Utah Child Support Calculator

How is Child Support Calculated in Utah?

Utah calculates child support to ensure your child receives the same proportion of parental income they would have if you lived together. Governed by Utah Code Ann. § 78B-12-205, the court combines both your incomes, finds the total support amount from a state table, and then assigns each of you a percentage of that obligation based on your share of the combined income.

Understanding Utah's Shared Custody Adjustments

In Utah, when each parent has the child for at least 111 overnights per year, a special shared parenting calculation is used. As outlined in Utah Code Ann. § 78B-12-208.5, the basic support obligation is multiplied by 1.5, and parents are credited for the amount of time they spend with the child, which typically reduces the final support amount for the noncustodial parent.

Calculate Your Support

✓ Verified for 2026 Guidelines • Reviewed October 2026 by Harmoney

Utah Child Support Guidelines at a Glance

Guideline Model Income Shares Model
Governing Legal Authority Utah Code Ann. § 78B-12-205 & § 78B-12-301
Shared Custody Threshold 111 Overnights per Year
Age Support Ends Age 18 (or High School Graduation, whichever is later)
Modification Standard Substantial and Material Change in Circumstances

Frequently Asked Questions About UT Child Support


At what age does child support end in UT?

Child support in Utah ends when a child turns 18 or graduates from high school during their normal school year, whichever occurs later. This guideline is established under Utah Code Ann. § 78B-12-219, ensuring support continues until the child completes their secondary education.

How is child support calculated if one parent is unemployed in UT?

Utah courts will impute or 'attribute' income to an unemployed or underemployed parent based on their work history, skills, and local job market opportunities. This means support is calculated as if the parent were earning at least full-time minimum wage, as per Utah Code Ann. § 78B-12-203, to ensure they contribute to their child's needs.

How do I modify a child support order in UT?

You can modify a child support order in Utah by proving a substantial and material change in circumstances has occurred since the last order was issued. Under Utah Code Ann. § 78B-12-210, a change that results in a 10-15% difference in the support amount is often considered substantial enough to warrant a review and potential adjustment.

Does UT child support cover college expenses?

No, Utah law does not require a parent to pay for college expenses as part of a child support order after the child reaches the age of majority. Support for post-secondary education can only be enforced if the parents have voluntarily agreed to it in a signed stipulation or divorce decree.

How does UT handle health insurance and childcare costs?

Health insurance premiums and reasonable work-related childcare costs are added to the basic child support obligation and divided between the parents in proportion to their incomes. As detailed in Utah Code Ann. § 78B-12-212 and § 78B-12-214, these necessary expenses are shared to ensure the child's needs are met.