, child support is determined by reference to child support guidelines.

These guidelines take into account a number of factors including parental income, the number of overnight stays a child has with each parent, the number of children for whom support is ordered, health insurance and healthcare costs, and childcare expenses. The goal is to ensure adequate support to children and fairness to parents.

To keep the child support guidelines fair and reasonable, the Utah Child Support Advisory Committee reviews the guidelines every four years. This allows for adjustments due to economic changes and inflation, legal developments, and policy updates; the guidelines should reflect the realities facing Utah families.

The most recent update took effect on January 1, 2023, and applies to new child support orders entered for the first time on or after that date, as well as some existing orders that were modified on or after January 1.

What Parents Need to Know About Updates to the Child Support Guidelines

The child support guidelines are contained in Utah Code 81-6-304 and 305. Here are some of the most-recent changes that may affect your child support.

Higher Income Threshold for Low-Income Table

The low-income table provides an alternate way to calculate child support when the parents’ income falls below a certain level. Use of the low-income table usually results in a lower child support obligation.

Prior to the most recent update, the threshold for use of the low-income table was $900; now, it’s $1,951. That means many more families have their Utah child support payment calculated using the low-income table, and parents with little income are less likely to be ordered to pay a support amount they can’t afford on their limited income.

Adjusted Payment Schedules

As a general rule, Utah child support payments are regular amounts paid at regular intervals. But for many parents, income isn’t regular, making it difficult to meet child support payments when there’s less money coming in. For example, many parents’ income fluctuates due to the seasonal nature of their work. Other parents receive commissions or bonuses that inflate their income in certain months.

The updated child support guidelines allow for the possibility of an adjusted payment schedule to better align the timing and amount of child support payments. The arrangement reduces the strain of making payments when cash flow is low, because payment amounts better align with the paying parent’s income. That means the paying parent is less likely to have missed or late payments that result in enforcement actions, and the receiving parent still gets the total support amount, even if the payment amounts vary over the course of the year.

If you think an adjusted Utah child support payment schedule would work better for your family due to fluctuations in income, you need to request one; these adjustments are not made automatically.

Special Rules for Split or Shared Parenting Arrangements

In split parenting arrangements, each parent has primary physical custody of one or more different children in the family. In shared parenting arrangements, also known as joint custody, parents share custody of the same children. The updated child support guidelines provide greater clarity and better reflect the actual time children spend with each parent and how that affects each parent’s financial responsibility.

Grace Period for Child Support Orders Established Before January 1, 2023 Ending

While the updated guidelines apply to child support orders established after the effective date of the update, orders that predated January 1, 2023 remained valid with their existing terms for a period of time. That grace period allowed for more predictability for families with those older orders, rather than requiring them to adjust suddenly to changes in payment amounts.

That said, beginning January 1, 2025, older child support orders have been gradually reviewed and brought into alignment with the child support guidelines that took effect in 2023. If you are concerned about recent or potential changes to your Utah child support payment, consult reputable sources of information such as the ORS Utah Gov website or schedule a consultation with a child attorney.

Attorneys who regularly deal with child support matters use software with a reliable Utah child support calculator and can help you understand what to expect when your order is adjusted. You can also find a Utah child support calculator online. Using a child support calculator can also help you decide whether you should request a modification of your Utah child support payment.

Modifying Child Support in Utah

As every parent knows, the only constant in life is change. That often includes changes to a family’s financial situation. You may need to request a modification of child support in Utah if:

• Either parent has experienced a significant increase or decrease in income
• The custody arrangement has changed significantly, especially if it has changed the number of overnights a child spends with each parent
• There have been unexpected increases in medical or childcare expenses that have resulted in a greater burden on one parent
• One parent is experiencing fluctuations in income that may need to be addressed with an adjusted payment schedule

If you think an adjustment of your current Utah child support payment is warranted, contact a child support attorney and begin gathering relevant financial documentation to support your position, such as pay stubs, income tax returns, medical or childcare bills, and documentation of the number of overnights your child spends with each parent.

Get the Help You Need with Utah Child Support

Child support is critical to your child’s well-being, but it’s also essential that payments are fair and reflect the family’s financial realities. Need advice on Utah child support? The child support attorneys at Barton Wood can help. To get the support and guidance you need, call 801-326-8300 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.