When a marriage ends in Utah, splitting up the finances usually comes down to two separate conversations: alimony (money paid to support an ex-spouse) and child support (money paid to care for the kids).
Even though both involve monthly payments, the court calculates them completely differently. One is based on a strict mathematical formula, while the other is based on fairness and individual circumstances.
How Child Support Works in Utah
While alimony is flexible, child support in Utah is strictly mathematical. Utah uses an “Income Shares” model. The basic idea is simple: your kids should get the same financial support from both parents that they would have received if everyone still lived under one roof.
The Standard Calculator
Utah uses state-mandated tables and worksheets to figure out the exact dollar amount based on three pieces of information:
- Both parents’ gross income: The court adds both parents’ monthly earnings (before taxes) together.
- How many children you have: Support scales up for each child.
- Where the kids sleep (Overnights):
- Full/Primary Custody: If the kids stay with one parent for 255 or more nights a year, the other parent pays the standard full support rate.
- Joint Custody: If both parents have the kids for at least 111 nights a year, the support payment drops for the higher earner because they are paying for groceries, housing, and care directly while the kids are with them.
Mandatory Extra Expenses
The monthly child support payment only covers basic day-to-day living costs (like food, housing, and clothes). Utah law requires parents to split three additional expenses on top of base child support:
- Daycare/Childcare: Costs for work- or school-related childcare are usually split 50/50.
- Health Insurance: The cost of adding the kids to a health insurance plan is shared between both parents.
- Out-of-Pocket Medical Bills: Co-pays, deductibles, braces, and emergency visits are typically divided 50/50.
What Happens if a Parent Quits Their Job or Refuses to Work?
Courts regularly see situations where someone tries to quit their job, cut their hours, or take a lower-paying gig to lower their child support or boost their alimony demand.
In Utah, judges don’t let this slide. If someone is intentionally underemployed or unemployed, the court will “impute” income. This means the judge assigns a realistic income figure to that person based on their work history, skills, and current local job market—and calculates support as if they are actually making that money.
Next in this seriesPart 2 of 2: How alimony works in Utah