Most alimony payments in Utah are periodic (monthly) and due on the first of every month unless the court orders otherwise. Most judges include an income withholding order for alimony, which directs the paying spouse's employer to withhold the payments from the employee's paycheck and forward it directly to the court.
Generally, in determining alimony, the court considers the parties' standard of living at the time of separation. In short marriages with no children, the court may consider the standard of living when the marriage began. Sometimes, the court will try to equalize the parties' standards of living.
40% of the high earner's net monthly income minus 50% of the low earner's net monthly income. For instance, if Spouse A earns $5,000 per month and Spouse B earns $2,500 per month, temporary spousal support might be calculated as follows: 40% of $5,000 = $2,000. 50% of $2,500 = $1,250.
Alimony is usually around 40% of the paying party's income. This number is different in different states and different situations. The court also looks at how much the other party makes or could make and how much they need to maintain their standard of living.
Generally, in determining alimony, the court considers the parties' standard of living at the time of separation. In short marriages with no children, the court may consider the standard of living when the marriage began. Sometimes, the court will try to equalize the parties' standards of living.
In Utah, the law mandates that the judge may order alimony only up to the number of years that the marriage lasted. So if the couple was married for 17 years, the support can last up to 17 years. Any extension will be at the discretion of the family court.
Unlike child support in Utah, there is no formula for judges to use to calculate alimony in a divorce. Instead, judges base support amounts on the above factors and any other relevant circumstances in each case.
Child support is calculated using the gross monthly income of both parents and the number of overnights the child spends in each household.
Utah's guidelines are based on the "Income Shares" model. They use gross and adjusted incomes of both parents to determine the child support obligation for each parent.