Securing your child’s financial stability with trusted legal guidance
Raising a child takes consistent financial support, and Utah law ensures both parents share that responsibility. Child support helps cover everyday needs like housing, food, clothing, and education.
At Burton Family Attorneys, we understand how vital these payments are for your child’s well-being. Whether you are seeking support, establishing payments, or facing an unfair demand, our Utah family lawyers protect your rights while keeping your child’s best interests first.
We carefully review your situation to determine what a fair support arrangement looks like under Utah guidelines. We consider the following factors:
In some cases, the courts will expect you to return to work if you’ve been a stay-at-home parent. However, this will depend on how much childcare would cost, your physical and mental health, and your child’s needs.
In addition to those considerations, our team gathers financial information, explains how support gets calculated, and builds a strategy to secure the right outcome. We focus on clarity and open communication so you feel supported every step of the way.
Child support in Utah is based on both parents’ incomes, the number of children, and custody arrangements.
While the law provides a formula, unique factors — such as medical expenses or special needs — could influence the outcome. To achieve a fair and balanced support order, you can expect practical advice, realistic expectations, and strong advocacy.
Establishing paternity gives a child legal rights to support and ensures both parents have clear responsibilities. It also protects a father’s right to seek custody or parent time.
Sole legal custody means one parent has the authority to make major decisions about the child’s upbringing. This includes choices about education, healthcare, and religion. The other parent may still have parent time, but decision-making rests with one parent.
Joint legal custody allows both parents to share responsibility for important decisions in the child’s life. This arrangement encourages cooperation and ensures both parents remain actively involved in guiding the child’s future.
With sole physical custody, the child primarily lives with one parent. The other parent may receive scheduled parent time, but the child’s main residence is with the custodial parent.
Joint physical custody means the child spends significant time living with both parents. This arrangement seeks to balance time and involvement, allowing the child to maintain strong relationships with each parent.
Child support cases often follow this timeline:
We learn about your family’s needs and financial situation.
Both parents provide income and expense information.
Support amounts are reviewed and negotiated, often through mediation.
If the parents cannot agree, the court will apply Utah’s guidelines and issue an order.
Timelines vary, but many cases resolve in a few months. We’ll keep you informed at each stage.
The state uses a formula based on both parents’ incomes, the number of children, and custody arrangements. You can adjust for medical or childcare costs.
Yes. You may request a modification if circumstances change significantly — such as a job loss, pay raise, or custody change.
The state can enforce payment through wage garnishment, tax refund interception, or even legal penalties.
Typically, support continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. Some exceptions may apply.
At Burton Family Attorneys, we combine strong advocacy with compassionate support to handle child support cases fairly. Whether you are establishing, enforcing, or modifying support, our team is here to help secure your child’s financial future.