Life is full of changes—new jobs, job losses, remarriages, relocations—and those changes can significantly affect your financial circumstances when your income changes, your existing child support order might no longer reflect your ability to pay or your child's actual needs.
You're not alone if you’re wondering whether it’s time to update your child support arrangement. At Pearson Butler, we frequently help parents across Utah navigate the legal process of modifying child support to better reflect current realities.
When Can You Request a Child Support Modification in Utah?
In Utah, child support is not set in stone. State law allows a parent to request a modification under certain circumstances. However, you must meet specific criteria before the court will consider a change.
There are generally two types of modifications in Utah:
- Simplified modifications are allowed when it’s been three or more years since the last order and there's a 10% or more difference between the current amount and what would be ordered today
- Immediate modifications are available when there has been a substantial change in circumstances, regardless of how much time has passed.
Some common qualifying changes include:
- A significant increase or decrease in either parent’s income
- A change in the child’s physical custody arrangement
- One parent becomes responsible for more children
- A parent’s loss of employment or retirement
- The child is developing new medical or educational needs
Even if both parents agree informally to a change, you must get court approval to enforce the new arrangement legally.
How Does the Process Work?
To begin the process, you must file a petition to modify child support with the court. You must include updated financial information for both parties, and in most cases, the court will use Utah’s child support guidelines to calculate a new amount.
If you and your co-parent agree on the new terms, you can submit a stipulation, and the court will often approve the change without a hearing. If there’s no agreement, the case may proceed to mediation or a court hearing, where a judge will determine whether a modification is warranted.
Keep in mind that modifications are not retroactive—they begin only after you file the request. That’s why it’s important to act quickly if your situation changes.
What If You're the Receiving Parent?
Child support modifications don’t just apply to the paying parent. If you are the custodial parent and believe your child’s needs have increased or the paying parent’s income has increased significantly, you can also petition the court for a modification.
Whether your child now requires therapy, private schooling, or has unexpected medical expenses, these are legitimate reasons to reassess the current support order.
Protecting Your Child’s Best Interests
The Utah courts are always guided by one principle: the child's best interests. Child support is designed to ensure that children maintain financial stability, regardless of what’s happening between the parents.
If your current order no longer meets that goal, seeking a change is appropriate—and often necessary. However, pursuing a modification can be confusing, especially when emotions or cooperation is low. Having an experienced Utah family law attorney on your side can make the process smoother and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Child Support Attorneys in Utah
If your financial situation has changed, or if you believe your child’s needs are not being met under your current support order, Pearson Butler is here to help. Our family law team is experienced in Utah child support modification cases and can guide you through each step with clarity and compassion. Contact us today at (800) 265-2314 to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a fair and appropriate support arrangement.
