Interest on Child Support Arrears in Utah: Rate, Simple vs. Compound and When It Applies

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Utah judgments bear interest at the federal postjudgment rate set as of January 1 of the year of the judgment, but the state child support agency says it does not calculate interest on state arrears.

Does Utah charge interest on child support arrears?

Utah child support interest depends on the judgment and who collects. Final civil judgments of the district court bear interest at the federal postjudgment interest rate as of January 1 of the year of the judgment, and the rate in effect at the time of the judgment stays for its duration (Utah Code 15-1-4). Each installment of support is a judgment on and after its due date (81-7-102(4)). Yet the Office of Recovery Services says that although interest may accrue and some orders include it, it cannot calculate and collect interest until its computer system can, and it does not calculate interest on the state’s arrears (CS 085P).

What is the federal postjudgment rate in Utah?

The rate set for the federal court system under 28 U.S.C. 1961, the weekly average one-year constant maturity Treasury yield for the week before the judgment (statute). It changes every year, so check the rate for the year of your judgment; the Utah arrears calculator defaults to 0 and lets you enter it.

The 4% is only an illustration of how the interest grows, not a Utah rate.

Can interest apply across states?

Before a controlling order is determined, the law of the state that issued each order governs how arrears and interest are computed; after that, the controlling state’s law governs, including interest on consolidated arrears (ORS policy CS 155P, quoting Utah Code 81-8-604).

Does the agency charge interest when a judgment is entered later?

The agency says it cannot calculate and collect interest until its system can, so do not assume it adds interest; ask for the ledger (CS 085P). A court judgment you obtain privately can still carry the federal postjudgment rate (15-1-4).

What if the interest is in my Utah order?

The agency says some orders and judgments include an obligation to pay interest, and it treats interest as additional child support owed on the case, combined with the arrears into a single debt (CS 085P). Read your judgment for an interest clause.

Does it matter whether the Utah debt is owed to the state?

Yes. Interest is not calculated on the state’s arrears (CS 085P). Ask the agency whether any part of your balance is owed to the family rather than the state.

What about other states’ orders enforced in Utah?

If Utah enforces another state’s order at that state’s request and that state charges interest, the initiating state calculates it and provides notice to the Utah agency (CS 085P). Before a controlling order is determined, the law of the issuing state governs interest on that order’s arrears.

Where do you get the official figure?

From the Office of Recovery Services or the district court. See whether arrears can be changed and file to modify if your circumstances changed.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• Utah Code 81-7-102: payments as judgments
• Utah Code 15-1: interest rates and judgments
• ORS policy CS 085P: interest
• ORS policy CS 812P: duration of judgments
• 28 U.S.C. 1961: federal postjudgment interest rate
• 15 U.S.C. 1673: restriction on garnishment
• 42 U.S.C. 652(k): denial of passports

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.