Divorce Law in Wyoming
Are you preparing for a difficult divorce in Wyoming? Does your spouse have legal representation? Because most couples cannot reach agreement on every issue, decisions frequently move into mediation or the court system.
Issues Involved in Wyoming Divorce Law
There are several important issues that must be resolved during a divorce, many of which can trigger strong emotions and conflict.
Dividing Property
One of the hardest parts of divorce is dividing marital property, debts, and assets. In states like Wyoming, nearly anything acquired during the marriage may be subject to division. Examples include homes, vehicles, bank funds, and investment accounts.
Some states divide marital property in a 50/50 manner, while others rely on equitable distribution. Under equitable division, the judge reviews each spouse’s contributions—financial and non-financial—and decides on a fair allocation. This does not always result in an equal split of assets or debt.
Child Support
Both parents share responsibility for financially supporting their children. Child support helps cover essentials like housing, medical care, food, clothing, and education.
Wyoming uses the Income Shares model to determine child support. Under this approach, a child should receive the same percentage of parental income that would be available if the parents lived together. Support payments can be submitted online through the Wyoming Child Support Program.
Wyoming’s Child Support Enforcement Program (CSEP) enforces delinquent support with methods such as tax refund intercepts, credit reporting, driver’s license suspension, and property liens. The state can also revoke Game & Fish licenses or deny passports. Continued nonpayment may lead to civil contempt charges, which can include fines or jail time.
Alimony
Alimony, also known as spousal support, varies depending on financial need and the circumstances of the marriage. Courts consider many factors, including:
- A spouse’s need and the other spouse’s ability to pay
- Age and health of each spouse
- Length of marriage
- Earning capacity and education
- Property division
- Parental responsibilities
- Separate investments or assets
Wyoming courts may grant temporary alimony while the divorce is pending. Short-term support may be awarded while a spouse receives training or education to become self-sufficient. Long-term or permanent alimony is more likely after lengthy marriages or when a spouse has serious limitations preventing financial independence.
Child Custody and Visitation
Custody is often the most emotional and complex issue in a divorce. Wyoming decisions must prioritize the best interests of the child.
Judges consider the relationship between the child and each parent, the parents’ distance from one another, and each parent’s fitness and willingness to encourage a healthy parent-child relationship. Any history of domestic violence or child abuse will weigh heavily in custody decisions.
In most cases, Wyoming courts award joint legal custody, allowing both parents to participate in major decisions involving health, religion, and education. Joint legal custody does not guarantee equal physical time. Even if one parent has sole legal custody, the other may still receive visitation rights.
The Process of Going Through Divorce Law in Wyoming
If you are considering divorce, it is essential to understand each step of the legal process.
Step 1: File the Divorce Law Petition
A divorce begins when one spouse files a petition requesting termination of the marriage. The petition must include a legal reason for divorce and verification that residency requirements are met. Wyoming allows no-fault divorce for “irreconcilable differences.”
Step 2: Request Temporary Orders
Because a divorce can take months, spouses often request temporary orders for support, custody, property restraints, or other protection. Filing early ensures that financial and safety concerns are addressed while the case is pending.
Step 3: Serve Your Spouse and Wait for Their Response
After filing, the petition and required documents must be officially served on the other spouse. If the spouse accepts service, they must sign a formal acknowledgement. Otherwise, a sheriff or process server will complete service and file proof with the court.
Step 4: Try To Come to an Agreement
The best outcome is an uncontested divorce, where both parties agree on all terms. Couples may settle issues privately or use a mediator to help resolve disputes. Reaching a settlement typically reduces cost, stress, and litigation.
Step 5: Go To Court
If no agreement is reached, the case proceeds before a Wyoming judge. District Courts handle divorce cases, and each of Wyoming’s 23 counties has a District Court within one of nine Judicial Districts. The judge will decide property division, support, custody, and any unresolved matters.
Step 6: Receive the Judgment of Divorce
The divorce concludes with a final judgment, which legally ends the marriage. This order outlines distribution of assets and debt, child custody terms, support obligations, and any additional court directives.
Work With an Experienced Wyoming Divorce Law Attorney
If you are going through a divorce and are unable to reach an agreement with your partner, you should hire an experienced Wyoming divorce law attorney.
A lawyer will fight for you and make sure you get what is yours. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Wyoming state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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