📅 2026 Update: Recent Changes in Utah Child Visitation Guidelines

Since the original article was published, several significant updates have taken place in Utah's child visitation laws. These changes affect custody determinations, child support adjustments, and guidelines for parents. For detailed information on the previous guidelines, please refer to the original article further down this page.

📜 Exclusive, Continuing Jurisdiction

Effective September 1, 2025, Utah courts now have exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over child custody cases. This means courts will maintain authority over custody determinations until certain conditions are met. These conditions include when the child and parents no longer have a significant connection to Utah.

🤝 Advisory Guidelines for Custody and Parent-Time

On May 6, 2026, new advisory guidelines were introduced to help parents with custody and parent-time arrangements. These guidelines stress the need for mutually agreed-upon schedules that prioritize the best interests of the child. Parents are encouraged to communicate and collaborate to create effective plans.

🌍 Uniform Deployed Parents Custody Act

The Uniform Deployed Parents Custody Act, effective September 1, 2025, aims to standardize laws concerning the custody and visitation rights of deployed parents. This act promotes consistency across states, ensuring that deployed parents are treated fairly in custody matters.

💵 Child Support Adjustments During Extended Parent-Time

New rules now allow noncustodial parents to receive reductions in child support during extended parent-time. A 50% reduction applies if the child stays with the noncustodial parent for at least 25 out of 30 consecutive days. A 25% reduction is possible for at least 12 out of 30 days.

Proper documentation must be submitted to the Office of Recovery Services.

📌 Key Changes Summary

  • 📜 Courts have exclusive authority over custody until certain conditions are met.
  • 🤝 New guidelines emphasize mutual agreements for custody.
  • 🌍 Standardized laws for deployed parents ensure fairness.
  • 💵 Noncustodial parents may reduce child support during extended parent-time.

💡 Tips for Navigating Child Visitation Issues

Review your unique situation with an attorney to ensure you understand all aspects of your custody and visitation rights.

⚖️ Understand Custody Jurisdiction

Be aware of the new exclusive, continuing jurisdiction granted to Utah courts. This means that custody decisions remain with Utah courts until specific conditions are met.

🤝 Prioritize Mutual Agreements

Strive to reach mutual agreements with the other parent regarding custody and visitations. This can help avoid lengthy court battles and ensure the child's best interests are prioritized.

📝 Keep Documentation Updated

Always keep records of any child care expenses and changes in visitation schedules. Providing written verification can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure compliance with court orders.

💵 Know Your Child Support Rights

If you are a noncustodial parent, familiarize yourself with the new rules concerning child support adjustments during extended parent-time. Understanding these can lead to potential savings.

🔄 Be Timely with Notifications

If you incur child care expenses, notify the other parent within 30 days of any changes. Timely communication is essential to maintain a smooth co-parenting relationship.

🏆 Services Ranked by User Reviews (2026)

This section highlights various legal services that may assist with child custody, visitation, and support issues. The listings are based on Trustpilot data checked in October 2026, and scores can change over time. Remember that star ratings are just one indicator, as unhappy customers tend to leave more reviews.

🥇 1. LegalZoom

LegalZoom has been rated **4.6. It is known for providing online legal services, including assistance with business formation and family law matters. However, some users have reported delays and scheduling conflicts, which may affect service efficiency.

🥈 2. Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer holds a **4.5 rating. It is recognized for its online legal document preparation and legal advice. Users appreciate its resources, but some have noted that the subscription model may lead to unexpected charges.

🆓 Free Legal Assistance

Utah Legal Services offers free legal assistance to low-income individuals. This service includes guidance on custody and visitation matters, which can be invaluable for navigating the complexities of child custody issues.

🔎 Comparing Legal Services

  • 📊 Review scores and feedback from users.
  • 📅 Check for any additional fees or unexpected charges.
  • 📞 Look for customer support options available.
  • 📝 Assess the variety of services offered related to custody and visitation.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What are the new child custody guidelines?

The new guidelines emphasize the importance of mutual agreements between parents regarding custody and parent-time. These guidelines were established to ensure the best interests of the child are always prioritized.

❓ How can I modify child support?

To modify child support, parents must file a proposed award that follows the child support guidelines. This applies when there is no prior order, a substantial change in circumstances occurs, or a petition to modify is filed.

❓ What should I do if I can't reach an agreement with the other parent?

If parents cannot agree on custody and parent-time schedules, the court will step in to determine the arrangements. The court will base its decision on the best interests of the child.

❓ How does extended parent-time affect child support payments?

Noncustodial parents may receive a reduction in child support during extended parent-time. A 50% reduction is possible for 25 days of parent-time, while a 25% reduction applies for 12 days.

❓ What is the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody Act?

This act aims to create uniformity in custody and visitation rights for deployed parents. It helps ensure consistency in how laws are applied across states.

❓ What should I do if I incur child care expenses?

Both parents are required to share reasonable work-related child care expenses. The parent incurring the expenses must provide written verification to the other parent upon engaging a provider.

⚖️ Recent Cases Related to Child Custody and Visitation

Recent court rulings can significantly affect child custody and visitation matters. Courts are increasingly emphasizing the importance of children's best interests in their decisions.

For more recent rulings, feel free to browse more rulings on the news page.

End of October 2026 Update






 



A Brief Introduction to Utah Child Visitation Guidelines



Utah child visitation guidelines are designed to help parents who are separating do what is best for their child by establishing a regular scenario for child visitation in the state. Of course, no two families are alike, and child visitation schedules should be formatted exactly to the needs of your own, regardless of what any Utah child visitation guidelines might say. Yet it still may help to familiarize yourself with the Utah child visitation guidelines so that you’ll know going into negotiations what a traditional agreement looks like and whether or not your deal is living up to those standards. Contact a child visitation lawyer to review your case.

Utah Child Visitation Guidelines


Children too young for school, that is to say fewer than five, don’t have Utah child visitation guidelines which apply to them. The court, however, generally agrees that for these children short frequent visits boosts familiarity with the parent and sets up strong lifelong relationships. Therefore, the parent of an infant should visit their child frequently, at least three times a week, with visits of two or three hours. As the child grows older, the visits may grow longer, especially the one held on a weekend day, which may eventually go for eight hours or more.



These all-day visits set up the child for the typical schedule for kids five and up according to the Utah child visitation guidelines. According to the guidelines, a non-custodial parent should be normally guaranteed of three types of visits. The first is a weekday visit, which occurs every week, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. or, if the parents agree, from the time the child leaves school until 8:30 p.m. The second type of visit is the weekend visit, occurring every other weekend from 6:00 p.m. Friday until 7 p.m. Sunday. The final type of visit is the holiday visit, which takes precedence over the other two types of visits.



Holidays are the most complicated type of visitation since they require the dividing of days and the appropriation of certain holidays to one of the parents. The Utah child visitation guidelines advise the alternating of which parents which gets holidays according to the even-year, odd-year system. Here is the division advised for odd years:



• The non-custodial parent has the child for either the day before or after their birthday from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend from Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., spring break from 6 p.m. on the last day of school until 7 p.m. on the day before school starts, Memorial day weekend from 6 p.m. on Friday until Monday at 7 p.m., Pioneer Day from 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 11 p.m. on the holiday, and the first half of Christmas vacation until 1 p.m. Christmas day, assuming that this evenly divides the vacation.



• The custodial parent is entitled to spend the child’s actual calendar birthday with the child, as well as President’s Day weekend starting at 6 p.m. Friday until 7 p.m. Monday, the Fourth of July beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday and until 11 p.m. on the fourth, Labor day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. Monday, any fall break, Columbus Day beginning at 6 p.m. the day before the holiday until 7 p.m. on the holiday, Thanksgiving beginning on Wednesday at 7 p.m. until Sunday at 7 p.m., and the second half of the Christmas vacation.