Utah law provides standard minimum parent-time schedules to help children maintain consistent relationships with both parents after a divorce or separation. These guidelines create a default framework when parents cannot agree on their own schedule, while still allowing families to customize arrangements when it is in the child’s best interests.
Gibb Law Firm helps Utah parents understand how minimum parent-time works, what options they have for expanded time or joint physical custody, and how to update schedules when life circumstances change. This overview explains Utah’s parent-time standards, the basic court process, and practical steps for parents who want to protect both their rights and their child’s wellbeing.
Why Parent-Time Schedules Matter in Utah
Parent-time is Utah’s term for the time a child spends with the noncustodial or “other” parent. Even when one parent has primary physical custody, Utah policy is to ensure frequent, meaningful contact with both parents whenever it is safe and appropriate. A clear schedule reduces conflict and gives children a predictable routine.
Parent-time schedules create a clear, enforceable structure so both parents know when the child will be with each of them.
Minimum standards in Utah Code give judges and parents a starting point when they cannot agree on a schedule on their own.
Well-defined schedules reduce last-minute disputes, missed visits, and confusion for children about where they will be and when.
Parent-time orders work together with custody and child support orders so that parenting responsibilities are balanced and enforceable.
The following video offers a plain-English explanation of what Utah’s “standard minimum parent-time” looks like and when it applies.
Watch: What Is Standard Minimum Parent-Time in Utah?
How Utah Handles Minimum and Expanded Parent-Time
Utah statutes set out several default schedules that courts can use when parents do not agree. These are most often found in Utah Code sections 30-3-35 and 30-3-35.5 and are tailored to the child’s age and the parents’ parenting arrangement.
Standard Minimum Parent-Time
For children ages 5–18, the standard minimum typically includes alternating weekends, one weeknight evening, part of the summer, and alternating holidays. This is the most common default when one parent has primary physical custody.
Expanded Parent-Time Schedule
Utah also provides an “expanded” schedule that gives the noncustodial parent additional time, often including overnights on some school nights, while still recognizing one parent as the primary physical custodian.
Joint Physical Custody Schedules
When parents share joint physical custody, the schedule is often closer to a 50/50 split, such as week-on/week-off or 2-2-5-5 rotations. Even in joint arrangements, the parties or court still need a detailed written schedule.
Parents can agree to use one of these frameworks or create a customized plan, but judges will look closely at any proposal to ensure it meets the child’s best interests and complies with Utah law.
For a broader look at how custody and parenting schedules fit together, see our article on understanding child custody in Utah. You may also find it helpful to review our guide on parenting plans in Utah for more detail on building out the weekly, holiday, and summer schedule.
Watch: Utah Parenting Plans and What to Include
After you understand the basic structures available, it can help to see how courts apply these ideas in real cases and how they divide parental time based on the evidence.
This Instagram reel breaks down how Utah courts think about dividing parental time and why the best-interest standard drives scheduling decisions.
Key Definitions and Utah Statutes
Several core legal concepts show up repeatedly in Utah parenting-time cases. Understanding the terminology helps you read court documents and talk with your attorney more confidently.
Legal custody: Which parent (or both) has decision-making authority over major issues such as education, medical care, and religious upbringing.
Physical custody: Where the child primarily lives and which parent handles day-to-day care most of the time.
Parent-time: Utah’s term for what many states call “visitation” the schedule for when the child is with the noncustodial or other parent.
Standard minimum schedule: The baseline parent-time schedule in Utah Code § 30-3-35 used when one parent has primary physical custody and the parties do not agree otherwise.
Expanded parent-time: An optional schedule in § 30-3-35.5 that gives the noncustodial parent more time than the minimum while still preserving a primary home base.
Best-interest factors: A list of considerations in Utah Code § 30-3-10 and related statutes that judges weigh when deciding custody and parent-time, such as the child’s needs, relationships, and each parent’s ability to meet those needs.
Once you know the legal language, it becomes easier to see how judges apply these standards in day-to-day custody and parent-time decisions.
This reel focuses on those best-interest factors and how they guide judges in setting both custody and parent-time in Utah family law cases.
Typical Court Procedures for Parent-Time in Utah
Parent-time is usually addressed alongside custody and child support in a divorce or custody case. When parents cannot reach an agreement, the court will step in and make orders after considering evidence and legal standards.
Filing a Case or Motion
Parent-time is first set in a divorce decree, custody order, or paternity case. If a schedule is already in place, a parent files a petition or motion to modify parent-time when there has been a substantial change in circumstances.
Mediation and Negotiation
Utah courts often require mediation before a full hearing. Many parents resolve parent-time disputes by negotiating a detailed schedule with the help of counsel and mediators.
Temporary Orders
In active cases, judges may enter temporary custody and parent-time orders so the child has a structured routine while the case is pending. For more on temporary orders generally, you can read our article on temporary orders in Utah divorce cases.
Final Parent-Time Orders
After hearings or a settlement, the court signs final orders that specify custody, parent-time, holiday and summer schedules, and transportation responsibilities in detail. To better understand how final divorce orders work, see our guide on Utah divorce decrees and final orders.
For a more detailed look at the overall process of moving a family law case through the Utah courts, see our step-by-step article on how to file for divorce in Utah.
Watch: How to Change or Modify Custody and Parent-Time Orders
This video walks through the formal steps Utah parents take when they need to update an existing parent-time or custody order.
This reel discusses when and how children’s preferences can be considered in Utah parent-time and custody decisions, and why the judge still focuses on the child’s long-term best interests.
Required Forms and Filings
Which forms you use depends on whether you are setting parent-time for the first time or asking to change an existing schedule. Common Utah filings include:
Petition for divorce, custody, or paternity that asks the court to establish custody and parent-time for the first time.
Parenting plan when joint legal or joint physical custody is requested, including the basic weekly schedule, holidays, and summer time. For a deeper dive into drafting plans, see our article on parenting plans in Utah.
Motion or petition to modify if you are seeking a change to an existing custody or parent-time order due to a material and substantial change in circumstances.
Child support worksheets and financial forms so the court can adjust support in line with the new schedule, when appropriate. For more detail, see Utah child support calculations explained.
Stipulated agreements and proposed orders when parents have negotiated a new schedule and want the judge to sign off and make it enforceable.
Filling out these forms accurately is crucial. A vague or incomplete parenting plan can create years of confusion and conflict over holidays, school breaks, and exchanges.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Parent-Time in Utah
Many parent-time disputes grow out of preventable issues. Being aware of common pitfalls can help you protect both your rights and your child’s routine.
Relying on informal agreements only: Text-message understandings and verbal promises are hard to enforce. Parent-time should be written into a court order or approved parenting plan.
Assuming the minimum schedule cannot be changed: Utah’s minimum standards are a starting point. Courts can order expanded time or different schedules when the evidence supports it.
Not addressing holidays and school breaks: Leaving holidays, birthdays, and summer vague leads to repeated conflict. A strong parenting plan spells these out in detail.
Withholding parent-time over unrelated disputes: Using the schedule as leverage for money or communication disputes can backfire and may expose a parent to contempt claims. For enforcement options, see our guide on enforcing custody and visitation orders in Utah.
Waiting too long to request a modification: When schedules stop working due to relocation, new jobs, or changes in a child’s needs, waiting years to seek a change can make legal remedies harder.
If parent-time conflicts become serious or repeated, some parents also need guidance on high-conflict dynamics and emergency situations. You can learn more in our article on high-conflict divorce in Utah and our resource on emergency custody orders in Utah.
Next Steps for Utah Parents
Once a parent-time schedule is in place, the focus shifts to consistently following the order and making adjustments in healthy ways when life changes. Many Utah parents find that they need help at different points in the process, from drafting the original plan to later modifying it.
Review your current orders so you clearly understand the weekly schedule, holidays, and travel or exchange requirements.
Document problems and communication in a calm, factual way so you have a record if future enforcement or modification becomes necessary.
Consider mediation as a first step when a schedule needs tweaking, especially for limited changes in pick-up times or exchange locations. For a refresher on the process, see our guide to divorce mediation in Utah.
Speak with an attorney before filing a motion to modify, so you understand what “substantial and material change” means and how to present your case.
For more on how parent-time interacts with financial obligations, you can also review our articles on Utah child support calculations and alimony in Utah, which explain how different schedules may affect support calculations.
Understanding Parent-Time and Your Rights in Utah
Parent-time schedules are not just legal technicalities, they shape your child’s daily life and your relationship with them. Utah’s minimum standards provide structure, but the best schedules are those built around your family’s real-world needs and the child’s best interests.
Whether you are setting a schedule for the first time, trying to adjust an outdated plan, or facing repeated violations of an existing order, having clear legal guidance can make the process more manageable and less stressful for everyone involved.
Gibb Law offers practical, Utah-focused advice to help parents understand their options, evaluate the pros and cons of different schedules, and present their position effectively in court or mediation.
To talk through your situation with an experienced Utah family law attorney, visit our contact page to schedule a consultation.
Talk to Gibb Law Firm About Parent-Time Schedules in Utah
If you have questions about minimum parent-time, expanded schedules, or modifying an existing order, our team can help you understand the law, review your options, and build a plan that prioritizes your child’s needs while protecting your rights as a parent.
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