Wyoming Divorce Information

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Wyoming state divorce laws

Residency Requirements	The Plaintiff must be a resident of the State of Wyoming for more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of filing for divorce.
Where to File	County where either spouse resides
Grounds for Divorce	To receive a divorce in Wyoming it is not necessary to show that either one of the parties was at fault in the decline of the marriage. The only thing that is necessary to prove is that there has been a breakdown in the marital relationship to the extent that the objects and goals of marriage have been destroyed and that no reasonable possibility remains that the marriage can be saved. There is one additional ground that a party may seek a divorce that is based on assignment of fault and that is confinement for incurable insanity for 2 years.
Voluntary or required mediation	Yes
Voluntary or recommended Counseling	Yes
Property Distribution	In granting a divorce, the court shall make such disposition of the property of the parties as appears just and equitable, having regard for the respective merits of the parties and the condition in which they will be left by the divorce, the party through whom the property was acquired and the burdens imposed upon the property for the benefit of either party and children.
Child Custody	In granting a divorce, separation or annulment of a marriage or upon the establishment of paternity pursuant to W.S. 14-2-401 through 14-2-907, the court may make by decree or order any disposition of the children that appears most expedient and in the best interests of the children. In determining the best interests of the child, the court shall consider, but is not limited to, the following factors: The quality of the relationship each child has with each parent The ability of each parent to provide adequate care for each child throughout each period of responsibility, including arranging for each child's care by others as needed The relative competency and fitness of each parent Each parent's willingness to accept all responsibilities of parenting, including a willingness to accept care for each child at specified times and to relinquish care to the other parent at specified times How the parents and each child can best maintain and strengthen a relationship with each other How the parents and each child interact and communicate with each other and how such interaction and communication may be improved The ability and willingness of each parent to allow the other to provide care without intrusion, respect the other parent's rights and responsibilities, including the right to privacy Geographic distance between the parents' residences The current physical and mental ability of each parent to care for each child Any other factors the court deems necessary and relevant In any proceeding in which the custody of a child is at issue the court shall not prefer one parent as a custodian solely because of gender. The court shall consider evidence of spousal abuse or child abuse as being contrary to the best interest of the children. If the court finds that family violence has occurred, the court shall make arrangements for visitation that best protects the children and the abused spouse from further harm. The court shall order custody in well defined terms to promote understanding and compliance by the parties. Custody shall be crafted to promote the best interests of the children, and may include any combination of joint, shared or sole custody. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the noncustodial parent shall have the same right of access as the parent awarded custody to any records relating to the child of the parties, including school records, activities, teachers and teachers' conferences as well as medical and dental treatment providers and mental health records. At any time the court may require parents to attend appropriate parenting classes, including but not limited to, parenting classes to lessen the effects of divorce on children.
Child Support	Where necessary and appropriate, the court shall enter orders, whether temporary or permanent, pursuant to and in compliance with this article for the maintenance of children in actions for divorce, annulment, paternity, support, out-of-home placement and any other action for the maintenance or support of children. Child support shall be expressed in a specific dollar amount. The child support tables shall be used to determine the total child support obligation considering the combined income of both parents. The appropriate table is based upon the number of children for whom the parents share joint legal responsibility and for whom support is being sought. The noncustodial parent's share of the joint child support obligation shall be paid to the custodial parent through the clerk of court. The age of the child; The cost of necessary child day care; Any special health care and educational needs of the child; The responsibility of either parent for the support of other children, whether court ordered or otherwise; The value of services contributed by either parent; Any expenses reasonably related to the mother's pregnancy and confinement for that child, if the parents were never married or if the parents were divorced prior to the birth of the child; The cost of transportation of the child to and from visitation; The ability of either or both parents to furnish health, dental and vision insurance through employment benefits; The amount of time the child spends with each parent; Any other necessary expenses for the benefit of the child; Whether either parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. In such case the child support shall be computed based upon the potential earning capacity (imputed income) of the unemployed or underemployed parent. In making that determination the court shall consider: Prior employment experience and history; Educational level and whether additional education would make the parent more self-sufficient or significantly increase the parent's income; The presence of children of the marriage in the parent's home and its impact on the earnings of that parent; Availability of employment for which the parent is qualified; Prevailing wage rates in the local area; Special skills or training; and Whether the parent is realistically able to earn imputed income. Whether or not either parent has violated any provision of the divorce decree, including visitation provisions, if deemed relevant by the court; and Other factors deemed relevant by the court.
Spousal Support	The court may decree to either party reasonable alimony out of the estate of the other having regard for the other's ability to pay and may order so much of the other's real estate or the rents and profits thereof as is necessary be assigned and set out to either party for life, or may decree a specific sum be paid by either party.