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Utah Law on Child Support

Utah Law on Child Support

In Utah, child support does include medical and dental expenses and health care insurance, and the courts also order the parents to share daycare and child care expenses while the custodial parent is working or undergoing any training. Unless ordered otherwise usually the parties are to split any out-of-pocket Medical Dental or health care expenses – including Health Care insurance premiums, if any.


Child support is always calculated by using the child support worksheet produced by the Office of Recovery Services in the Department of Health in the state of Utah. This worksheet generates inappropriate Utah child support obligation according to each spouse is gross income and some other factors, such as how many children there are, how many overnights are spent with which parent, and taxes and some other contributions.

Both parents are responsible for child support

Contrary to popular belief, Utah law requires that both parents financially support their child or children. Either or both parents may be ordered to pay child support. The Utah child support, or the court determines the amounts are unjust for a particular reason.

The child support calculator includes a formula to determine amount of support that each parent has to pay depending on the number of children, the income of both parties, and the custody Arrangement. You can estimate your fair share of support by using the state’s child support guidelines yourself or by contacting our office. We help people calculate child support all the time.

The guidelines are simply a fee schedule or formula. Parents are free to pay more than the amount given by the guidelines but not less, then, the Court must approve them out. Though a quart presumes that the number given by the guidelines is the appropriate amount of Child Support to a parent word the child. In those cases, Court will review a set of factors and may adjust the amount of support either up or down depending on the circumstances.


The most important thing to remember and making calculation is to use the gross income of book parents. To calculate the gross income take all income from all sources. This include salaries and wages, but also bonuses, rents, income from trust, and capital gains. Among each of these things, it also includes alimony received from previous marriages, Social Security. Gifts and prizes count to. There are few benefits that you can leave out a general assistance, housing subsidies, or welfare benefits. Primarily it is the gross income from your job.

Challenging the amount of Child Support

sometimes, the total amount given by the guidelines or the way that number is divided between the parents is not right or unfair. If you think support should be increased or decreased before the court issues the order, then you can ask a court to adjust it. Once you ask, a court will review all relevant factors, but especially the following, to adjust the amount of Child Support either up or down:


First, the court will review the parents standard of living and specific situation. Next, the parents relative wealth and income. Third, the court reviews the ability of the pain parent to earn. In some circumstances the court will order the parent to pay more than they earn simply because they are underemployed or unemployed. Next, the ability of the receiving parent to earn. This parent could also be found under employed or unemployed and be ordered to pay more than they make. Next, the ability of an incapacitated adult child to earn, or the child’s benefits if any. The needs of both parents and the child as well as the parents ages and whether each parent supports other children.

Child Support Lawyer Free Consultation

It’s always a good idea to have a family law attorney assist you with child support calculations. Should you need any assistance please call Ascent Law for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We will help you.

Michael R. Anderson, JD

Ascent Law LLC
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States

Telephone: (801) 676-5506