Co-Parenting App for Utah Parents

What Utah courts consider in custody decisions

Utah courts consider factors under § 30-3-10(2) including the child's physical, psychological, and emotional needs, each parent's capability and desire to meet those needs, the child's and parents' preference, whether the physical, psychological, and emotional needs and development of the child will benefit from both parents participating in parenting, the past conduct and demonstrated moral standards of each parent, which parent is most likely to act in the best interests of the child (including encouraging the child's relationship with the other parent), and any history of or potential for domestic violence, child abuse, or kidnapping. Utah is distinctive for its highly detailed statutory minimum parent-time schedules in §§ 30-3-35 through 30-3-37, which provide specific day-by-day schedules based on the child's age (under 5, 5-18) that serve as a floor for parenting time.

How the custody process works in Utah

Utah custody cases are filed in District Court. Utah's unique minimum parent-time schedules provide extremely specific default schedules — including exact pickup/dropoff times, holiday rotations, and extended summer time — that apply unless the court finds deviation is warranted. Parents must attend a mandatory divorce education course within 60 days of filing. Mediation is required in contested custody cases in most judicial districts. The court may appoint a custody evaluator to conduct a thorough investigation and make recommendations.

Key Utah custody statutes

• Utah Code § 30-3-10
• Utah Code § 30-3-10.2
• Utah Code § 30-3-35