Utah Law: Divorce, Family Law, child custody, child support, visitation, parent time, alimony, spousal support, mediation, divorce classes, and other family law issues

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Utah Code, Section 30-3-10.3

30-3-10.3. Terms of joint legal custody order

(1) Unless the court orders otherwise, before a final order of joint legal custody is entered both parties shall attend the mandatory course for divorcing parents, as provided in Section 30-3-11.3, and present a certificate of completion from the course to the court.

(2) An order of joint legal custody shall provide terms the court determines appropriate, which may include specifying:

(a) either the county of residence of the child, until altered by further order of the court, or the custodian who has the sole legal right to determine the residence of the child;

(b) that the parents shall exchange information concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child, and where possible, confer before making decisions concerning any of these areas;

(d) provisions to minimize disruption of the child's attendance at school and other activities, his daily routine, and his association with friends; and

(e) as necessary, the remaining parental rights, privileges, duties, and powers to be exercised by the parents solely, concurrently, or jointly.

(3) The court shall, where possible, include in the order the terms agreed to between the parties.

(4) Any parental rights not specifically addressed by the court order may be exercised by the parent having physical custody of the child the majority of the time.

(5)(a) The appointment of joint legal custodians does not impair or limit the authority of the court to order support of the child, including payments by one custodian to the other.

(c) The agreement may contain a dispute resolution procedure the parties agree to use before seeking enforcement or modification of the terms and conditions of the order of joint legal custody through litigation, except in emergency situations requiring ex parte orders to protect the child.