Best Custody & Visitation in Utah — 13 resources

About Custody & Visitation for Women

Custody and visitation cases for women are handled in state and county family courts under each state's 'best interest of the child' standard. Mothers seeking sole, joint, or primary physical custody can use free self-help centers inside most courthouses to file petitions, parenting plans, and modification requests without an attorney. The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence and the Women's Law Project track state-by-state custody trends, and organizations like the Battered Mothers Custody Conference advocate where abuse intersects with custody. This directory combines official state court self-help portals, county family law facilitators, women-focused family law firms, and maternal advocacy organizations.

Custody & Visitation in Utah

Utah district courts handle family law in each of its eight judicial districts; juvenile courts handle parentage and some custody matters. The Office of Recovery Services (ORS) operates child support enforcement. Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo, and West Jordan are the largest cities. Utah Legal Services, Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake, and the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition support women.

13 Resources

1. Utah Courts Self-Help — Family Law — Free

Official court forms and resources for custody, parent-time, and family law filings for mothers and women across Utah. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Available online 24/7.

801-578-3800 · Statewide Online Resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Utah Legal Services — Family Law — Free

Free legal help with custody and family law for low-income women statewide. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

801-328-8891 · 205 N 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84103 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake — Family Law — Free

Free family law representation for qualifying Salt Lake area women in Salt Lake City. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

801-328-8849 · 205 N 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84103 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Utah State Bar — Lawyer Referral

Connects women with family law attorneys for consultations in Salt Lake City. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

801-531-9077 · 645 S 200 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Utah Family Court Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation for resolving custody and parent-time disputes for mothers and women across Utah. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, and any prior court orders to your filing or hearing. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

801-578-3800 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. WomensLaw.org — Custody Information — Free

Free online legal resource written specifically for women in plain, accessible language by attorneys. Covers custody, protective orders, divorce, and survivor rights in every state. Available 24/7 at womenslaw.org. Includes an email hotline for confidential legal questions.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. USA.gov — Child Custody and Support — Free

Official US government portal for child custody and support information with clear explanations and direct links to every state agency. Available 24/7 at usa.gov without registration.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. ChildWelfare.gov — Custody Resources — Free

Federal child welfare information gateway providing research-backed custody resources, kinship care guidance, and parenting plan templates. Free at childwelfare.gov.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges — Free

NCJFCJ — research, training, and resources on family court including custody best practices for mothers and women. Self-help materials, standardized forms, and clerk assistance are available for unrepresented women. Available online 24/7 at ncjfcj.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. FindLaw — Child Custody — Free

Free public legal information on child custody, modifications, relocation rules, and enforcement written in plain language by legal editors covering every state.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many custody & visitation resources are in Utah?
Women's Corner tracks 13 custody & visitation resources for women in Utah.
Are custody & visitation resources in Utah free?
12 of the 13 listed custody & visitation resources in Utah are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Utah have custody & visitation resources?
Listings span cities including Salt Lake City.
What are some examples of custody & visitation resources in Utah?
Featured entries include Utah Courts Self-Help — Family Law, Utah Legal Services — Family Law, Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake — Family Law, Utah State Bar — Lawyer Referral, Utah Family Court Mediation.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
5 of 13 Utah custody & visitation listings include phone numbers.
Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?
No — you can file pro se using forms from your county's Family Court Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if your ex is contesting custody, there's a history of abuse, or you need to relocate. Legal aid organizations cover custody cases for income-qualifying mothers.
How does the court decide who gets custody?
Judges apply the 'best interest of the child' standard, weighing each parent's caregiving history, stability, work schedule, the child's bond with each parent, any abuse or substance use, and (for older children) the child's preference. Being the primary caregiver — the parent who handles school, doctor visits, and daily routines — carries significant weight.
What if my ex won't follow the parenting plan?
Document every missed exchange, denied visit, or violation with dates, screenshots, and witnesses, then file a Motion for Contempt or Motion to Enforce with the court that issued your order. Courts can order make-up time, fines, or even change custody for repeated violations. Don't withhold the child in retaliation — that can hurt your case.
Can I get sole custody?
Yes, but courts presume joint custody is best unless you can show the other parent is unfit — documented abuse, untreated addiction, abandonment, or serious mental illness that endangers the child. Bring police reports, medical records, CPS findings, and witness statements. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate.