Quick answer: In Utah, joint physical custody means the child stays overnight with each parent for more than 30% of the year and both parents contribute to the child’s expenses. Thirty percent of a year is 109.5 nights, so 110 overnights is the first whole number above the line. The statute lets the court set parent-time schedules and requires notice of a long-distance move.
This Utah parenting time calculator turns a schedule into overnights a year and checks the line in Utah Code 81-9-101. Enter the overnights in a 14-day cycle and any extra nights: the result is arithmetic, and the court decides custody and parent-time.
Utah parenting time and custody rules at a glance
| Rule | What Utah says |
|---|---|
| Joint physical custody | The child stays with each parent overnight for more than 30% of the year and both parents contribute to the child’s expenses in addition to child support (Utah Code 81-9-101(8)) |
| Joint legal custody | The sharing of the rights, privileges, duties and powers of a parent by both parents, where specified (81-9-101(7)) |
| Parenting plan | A plan for parenting the child that allocates parenting functions in the decree (81-9-101(10)); the plan must address notice and parent-time on relocation (81-9-203) |
| Schedules | Statutory parent-time schedules apply unless the parents agree otherwise; advisory guidelines also exist (81-9-202) |
| Domestic violence | The court considers past violence or abuse, including protective orders, charges and convictions (81-9-104) |
| Moving | The original recodified version of 81-9-209 required 60 days’ written notice for a move of 150 miles or more; it has been superseded, so check the current text (81-9-209) |
How do custody and parenting time work in Utah?
- Joint or sole custody. See joint versus sole custody in Utah.
- Schedules. See parenting time schedules in Utah.
- Moving with a child. See moving away with a child in Utah.
What does this parenting time calculator check?
You enter the overnights the other parent has in a typical 14-day cycle and any extra nights a year, such as summer and holidays. The calculator scales the cycle to 365 nights, adds the extras, finds the parent with fewer overnights and checks whether it is more than 30% of the year. Our earlier Utah pages used 111 overnights; the current definition says “more than 30%”, which 110 overnights satisfies, and the calculator follows the statute. It does not calculate child support, which also needs both parents’ incomes: use the Utah child support calculator for that, and the Utah divorce timeline calculator for the dates of the case.
Frequently asked questions
How many overnights is joint physical custody in Utah?
More than 30% of the year for each parent, which is 110 overnights or more, plus both parents contributing to the child’s expenses.
Does Utah presume joint custody or equal time?
The sections we read define joint custody but do not say it is presumed; ask a licensed Utah attorney about the current presumption.
Does shared time change Utah child support?
Yes, joint physical custody uses a different support calculation; use the Utah child support calculator.
Does domestic violence affect Utah custody?
Yes. The court considers evidence of past violence or abuse, including protective orders and convictions.
Does this Utah calculator set child support?
No. It counts overnights and checks the 30% line; the Utah child support calculator estimates the guideline amount.
Official sources
- Utah Code Title 81, Chapter 9, Part 1: definitions; parent-time provisions
- Utah Code Title 81, Chapter 9, Part 2: custody and parent-time between parents
- Utah Code 81-9-302: minimum parent-time schedule (version effective at the recodification)
- Utah Code 81-9-209: notice of relocation (original recodified version)
- Utah Courts: divorce self-help