Decree & Order Modifications

Updating Court Orders to Match Your Life's Realities

A final divorce decree, custody order, or child support ruling is legally binding, but it is not set in stone. As years pass, families grow, careers shift, and financial circumstances change. What worked perfectly three years ago might be entirely unworkable today.

Under Utah law, you can seek a formal modification of your domestic relations order. However, doing so requires demonstrating a "substantial and material change in circumstances" that was not anticipated when the original order was entered. Our legal team can help you navigate this process and secure adjustments that align with your current life situation.

Common Types of Modifications We Handle

We guide clients through modifications of all aspects of domestic decrees, including:

• Child Custody & Parent-Time: Seeking changes in physical or legal custody schedules when children grow older, parents relocate, or parenting capacity significantly shifts.
• Child Support: Recalculating support obligations due to a parent's involuntary job loss, promotion, change in healthcare costs, or child's aging out.
• Alimony & Spousal Support: Modifying or terminating spousal support obligations when there is a significant income drop, cohabitation, or remarriage.
• Parental Relocation: Assisting parents planning to relocate (more than 150 miles away under Utah code) or representing parents opposing a relocation that would disrupt their relationships with their children.

The "Substantial Change" Standard in Utah

To successfully modify custody or support in a Utah court, the legal standard is precise. It is not enough to show that you are unhappy with the current order. The court requires evidence of a material shift in factors like:

• A permanent and significant change in either parent's income (usually at least a 30% difference for child support adjustments).
• A child developing special medical, behavioral, or educational needs.
• Changes in a parent's work schedule that prevent them from exercising their designated parent-time.
• Relocation of a parent for employment or family reasons.

Our Approach: Finding Practical, Collaborative Adjustments

Because modifications involve families who have already gone through a legal action, emotions can easily flare. We prioritize resolving modifications through professional negotiation or mediation to avoid costly, adversarial trials. However, if agreements cannot be reached, we present clear, document-supported evidence in court to protect your family and financial well-being.