Support in Wyoming

How Wyoming Calculates Child Support

Wyoming uses an income shares model with percentage-based guidelines to determine child support obligations. Under Wyo. Stat. Section 20-2-304, the court calculates support based on both parents’ net income, producing a presumptive support amount that is allocated proportionally between the parents.

The calculation begins by determining each parent’s net income. Gross income includes earnings from all sources — wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, investment income, rental income, Social Security benefits, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, pensions, and trust income. Deductions are applied for federal and state income taxes, FICA taxes, mandatory retirement contributions, health insurance premiums for the child, and pre-existing support obligations for other children.

The parents’ combined net income is applied to the guidelines schedule, which produces a basic support obligation based on the total income and the number of children. Each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined net income. The parent without primary physical custody pays their share to the custodial parent. Costs for work-related child care and extraordinary medical expenses are added and allocated proportionally.

For a broader overview of how support calculations work, see our guide on how child support is calculated. You can also estimate your potential obligation using our child support calculator.

Adjustments for Shared Custody

When parents share physical custody and each has the child for a substantial portion of the year, the guidelines provide adjustments to account for the direct expenses each household incurs. The specific adjustment depends on the proportion of time the child spends with each parent. In cases where each parent has the child for approximately equal time, both parents’ theoretical obligations are calculated and the parent with the higher obligation pays the net difference.

Deviation from Guidelines

The guidelines amount is presumptive, but the court may deviate when strict application would be unjust or inappropriate. Recognized deviation factors under Wyo. Stat. Section 20-2-307 include:

• The age of the child
• The cost of necessary child care
• Special health care or educational needs of the child
• The responsibility of either parent for the support of other children
• The value of services contributed by either parent
• Expenses reasonably related to pregnancy and confinement
• The cost of transportation for visitation
• The net income of the parents
• The standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the family remained intact
• Other relevant factors

When the court deviates from the guidelines, it must state the guidelines amount and provide specific findings justifying the deviation.

Duration of Child Support

Child support in Wyoming continues until the child reaches age 18, or until age 19 if the child is still attending high school. Support may also terminate upon the child’s marriage, emancipation, or entry into military service. Wyoming does not generally require parents to pay for post-secondary education, though the parties may agree to such provisions in their divorce settlement.

Alimony in Wyoming

Wyoming courts may award alimony under Wyo. Stat. Section 20-2-114. Wyoming is notable for allowing the court to consider the respective merits and fault of the parties when determining alimony, in addition to financial factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, the property division, and the standard of living during the marriage. Wyoming recognizes several forms of alimony:

• Temporary alimony — Support during the pendency of the divorce proceedings.
• Rehabilitative alimony — Time-limited support to allow the recipient to obtain education, training, or employment to become self-supporting.
• Permanent (long-term) alimony — Awarded in longer marriages or when the recipient spouse cannot reasonably be expected to become self-supporting.
• Lump-sum alimony — A one-time payment in lieu of periodic support.

Modification of Support Orders

Either party may petition for modification of child support or alimony by demonstrating a material and substantial change of circumstances that was not contemplated at the time of the original order. Under Wyo. Stat. Section 20-2-311, either party may seek modification of child support when circumstances warrant a change of 20% or more from the existing order, which creates a presumption that modification is appropriate.

Alimony modification follows the same material change standard. Alimony typically terminates upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient.

Enforcement

Wyoming employs a comprehensive set of enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Family Services, Child Support Enforcement Program:

• Income withholding (wage garnishment)
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s, professional, and recreational licenses
• Contempt of court, which may result in fines or incarceration
• Liens on real and personal property
• Passport denial for arrearages exceeding $2,500
• Credit bureau reporting
• Bank account garnishment

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Wyoming’s child support guidelines and alimony framework require careful financial analysis and attention to the specific facts of each case. Whether you are establishing a new support order, seeking a modification, or dealing with enforcement issues, consider scheduling a free consultation with an experienced family law attorney.

Statutes referenced: Wyo. Stat. Sections 20-2-301 through 20-2-311 (child support), Wyo. Stat. Section 20-2-114 (alimony).