Full question:
I am a 16-year-old boy residing at Wyoming. My parents abandoned me and I am living under the support of a public welfare fund. What will be the legal consequences if my parents refuse to provide any support and maintenance to me?
- Category: Minors
- Subcategory: Child Support
- Date:
- State: Wyoming
Answer:
In Wyoming, parents are legally obligated to provide support to their children under eighteen years of age. If they refuse to do so, they can face legal consequences. Specifically, a parent who intentionally fails to provide adequate support may be charged with a misdemeanor. This can result in imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to seven hundred fifty dollars, or both.
If a parent has previously been convicted of this offense or has failed to pay court-ordered support within sixty days, the penalties can increase. In such cases, the parent could face imprisonment for seven days to one year, a fine of up to one thousand dollars, or both.
Importantly, receiving support from public welfare funds does not excuse parents from their obligation to provide support (Wyo. Stat. § 20-3-101).
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.