Modifications

Changing an order after the decree

Decrees are final, but custody, parent-time, child support, and alimony can all be modified when circumstances genuinely change.

What Utah law says

• Custody and parent-time: modification standards and enforcement, including remedies for denied parent-time, are in Utah Code § 81-9-208; relocation notice in § 81-9-209.
• Child support: modification and periodic adjustment under §§ 81-6-212 and 81-6-213.
• Alimony: modification under § 81-4-504; automatic termination events — including the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation — under § 81-4-505.

Common questions

How big a change is enough? Substantial and material, and for custody, not contemplated by the existing decree. A new job schedule can qualify; ordinary friction does not.

Can we just agree to the change? Yes — stipulated modifications still need to be entered by the court to be enforceable.