Utah Divorce With Children — Custody, Parenting Plan, and Child Support (2026)

Utah has robust child-related divorce requirements. The Divorce Orientation class must be completed before filing, and the Parenting Plan must meet Utah's detailed statutory requirements.

Step 1 — Divorce Orientation Class (Before Filing)

Utah Code § 30-3-11.3: Both parties must complete a Divorce Orientation class before filing when minor children are involved. No exceptions.

• Online and in-person options at utcourts.gov
• Certificate of completion required — file with Petition
• Typical duration: 2–4 hours
• Fee: $30–$50 per person
• Covers: impact of divorce on children, co-parenting, process overview, alternatives

Cannot file without it. The court clerk will not accept the Petition without Orientation certificates for both parties.

Utah Custody Framework

Legal Custody

• Joint legal custody: Both parents share major decisions about education, healthcare, religion, extracurricular activities — strongly preferred in Utah
• Sole legal custody: One parent — when joint custody would be detrimental (domestic violence, substance abuse, severe communication breakdown)

Physical Custody

• Primary physical custody: Child primarily lives with one parent; other has parent-time
• Joint physical custody: Equal or near-equal residential time

Best Interests of the Child — Utah Factors (Utah Code § 30-3-10)

Utah courts consider:

1. Past conduct and moral standards of each party
2. Which parent is more likely to act in the child's best interests
3. Which parent has had primary care and custody of the child
4. Geographical proximity of the homes
5. Preference of the child (if of sufficient age and maturity)
6. Benefit of keeping siblings together
7. Previous history of domestic violence or child abuse
8. Maturity of the parents and willingness to protect the parent-child relationship with the other parent
9. Ability of each parent to provide adequate care for the child

Domestic violence: Utah Code § 30-3-10(1) — courts must consider domestic violence; a finding of domestic violence creates a presumption against awarding custody to the perpetrator.

Parenting Plan — Utah's Detailed Requirements

Utah requires a comprehensive Parenting Plan that meets specific statutory criteria (Utah Code § 30-3-10.8). This is one of the more detailed requirements in the country.

Required elements:

• Designation of legal custody (joint or sole)
• Primary residence and regular parent-time schedule
• Utah standard parent-time schedule (Utah Code § 30-3-35) or a custom schedule that meets minimum parent-time standards
• Holiday and vacation schedule
• Transportation and exchange logistics (including location, time, transportation responsibility)
• Healthcare decision-making and notification procedures
• Educational decisions
• Communication protocols between parents (frequency, method)
• Provisions for relocation — Utah has specific relocation notice requirements (Utah Code § 30-3-37)
• Dispute resolution mechanism (mediation before court filing for parenting disputes)

Utah minimum parent-time: The non-custodial parent is entitled to minimum parent-time under Utah Code § 30-3-35 (roughly every other weekend plus mid-week visits) unless deviation is justified.

Child Support — Utah Guidelines (Utah Code § 78B-12-205)

Utah uses an income shares model:

1. Verify both parents' gross monthly income — use Financial Declaration
2. Combine incomes → apply Utah Child Support Table
3. Allocate each parent's share proportionally
4. Adjustments:
   • Health insurance premiums paid by each parent
   • Work-related childcare costs
   • Shared custody adjustment (if significant parent-time beyond minimum)

Duration: Utah child support generally continues to age 18 (or 21 if child is a full-time student — verify current law).

Income Withholding Order: Routinely issued; included in Decree.

Utah Child Support Calculator: Available at utcourts.gov — use this for the worksheet.

Financial Declaration — Required With Children

Both parties must file a Financial Declaration in all divorce cases, including those with children. Used to verify income for child support and alimony calculations.

Last reviewed: March 2026 | Divorce Orientation required before filing (Utah Code § 30-3-11.3) | Best interests: Utah Code § 30-3-10 | Joint legal custody preferred | Parenting Plan required — detailed: Utah Code § 30-3-10.8 | Minimum parent-time: Utah Code § 30-3-35 | Utah Child Support Guidelines: Utah Code § 78B-12-205 | Financial Declaration required | Domestic violence: Utah Code § 30-3-10(1) | utcourts.gov/en/self-help/divorce.html

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.