Support in Utah (2026)

Utah’s Fault-Based Alimony: A Distinctive Feature

Before diving into child support calculations, it is worth highlighting that Utah is one of a minority of states that permits courts to consider marital fault when determining alimony. Under Utah Code Section 30-3-5, conduct such as adultery, abandonment, or cruelty may affect whether alimony is awarded and for how long. This feature makes Utah’s support framework particularly fact-dependent and can create strategic considerations that differ from the majority of states.

How Utah Calculates Child Support

Utah uses an income shares model for child support, codified in Utah Code Title 78B, Chapter 12. The model reflects the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received had the family remained intact.

The calculation starts with each parent’s adjusted gross income. Gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, pensions, Social Security benefits, trust income, rental income, business income, and other sources. Adjustments are made for alimony paid or received and for the natural or adopted children of either parent who are not subject to the current support order.

The parents’ combined adjusted gross income is applied to the child support obligation table published by the Office of Recovery Services under Utah Code Section 78B-12-301. The table produces a base support obligation, which is then divided proportionally between the parents based on their share of the combined income. The parent without primary physical custody typically pays their share to the custodial parent.

For more on how income shares models work, see our guide on how child support is calculated. You can also estimate your potential obligation using our child support calculator.

The 111-Overnight Threshold for Shared Custody

When parents share physical custody — generally defined as each parent having the child for at least 111 overnights per year (approximately 30% of the time) — Utah applies an adjusted calculation. Each parent’s theoretical obligation is calculated, and the parent with the higher obligation pays the net difference to the other parent. This adjustment recognizes that both households incur direct expenses when the child resides with each parent.

The 111-overnight threshold is specific to Utah and is a key number for parents negotiating custody schedules. Crossing this threshold can significantly change the child support amount owed.

In split custody arrangements, where each parent has primary physical custody of one or more children, the court calculates each parent’s support obligation for the child in the other parent’s custody and offsets the amounts.

Deviation from Guidelines

The guidelines amount is presumptive, but the court may deviate from it when strict application would be unjust, inappropriate, or not in the best interest of the child. Deviation factors under Utah Code Section 78B-12-210 include:

• The standard of living and situation of the parties
• The relative wealth and income of the parties
• The ability of the obligor and obligee to earn
• The needs of the obligor, the obligee, and the child
• The ages of the parties and the child
• Responsibility of the obligor for the support of others
• Extraordinary medical or educational expenses of the child
• Shared physical custody arrangements

When the court deviates, it must make findings of fact that justify the departure.

Duration of Child Support

Child support in Utah continues until the child turns 18, or until the child graduates from high school during the child’s normal and expected year of graduation, whichever occurs later, but not past age 19. Support also terminates upon the child’s marriage, emancipation, or entry into active military service.

Alimony in Utah

Utah courts award alimony under Utah Code Section 30-3-5. The court evaluates alimony based on several statutory factors:

• The financial condition and needs of the recipient spouse
• The recipient’s earning capacity or ability to produce income
• The ability of the payor spouse to provide support
• The length of the marriage
• Whether the recipient spouse has custody of minor children requiring support
• Whether the recipient spouse worked in a business owned or operated by the payor spouse
• Whether the recipient spouse directly contributed to any increase in the payor spouse’s skill by paying for education or training
• The standard of living at the time of separation
• The fault of the parties in the breakup of the marriage

As a general rule, the duration of alimony may not exceed the length of the marriage, though courts may deviate from this limit in extraordinary circumstances. Alimony terminates upon the death of either party, the remarriage of the recipient, or the establishment of a cohabitation relationship by the recipient as defined by statute.

Modification and Enforcement

Either party may petition for modification of child support or alimony by demonstrating a substantial material change in circumstances that was not foreseeable at the time of the original order.

Utah employs a robust set of enforcement tools for non-compliance:

• Income withholding (wage garnishment)
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s, professional, and recreational licenses
• Contempt of court, which may result in fines or incarceration
• Liens on real and personal property
• Passport denial for arrearages exceeding $2,500
• Credit bureau reporting
• Bank account levies

The Office of Recovery Services within the Utah Department of Health and Human Services assists with establishing, enforcing, and modifying support orders.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Utah’s child support guidelines and alimony framework involve detailed financial calculations and multiple statutory factors. The state’s consideration of fault in alimony determinations and its specific rules on duration make each case fact-dependent. If you are establishing, modifying, or enforcing a support order, consider scheduling a free consultation with a family law attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

What child support model does Utah use?

Utah uses an income shares model under Utah Code Title 78B, Chapter 12. Both parents’ adjusted gross incomes are combined and applied to the child support obligation table published by the Office of Recovery Services. Each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income.

How does shared custody affect child support in Utah?

When each parent has the child for at least 111 overnights per year (approximately 30% of the time), Utah applies an adjusted calculation. Each parent’s theoretical obligation is calculated, and the parent with the higher obligation pays the net difference.

Until what age does child support last in Utah?

Child support continues until the child turns 18, or until the child graduates from high school during their normal and expected year of graduation, whichever occurs later, but not past age 19.

Can fault affect alimony in Utah?

Yes. Utah is one of the states that permits courts to consider marital fault when determining alimony. Conduct such as adultery, abandonment, or cruelty may affect the amount or duration of an award. Alimony terminates upon remarriage, cohabitation, or death of either party.

What is the 111-overnight threshold?

When a parent has the child for at least 111 overnights per year (roughly 30% of the time), Utah’s shared-custody child support formula applies instead of the standard calculation. This threshold can significantly reduce the support amount because it recognizes that both households bear direct child-related expenses.

Can the alimony duration exceed the length of the marriage?

Generally no. Utah law provides that the duration of alimony may not exceed the length of the marriage. However, courts may deviate from this limit in extraordinary circumstances where strict application would be unjust.

How This Guide Was Researched

This guide was developed through direct review of Utah Code Title 78B, Chapter 12 (Sections 78B-12-101 through 78B-12-302), which governs child support calculation, the obligation table, and deviation factors. Alimony provisions were reviewed under Utah Code Section 30-3-5, including the fault consideration and duration limits. We also consulted the child support obligation tables and guidelines published by the Utah Office of Recovery Services, official court forms for support petitions and modifications, and informational materials from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services child support enforcement program.

Sources and Legal References

• UCA §§ 78B-12-101 through 78B-12-302 — Child support guidelines, income shares model, obligation table, and deviation standards
• UCA § 78B-12-301 — Child support obligation table (published by Office of Recovery Services)
• UCA § 78B-12-210 — Deviation factors for departing from presumptive guidelines amount
• UCA § 30-3-5 — Alimony factors, fault consideration, duration limits, termination upon remarriage or cohabitation

Official Utah Resources

• Utah Courts — Divorce
• Utah Courts — Self-Help

For more about how we research our guides, see our editorial policy and sources methodology.

Related Guides

• How child support is calculated
• Child support calculator
• Child custody in Utah
• Divorce in Utah
• Modifying child support orders
• How alimony works
• 50/50 custody and its effect on support