Short answer: Utah judges decide custody based on the child's best interests. The law presumes joint legal custody (shared decision-making), but there is no automatic 50/50 split of physical custody. The parent-time schedule depends on factors like each parent's involvement, stability and willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent. A mature child's preference is considered, but it never decides the case alone. How Is Child Custody Determined in Utah

Short answer: Starting July 1, 2026, Utah Code § 81-6-209.5 requires every new or modified child support order to include an ongoing monthly payment for child care, not just reimbursement after the fact. Existing orders don't change automatically. A court can set the amount at zero if a parent shows child care costs won't actually be incurred. Utah child support child care law changed how child care costs get handled in child support cases, and the new rule just took effect.