Child Support

How Utah calculates child support

Utah uses income-shares guidelines: both parents' gross incomes are combined, a table sets the base obligation, and it is divided between the parents in proportion to income, adjusted for the custody arrangement.

What Utah law says

• The guidelines and when courts follow or deviate from them: Utah Code § 81-6-202.
• What counts as gross income, and when income is imputed to a parent: § 81-6-203.
• The base combined obligation: § 81-6-204, with calculations for sole (§ 81-6-205), joint (§ 81-6-206), and split (§ 81-6-207) physical custody.
• Medical expenses and insurance: § 81-6-208. Child care: § 81-6-209.
• A reduction for extended parent-time: § 81-6-211. Modification: § 81-6-212.

For a number, use the state's official calculator — it applies the current tables exactly: Utah Office of Recovery Services. Bring your last year's income records; gross monthly income drives everything.

Common questions

What if a parent won't work? Courts can impute income based on employment potential and work history (§ 81-6-203).

Can we agree to no support? Support belongs to the child; courts scrutinize deviations and must find them justified under § 81-6-202.