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Utah · UT

Utah Custody Laws: Parenting Time & Relocation

A plain-English reference to Utah custody terminology, joint custody, parenting time, relocation, child preferences, and order changes.

Informational only—not legal advice. Laws and guidelines change. Verify the current rule with the official court resource and a licensed Utah family-law attorney.

Primary law and terminology

Utah Code § 30-3-10 and § 30-3-35 (statutory schedules). In Utah, courts generally describe the schedule as a parent-time schedule. The court's decision is based on the child's best interests, not simply a parent's preferred percentage of time.

Joint custody and parenting time

Joint legal custody is rebuttably presumed; the statute supplies minimum and optional increased schedules.

Child preference

A child 14 or older has their desires given added weight.

Relocation and move-away cases

Utah Code § 30-3-37 requires 60 days' written notice of a move over 150 miles.

Changing an existing order

A material and substantial change is required; § 30-3-10.4 governs.

Where to file

Under the UCCJEA the child generally must have lived in the state for the 6 months before filing (or since birth, if younger). Utah publishes statutory parent-time schedules by age (30-2 for kids under 5, 30-3 for 5+).

Build a workable Utah parenting plan

Put regular time, holidays, exchanges, communication, and dispute steps in one written plan. Then keep the actual schedule and handoffs organized as circumstances change.

Utah custody questions

What are the custody laws in Utah?

Utah applies the statute or rule summarized above and decides parenting time by the child's best interests. Read the official court resource before filing.

Can a parent move with a child in Utah?

Utah Code § 30-3-37 requires 60 days' written notice of a move over 150 miles.

How do I change a Utah custody order?

A material and substantial change is required; § 30-3-10.4 governs.

More Utah family-law resources

Compare the rule with your written plan, schedule, and records before you file or negotiate.

Last reviewed ·Reviewed by the CustodyTrac editorial team

How this is calculated

Terminology, parent-education requirements, and filing venue are taken from each state's court self-help materials and statutes. Requirements change — confirm with the court where you file.

CustodyTrac publishes educational information, not legal advice. Custody and support outcomes depend on facts a calculator cannot see — confirm anything that matters with a family law attorney in your state.