Facing Divorce, a Custody Fight, or Abuse in Wyoming? Get Answers Tonight.
A Wyoming divorce, a custody battle, a child-support order, or a partner you're afraid of — these things move faster than people expect, and one missed deadline can cost you. You don't have to figure it out alone at 2 a.m. Call 1-844-690-0555 and talk to a free AI legal assistant trained on Wyoming and federal family law. It explains your options in plain English, any hour, no income test, no web form. This is legal information, not legal advice, and the call creates no attorney-client relationship — just clear answers, free.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across Wyoming.
Family Law in Wyoming — what to do right now
Right now, do three things. First, if you're in danger, call 911 — then ask the circuit court clerk in your county about an emergency order of protection (you can file the same day). Second, write down dates: when you separated, when you were served, when any court order was entered — Wyoming deadlines run from those dates. Third, do not sign anything or agree to a custody or property split until you understand it. Then call 1-844-690-0555. The free assistant will tell you which court hears your matter, what to file, and what clock is already running.
The law in Wyoming: Family Law
Wyoming is a no-fault divorce state. Under W.S. 20-2-104 the only ground most people use is 'irreconcilable differences in the marital relationship' — you don't have to prove your spouse did anything wrong, and one spouse alone can file. (A rarely used second ground, incurable insanity with two years' confinement, sits in W.S. 20-2-105.) You must have lived in Wyoming for 60 days before filing (W.S. 20-2-107), and the court cannot sign a final decree until at least 20 days after the complaint is filed (W.S. 20-2-108). Those are among the shortest residency and waiting periods in the country — which means a contested case can be finalized before an unprepared spouse has caught up.Wyoming is an equitable-distribution state, not a community-property state. Under W.S. 20-2-114 the district court divides property in whatever way is 'just and equitable,' weighing the merits of each party, who acquired the asset, and the condition each spouse will be left in. 'Equitable' does not mean equal — a judge can hand one spouse far more than half. The same statute governs alimony: it is discretionary, has no formula, and Wyoming courts award it sparingly, usually only in longer marriages where one spouse genuinely can't become self-supporting.
Divorce and custody are heard by Wyoming's District Courts (nine judicial districts, 23 judges). Custody is decided on the best interests of the child under W.S. 20-2-201 — the quality of each parent's bond with the child, each parent's fitness and willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent, and any history of abuse. As of a 2025 law (SF0117, effective July 1, 2025), new custody cases start from a rebuttable presumption of shared custody, which the court must order unless an exception applies (a written agreement otherwise, domestic-violence or abuse findings, parents living more than 300 miles apart, or clear and convincing evidence that another arrangement serves the child). A parent who wants to move must give 30 days' written notice.
Wyoming sets child support by the presumptive guidelines in W.S. 20-2-304, using the income-shares model: both parents' net incomes are combined, run through the statutory tables for the number of children, and split in proportion to income. Net income is gross minus taxes, FICA, mandatory retirement, union dues, and health-insurance premiums. The arrangement matters: if each parent has the child at least 92 overnights a year, the shared-custody formula multiplies the base obligation by 150% before dividing it, so a small change in overnights can move the number a lot.
Key Statutes
- W.S. 20-2-104 — no-fault divorce; ground is irreconcilable differences
- W.S. 20-2-107 — 60-day Wyoming residency required before filing
- W.S. 20-2-108 — no decree until 20 days after the complaint is filed
- W.S. 20-2-114 — 'just and equitable' property division and alimony
- W.S. 20-2-201 — custody on the best interests of the child (2025 shared-custody presumption)
- W.S. 20-2-304 — presumptive child-support guideline tables (income shares)
Courts & Agencies
- District Courts (9 districts) — divorce, custody, property, child support
- Circuit Courts (all 23 counties) — orders of protection
- Wyoming Supreme Court (Cheyenne) — the only court of appeal; ~30-day notice deadline
- Wyoming Department of Family Services / Child Support Program — establishing and enforcing support
- Title 35, Ch. 21 — Domestic Violence Protection (orders of protection)
Deadlines & Outcomes
- 60 days — Wyoming residency before you can file for divorce
- 20 days — minimum wait before a final divorce decree
- 30 days — written notice before a parent relocates with a child
- Up to 1 year — duration of an order of protection, extendable for good cause (W.S. 35-21-106)
- Domestic battery (W.S. 6-2-511): up to 6 months / $750 first offense; up to 10 years / $10,000 on a third
Wyoming just flipped the default to shared custody — and most parents don't know
For decades, Wyoming judges decided custody on a blank-slate 'best interests' test. That changed on July 1, 2025. A new law (SF0117, now part of W.S. 20-2-201) tells courts to enter an order of shared custody in new cases unless a specific exception applies — a signed agreement otherwise, a domestic-violence or abuse finding, parents more than 300 miles apart, or clear and convincing evidence that another arrangement is better for the child. That's a real shift: the parent who assumed they'd automatically get primary custody now has to overcome a presumption, and the parent who feared being shut out may start with far more standing than they expect. It rewards whoever understands the new rule first. Before you walk into a Wyoming custody case, call 1-844-690-0555 and find out where the presumption leaves you. Legal information, not legal advice.
Likely outcomes & penalties
Every Wyoming family case turns on its own facts, but these ranges show what's realistically on the table under current Wyoming law.Mistakes to avoid
How it works
Free & low-cost Family Law help in Wyoming
If you can't afford a private attorney, Wyoming has real free and low-cost help for family-law matters. Start with these — then call 1-844-690-0555 if you want your options explained first.
FAQ — Family Law in Wyoming
Do I need a reason to divorce in Wyoming?
No. Wyoming is a no-fault state — under W.S. 20-2-104 you only have to state 'irreconcilable differences,' and you don't have to prove your spouse did anything wrong. One spouse can file alone. To understand what filing actually involves, call 1-844-690-0555 for free.
How long do I have to live in Wyoming before I can file?
You (or your spouse) must have lived in Wyoming for 60 days immediately before filing the complaint (W.S. 20-2-107). If you've just moved, that clock has to run first. Not sure if you qualify yet? Call 1-844-690-0555 and we'll walk you through it.
How fast can a Wyoming divorce be finalized?
The court can't sign a final decree until at least 20 days after the complaint is filed (W.S. 20-2-108). A fully agreed divorce can wrap up in roughly one to three months; a contested one takes much longer. For a realistic timeline on your facts, call 1-844-690-0555.
Is Wyoming a 50/50 property state?
No. Wyoming divides property in a way that is 'just and equitable' under W.S. 20-2-114, which does not mean equal — a judge can award one spouse significantly more than half. To understand how your assets might be split, call 1-844-690-0555 for free information.
Did Wyoming really change its custody law in 2025?
Yes. As of July 1, 2025 (SF0117, now in W.S. 20-2-201), new custody cases start from a rebuttable presumption of shared custody unless an exception applies, such as a domestic-violence finding or parents living more than 300 miles apart. This is a major shift — call 1-844-690-0555 to find out where it leaves you.
How is child support calculated in Wyoming?
Wyoming uses the income-shares guideline tables in W.S. 20-2-304: both parents' net incomes are combined and split in proportion to income. If each parent has the child 92 or more overnights a year, a 150% shared-custody multiplier applies first. For an estimate of your obligation, call 1-844-690-0555.
Will I get alimony in a Wyoming divorce?
Maybe, but don't count on it. Wyoming alimony (W.S. 20-2-114) is fully discretionary, has no formula, and is awarded sparingly — usually only in longer marriages where one spouse can't become self-supporting. To see whether your case is a candidate, call 1-844-690-0555.
How do I get a protection order against an abuser in Wyoming?
You file a petition with the circuit court clerk in your county (Title 35, Ch. 21). The court can issue an emergency or temporary order quickly, and a full order of protection can last up to a year and be extended for good cause (W.S. 35-21-106). If you're in danger, call 911 first — then call 1-844-690-0555 to understand the process.
What's the penalty for domestic battery in Wyoming?
Under W.S. 6-2-511, a first domestic-battery conviction carries up to 6 months in jail and a $750 fine; a second within five years up to one year and $1,000; and a third within ten years up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If you're dealing with a domestic-violence charge or are a victim, call 1-844-690-0555.
Do I have to tell the other parent before I move with my child?
Yes. A Wyoming parent generally must give 30 days' written notice before relocating with a child, so the other parent can ask the court to adjust custody or visitation if needed. Moving without notice can hurt you in a custody case. Call 1-844-690-0555 before you make any plans.
Which Wyoming court handles my family case?
District Courts handle divorce, custody, property and child support; Circuit Courts handle orders of protection. Appeals go straight to the Wyoming Supreme Court in Cheyenne — there's no intermediate appeals court, and the notice deadline runs fast. Not sure which court you need? Call 1-844-690-0555 for free.
Is Legal Hotline a law firm, and does calling cost anything?
No — Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender, and the call is free, 24/7. We give legal information, not legal advice, and calling creates no attorney-client relationship. If you decide you want a lawyer, we can help you book a paid consultation with a Wyoming-licensed attorney. Call 1-844-690-0555.
Are you a Wyoming family-law attorney?
We connect Wyoming residents facing divorce, custody, support and protection-order matters with licensed local attorneys every day. If you practice family law in Wyoming and want vetted, ready-to-talk client referrals, join our network. It's a simple way to grow your caseload with people who have already taken the first step.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
Your Wyoming family-law clock is already running. Call now.
Residency periods, the 20-day decree wait, the 30-day relocation notice, a fast-running appeal window — Wyoming family law is full of deadlines that quietly decide cases. You don't have to guess. Call 1-844-690-0555 right now for free, 24/7 answers from an AI assistant trained on Wyoming and federal law — and, if you want, help booking a Wyoming-licensed attorney. Legal information, not legal advice; no attorney-client relationship; no income test. Just clear answers when you need them most.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.