THE RIGHT ATTORNEY MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE


DIVORCE ATTORNEY SALT LAKE CITY, UT

THE RIGHT ATTORNEY MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE


DIVORCE ATTORNEY SALT LAKE CITY, UT

UTAH CODE 30-3-35.5

Utah law presumes that very young children should not be kept away from their primary care providers for long periods of time.  This is particularly true with infants, who are nursing and require specific travelling and sleeping arrangements.  The Utah legislature has established a progressive parent time schedule for children less than five years of age, which is set forth in Utah Code 30-3-35.5.

Pursuant to Utah Code 30-3-35.5, a non-custodial parent’s right to visitation with an infant of less than five months is limited to six hours per week, divided into three two-hour increments.  Parent-time must occur in the custodial parent’s home or some other environment familiar to the child.  When the infant turns five months old, parent-time is increased to nine hours per week, divided into three three-hour increments.  Parent-time is again increased at nine months of age, to one eight-hour visit and one three-hour visit each week.  At nine months of age, there is no longer a requirement that parent-time must occur in the custodial home, and the non-custodial parent is permitted to visit with the child via telephone and/or virtual parent-time.

The first overnight visit with the non-custodial parent occurs when the child turns one year of age.  The non-custodial parent is then entitled to an overnight visit every other Friday, followed by eight hours of parent-time on the opposite weekend.  When the child turns 18 months old, the schedule is increased to the every other weekend schedule outlined in Utah Code 30-3-35 but with less time during the summer.  Extended summer time is gradually increased until the child turn five years old.

Utah Code 30-3-35.5.   Minimum schedule for parent-time for children under five years of age.

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(1) The parent-time schedule in this section applies to children under five years old. (2) All holidays in this section refer to the same holidays referenced in Section 30-3-35. (3) If the parties do not agree to a parent-time schedule, the following schedule shall be considered the minimum parent-time to which the noncustodial parent and the child shall be entitled. (a) For children under five months of age: (i) six hours of parent-time per week to be specified by the court or the noncustodial parent preferably: (A) divided into three parent-time periods; and (B) in the custodial home, established child care setting, or other environment familiar to the child; and (ii) two hours on holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35(2)(f) through (j) preferably in the custodial home, the established child care setting, or other environment familiar to the child. (b) For children five months of age or older, but younger than nine months of age: (i) nine hours of parent-time per week to be specified by the court or the noncustodial parent preferably: (A) divided into three parent-time periods; and (B) in the custodial home, established child care setting, or other environment familiar to the child; and (ii) two hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35(2)(f) through (j) preferably in the custodial home, the established child care setting, or other environment familiar to the child. (c) For children nine months of age or older, but younger than 12 months of age: (i) one eight hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court; (ii) one three hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court; (iii) eight hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35(2)(f) through (j); and (iv) brief telephone contact and other virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration: (A) the best interests of the child; (B) each parent’s ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and (C) any other factors the court considers material. (d) For children 12 months of age or older, but younger than 18 months of age: (i) one eight-hour visit per alternating weekend to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court; (ii) on opposite weekends from Subsection (3)(d)(i), from 6 p.m. on Friday until noon on Saturday; (iii) one three-hour visit per week to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court; (iv) eight hours on the holidays and in the years specified in Subsections 30-3-35(2)(f) through (j); and (v) brief telephone contact and other virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration: (A) the best interests of the child; (B) each parent’s ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and (C) any other factors the court considers material. (e) For children 18 months of age or older, but younger than three years of age: (i) one weekday evening between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court; however, if the child is being cared for during the day outside his regular place of residence, the noncustodial parent may, with advance notice to the custodial parent, pick up the child from the caregiver at an earlier time and return him to the custodial parent by 8:30 p.m.; (ii) alternative weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the decree from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year; (iii) parent-time on holidays as specified in Subsections 30-3-35(2)(c) through (j); (iv) extended parent-time may be: (A) two one-week periods, separated by at least four weeks, at the option of the noncustodial parent; (B) one week shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent; (C) the remaining week shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial parent consistent with these guidelines; and (D) the custodial parent shall have an identical one-week period of uninterrupted time for vacation; and (v) brief telephone contact and virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration: (A) the best interests of the child; (B) each parent’s ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and (C) any other factors the court considers material. (f) For children three years of age or older, but younger than five years of age: (i) one weekday evening between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to be specified by the noncustodial parent or court; however, if the child is being cared for during the day outside his regular place of residence, the noncustodial parent may, with advance notice to the custodial parent, pick up the child from the caregiver at an earlier time and return him to the custodial parent by 8:30 p.m.; (ii) alternative weekends beginning on the first weekend after the entry of the decree from 6 p.m. on Friday until 7 p.m. on Sunday continuing each year; (iii) parent-time on holidays as specified in Subsections 30-3-35(2)(c) through (j); (iv) extended parent-time with the noncustodial parent may be: (A) two two-week periods, separated by at least four weeks, at the option of the noncustodial parent; (B) one two-week period shall be uninterrupted time for the noncustodial parent; (C) the remaining two-week period shall be subject to parent-time for the custodial parent consistent with these guidelines; and (D) the custodial parent shall have an identical two-week period of uninterrupted time for vacation; and (v) brief telephone contact and virtual parent-time, if the equipment is reasonably available, with the noncustodial parent at least two times per week, provided that if the parties cannot agree on whether the equipment is reasonably available, the court shall decide whether the equipment for virtual parent-time is reasonably available, taking into consideration: (A) the best interests of the child; (B) each parent’s ability to handle any additional expenses for virtual parent-time; and (C) any other factors the court considers material. (4) A parent shall notify the other parent at least 30 days in advance of extended parent-time or vacation weeks. (5) Virtual parent-time shall be at reasonable hours and for reasonable duration.

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STEVEN K. BURTON

As a former prosecutor Steven gained an intimate knowledge of various Domestic Violence Courts, DUI courts and other criminal court programs and procedures. He has spent over 3,500 hours in court and has argued more cases than most attorneys do in a lifetime. For more on Steve's experience, click here.

JACKIE REIDELBERGER

Jackie is a skilled trial attorney and negotiator who specializes in criminal defense. Her work ethic and genuine concern for her clients has given her a reputation for outworking and out-preparing opposing attorneys so she can negotiate from a position of strength and fight the cases that need to be fought. Because she cares about her clients, she considers each client’s specific needs and concerns in order to reach the best possible outcome in their case. For more on Jackie's experience click here.

MARK LAROCCO

Mark is skilled at dealing with all aspects of family law, including helping clients obtain modifications, enforce court orders, and achieve fair custody and support awards. Going through a painful divorce or a custody battle can be one of the most difficult times in someone’s life, and Mark is there to help every step of the way. For more on Mark's experience, click here.

JUSTIN PRATT

Attorney Justin S. Pratt handles all types of criminal cases, with an emphasis on DUI-related charges. He believes that someone who is charged with a crime deserves the specialized attention of an attorney who will protect his client's rights by taking the time to examine constitutional issues, important factual circumstances, and any other crucial factors that may be relevant to the case. For more on Justin's experience, click here.

HAYLI DICKEY

Hayli is a skilled attorney who specializes exclusively in family law. She is known as a “spitfire” attorney but with a personable personality. Because of her excellent reputation and track record of success in Utah courts, she was heavily recruited by multiple law firms. She joined Intermountain Legal because of the firm’s dedication to giving personal attention to each client and to providing excellent legal representation in every case. For more on Hayli's experience click here.

STEVEN K. BURTON

As a former prosecutor Steven gained an intimate knowledge of various Domestic Violence Courts, DUI courts and other criminal court programs and procedures. He has spent over 3,500 hours in court and has argued more cases than most attorneys do in a lifetime. For more on Steve's experience, click here.

 
JUSTIN PRATT

Attorney Justin S. Pratt handles all types of criminal cases, with an emphasis on DUI-related charges. He believes that someone who is charged with a crime deserves the specialized attention of an attorney who will protect his client's rights by taking the time to examine constitutional issues, important factual circumstances, and any other crucial factors that may be relevant to the case. For more on Justin's experience, click here.

 
MARK LAROCCO

Mark is skilled at dealing with all aspects of family law, including helping clients obtain modifications, enforce court orders, and achieve fair custody and support awards. Going through a painful divorce or a custody battle can be one of the most difficult times in someone’s life, and Mark is there to help every step of the way. For more on Mark's experience, click here.

 
JACKIE REIDELBERGER

Jackie is a skilled trial attorney and negotiator who specializes in criminal defense. Her work ethic and genuine concern for her clients has given her a reputation for outworking and out-preparing opposing attorneys so she can negotiate from a position of strength and fight the cases that need to be fought. Because she cares about her clients, she considers each client’s specific needs and concerns in order to reach the best possible outcome in their case. For more on Jackie's experience click here.

 
HAYLI DICKEY

Hayli is a skilled attorney who specializes exclusively in family law. She is known as a “spitfire” attorney but with a personable personality. Because of her excellent reputation and track record of success in Utah courts, she was heavily recruited by multiple law firms. She joined Intermountain Legal because of the firm’s dedication to giving personal attention to each client and to providing excellent legal representation in every case. For more on Hayli's experience click here.