Utah 2026 General Session Status: To Executive 2 R cosponsors

HB 555 — Changes to Family Law Actions

Last action — House/ filed

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 12, 2026. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Prognosis

Advancing 46% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

192 added · 171 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to Bill HB 555 clarify and expand the rules regarding the awarding of attorney fees and associated costs in family law cases. Key changes require courts to take into account the financial capabilities of both parties when deciding on such fees and establish the need for specific findings if fees are not awarded. This is significant because it aims to ensure fairness in legal proceedings by considering individuals' ability to pay, which can impact access to justice within family law matters. Additionally, the bill reinforces provisions to award reasonable fees when enforcing domestic relations orders, potentially making it easier for individuals to uphold their rights.

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02-23 13:18 H.B.
HB0555S01 compared with HB0555 {Omitted text} shows text that was in HB0555 but was omitted in HB0555S01 inserted text shows text that was not in HB0555 but was inserted into HB0555S01 DISCLAIMER:
555 Changes to Family Law Actions GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
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Changes to Family Law Actions GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
▸ addresses an order of attorney fees, costs, and witness fees in a family law action;
▸ addresses an {order } award of {attorney } fees{, costs, } and {witness fees } costs in a family law action;and ▸ {requires a court to consider the ability of the parties to pay the costs, attorney fees, and witness fees for a temporary order in a family law action;} ▸ {requires the court to enter a specific finding as to the ability of the parties to pay costs, attorney fees, and witness fees for a temporary order in a family law action;} ▸ {requires a court to enter a specific finding as to why the court did not award fees or limited fees in a family law action;} H ▸ {requires a court to award reasonable attorney fees and costs in an action to enforcB custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or division of property in a domestic case w5en the party prevails upon a claim or defense;} HB0555 compared with HB0555S01 ▸ {amends the requirements for attorney fees for a petition to modify parent-time or custody;
▸ requires a court to consider the ability of the parties to pay the costs, attorney fees, and witness fees for a temporary order in a family law action;
and} ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
▸ requires the court to enter a specific finding as to the ability of the parties to pay costs, attorney fees, and witness fees for a temporary order in a family law action;
▸ requires a court to enter a specific finding as to why the court did not award fees or limited fees in a family law action;
▸ requires a court to award reasonable attorney fees and costs in an action to enforce custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or division of property in a domestic case when the party prevails upon a claim or defense;
▸ amends the requirements for attorney fees for a petition to modify parent-time or custody;
and ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
H .
None Utah Code Sections Affected:
None B Utah Code Sections Affected:
81-1-203, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 366 81-4-501, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 366 81-9-208, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 426 H.B.
81-1-203 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 366 81-4-501 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 366 81-9-208 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 426 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
555 02-23 13:18 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
81-1-203 .
81-1-203.
(1)[(a) In an action filed under Chapter 4, Dissolution of Marriage, Title 78B, Chapter 7, Part 6, Cohabitant Abuse Protective Orders, or in an action to establish an order of custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or the division of property in a domestic case, the court may order a party to pay the costs, attorney fees, and witness fees, including expert witness fees, of the other party to enable the other party to prosecute or defend the action.] (a) The court may order a party to pay the attorney fees, costs, and witness fees, including expert witness fees, of the other party to enable the other party to prosecute or defend:
(1) [(a) In an action filed under Chapter 4, Dissolution of Marriage, Title 78B, Chapter 7, Part 6, Cohabitant Abuse Protective Orders, or in an action to establish an order of custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or the division of property in a domestic case, the court may order a party to pay the costs, attorney fees, and witness fees, including expert witness fees, of the other party to enable the other party to prosecute or defend the action.] (a) The court may order a party to pay the attorney fees, costs, and witness fees, including expert witness fees, of the other party to enable the other party to prosecute or defend:
(b) The order under Subsection (1)(a) may include a provision for costs of the action.
(b) [ ]The order under Subsection (1)(a) may include a provision for costs of the action.
(2) For a temporary order in an action to establish or modify custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or the division of property in a domestic case, the court shall:
- 2 - HB0555 compared with HB0555S01 (2){(c)} {For a temporary order in an action to establish or modify custody, parent-time} The court may order a party to provide money under this Subsection (1), during the pendency of the action, {child } for the separate support{, alimony, or } and maintenance of the {division of property in } other party and of a {domestic case, } minor child in the custody of the {court shall:} other party.
(a) consider the ability of the parties to pay the costs, attorney fees, and witness fees, including expert witness fees;
[(2) {(a)} {consider the ability of the parties to pay the costs, attorney fees, and witness fees, including expert witness fees;
and (b) enter specific findings as to the ability of the parties to pay the costs described in Subsection (2)(a).
and} {enter specific findings as to the ability of the parties to pay the costs described in Subsection (2) (a).} {[(2)] (3)} { Ĥ→ } {} {Except as provided in Subsection (4), }[} In{] {in}{} ←Ĥ } an action to enforce an order of custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or division of property in a domestic case, the court {[} may award costs and attorney fees{] shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs} upon determining that the party {[} substantially {]{ Ĥ→ } {} {substantially }{} ←Ĥ } prevailed upon the claim or defense.] (2) Upon a party's motion or the court's own motion, the court shall enter specific findings as to the ability of the parties to pay the costs, attorney fees, and witness fees, including expert witness fees, for a temporary order in an action to establish or modify custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or the division of property in a domestic case.
[(2)] (3) Ĥ→ Except as provided in Subsection (4), [In] in ←Ĥ an action to 56a enforce an order of custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or division of property in a domestic case, the court [may award costs and attorney fees] shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs upon determining that the party [ substantially ] Ĥ→ substantially ←Ĥ prevailed upon the claim or defense.
(3) Except as provided in Subsection (4), the court shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs to a party in an action to enforce an order of custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or division of property in a domestic case if the court determines that the party substantially prevailed upon the claim or defense.
[(3)] (4)(a) The court, in the court's discretion, may award no fees or limited fees against a party if the court finds the party is indigent or enters in the record the reason for not awarding fees.
[(3)] (4) {(a)} The court, in the court's discretion, may award no fees or limited fees against a party under this section if the court [finds the party is indigent or enters in the record the reason for not awarding fees.] enters a specific finding that:
(b) If the court awards no fees or limited fees against a party as described in Subsection - 2 - 02-23 13:18 H.B.
(b){(a)} {If the court awards no fees or limited fees against a } the party {as described in Subsection (4)(a), the court shall enter a specific finding as to the reason why the court did not award fees or awarded limited fees.} is indigent;
555 (4)(a), the court shall enter a specific finding as to the reason why the court did not award fees or awarded limited fees.
or {[(4)] (5)} the party did not bring the action, petition, or motion to harass, cause unreasonable delay, needlessly increase the cost of litigation, or abuse the judicial process.
[(4)] (5) In an action described in Subsection (1), the court may order a party to provide money, during the pendency of the action, for the separate support and maintenance of the other party and of a minor child in the custody of the other party.
- 3 - HB0555 compared with HB0555S01 [(4) In an action described in Subsection (1), the court may order a party to provide money, during the pendency of the action, for the separate support and maintenance of the other party and of a minor child in the custody of the other party.] {[(5){]} {(6)} } The court may amend an order entered in accordance with this section before the entry of the final order or judgment or in the final order or judgment.
[(5)] (6) The court may amend an order entered in accordance with this section before the entry of the final order or judgment or in the final order or judgment.
81-4-501 .
81-4-501.
(c) knowingly and intentionally causing the other party or a minor child to reasonably fear life-threatening harm;
(c) knowingly and intentionally causing the other party or a minor child to reasonably fear life- threatening harm;
81-9-208 .
81-9-208.
(a) custody of a minor child if there is a showing of a substantial and material change in - 3 - H.B.
- 4 - HB0555 compared with HB0555S01 (a) custody of a minor child if there is a showing of a substantial and material change in circumstances since the entry of the order;
555 02-23 13:18 circumstances since the entry of the order;
(i) is required to register as a sex offender, a kidnap offender, or a child abuse offender for an offense committed against a minor child under Title 53, Chapter 107a 29, Sex, Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry;
(i) is required to register as a sex offender, a kidnap offender, or a child abuse offender for an offense committed against a minor child under Title 53, Chapter 29, Sex, Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry;
and (c)(i) both parents have complied in good faith with the dispute resolution procedure in accordance with Subsection 81-9-205(8);
and (c) - 5 - HB0555 compared with HB0555S01 (i) both parents have complied in good faith with the dispute resolution procedure in accordance with Subsection 81-9-205(8);
or - 4 - 02-23 13:18 H.B.
or (ii) if no dispute resolution procedure is contained in the order that established joint legal custody or joint physical custody, the court orders the parents to participate in a dispute resolution procedure in accordance with Subsection 81-9-205(13) unless the parents certify that, in good faith, they have used a dispute resolution procedure to resolve their dispute.
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555 (ii) if no dispute resolution procedure is contained in the order that established joint legal custody or joint physical custody, the court orders the parents to participate in a dispute resolution procedure in accordance with Subsection 81-9-205(13) unless the parents certify that, in good faith, they have used a dispute resolution procedure to resolve their dispute.
(4) (a) In determining whether the best interest of a minor child will be served by either modifying or terminating the joint legal custody or joint physical custody order, the court shall, in addition to other factors the court considers relevant, consider the factors described in Sections 81-9-204 and 81-9-205.
(4)(a) In determining whether the best interest of a minor child will be served by either modifying or terminating the joint legal custody or joint physical custody order, the court shall, in addition to other factors the court considers relevant, consider the factors described in Sections 81-9-204 and 81-9-205.
(9) If the court finds that an action to modify custody or parent-time is filed or answered frivolously [and] or, in a manner, designed to harass the other party, the court shall assess attorney fees as costs against the offending party.
- 6 - HB0555 compared with HB0555S01 [(9) If the court finds that an action to modify custody or parent-time is filed or answered frivolously {[} and{] or}, in a manner, designed to harass the other party, the court shall assess attorney fees as costs against the offending party.] [(10) If a petition to modify custody or parent-time provisions of a court order is made and denied, the court shall order the {[} petitioner{] nonprevailing party} to pay the reasonable attorney fees expended by the prevailing party in that action if the court determines that the petition was {[} without merit and {]} not asserted or defended against in good faith.] (9) If a petition to modify custody or parent-time is denied by a court, the court shall order the petitioner to pay the respondent's reasonable attorney fees and costs if the court determines that:
(10) If a petition to modify custody or parent-time provisions of a court order is made and - 5 - H.B.
(a) the petition was frivolous or has no reasonable basis in law or fact;
555 02-23 13:18 denied, the court shall order the [petitioner] nonprevailing party to pay the reasonable attorney fees expended by the prevailing party in that action if the court determines that the petition was [without merit and ]not asserted or defended against in good faith.
and (b) the petitioner brought the petition to harass, cause unreasonable delay, needlessly increase the cost of litigation, or abuse the judicial process.
(11) If a motion or petition alleges noncompliance with a parent-time order by a parent, or a visitation order by a grandparent or other member of the immediate family where a visitation or parent-time right has been previously granted by the court, the court:
[(11)] (10) If a motion or petition alleges noncompliance with a parent-time order by a parent, or a visitation order by a grandparent or other member of the immediate family where a visitation or parent-time right has been previously granted by the court, the court:
Effective Date.
Effective date.
- 6 -
2-26-26 5:09 PM - 7 -
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How this bill changes current law

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Compared against the Utah Code as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill updates various provisions regarding the award of attorney fees, costs, and support in family law actions.

  • 81-1-203

    In an action filed under Chapter 4, Dissolution of Marriage, Title 78B, Chapter 7, Part 6, Cohabitant Abuse Protective Orders, or in an action to establish an order of custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or the division of property in a domestic case, the court may order a party to pay the costs, attorney fees, and witness fees, including expert witness fees, of the other party to enable the other party to prosecute or defend the action. → The court may order a party to pay the attorney fees, costs, and witness fees, including expert witness fees, of the other party to enable the other party to prosecute or defend: (i) an action described in Chapter 4, Dissolution of Marriage; (ii) an action described in Title 78B, Chapter 7, Part 6, Cohabitant Abuse Protective Orders; or (iii) an action to establish or modify custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or the division of property in a domestic case.

    This change clarifies and specifies the types of actions for which attorney fees, costs, and witness fees may be awarded.

  • 81-1-203

    For a temporary order in an action to establish or modify custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or the division of property in a domestic case, the court shall: consider the ability of the parties to pay the costs, attorney fees, and witness fees, including expert witness fees; and → Upon a party's motion or the court's own motion, the court shall enter specific findings as to the ability of the parties to pay the costs, attorney fees, and witness fees, including expert witness fees, for a temporary order in an action to establish or modify custody, parent-time, child support, alimony, or the division of property in a domestic case.

    This change mandates specific findings by the court regarding the financial ability of parties to pay associated costs for temporary orders.

  • 81-1-203

    may award costs and attorney fees → shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs

    This change establishes that the court must award attorney fees and costs to a party in certain enforcement actions when they prevail.

  • 81-1-203

    the court shall enter a specific finding as to the reason why the court did not award fees or awarded limited fees. → the court enters a specific finding that: (a) the party is indigent; or (b) the party did not bring the action, petition, or motion to harass, cause unreasonable delay, needlessly increase the cost of litigation, or abuse the judicial process.

    This change requires the court to explicitly state the reasons when awarding limited fees or no fees.

  • 81-4-501

    Temporary alimony means money that the court orders a party to pay during the pendency of an action under this chapter for the support and maintenance of a party as described in Subsection 81-1-203(4). → Temporary alimony means money that the court orders a party to pay during the pendency of an action under this chapter for the support and maintenance of a party as described in Subsection 81-1-203(5).

    This change updates the reference to the correct subsection regarding temporary alimony.

  • 81-9-208

    may award costs and attorney fees → shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs

    This change requires the court to award reasonable attorney fees and costs when a party prevails in actions to enforce custody and support orders.

Amendments

1 amendment

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Action History

  1. House/ filed

  2. House/ received from Senate

  3. Senate/ to House

  4. Senate/ strike enacting clause

  5. Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]

  6. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  7. Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

  8. Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

  9. Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

  10. Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

  11. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  12. Senate/ received from House

  13. House/ to Senate

  14. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0555S01

  15. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0555S01

  16. House/ passed 3rd reading

  17. House/ substituted

  18. House/ 3rd reading

  19. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0555S01

  20. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0555S01

  21. House/ 2nd reading

  22. House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Judiciary Committee]

  23. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]

  24. House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]

  25. House/ to standing committee [House Judiciary Committee]

  26. House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  27. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0555

  28. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0555

  29. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  30. House/ received bill from Legislative Research

  31. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0555

  32. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0555

  33. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  34. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 102 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (102)

102 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 555?
HB 555 is sponsored by Todd Weiler (Republican) and Tracy Miller (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 555?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 12, 2026. It awaits signature.
Where can I track HB 555?
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