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.