The Term Limit and Equal Standards of Living in Utah
Utah alimony cannot last longer than the marriage unless the court finds extenuating circumstances, temporary alimony counts toward the term, and in a marriage of 10 years or more with a homemaker parent the court is presumed to equalize the standards of living.
No longer than the marriage
The court may not order alimony for a longer period than the length of the marriage, unless at any time before alimony ends it finds extenuating circumstances or good cause for a longer period. If a party pays temporary alimony during the divorce, that time counts toward the period (Utah Code 81-4-502(7)). “Length of the marriage” runs from the day the parties legally married to the day the petition for divorce is filed.
Remarried couples
If the parties divorced and remarried each other, and the petition for the second divorce was filed on or after January 1, 2026, the court adds the two marriages, excluding the time between the first petition and the remarriage, unless it finds by a preponderance of the evidence that doing so would be inequitable. This does not reopen the first divorce or its property division.
The equalization presumption
If a marriage lasted 10 years or more, and the payee significantly reduced workplace experience, by agreement between the spouses, to care for a minor child of the payor, the court is presumed to equalize the parties’ standards of living; the payor can rebut it by showing good cause, and the court must enter findings. It does not apply to modify an award if the petition for divorce was filed before May 1, 2024.
What the term limit means in practice
A 14-year marriage allows up to 14 years of alimony, including temporary alimony; the court may order less. The payee’s needs and the payor’s ability to pay still cap the monthly amount: see the Utah alimony calculator.
Imputed income
Utah also lets the court impute income to a payee in some cases, on the statute’s rules for no recent work history or unemployment despite reasonable efforts.
Questions to bring to an attorney
Ask whether the equalization presumption could apply to you and what extenuating circumstances might extend the term.
Next steps
See modification and termination for what changes or ends an award.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum length of Utah alimony?
The length of the marriage, unless the court finds extenuating circumstances or good cause.
Does temporary alimony count toward the Utah limit?
Yes. Time paying temporary alimony counts toward the period of alimony.
How is the length of a Utah marriage counted?
From the date of the marriage to the date the petition for divorce is filed.
What if a couple divorced and remarried in Utah?
For petitions filed on or after January 1, 2026, the two marriages are added together unless that would be inequitable.
What is the Utah equalization presumption?
For marriages of 10 years or more where the payee reduced work to care for the payor's minor child by agreement, the court is presumed to equalize standards of living.
Official sources
- S.B. 59 (2026): current text of Utah Code 81-4-501, 81-4-502, 81-4-504 and 81-4-505
- Utah Courts: alimony
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Utah statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Utah attorney.