Child support is an extremely important consideration for almost everyone who divorces with children. Planning for life after divorce requires an accurate assessment of what you can expect to pay or receive. In addition, ensuring that the child support order in your case is fair may require careful financial analysis as well as strong knowledge of the relevant Utah laws and guidelines.
Many people require legal representation to resolve child support issues after or outside of divorce. I can serve as your Salt Lake City child support lawyer whether you are facing a paternity suit, an ORS suit, a divorce, need to pursue enforcement of your order against an uncooperative parent, or believe a change in circumstances justifies a child support modification.
Utah child support orders are based on a formula that takes both parents’ gross incomes, the number of children, and time spent with each parent into account. However, many situations call for more than running numbers through a child support calculator. High-income earning parents have unique challenges. My experience and proven capabilities extend to:
Yes, Utah law requires that parents continue to support any minor children in the aftermath of a divorce or separation or upon the birth of a child that is deemed to be your child. The State of Utah will enforce this obligation on any non-custodial parent. When the physical custody of a child changes, the State of Utah may enforce the obligation of child support against the other parent (or parents) without modifying the child support order.
You can see a full list of what is included in calculations child support in Utah Code § 78B-12-203 (2020). In general, the following will be included:
In the aftermath of a divorce or paternity/custody case, change is inevitable. In some cases, it may be necessary for one of the parents to request a modification to the child support amount. In Utah, you can only request a change in the amount of child support if the difference between the current child support amount and the proposed amount is at least 10% (or 15%- see below). Changes can only be made if the change is not temporary. For the purposes of child support, a temporary change is one that is expected to last less than one year.
When seeking a modification to child support in Salt Lake City, a person can file a Motion to Adjust or a Petition to Modify.
If any of these things are missing from your case, you will have to file a Petition to Modify instead.
Not all Salt Lake City area family lawyers handle child support enforcement cases, but it is a clear strength here at Emy A. Cordano, Attorney at Law. With the DHS Office of Recovery Services handling tens of thousands of support claims each year, putting me on your case can dramatically increase your likelihood of success in resolving this serious problem.
You will receive focused, practical legal guidance when you turn to me, Salt Lake City attorney Emy Cordano, with a child support matter. I take every step possible to protect my clients’ financial interests and their children’s well-being, including pursuing recovery of attorney fees from a nonsupportive parent when possible.