Alimony · Utah · Caps or time limits
Alimony in Utah
Utah courts set alimony after weighing at least nine statutory factors, including the marital standard of living, the recipient’s needs and earning capacity, the payer’s ability to pay and the length of the marriage; fault may also be considered. Alimony generally may not last longer than the marriage did, unless the court finds extenuating circumstances or good cause.[1]
Key facts: alimony in Utah
| How the law sets it | Caps or time limits[1] |
|---|---|
| Key rule | No longer than the length of the marriage (unless good cause)[1] |
| Law last checked | October 26, 2026 |
The key limit
No longer than the length of the marriage (unless good cause)[1]
Utah law sets limits but no formula for the amount, so there's nothing to calculate: the court decides within them.
From the official text
What Utah law says about alimony
Plain-English summaries of Utah’s statute and court rules as of the date shown on each, with the quoted text. Not legal advice: laws change and courts apply them case by case.
The statute
Utah Code § 81-4-502
The main alimony statute: the court weighs 9 listed factors.[1]
Utah Code § 81-4-502 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“For a proceeding under Chapter 4, Dissolution of Marriage, or in a proceeding to modify alimony, the court shall consider at least the following factors in determining alimony:”
How long it lasts
No longer than the length of the marriage (unless good cause)
The court may not order alimony for longer than the marriage lasted, unless before alimony ends it finds extenuating circumstances or good cause for a longer period.[1]
Utah Code § 81-4-502(7)(a) · checked October 26, 2026
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“Except as provided in Subsection (7)(c), the court may not order alimony for a period of time longer than the length of the marriage.”
While the case is pending
Temporary alimony counts toward the limit
Time spent paying temporary alimony while the divorce is pending counts toward the total alimony period.[1]
Utah Code § 81-4-502(7)(b) · checked October 26, 2026
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“If a party is ordered to pay temporary alimony during the pendency of a divorce action, the court shall count the period of time that the party pays temporary alimony towards the period of time for which the party is ordered to pay alimony.”
What the court weighs
Presumed equalization after 10+ years (child-care career sacrifice)
In a marriage of 10 years or more where the recipient, by agreement, cut back work to care for the payer’s minor child, there is a rebuttable presumption that the court equalizes the parties’ standards of living.[1]
Utah Code § 81-4-502(4)(b)(i) · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“If a marriage has been in effect for 10 years or more, and if the payee has significantly diminished workplace experience resulting from an agreement between the spouses that the payee reduce the payee's workplace experience to care for a minor child of the payor, it shall be the rebuttable presumption that the court equalize the parties' standard of living.”
Divorce in Utah: waiting period, residency and property rules →
Questions about alimony in Utah
Is there an alimony calculator for Utah?
No. Utah law doesn't set alimony by formula: utah courts set alimony after weighing at least nine statutory factors, including the marital standard of living, the recipient’s needs and earning capacity, the payer’s ability to pay and the length of the marriage; fault may also be considered. Alimony generally may not last longer than the marriage did, unless the court finds extenuating circumstances or good cause. — Utah Code § 81-4-502[1]
How long does alimony last in Utah?
The court may not order alimony for longer than the marriage lasted, unless before alimony ends it finds extenuating circumstances or good cause for a longer period. — Utah Code § 81-4-502(7)(a)[1]
States with an alimony formula
Not legal advice. MediationList is a directory of court-listed mediators, not a law firm, and doesn’t endorse any mediator. Summaries follow the official text as of the date checked; courts apply it case by case.
Sources
Utah’s statute and court rules, read on the official site, with the date we checked each.