Utah Child Custody

Children are often the most affected parties of a divorce. Utah law encourages couples, as much as possible, to make decisions on child support and custody by themselves. The court will usually approve any reasonable arrangements made by the couple. Utah child custody can be Sole Legal and Sole Physical or Joint Legal and Joint Physical or Joint Legal and Sole Physical. Parents can decide on any child custody or visitation arrangements that they feel are in the best interests of the children and the court will allow that arrangement to be part of the divorce decree.

Sole Legal or Sole Physical means either party can be awarded the sole custody of children. Utah child custody laws in this case decree that one parent has physical custody of the children and also makes important decisions about the children’s lives. When sole custody is awarded, the non custodial parent is awarded visitation with the children. There is a standard schedule available, but parents can create any visitation schedule that they feel is appropriate for them and the children. They are always on the best interests of the children.

Joint Legal and Joint Physical custody means both parents make important decisions concerning a child’s life and share physical time with the children. This arrangement works well when the parents communicate well with one another and are willing to put individual difference aside to take care of the children’s needs.

Utah child custody laws also allow Joint Legal and Sole Physical custody. Here, children live with one parent and the other has visitation rights. Both parents are involved in making decisions affecting the child.