How do the courts decide upon the child support amount in Wyoming?

Full question:

My husband and I are getting a divorce. We are residents of Wyoming. We have two kids from our marriage. How do the courts decide upon the child support amount in Wyoming?

• Category: Divorce
• Subcategory: Child Support
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Wyoming

Answer:

In Wyoming, the courts take various factors into account while deciding the amount of child support in each case of legal separation, annulment or divorce of the parents. Usually, the court will determine the child support using guidelines provided by Wyoming statutes. The court may deviate from the child support determination if the amount would be unjust or inappropriate. Generally, the noncustodial parent provides child support payments to the custodial parent.

The purpose of child support is to help cover the cost of raising a child. It continues until the child is 18-years-old, and sometimes longer if the child is still in high school or has a mental or physical disability. The amount of support decided by the courts depends on the number of children from the marriage and the combined income of both parents. Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201 provides for the guidelines that the court follows to determine the amount of child support. It reads:

“(a) 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:
     (i) The quality of the relationship each child has with each parent;
     (ii) 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;
     (iii) The relative competency and fitness of each parent;
     (iv) 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;
     (v) How the parents and each child can best maintain and strengthen a relationship with each other;
     (vi) How the parents and each child interact and communicate with each other and how such interaction and communication may be improved;
     (vii) 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;
     (viii) Geographic distance between the parents' residences;
     (ix) The current physical and mental ability of each parent to care for each child;
     (x) Any other factors the court deems necessary and relevant.
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