In Utah, a parent is not required to have a job and it’s likely that a court cannot order a parent to get a job and earn money.
If that parent can work but chooses not to do so, the court will do what is known as “imputing” an income to that parent for the purpose of calculating child support.
Imputing income means, in the context of calculating child support, is that the parent who can work but chooses not to work is treated as though he or she is working and earning the income he or she is capable of earning. In this manner, financial support for children is not left entirely on the shoulders of just the one parent who may have a job. Child support is more fairly calculated this way.
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277
