Loading...
Learn how Utah calculates child support, including income, parenting time, health insurance, and childcare. Step-by-step with forms and tips.

How does Utah calculate child support?

UTAH LAW

Child Support in Utah How It’s Calculated Step by Step

A plain-English guide to income, parenting time, health insurance, childcare, the official calculator, and when you can modify orders

Utah Law Explained breaks down how Utah calculates child support so you can file confidently and avoid mistakes.

Utah uses a formula that balances both parents’ financial responsibilities with the child’s best interests. The key inputs are each parent’s income, the number of overnights in each home, and add-ons like health insurance and work-related childcare. Below we explain each factor, link to the official calculator and forms, and flag common pitfalls.

01

The Core Inputs

Utah’s guidelines apply the same framework to every case, then tailor results to your numbers.

💵

Gross Monthly Income

Includes wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, and other income. Courts may “impute” income if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed without good cause.

🛏️

Parenting Time (Overnights)

Support adjusts based on annual overnights: Sole (<111), Joint (≥111 each), or Split (each parent has at least one child).

🏥

Health & Childcare Add-Ons

Premiums and work-related childcare are added to base support and divided by each parent’s share of combined income.

📄

Official Worksheets

Numbers are entered into Utah’s worksheets/calculator, generating an official form to file with the court.

02

Income Definitions

Gross monthly income covers wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, and sometimes rental or self-employment income. The court may impute income if a parent’s earning capacity is higher than what they report and there is no good reason for reduced earnings.

Common mistake: forgetting irregular income like bonuses or seasonal overtime. Gather pay stubs, W-2s/1099s, and recent tax returns before you calculate.

03

Parenting Time & Overnights

Custody Categories

Sole: Noncustodial parent has fewer than 111 overnights per year.
Joint: Each parent has at least 111 overnights per year.
Split: Each parent has custody of at least one child.

Why Overnights Matter

Impact: Even small differences in overnight counts can meaningfully change the final support amount.
Tip: Use a shared calendar to track nights precisely and avoid disputes later.

Health Insurance & Childcare

Premiums: Add the child’s portion of health premiums to the worksheet, then split by income share.
Work Childcare: Include only employment-related childcare expenses. Unreimbursed medical costs are usually allocated separately.

Documentation

Bring: Proof of income, insurance invoices, childcare invoices, and your overnight log when you file or appear in court.
04

Using Utah’s Child Support Calculator

Utah provides free worksheets and an online calculator. Enter each parent’s income, the number of children, and overnights to generate an official worksheet you can file with the court.

Keep Current Use the latest versions. Worksheets are updated periodically.

Common mistakes: forgetting bonuses, miscounting overnights, or omitting childcare/insurance costs. Double-check before filing.

05

Modifying a Child Support Order

Orders can be modified when there’s a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, a shift in custody/overnights, or new childcare or health-related costs. In many cases, orders can be reviewed every three years to ensure they remain fair.

Tip: Gather documentation for the change and re-run the calculator before you file a modification request.

06

Video & Social Learning Hub

Key Takeaways

Utah calculates support using gross income, parenting-time overnights, and add-ons for health insurance and work-related childcare.

Accurate overnight counts can significantly change the result. Track nights precisely.

Use the official calculator and current forms. Modify orders if circumstances change.

This page is legal information, not legal advice. When in doubt, get counsel before you file.

Next Step

Ready to calculate or update support? Gather income documents, count overnights carefully, and generate your worksheet with Utah’s calculator.

Talk to a Utah Family Law Attorney

A short consult can help you avoid common errors, set expectations, and decide if a modification makes sense.

Utah Law Explained is built to make Utah law simple and approachable. We publish plain-English guides on family law, housing, consumer rights, employment, and small business so ordinary Utahns have the tools to make informed decisions.

Team ULE - All Rights Reserved 2024