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Utah Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator

Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 16, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 16, 2026. · 19 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content

Utah Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator

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.

Utah Child Support Calculator

Estimate your child support obligation under Utah Code § 78B-12-301. This calculator provides a step-by-step breakdown with statute citations.

Utah Child Support Calculator

This state uses the Income Shares model, which considers both parents' income to determine a combined obligation, then splits it proportionally.

Based on Utah Code § 78B-12-301 · Effective September 1, 2024

Income

The obligor is the parent who pays child support — typically the non-custodial parent.

$

Monthly income BEFORE taxes (taxes are never subtracted). Subtract only court-ordered support or maintenance actually paid for other cases.

The obligee is the parent who receives child support — typically the custodial parent.

$

Monthly income BEFORE taxes (taxes are never subtracted). Subtract only court-ordered support or maintenance actually paid for other cases.

Children
Additional Expenses
$

Monthly health insurance premium covering the children

$

Monthly childcare costs due to employment or education

Parenting Time

Number of overnight stays per year with obligor (111+ triggers joint custody adjustment per Utah Code § 78B-12-208)

Enter income details to see your estimate

How Utah Calculates Child Support

  • Utah's guidelines run on ADJUSTED GROSS income: income taxes and FICA are never subtracted. The only adjustments to gross income are items like court-ordered child support or maintenance a parent actually pays for other cases. Enter income before taxes.
  • Utah uses the Income Shares model under Utah Code § 78B-12-301, combining both parents' adjusted gross incomes to determine the basic child support obligation from a statutory table.
  • Each parent's share of the obligation is proportional to their percentage of the combined adjusted gross income.
  • A joint physical custody adjustment applies when the obligor has 111 or more overnights per year (Utah Code § 78B-12-208), using a separate worksheet that accounts for shared parenting time.
  • Health insurance premiums and work-related childcare costs for the children are added to the basic obligation and divided proportionally between parents.
  • Utah defines "adjusted gross income" as gross income minus alimony previously ordered, child support for other children, and one-half of self-employment taxes.
  • Split custody provisions apply when each parent has physical custody of at least one child, with support calculated separately for each household.
  • Courts may deviate from the guidelines upon a finding of material change in circumstances or if application would be unjust, inequitable, or inappropriate.

What Is the Average Child Support Payment in Utah?

Estimated Average Monthly Payment

$917/month

Estimated Annual Total

$11,004/year

Utah does not publish an official “average” child support payment. This estimate was calculated using the Utah guideline formula above with median income data from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 — Utah Median Earnings. Your actual amount will differ — use the calculator above with your own numbers for a personalized estimate.

Assumptions used in this estimate
  • Obligor gross monthly income of $4,250 before taxes (Utah median full-time earnings, Census ACS 2024)
  • Obligee gross monthly income of $3,300 before taxes (Utah median female full-time earnings)
  • 2 children
  • $200/month for children's health insurance
  • No childcare costs; 52 overnights/year with obligor (below joint custody threshold)

Data year: 2024

Important Legal Disclaimer

This calculator provides an estimate only based on Utah's child support guidelines. Actual court-ordered amounts may differ based on factors not captured here, including special needs, shared custody arrangements, travel costs, and judicial discretion.

This is not legal advice. Consult a family law attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

View Official StatuteOfficial Utah CalculatorLast verified: August 21, 2026

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Updates

Corrected the extended parent-time reduction to Utah Code Section 81-6-211 (there is no Section 81-6-216), added the statutory carve-out that the reduction does not apply to joint physical custody orders, replaced the incorrect "$1,951 or less" low-income-table threshold with the actual lesser-of calculation under Section 81-6-205(4), and moved the deviation factors to Section 81-6-202(6) with the two misstated factors corrected.

Corrected the low-income table threshold bullet to obligor's adjusted gross monthly income of $1,951 (it previously said gross income, contradicting the article's own FAQ).

Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes

Governing law re-checked for recent changes

Reviewed and approved by an editor

Sources and References

  1. Utah Code Title 81, Chapter 6, Part 2 - Calculation and Adjustment of Child Support(le.utah.gov).gov
  2. Utah Code Section 81-6-202 - Application of Child Support Guidelines(le.utah.gov).gov
  3. Utah Code Section 81-6-212 - Modification of Child Support Order(le.utah.gov).gov
  4. Utah Code Section 81-6-216 - Extended Parenting Time Reduction(le.utah.gov).gov
  5. Utah Code Section 81-6-304 - Base Combined Child Support Obligation Table(le.utah.gov).gov
  6. Utah Code Section 81-6-303 - Low-Income Table(le.utah.gov).gov
  7. Utah Code Section 76-7-201 - Criminal Nonsupport(le.utah.gov).gov
  8. Apply for Child Support - Utah Office of Recovery Services(ors.utah.gov).gov
  9. Enforcement Tools - Utah Office of Recovery Services(ors.utah.gov).gov
  10. Utah Child Support Calculator - Office of Recovery Services(orscsc.dhs.utah.gov).gov
  11. Modifying Child Support - Utah Courts(utcourts.gov).gov
  12. Child Support - Utah Courts Self-Help(utcourts.gov).gov
  13. HB 463 - Child Support Modifications (2025 General Session)(le.utah.gov).gov
  14. SB 95 - Domestic Relations Recodification (2024 General Session)(le.utah.gov).gov
  15. Passport Denial Program - Administration for Children and Families(acf.gov).gov
  16. Utah Code Title 81, Chapter 6 - Child Support(le.utah.gov).gov
  17. Utah Code Section 81-6-305 - Low-income table (orders entered on or after January 1, 2023)(le.utah.gov).gov
  18. Utah Code Section 81-6-209 - Work-related childcare expenses(le.utah.gov).gov
  19. SB 257 - Domestic Relations Amendments (2026)(le.utah.gov).gov
  20. Utah Code Section 81-6-211 - Reduction for extended parent-time(le.utah.gov)
  21. Utah Code Section 81-6-205 - Sole physical custody, obligation calculations(le.utah.gov)
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