Utah child support laws

Utah child support laws provide guidelines that the court will use to calculate a parent’s obligation for child support. The guidelines have three components: base child support, child care expenses and medical care. A combined support obligation is determined which is then shared between parents according to their incomes. Utah child support laws state that the non custodial parent must pay the child support to the custodial parent.

The guidelines also specify that parents are required to provide medical insurance coverage for minor children, if it is available and to share the costs of the premium in addition to sharing any non insured medical expenses. Utah child support laws also require parents to share work related child care expenses. Child support continues till the child turns18 and completes high school. Either parent may petition to increase or decrease the child support obligation, if there are any significant changes in the income or in circumstances since the decree of divorce.

The Utah courts usually set the child support according to the guidelines, but in unusual circumstances, a different amount may be ordered. The parents can agree on amounts that meet the child support guidelines, but courts must approve it before it can be enforced. Unless the parents agree to another method of payment, the court may order the non custodial parent’s employer to withhold the child support amount from the parent’s earnings. Custodial parents are not allowed to withhold rights of (visitation) if child support is not being paid. Child support can also not be withheld if parent time is being denied.

Utah Child Visitation

Utah child visitation laws are flexible, they allow the parents to fashion any custody or visitation arrangement that are in the best interests of the children. Child custody can be Sole Legal and Sole Physical or Joint Legal and Joint Physical or Joint Legal and Sole Physical. In Sole Legal and Sole Physical custody, one parent has the physical custody and the right to make important decisions about the children’s lives. The non custodial parent is allowed visitation rights with the children. The standard Utah child visitation schedule allows for weekly contact, alternating weekends, alternating holidays, and overnights for children five or older. Parents can customize the schedule to one that is appropriate for them and the kids. Schedules often vary depending on the age of the children and how far apart the parents live.

A Joint Legal and Joint Physical arrangement is one where both parents make important decisions about the children. Joint legal custody does not affect the physical residence of the children. Joint physical custody means that the parents share physical time with children who live in both homes. It is feasible only when the parents live in the same town or at least in the general area. 

In Joint Legal and Sole Physical custody, though the important decisions regarding children’s lives are made jointly, the physical custody is with one parent. Utah child visitation laws grant the other party regular parent time. Parents can fashion any custody or visitation arrangement, but when they cannot agree the minimum visitation schedule is set by statute.

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.