Basic Information

Tell us about your family so we can tailor the plan to your situation.

How many children do you have together?

Age of each child

Child 1

yrs

Child 2

yrs

Current living arrangement

Still living together Already living separately Planning to separate soon

Approximate distance between parents' homes

Under 5 miles 5 – 25 miles 25 – 100 miles Over 100 miles

Custody Type

Utah distinguishes between legal custody (decision-making) and physical custody (where children live). Select what applies to your situation.

Legal Custody

Legal custody determines who makes major decisions about education, healthcare, and religion. Utah presumes joint legal custody unless there is a compelling reason otherwise.

Joint Legal Custody Both parents share major decision-making authority. This is Utah's default presumption under § 81-9-106.

Sole Legal Custody One parent has exclusive decision-making authority. Typically only when joint custody is not in the child's best interest.

Physical Custody

Physical custody determines the child's primary residence and daily living schedule.

Joint Physical Custody Children spend roughly equal time with both parents. Requires proximity and cooperation between parents.

Primary Physical Custody Children live primarily with one parent; the other has scheduled parent-time per Utah's statutory minimum (§ 81-9-302).

Which parent will have sole legal custody?

Parent A Parent B

Which parent will be the primary custodial parent?

Parent A Parent B

Regular Schedule

Choose a weekly custody schedule pattern. The calendar below will preview how a sample month looks for each option.

Schedule Pattern

Every Other Weekend + Midweek ~70/30

Utah's statutory minimum. Alternating weekends Friday–Sunday plus one weekday evening. Best for younger children or high-conflict situations.

5-2-2-5 Rotation 50/50

Same weekdays with each parent every week; weekends alternate. Predictable school-week routine. Best for school-age children.

3-4-4-3 Rotation 50/50

Alternating 3 and 4 day blocks. Equal time with moderate transitions. Good balance of stability and contact.

Week On / Week Off 50/50

Full alternating weeks. Fewest transitions but longest time away from each parent. Best for older children and teens.

2-2-3 Rotation 50/50

Short alternating blocks. Most transitions but shortest time away from either parent. Best for young children ages 3–7.

Sample Month Preview

Parent A Parent B

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun

Exchange day and time

Exchange Day

Exchange Time

Transportation responsibility

Noncustodial parent picks up and returns (Utah default) Shared — one parent picks up, the other drops off Exchange at a neutral location (school, public place)

Holidays & Special Days

Utah law assigns holidays on an odd-year/even-year rotation. Below is the statutory default schedule — you can customize any assignment.

Holiday Rotation

Per Utah Code § 81-9-302(12), holidays alternate between parents. Select which parent has each holiday in odd years — the other parent automatically gets it in even years.

Holiday Odd Years Even Years

Child's Birthday

Alternates — Even years: Parent A gets the actual day (3–9 PM), Parent B gets the day before or after. Odd years: reversed. Shared celebration — both parents attend a single birthday event each year Separate celebrations — each parent hosts their own party during their time

Mother's Day is always with the mother and Father's Day is always with the father, 9 AM – 7 PM, every year. These take highest priority over all other schedules.

Summer & Vacation

Utah law provides specific guidelines for summer parent-time and vacation scheduling.

Noncustodial Parent Summer Time

Under § 81-9-302, the noncustodial parent is entitled to up to 4 weeks of extended summer parent-time, with at least 2 consecutive weeks uninterrupted.

4 weeks total (Utah statutory maximum for NCP) — 2 weeks consecutive, 2 additional weeks in 1-week blocks 2 consecutive weeks only Equal summer split — each parent gets half of summer break Regular schedule continues through summer (no extended time)

Custodial Parent Uninterrupted Time

The custodial parent also gets uninterrupted summer time.

2 weeks uninterrupted (Utah default) 1 week uninterrupted No uninterrupted block (regular schedule continues)

Vacation Notice Requirement

30 days written notice before end of school term (Utah statutory requirement) 45 days written notice (extended notice period) 60 days written notice

Extended Weekends

Yes — contiguous non-school days (teacher workdays, snow days) are included with weekends per Utah law No — follow the regular schedule regardless of school closures

Decision-Making & Communication

Allocate decision-making authority for major life areas and establish communication expectations. Utah Code § 81-9-203 requires plans to address education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.

Education Decisions

School choice, enrollment, tutoring, special education, extracurricular academic programs.

Joint Parent A Parent B

Healthcare Decisions

Medical, dental, mental health treatment, therapy, and elective procedures.

Joint Parent A Parent B

Religious Upbringing

Church attendance, religious instruction, ceremonies, and religious education.

Joint Parent A Parent B

Extracurricular Activities

Sports, music, clubs, camps, and other organized activities.

Joint Parent A Parent B

Right of First Refusal

When a parent needs childcare for an extended period, should they offer the other parent the opportunity to care for the child first?

Yes — if childcare is needed for 4 or more hours, offer the other parent first Yes — if childcare is needed for 8 or more hours (overnight only) No — each parent arranges their own childcare during their time

Primary Communication Method

Co-parenting app (OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, AppClose) — all communication documented Text message and email — written communication only Any method — phone, text, email, or in person as needed

Parenting Plan Builder

Basic Information

Custody Type

Regular Schedule

Holidays & Special Days

Summer & Vacation

Decision-Making & Communication

Parenting Plan Summary

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