Families throughout the Wasatch Front are facing a significant shift in how financial responsibilities are calculated during a divorce or custody battle. As of July 1, 2026, Utah has implemented a major overhaul to child support guidelines, specifically regarding how child care expenses are handled. Navigating these updates can feel overwhelming, but the team at Adair Evans is dedicated to helping parents understand their rights under the new statutes. By working with a family law attorney in Salt Lake City, UT, parents can ensure that their support orders are both fair and compliant with the latest legislative standards.
Historically, Utah law required parents to swap receipts and reimburse one another for child care costs as they occurred. This often led to monthly friction and late payments. The 2026 overhaul introduces the "ongoing child care" presumption, which changes the dynamic entirely. Instead of a "pay-as-you-go" model, child care costs are now calculated as a recurring monthly expense and added directly into the base child support order. This change aims to provide more financial stability for the parent who primarily manages daycare or after-school care.
Understanding how these numbers are crunched is vital for any parent in Salt Lake County. The court now looks at the average monthly cost of work-related child care and divides that responsibility between the parents based on their respective incomes. While this simplifies the monthly budget, it also means that the initial child support calculation is more important than ever. Adair Evans works closely with clients to gather accurate financial data so that the resulting court order truly reflects the family’s reality.
One of the most important safeguards in this new law is the 50% income cap. The Utah Legislature recognized that adding rising child care costs to a standard support order could create an impossible financial burden for some. To prevent this, the total amount of child support—including the new child care portion—generally cannot exceed 50% of the paying parent’s adjusted gross income. This protection ensures that while children receive the support they need, the obligor parent can still maintain a basic standard of living.
For many local residents, these changes offer a welcome relief from the constant administrative headache of tracking every single daycare invoice. However, the shift also means that if child care costs change significantly, parents may need to return to court for a modification sooner than expected. Because the 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City has a specific way of viewing these petitions, having professional guidance is essential. A family law attorney in Salt Lake City, UT, can help determine if a change in your circumstances meets the legal threshold for an adjustment.
At Adair Evans, the focus is on creating long-term solutions that minimize conflict between co-parents. The firm understands that child support is not just about a check; it is about providing a stable foundation for a child’s future. Whether a parent is the one receiving support or the one paying it, they deserve an advocate who understands the nuances of the 2026 presumption and the new income caps.
Laws evolve to reflect the changing needs of modern families, and this child support update is a perfect example. By moving toward a predictable, monthly system, Utah is attempting to reduce the number of small disputes that clog up the court system. If you have questions about how these new rules apply to your specific situation, now is the time to seek clarity.
Your future starts here! Contact Adair Evans today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a stable tomorrow.
