One of the most difficult issues that a court will have to address in any divorce is which parent should have physical custody of the children.  There are three types of custody in Utah.  Sole custody means that one parent has the physical custody of the child and the other has parent-time. Split custody means that one parent has physical custody of one or more of the children and the other parent has physical custody of the rest. Joint custody means that both parents share physical custody.  Joint custody can be established many ways. Some parents trade each week, some trade during a year.

In Utah, before parents will be granted an order of joint custody, they must develop a parenting plan.

To review the law regarding parenting plans, press the link below.
http://www.livepublish.le.state.ut.us/lpBin20/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main- hit-h.htm&2.0

For further information you may want to look at the following sites:

Divorcesource.com: Custody evaluators
http://www.divorcesource.com/info/professionals/evaluators.shtml

Utah Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TITLE78/78_38.htm

Divorcenet.com Family Law Advisor Article: Custody
http://www.divorcenet.com/ut/ut-art02.html

Utah Divorce Law Handbook by Utah Divorce Law Professionals
http://www.utdivorce.com/custody.htm

AllLaw.com
http://www.alllaw.com/articles/family/child_custody/article15.asp

For a list of providers that was compiled and provided to those attending the  2002 Family Law Seminar, click here

Frequently Asked Questions about Custody-Click here.