81-1-101. Definitions for title.

222 words·~1 min read·/ut/title-81/chapter-1/81-1-101

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 5/6/2026

As used in this title:

(1)"Child" means, except as provided in Sections 81-5-102 , 81-6-101 , 81-8-102 , and 81-10-101 , a son or daughter of any age.

(2)"Court" means:

(a)a judge; or

(b)a court commissioner if the court commissioner has authority to hear the matter under Section 78A-5-107 or the Utah Rules of Judicial Administration.

(3)"Custodial parent" means:

(a)a parent awarded primary physical custody of a minor child by a court order;

(b)if both parents have joint physical custody:

(i)the parent awarded more overnights each year by a court order; or

(ii)the parent designated as the custodial parent by a court order; or

(c)if there is no court order, the parent with whom the minor child resides more than one-half of the calendar year without regard to any temporary parent-time.

(4)"Minor child" means, except as provided in Section 81-6-101 , a child who is younger than 18 years old and is not emancipated.

(5)"Noncustodial parent" means the parent who is not the custodial parent regardless of any designation of joint legal custody.

(6)"Parent" means, except as provided in Section 81-13-211 , an individual with an established parent-child relationship as defined in Section 81-5-102 .

Amended by Chapter 155 , 2026 General Session