Utah Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator

Utah calculates child support under the Income Shares Model, which combines both parents' adjusted gross incomes to set a base obligation, then divides that amount proportionally between them. The framework is codified in Utah Code Section 81-6-202. Use the Utah child support calculator below to estimate a guideline amount, or open the full-page Utah child support calculator for a more detailed estimate.

Quick Summary: Utah Child Support

• Guideline Model: Income Shares Model
• Governing Statute: Utah Code Title 81, Chapter 6 (formerly Title 78B, Chapter 12)
• Age of Termination: 18 (or 19 if still completing high school)
• Modification Threshold: 10% change (15% if less than 3 years since order)
• Extended Parenting Time Reduction: 25% to 50% reduction for extended parent-time (does not apply to joint physical custody orders)
• Low-Income Table: Applies to an obligor parent whose income falls within the low income table; the court awards the lesser of the base table amount and the low income table amount
• Agency: Office of Recovery Services (ORS), Department of Health and Human Services

How to Apply for Child Support in Utah

The Utah Office of Recovery Services (ORS) is the state agency that provides child support services under the federal Title IV-D child support program. ORS operates within the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.

To apply for services, you have several options:

• Apply online through the ORS portal.
• Download the paper application (PDF), complete it, and mail it to ORS.
• Call ORS at (801) 536-8500 for assistance.

You will need to complete a separate application for each family group. A family group is a pairing of parents and children. Include copies of each child's birth certificate (if born outside Utah) and any existing child support orders.

ORS services include locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity, enforcing child support orders, and reviewing and adjusting existing support orders.

Key points to remember:

• If the non-custodial parent lives in another state or country, ORS will coordinate with that jurisdiction to enforce the order.
• ORS can only collect past-due support for up to four years after the last child turns 18.
• ORS does not represent either parent, does not provide legal advice, and does not handle custody, visitation, or property settlement issues.
• Parents receiving public assistance qualify for ORS services automatically.

How Is Paternity Established in Utah?

According to Utah law, there are three ways to establish paternity:

• Voluntary Declaration of Paternity: The father signs the declaration form, often at the hospital after childbirth. This form can also be signed at any time at the Department of Health, Vital Records, and Statistics, as long as both parents agree.
• Court or administrative order: A court can issue a paternity order through a legal proceeding (sometimes called involuntary acknowledgment).
• DNA testing: Either parent can petition the court to require DNA testing (judicial process), or ORS can arrange DNA testing through an administrative process.

Key points to remember:

• Establishing paternity gives the father legal rights to custody and visitation.
• You have 60 days to rescind a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity after signing.
• Before signing the Voluntary Declaration, ORS advises parents to listen to an oral presentation by calling 1-800-662-8585, then pressing 2, then 6.
• If you have doubts about the child's paternity, do not sign the form until DNA testing is completed.

How Is Child Support Calculated in Utah?

Utah uses the Income Shares Model to determine child support obligations. The core principle is that each child should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents lived together.

Under Utah Code Section 81-6-202, each parent's child support obligation is set in proportion to their adjusted gross income. The calculation process works as follows:

1. Determine each parent's adjusted gross income. Gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, and other sources. Adjustments are made for items such as alimony paid under a prior order.
2. Combine both parents' incomes. The combined adjusted gross income determines the base child support obligation from the state's obligation tables.
3. Divide the obligation proportionally. Each parent's share is based on their percentage of the combined income.
4. Apply the appropriate table. Utah maintains both a base combined child support obligation table under Utah Code Section 81-6-304 and a low income table under Utah Code Section 81-6-305.

Low-Income Table

The low income table in Utah Code Section 81-6-305 applies to the obligor parent only, for child support orders entered on or after January 1, 2023. It is not a single income cutoff: the table runs by income band and by number of children, so the highest income it reaches differs depending on how many children are on the order.

The table does not simply replace the base calculation. Under Utah Code Section 81-6-205(4), if a parent's individual monthly adjusted gross income is less than the highest monthly adjusted gross income shown in the low income table, the court or administrative agency awards the lesser of the amount calculated from the base combined child support obligation table and the amount calculated from the low income table. If the parent's income falls in an area of the low income table where no amount is shown, the court uses the base combined child support obligation table instead.

Online Calculator and Worksheets

To estimate your child support obligation:

• Use the Utah child support calculator on this site, or the official ORS Child Support Calculator.
• Cross-reference the result with the base combined child support obligation table in Utah Code Section 81-6-304.

You may also use the court-provided worksheets available on the Utah Courts self-help website, which include forms for sole custody, joint physical custody, and split custody arrangements.

The calculator and worksheets provide estimates only. The judge makes the final determination of the support amount.

Extended Parenting Time Reduction

Utah law provides specific child support reductions when the non-custodial parent has extended parenting time, as outlined in Utah Code Section 81-6-211, "Reduction for extended parent-time":

• 50% reduction for each child for time periods during which the child is with the non-custodial parent, by court order or written agreement of the parties, for at least 25 of any 30 consecutive days of extended parent-time.
• 25% reduction for each child for time periods during which the child is with the non-custodial parent, by court order or written agreement of the parties, for at least 12 of any 30 consecutive days of extended parent-time.

These reductions apply only during the qualifying periods of extended parenting time, not to the entire annual obligation.

Important limit: Section 81-6-211 states that the reduction "does not apply to parents with joint physical custody obligations calculated in accordance with Section 81-6-206." If your order is a joint physical custody order, the extended parent-time reduction is not available to you.

Work-Related Childcare Expenses

Work-related and education-related childcare costs are added to the base obligation, not included within it. Under Utah Code Section 81-6-209, each parent contributes to reasonable childcare expenses that allow the custodial parent to work or pursue education leading to employment. The court divides those costs between the parents in proportion to their respective incomes.

HB 463 (2025) amended Section 81-6-209 and enacted a new Section 81-6-209.5 to establish rules for a minimal childcare award when documented childcare costs are low or absent. SB 257 (2026) further modified the requirements for the minimal childcare award and directed ORS to review minimal child support award requirements.

Grounds for Deviation

The child support formula does not always produce a fair result. Under Utah Code Section 81-6-202(3), the guideline amount is presumed correct, and that presumption is rebutted only by a written finding, or a specific finding on the record, that applying the guidelines would be unjust, inappropriate, or not in the best interest of the child.

Once the presumption is rebutted, Section 81-6-202(6) lists the factors the court considers in setting the amount:

• The standard of living and situation of the parties.
• The relative wealth and income of the parties.
• The ability of the obligor to earn.
• The ability of the obligee to earn.
• The ability of an incapacitated adult child to earn, or other benefits received by the adult child.
• The needs of the obligee, the obligor, and the child.
• The ages of the parties.
• The responsibilities of the obligor and the obligee for the support of others.

Deviation is granted only in exceptional circumstances. To see whether your situation clears that bar, ask a Utah family lawyer for a free case evaluation of whether your facts support a deviation finding (attorney advertising).

How to Modify Child Support in Utah

Under Utah Code Section 81-6-212, either parent, a legal guardian, or ORS may petition to modify a child support order. However, the law sets specific thresholds that must be met.

Modification Thresholds

If three or more years have passed since the order was entered or last modified:

• There must be at least a 10% difference between the current support amount and the amount that would be required under current guidelines.
• A showing of substantial change in circumstances is not required for a three-year review adjustment.

If less than three years have passed since the order was entered or last modified:

• There must be at least a 15% difference between the current support amount and the proposed amount.
• You must demonstrate a substantial change in circumstances.

What Qualifies as a Substantial Change

A substantial change in circumstances may include:

• A significant increase or decrease in a parent's income or employment status.
• A change in the child's medical or educational needs.
• The emancipation of one or more children on the order.
• A change in custody or parenting time arrangements.

The change cannot be temporary. Under Utah law, "temporary" generally means lasting fewer than 12 months.

How to Request a Modification

You have two options:

• File a motion to adjust with the court (simpler and faster, but limited to certain circumstances).
• File a petition to modify through the court for more complex situations.

Forms for both options are available on the Utah Courts self-help website. You can also request a review and adjustment through ORS.

For questions about the modification process, contact the Appellate Clerk's Office at (801) 578-3900 or find the closest court in your area.

Pre-2023 Orders: Alignment Review

Beginning January 1, 2025, child support orders established before the 2023 guideline update have been subject to gradual review and alignment with the current tables. If your order predates January 1, 2023, and has not been recently reviewed, contact ORS or the court to determine whether an adjustment is warranted.

What Happens if You Do Not Pay Child Support in Utah?

Utah treats failure to pay child support seriously. Income withholding is included in all child support orders by default. When a court issues a child support order, the non-custodial parent's employer typically receives a corresponding order to garnish wages, salary, and bonuses.

If wage withholding is insufficient, ORS has a range of enforcement tools available:

• License suspension: ORS can work with state agencies to suspend a delinquent parent's driver's license, professional license, or recreational license.
• Passport denial: Under federal law, the U.S. Department of State will deny or revoke passports for individuals who owe more than $2,500 in child support arrears.
• Liens: ORS may place liens on real estate, vehicles, and other valuable assets.
• Credit bureau reporting: ORS may report delinquent support to credit bureaus, which can affect your credit score.
• Tax refund intercept: ORS can intercept state, local, and federal tax refunds to satisfy past-due support.
• Bank account garnishment: ORS may garnish funds from bank accounts.
• Seizure of other assets: Payments owed to the delinquent parent by third parties may also be seized.

Criminal Nonsupport in Utah

Under Utah Code Section 76-7-201, a person commits criminal nonsupport by knowingly failing to provide support for a child under 18 when that child is in needy circumstances.

Class A Misdemeanor: Criminal nonsupport is generally a class A misdemeanor.

Third-Degree Felony: The charge escalates to a third-degree felony if:

• The parent has one or more prior convictions for nonsupport.
• The parent committed the offense while living outside Utah.
• The parent failed to pay support in 18 or more individual months within any 24-month period.
• The total arrearage exceeds $10,000.

A third-degree felony in Utah carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

Voluntary unemployment or underemployment is not a valid defense to criminal nonsupport charges.

When Does Child Support End in Utah?

Child support in Utah generally ends when the child turns 18 years old. If the child is still enrolled in and completing high school at age 18, child support continues until the child graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first.

Child support also ends if the child:

• Marries.
• Joins the United States Armed Forces.
• Is emancipated by court order.
• Dies.

Support for Disabled Children

Child support may continue indefinitely if an adult child has a disability and remains dependent on their parents for support. Under Utah Code Section 81-6-101, a person qualifies as a "child" for support purposes if they are an adult son or daughter who is incapacitated from earning a living and unable to support themselves.

Emancipation of Minors in Utah

Utah law allows minors age 16 or older to petition the juvenile court for emancipation. To qualify, the minor must demonstrate that they:

• Can manage their own financial affairs.
• Are living independently of their parents or guardian.

Emancipation can also occur through marriage, military service, or a court order.

College Tuition Agreements

Utah courts do not have the authority to order child support for college tuition. However, parents may voluntarily enter into agreements to contribute to college or university costs. Any such agreement should be put in writing and made legally enforceable. Consult a family law attorney if you are considering a tuition agreement.

2024 Recodification: What Changed

In 2024, the Utah Legislature passed SB 95 (Domestic Relations Recodification), which reorganized family law statutes across the Utah Code. The child support provisions that were previously located in Title 78B, Chapter 12 (Utah Child Support Act) were moved to Title 81, Chapter 6 (Child Support), effective September 1, 2024.

The recodification did not change the substance of the child support guidelines. The same rules, tables, and procedures apply. However, all statutory references now use the Title 81 numbering. For example:

If you have an existing child support order that references Title 78B, the order remains valid. The new Title 81 citations apply to all proceedings going forward.

More Utah Laws

• Utah Alimony Laws
• Utah Child Custody Laws
• Utah Divorce Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Utah consider both parents incomes when calculating child support?

Yes. Utah uses the Income Shares Model, which combines the adjusted gross incomes of both parents to determine the total child support obligation. That total is then divided proportionally based on each parent's share of the combined income.

How does Utah's low income table work?

The low income table in Utah Code Section 81-6-305 applies to the obligor parent only, for orders entered on or after January 1, 2023. It is not a single income cutoff, because the table runs by income band and by number of children. Under Section 81-6-205(4), if a parent's individual monthly adjusted gross income is less than the highest income shown in the low income table, the court awards the lesser of the base combined obligation table amount and the low income table amount. If the income falls where the low income table shows no amount, the base table is used instead.

Can child support be reduced for extended visitation in Utah?

Yes, in sole custody cases. Under Utah Code Section 81-6-211, the non-custodial parent receives a 50% reduction for each child during periods when the child stays with them for at least 25 of any 30 consecutive days of extended parent-time, or a 25% reduction for at least 12 of any 30 consecutive days. The statute states that this reduction does not apply to parents with joint physical custody obligations calculated under Section 81-6-206.

How long does ORS have to collect past-due child support?

ORS can collect past-due support for up to four years after the last child turns 18. After that period, collection through ORS becomes limited, though private collection efforts may still be possible through the courts.

What are the criminal penalties for not paying child support in Utah?

Criminal nonsupport is generally a class A misdemeanor. It escalates to a third-degree felony (up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine) if the parent has prior convictions, committed the offense from out of state, failed to pay in 18 or more months within a 24-month period, or owes more than $10,000 in arrears.