Did Utah's child support law change recently?

The framework was recodified effective September 1, 2024, moving all provisions from Title 78B, Chapter 12 to Title 81, Chapter 6 of the Utah Domestic Relations Code. The substantive guidelines stayed the same, but every section number changed, for example, former § 78B-12-301 became § 81-6-304.

How do I request a modification in Utah?

A judge may adjust support if circumstances have changed enough to produce a 15% difference between the current obligation and what the guidelines would now require, as long as the difference isn't temporary. If both parents agree, the modification can often be approved without a hearing; otherwise the court may schedule mediation or a short hearing.

How is child support enforced in Utah?

Most orders require payment via income withholding, with the court entering an order requiring the paying parent to arrange withholding through their employer unless the parties agree to another method. Utah's Office of Recovery Services (ORS) can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds and government payments, place liens on property, and suspend licenses.

Utah, United States

Utah Child Support: A Parent's Guide

Q: How is child support calculated in Utah?

Using the Income Shares Model: the court combines both parents' gross monthly incomes and looks up a basic child support obligation in the state's statutory schedule. Each parent is responsible for a share of that obligation equal to their share of the combined income.

Q: What counts as income for the calculation?

The court evaluates both parents' gross monthly income, including wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment earnings, rental income, and government benefits like Social Security or unemployment compensation. All income sources must be considered, including imputed income if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.

How child support works in Utah, in plain English: the income shares guidelines, the 15% modification rule, and withholding enforcement.

Legal sources reviewed: August 10, 2026

On this page

In short: Utah's Income Shares Model was recodified in 2024 into a new section of the state code, though the substantive guidelines stayed the same. A 15% difference between the current order and a fresh guideline calculation supports a modification, and enforcement, largely through income withholding, is administered by the Office of Recovery Services (ORS).

This is an educational overview written for parents, not lawyers. It isn't legal advice. For anything beyond general understanding, talk to a licensed Utah family law attorney.

What Utah generally provides

Utah determines child support using the Income Shares Model: the court combines both parents' gross monthly incomes and looks up a basic child support obligation in the state's statutory schedule, with each parent responsible for a share equal to their portion of the combined income.

Important terminology

Title 81, Chapter 6: Utah's current child support code location, effective September 1, 2024, formerly Title 78B, Chapter 12.
ORS: the Utah Office of Recovery Services, responsible for enforcement.
15% difference rule: the general threshold Utah applies for a non-temporary change to support the modification.

How the calculation works

Combining gross monthly income

The court evaluates both parents' gross monthly income, covering wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment earnings, rental income, and government benefits like Social Security or unemployment compensation. All income sources must be considered, including imputed income where a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.

A 2024 recodification, not a substantive change

Effective September 1, 2024, Utah moved its entire child support statutory framework from Title 78B, Chapter 12 to Title 81, Chapter 6 of the Domestic Relations Code. The substantive guidelines remain the same, but every section number changed, for example, the former § 78B-12-301 became § 81-6-304, worth knowing if you're cross-referencing an older document or case citation.

Requesting or defending a modification

A judge may adjust support where circumstances have changed enough to produce a 15% difference between the current obligation and what the guidelines would now calculate, as long as that difference isn't temporary. If both parents agree to the change, it can often be approved without a hearing; if not, the court may schedule mediation or a short hearing to resolve it. See the child support calculator and guideline finder for jurisdiction-specific calculation sources and guidance.

How enforcement works

Most Utah support orders require payment via income withholding: the court enters an order requiring the paying parent to arrange withholding through their employer, unless the parties have agreed to another payment method (common for self-employed parents, for example). Utah's Office of Recovery Services (ORS) can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds and certain government payments, place liens on property, suspend licenses, and coordinate with other states if the paying parent relocates. A motion to enforce child support asks the court to confirm arrears, require payment, and often impose income withholding where it isn't already in place.

Common questions

Do the old section numbers still work for finding Utah's child support law? Not directly, everything moved to Title 81, Chapter 6 as of September 1, 2024, though the substance of the guidelines didn't change, only the citations.

Does a temporary income dip qualify for a modification? Generally not, Utah's 15% rule specifically excludes temporary differences, the change needs to reflect a lasting shift in circumstances.

What if my co-parent isn't paying? Contact Utah's Office of Recovery Services (ORS), or file a motion to enforce with the court to confirm arrears and compel payment.

Practical considerations

Because Utah's 2024 recodification changed every section number without changing the underlying rules, be cautious with older resources or attorney letters that cite the pre-2024 Title 78B sections, confirm you're looking at the current Title 81 citation for anything you rely on. For the custody rules that intersect with the parenting-time side of a Utah support case, see the Utah custody guide.

Official Utah resources

FAQ

Questions, answered

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Family law varies by individual circumstances and may change over time. Consult a qualified attorney or appropriate official resource for advice about your situation.