Child support generally may be changed or modified by filing a motion to modify and demonstrating to the court that the circumstances of the child or one or both parents have materially and substantially changed, or that some period of time (3 years, for example) has passed since the court’s last child support order. And if there has been a material and substantial change in the custody of the child—if, for example, the noncustodial parent who was paying child support has become the custodial parent—the court may change or eliminate the child support obligation based on the change in the custody arrangement.
In Utah, child support orders can be modified if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances since the last order was issued. This could include significant changes in income, employment, the needs of the child, or the living arrangements of the parents. Additionally, Utah law typically considers a change substantial enough to review the child support order if at least three years have passed since the order was established or last modified and there is a difference of 10% or more between the current support amount and the amount that would be awarded according to current child support guidelines. If a noncustodial parent who was paying child support becomes the custodial parent, this change in custody can be grounds for the court to modify or terminate the child support obligation. To initiate a modification, the parent must file a motion to modify with the court, and the court will evaluate whether the legal standard for modification has been met.