Salt Lake City, Utah · Updated October 2026
Top 3 Child Custody Lawyers in Salt Lake City (2026)
Three Salt Lake City family law firms compared on Google ratings, custody services, office hours and what clients say. Smoak Law, P.C. is our featured firm.
- ✓Parenting plans
- ✓Joint & sole custody
- ✓Custody modifications
- ✓Relocation cases
At a glance
Salt Lake City child custody firms compared
| Firm | Google rating | Reviews | Consultation | Custody strengths | Lower-cost LPP option | Weekday hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Smoak Law | ★★★★ 4.4 | 13 | Initial consultation (call for fee) | Parenting plans, military & relocation provisions | — | 8:30am–5pm |
| 2Nelson, Taylor & Associates | ★★★★½ 4.6 | 141 | Call to ask | Contested custody, mediation prep | — | 8am–5pm |
| 3Dolowitz Hunnicutt & Gibbs | ★★★★ 4.3 | 29 | Consultations offered (call for fee) | Complex, cross-border & LGBTQ+ families | ✓ | 9am–5pm |
“Call to ask” means the firm does not publish this on its website. Ratings and review counts are from Google.
Ratings and review counts from Google, checked October 15, 2026. Hours can change on holidays; call to confirm.
The list
Top 3 child custody lawyers in Salt Lake City
Smoak Law, P.C.
Family law matters handled
- Custody & parenting plans
- Divorce
- Child support modification
- Alimony
- Prenuptial agreements
- Litigation
- Criminal law
Smoak Law, P.C. is led by Emily Smoak, an experienced child custody attorney in Salt Lake City who works from 299 South Main Street, a few blocks from the Matheson Courthouse. The firm helps parents negotiate or litigate Utah parenting plans that set out time-sharing, decision-making, school choice, healthcare, holidays, exchanges and how disagreements will be resolved. It also drafts relocation provisions and military parenting plans covering deployment, and it encourages a collaborative approach where parents can work together.
What clients praise
- Reviewers describe Emily Smoak as attentive and thoughtful, and as fighting hard for her clients’ needs in divorce and custody matters
- One family credits her with negotiating a settlement far better than the one first proposed, with regular updates and virtual meetings when needed
- Several clients say they trust her to look out for their children’s best interests
Worth knowing
- A recurring complaint in Google reviews is billing: some clients say large retainers were used up quickly with less progress than they expected, so ask for a written fee estimate
- Emily Smoak is the only attorney listed on the firm’s website, so this is a smaller, attorney-led practice rather than a large team
- Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm
- Sat–Sun Closed
Why it made the list: A downtown, attorney-led practice with detailed published guidance on Utah parenting plans, relocation and military parenting.
📍 299 S Main St, Suite 1300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Nelson, Taylor & Associates PLLC
- Child custody
- Divorce
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Estate planning
- Criminal defense
Nelson, Taylor & Associates PLLC is a Salt Lake City firm on 500 East with several attorneys, including founding partners Mark Nelson and Wade Taylor and associate Nicholas Gottwald. The firm focuses on divorce and family law, including custody and support, and also handles estate planning and criminal defense.
What clients praise
- Several reviewers name Nick Gottwald on contested custody cases, describing him as responsive, clear about the process and compassionate
- Clients of Wade Taylor mention honest explanations of possible outcomes, steady updates and fees they considered fair
- One client says Mark Nelson had everything prepared ahead of two mediation sessions
Worth knowing
- Older directory reviews for one founding partner score communication and responsiveness low, though recent Google reviews are far more positive
- The firm also practices estate planning and criminal defense, so ask which attorney will handle your custody file day to day
- Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
- Sat–Sun Call to ask
Why it made the list: The highest-rated and most-reviewed firm in this comparison, with multiple attorneys handling family cases.
📍 34 S 500 E, Suite 105, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Dolowitz Hunnicutt & Gibbs
- Child custody & support
- Visitation & parent-time
- International parental abduction
- Parentage & paternity
- LGBTQ+ family law
- Protective orders
- Divorce & modifications
- Adoptions
Dolowitz Hunnicutt & Gibbs is a family law firm in the southeast Salt Lake valley with partners James M. Hunnicutt and Kaitlyn E. Gibbs. It handles custody, parent-time and support alongside complex divorces, and lists international parental abduction and LGBTQ+ family matters among its services. It also has a Licensed Paralegal Practitioner, Jessika A. Allsop, who can help with some custody matters at a lower cost than an attorney.
What clients praise
- Several reviewers recommend Jessika Allsop as an attentive, communicative and more affordable option for custody cases
- A client in a multi-year divorce and custody case describes Kaitlyn Gibbs and her team as evidence-based, well organized and strong at trial
- Testimonials on the firm’s site credit Jim Hunnicutt with prevailing at trial
Worth knowing
- One reviewer says a friend felt pushed to concede to the other parent instead of going to court, so discuss your goals for settlement versus trial up front
- The office is roughly 10 miles southeast of downtown, a longer trip to the Matheson Courthouse than the other two firms
- Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
- Sat–Sun Closed
Why it made the list: Brings complex-case and cross-border custody experience plus a lower-cost Licensed Paralegal Practitioner option.
📍 6465 S 3000 E, Suite 108, Salt Lake City, UT 84121
Free tool
Which Salt Lake City firm fits your custody case?
Tick what you need. We match it against each firm’s published practice areas and services.
Guide
How child custody works in Utah
Every case needs a parenting plan
Utah parents who live apart must have a parenting plan that sets out each parent’s time with the children, who makes major decisions, and how disagreements will be handled, such as through mediation or counseling.
Legal and physical custody
Legal custody covers major decisions like schooling, healthcare and religion. Physical custody covers where the children live. Either can be joint or sole, and joint arrangements are common in Utah.
The child’s best interests decide
If parents cannot agree, a judge decides based on the child’s best interests, looking at each parent’s relationship with the child, ability to meet the child’s needs, and any history of abuse or neglect. An older child’s wishes can be considered but do not control the outcome.
Relocation rules
A parent who plans to move 150 miles or more from the other parent must give 60 days’ advance written notice, and the court can review parent-time and travel costs.
Parenting classes are required
Parents of minor children going through divorce in Utah must complete court-required parenting education before the case is finalized.
Orders can be modified
A custody order can be changed when there has been a substantial change in circumstances and the change serves the child’s best interests.
Before your first meeting
What to bring to a child custody consultation
0 of 8 ready
Methodology
How we chose these firms
We compared Salt Lake City family law firms that publish child custody services, then checked each firm’s Google rating and review count, office hours, published practice areas and recurring themes in client reviews, including complaints.
Smoak Law, P.C. is our featured firm and appears first. The other firms are included on merit; we are not affiliated with them and they did not pay to appear.
Ratings, review counts and hours were checked on October 15, 2026.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does a child custody lawyer cost in Salt Lake City?
Most Salt Lake City family law attorneys bill hourly and ask for a retainer up front. The total depends on whether the case settles or goes to trial. Ask each firm for its hourly rate, retainer amount and a written estimate at your first meeting.
Do I need a parenting plan in Utah?
Yes. Utah parents of minor children who live apart need a parenting plan covering time-sharing, decision-making, and how disputes between the parents will be resolved.
What is the difference between legal and physical custody in Utah?
Legal custody is the right to make major decisions about a child’s schooling, healthcare and religion. Physical custody is where the child lives. Each can be shared jointly or held by one parent.
Can my child choose which parent to live with in Utah?
A judge can consider an older child’s preference, but the child does not get to decide. The court weighs the child’s wishes alongside all the other best-interest factors.
Can I move out of state with my child after a custody order?
If you plan to move 150 miles or more from the other parent, Utah law requires 60 days’ advance written notice, and the court may review the parent-time schedule and travel costs. Talk to a lawyer before you move.
Can a Utah custody order be changed later?
Yes. A parent can ask the court to modify custody when there has been a substantial change in circumstances and the change is in the child’s best interests.
What is a Licensed Paralegal Practitioner?
Utah allows Licensed Paralegal Practitioners to help with certain family law matters, such as custody and support paperwork and negotiation, usually at a lower cost than an attorney. They cannot do everything a lawyer can, so ask what they can handle in your case.
Which courthouse handles custody cases in Salt Lake City?
Family cases in Salt Lake County are filed in the Third District Court. The main courthouse is the Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street, and the Third District also has a courthouse in West Jordan.
Local guide
Salt Lake City custody court local guide
Which Third District courthouse is closest to each firm, plus where to find free legal research help.
What is near each firm
Smoak Law
Downtown, Main Street
NEAREST THIRD DISTRICT COURTHOUSE
- Matheson Courthouse (Third District Court)
450 S State St, Salt Lake City0.2 mi
NEAREST LAW LIBRARY
- Utah State Law Library
450 S State St (Matheson Courthouse), Salt Lake City0.3 mi
Nelson, Taylor & Associates
East Central, 500 East
NEAREST THIRD DISTRICT COURTHOUSE
- Matheson Courthouse (Third District Court)
450 S State St, Salt Lake City0.9 mi
NEAREST LAW LIBRARY
- Utah State Law Library
450 S State St (Matheson Courthouse), Salt Lake City0.9 mi
Dolowitz Hunnicutt & Gibbs
Holladay / Cottonwood Heights area
NEAREST THIRD DISTRICT COURTHOUSE
- Third District Court, West Jordan
8080 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan7.5 mi
NEAREST LAW LIBRARY
- Utah State Law Library
450 S State St (Matheson Courthouse), Salt Lake City9.8 mi
Distances are straight-line estimates.
Third District Court locations in Salt Lake County
Free legal research help
Tips for a Salt Lake City custody case
- Keep the focus on the children. Judges look at each parent’s ability to meet the children’s needs, not at blame between the parents.
- Write things down. A simple log of parenting time, exchanges and missed visits is often more useful than memory.
- Keep messages civil. Assume any text or email to the other parent may be read by a judge.
- Follow temporary orders exactly. Sticking to interim schedules shows the court you can follow a plan.
- Get fees in writing. Ask for the hourly rate, retainer and billing practices before you sign.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Smoak Law, P.C. is the featured firm on this page; we are not affiliated with the other firms listed. Ratings, reviews and hours checked on October 15, 2026.