Utah Child Support Calculator & Guide (2025)

Overview of Utah Child Support

Utah uses the Income Shares Model under Utah Code §78B-12-301. This model estimates the total amount of support that would have been available to the child if the parents had remained together, then divides that responsibility between the parents proportionally based on their incomes.

Utah's approach uses adjusted gross income and provides a self-support reserve to protect low-income obligors. The state also offers parent-time adjustments for parents who have significant visitation with their children.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Utah

The Utah child support formula works as follows:

1. Determine each parent's adjusted gross income: Gross income from all sources minus certain allowable deductions
2. Combine both parents' incomes to find the total household income
3. Look up the base support obligation from the Utah child support guidelines table based on combined income and number of children
4. Allocate each parent's share proportionally based on their percentage of the combined income
5. Add health insurance premiums and childcare costs to the base obligation
6. Apply any adjustments such as parent-time credits or low-income provisions

Key Factors in Utah Calculations

Adjusted Gross Income

Utah uses adjusted gross income for child support calculations. This includes income from all sources such as wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, and investment income. Certain deductions are allowed, including federal and state income taxes, Social Security, and Medicare.

Self-Support Reserve

Utah provides a self-support reserve of $1,064 per month (2024). If the obligor parent's income falls at or near this level, their support obligation may be reduced to ensure they can meet their own basic living needs.

Parent-Time Adjustments

Utah allows for parent-time adjustments when the non-custodial parent has extended visitation. The more overnight stays the parent has, the greater the potential reduction in their support obligation.

Minimum and Maximum Amounts

Minimum: While Utah does not have a fixed statutory minimum, the self-support reserve protects low-income parents from excessive obligations.

High-income cases: For combined incomes above the guideline table, the court has discretion to determine an appropriate support amount based on the child's needs and the parents' ability to pay.

Modification and Enforcement

Modification

Utah allows modification when:

• There has been a substantial and material change in circumstances
• A significant change in either parent's income occurs
• Custody or parent-time arrangements change significantly
• The child's needs change materially

Enforcement

The Utah Office of Recovery Services enforces child support through:

• Income withholding from paychecks
• Tax refund interception
• Driver's license suspension
• Professional license suspension
• Credit bureau reporting
• Contempt of court proceedings
• Liens on property and financial accounts

Get your Utah estimate: Use our free Utah child support calculator to see what you might owe or receive under Utah guidelines.