How to Modify Child Support in Utah
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Utah · Last updated September 21, 2026
In Utah, a child support modification is a court or agency decision changing the amount of an existing child support order after circumstances change, and Utah applies a clear numeric test: if your order is less than three years old, the amount the guidelines would now produce must differ from your current order by at least 15 percent, and you must also show a material change in circumstances (Utah Code 81-6-212). If it has been three or more years since your order was entered or last changed, you can seek an adjustment on a 10 percent difference alone, without proving a material change. Child support in Utah follows a statewide guideline tied to each parent's income and parent-time, so a job loss, an income change of 30 percent or more, or a new custody schedule can push the current amount out of line. You can ask in two ways. You can file a Petition to Modify Child Support, or a Motion to Adjust for the three-year path, in the same district court that issued your order, using the free Utah Courts forms, or you can ask the Office of Recovery Services (ORS) to review and adjust the order at no cost. A change takes effect only back to the date the other parent is served with your pleading, so support that already came due cannot be reduced (Utah Code 81-7-102). Keep paying your current order until it is officially changed. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Utah
Where are you with changing your child support order?
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How do I modify child support in Utah?
File a Petition to Modify Child Support, or a Motion to Adjust if your order is three or more years old, in the same district court that issued your order. You can also ask the Office of Recovery Services to review it. You must show the required guideline difference (Utah Code 81-6-212).
How much does the amount have to change to modify child support in Utah?
It depends on the order's age. If your order is less than three years old, the guideline amount must differ from your current order by at least 15 percent, and you must show a material change such as a 30 percent income shift. At three years, a 10 percent difference qualifies (Utah Code 81-6-212).
How far back can a child support change go in Utah?
A modification can take effect only back to the date the other parent is served with your pleading, not to when your circumstances changed (Utah Code 81-7-102). Support that already came due is not subject to retroactive reduction, so serving promptly protects you. Keep paying the current order until a judge changes it.
Which court or agency handles child support modifications in Utah?
The district court that issued your original order handles modifications, using the same case number. If the Office of Recovery Services (ORS) manages your case, you can ask ORS to review and adjust the order administratively, at no cost, instead of filing in court. Both paths apply the state guideline (Utah Code 81-6-212).
Utah child support modification at a glance
In Utah, a child support modification is a court or agency changing an existing support order after circumstances change. Utah applies a numeric test: if your order is under three years old, the guideline amount must differ from the current order by at least 15 percent and you must show a material change, such as a 30 percent income change (Utah Code 81-6-212). Once the order is three or more years old, a 10 percent difference alone can support an adjustment. You file a Petition to Modify, or a Motion to Adjust, in the same district court, or ask the Office of Recovery Services to review it for free. A change applies back only to the date the other parent is served, so support already due cannot be reduced (Utah Code 81-7-102).
Adjusting a Utah order that is over three years old
Because Utah lets you adjust an order that is three or more years old on a 10 percent guideline difference alone, suppose your order was entered four years ago and your income has since dropped. You run the numbers on the Utah Courts calculator, confirm the new guideline amount is more than 10 percent lower, and file a Motion to Adjust Child Support in the same district court. You serve the other parent, because a change dates back only to the service date (Utah Code 81-7-102), and you keep paying the current amount while the motion is pending. The court recalculates support under the guideline and signs a lower order effective from your service date. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
Utah Code 81-6-212 (modification and adjustment of child support)
Sets when a Utah child support order may be modified or adjusted: at least a 15 percent guideline difference plus a material change if the order is under three years old, or a 10 percent difference once it is three or more years old, and the change cannot be temporary.
Utah Code 81-7-102 (support payment, judgment, retroactive modification)
Governs support payments and judgments and provides that a support payment may be modified only for the period during which a modification is pending, and only from the date the pleading is served, barring retroactive change to amounts that already came due.
Utah Courts self-help: Modifying Child Support
The Utah Courts self-help page explains the difference test, whether to file a Petition to Modify or a Motion to Adjust, the district court process and service deadlines, and provides the free forms and the child support calculator.
Utah Office of Recovery Services (ORS): child support
The Office of Recovery Services administers child support in Utah and can review and adjust an order at no cost, generally when the order is at least three years old and the guideline amount differs by 10 percent or more and the difference is not temporary.
Regional Variances
Utah child support modification rules at a glance
Qualifying threshold
Under three years old: at least a 15 percent guideline difference plus a material change, such as a 30 percent income change. Three years or more: a 10 percent difference alone, with no material change required (Utah Code 81-6-212). The change cannot be temporary.
Where to file
The same district court that issued your original order, under the same case number. If the Office of Recovery Services manages your case, you can instead ask ORS to review and adjust the order administratively at no cost.
Modification form
No single numbered statewide form. You file a Petition to Modify Child Support, or a Motion to Adjust Child Support for the three-year path, with a financial declaration. Utah Courts provides the forms free through its OCAP self-help program.
Retroactivity
A modification takes effect only back to the date the other parent is served with your pleading, not to when circumstances changed. Support that already came due is not subject to retroactive reduction (Utah Code 81-7-102).
Periodic review
If ORS handles your case, you can generally request a review about every three years without showing a change, under federal rules, and sooner when you meet Utah's difference test.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Gather proof of your changed circumstances
Before you file days after startingCollect recent pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of the change, then run the Utah Courts child support calculator to confirm the guideline difference meets Utah's 15 percent or 10 percent test (Utah Code 81-6-212). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Complete the Petition to Modify or Motion to Adjust
As soon as you qualify days after startingFill out the correct Utah Courts form, describe the change, state the new guideline amount, and attach your financial declaration. Use the free OCAP self-help forms and instructions to prepare your papers.
File in the district court that issued your order
Promptly (a change dates back to service) days after startingFile your petition or motion in the same court and case number and pay the fee, or request a fee waiver. Filing and serving promptly protects you because the change dates back only to the service date (Utah Code 81-7-102).
Serve the other parent
Within 120 days of filing days after startingHave the other parent served with the petition or motion, summons, and papers under Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 4, then file proof of service. The service date sets how far back your change can reach.
Consider an ORS review
Anytime your case is with ORS days after startingIf the Office of Recovery Services manages your case, submit a Request for Review and Adjustment. ORS can seek an adjustment when the order is at least three years old and the guideline amount differs by 10 percent or more.
Attend the hearing and get the new order
On your hearing date days after startingExchange financial disclosures, attend any hearing or scheduling conference, and let the court sign a new order effective back to your service date. Keep paying the current order until then.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gather proof of your changed circumstances | Collect recent pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of the change, then run the Utah Courts child support calculator to confirm the guideline difference meets Utah's 15 percent or 10 percent test (Utah Code 81-6-212). Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft. | - | Before you file |
| Complete the Petition to Modify or Motion to Adjust | Fill out the correct Utah Courts form, describe the change, state the new guideline amount, and attach your financial declaration. Use the free OCAP self-help forms and instructions to prepare your papers. | - | As soon as you qualify |
| File in the district court that issued your order | File your petition or motion in the same court and case number and pay the fee, or request a fee waiver. Filing and serving promptly protects you because the change dates back only to the service date (Utah Code 81-7-102). | - | Promptly (a change dates back to service) |
| Serve the other parent | Have the other parent served with the petition or motion, summons, and papers under Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 4, then file proof of service. The service date sets how far back your change can reach. | - | Within 120 days of filing |
| Consider an ORS review | If the Office of Recovery Services manages your case, submit a Request for Review and Adjustment. ORS can seek an adjustment when the order is at least three years old and the guideline amount differs by 10 percent or more. | - | Anytime your case is with ORS |
| Attend the hearing and get the new order | Exchange financial disclosures, attend any hearing or scheduling conference, and let the court sign a new order effective back to your service date. Keep paying the current order until then. | - | On your hearing date |
Frequently Asked Questions
A real, lasting income drop can support a change, but you must file to lower the amount; support keeps accruing at the old rate until the court or ORS acts (Utah Code 81-7-102). The change cannot be temporary, meaning expected to last under a year. Do not simply stop paying.
No. Either parent can file a Petition to Modify or Motion to Adjust alone, and the other parent is served and can respond within 21 days if served in Utah. If both parents agree, they can file a stipulated petition for a judge to approve against the guideline (Utah Code 81-6-212).
It varies. A Motion to Adjust is usually faster than a Petition to Modify, which can trigger a scheduling conference and, if contested, mediation or trial. An uncontested change or an ORS review can be quicker. Because the change dates back only to service, serving promptly protects you (Utah Code 81-7-102).
Yes. If ORS handles your case, you can submit a Request for Review and Adjustment. ORS can seek an adjustment when an order is at least three years old and the guideline amount differs by 10 percent or more and the difference is not temporary. This administrative review is free.
You can petition whenever you meet Utah's difference test, and there is no limit when circumstances genuinely change. Separately, if ORS manages your case, you can generally request a review about every three years without proving a change, under federal rules. Sooner review is possible with a qualifying change.
A modification changes support only from the service date forward (Utah Code 81-7-102). Support that already came due, called arrears, is not subject to retroactive reduction and can be entered as a judgment. Keep paying your current order to avoid building arrears while your case is pending.
Filing a Petition to Modify or Motion to Adjust in district court carries a filing fee, but you can ask the court to waive it with a fee waiver if you cannot afford it. Asking the Office of Recovery Services to review your order does not charge you a fee.
Utah does not use a single numbered statewide form. You file a Petition to Modify Child Support, or a Motion to Adjust Child Support for the three-year path, plus a financial declaration and proof of income. The Utah Courts self-help program (OCAP) provides these forms free.
Other Utah guides
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