UT HB0303

Courts may award attorney fees and costs in family law proceedings if the requesting party lacks financial resources, the other party can pay, and the fees are reasonable and necessary—but parties who voluntarily choose not to earn income cannot claim inability to pay

"Coercive control" is defined as a pattern of behavior that interferes with another person's independent decisions, including isolation, deprivation of basic necessities, financial control, threats, property damage, or compelling conduct through force or intimidation

Courts may consider evidence of coercive control when making custody or parent-time decisions, and must consider past domestic violence, protective orders, and criminal history when abuse allegations are present

New custody evaluator requirements establish professional qualifications (licensed clinical social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, marriage/family therapist, or clinical mental health counselor) plus 18 hours of specialized training on child development, family dynamics, and effects of divorce/abuse

Parents must mutually agree on mental health professionals for court-ordered treatment involving their child; if they cannot agree, each submits three names and the court selects from the combined list