Utah Child Support Calculator

How Utah Calculates Child Support

Utah determines child support using the Income Shares Model, the standard set out in Utah Code § 78B-12-301. Under this model, the incomes of both parents are combined to estimate what they would have spent on the children if the family were intact, and that total obligation is then divided between them in proportion to each parent's share of the combined income.

The calculator above applies that formula to the income and expense figures you enter and shows each step of the math, so you can see exactly how the estimate is built. Because every order ultimately runs through a judge, the guideline figure is a starting point rather than a guaranteed result — the sections below explain what goes into it and where real orders can differ.

Key Rules Behind the Utah Formula

• 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 Counts as Income

Child support guidelines are built on each parent's income, so the figure you enter matters more than any other input. Most states start from a broad definition of gross income that includes wages, salary, tips, commissions, bonuses, self-employment earnings, and many forms of government benefits, then subtract specific deductions to reach the income the formula actually uses.

Utah's rules under Utah Code § 78B-12-301 spell out which deductions apply and whether the formula runs on gross or net income. The calculator's field labels tell you which figure to enter; when in doubt, use your most recent pay stubs and tax return, and confirm the details in the Utah child support laws guide.

How to Establish a Child Support Order in Utah

A child support obligation becomes enforceable only once a court or the state child support agency issues an order. Either parent can request one, and in Utah, as in every state, the local child support agency that operates under the federal Title IV-D program can open a case, locate the other parent, establish paternity if needed, and ask the court to set support using the guideline formula.

When you apply, expect to provide proof of income for both parents, the child's information, and details about health insurance and childcare costs — the same inputs this calculator uses. Running your numbers here first gives you a realistic idea of the order amount before you file.