Utah Child Support Guidelines

By Olivia Wathne, Esq. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed June 11, 2025

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Under Utah law, family courts determine the amount of child support a non-custodial parent is required to pay using the state’s child support guidelines. These guidelines consider factors such as both parents' gross monthly incomes, the number of children involved, and the terms of child custody arrangements.

The amount of child support determined under Utah child support laws aims to provide adequate financial support for children in the care and custody of the custodial parent. Child support payments are based on these established guidelines to ensure fair and consistent support that addresses the child's needs and welfare.

Child Support Considerations

The court will follow the child support guidelines unless there is substantial evidence to rebut the guidelines. To determine whether or not to deviate from the guidelines, the court will consider the following:

  • The standard of living of the parents
  • Both parents' income and relative wealth
  • The ability of the non-custodial parent to earn
  • The ability of the custodial parent to earn
  • The ability of an incapacitated adult child to earn, or other benefits received by an adult child
  • The needs of the custodial parent, the non-custodial parent, and the child
  • The ages of the parties
  • The responsibilities of the custodial parent and the non-custodial parent for the support of others

The following chart outlines the main aspects of Utah's child support guidelines. For information on other related topics, check out FindLaw's Child Support Law Center.

Utah Child Support Guidelines Code Section

Utah Code Section 81-6-202 (Child Support Guidelines)

What Qualifies as Gross Income Under Utah Child Support Guidelines?

Gross income includes prospective income from any source. This can include the following:

  • Salaries
  • Wages
  • Commissions
  • Royalties
  • Bonuses
  • Rental income
  • Gifts
  • Prizes
  • Dividends
  • Severance pay
  • Interest
  • Alimony from a previous marriage
  • Social Security benefits

Gross income doesn't include means-tested welfare benefits that a parent receives.

What's Adjusted Gross Income?

Adjusted gross income is calculated by subtracting alimony payments and child support payments from the parent's gross income.

Calculation of Obligations for Utah Child Support

Each parent's child support obligation is established in proportion to their adjusted gross income by following these steps:

  • Step 1: Combine the adjusted gross incomes of the parents
  • Step 2: Look up the base combined child support obligation on the Utah Child Support Obligation Chart
  • Step 3: Take the appropriate figure from the chart and multiply it by each parent's percentage of the combined adjusted gross income

Exceptions Under Utah Child Support Guidelines

The court may deviate from the Utah child support guidelines if either of the following applies:

  • The parents have joint physical custody or split custody
  • The non-custodial parent's adjusted gross income is $1,050 or less per month

Imputed Income

In Utah, if a parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute an income for the parent to perform the child support calculations. Imputed income is based on employment potential and probable earnings. This figure is calculated from employment opportunities, work history, occupation qualifications, and prevailing earnings for people of similar backgrounds in the community.

If a parent doesn't have recent work history or if their occupation is unknown, the court can impute income on the parent at the federal minimum wage for a 40-hour workweek. Income can't be imputed if any of the following conditions exist and aren't temporary:

  • The reasonable child care expenses for the parents' minor children equal or exceed the amount of income that the custodial parent can earn
  • A parent is physically or mentally unable to earn the minimum wage
  • The unusual emotional or physical needs of a child require the custodial parent to stay home and care for them

Parents experiencing significant changes in their life that affects their income can seek a child support modification. In general, the courts require there to be at least a 10% change in income to consider modification of the order. A Utah family law attorney can be a big help in this situation.

Additional Resources

Need Legal Advice on Utah’s Child Support Guidelines? Speak to an Attorney

State laws change frequently. For guidance specific to your custody case or child support order, it's a good idea to seek legal advice from a qualified family law attorney familiar with Utah's child support guidelines. A Utah attorney can provide case-specific information and help ensure compliance with current laws.

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