WYOMING

NPO AFFILIATE | WY


STATE CHAIR: Zac Martin

Highlights:

In instances of divorce or separation:

  • 98% of those in Wyoming believe it is in the child’s best interest to have as much time as possible with each parent.

  • 96% in Wyoming expressed a commitment to vote their beliefs in being “more likely to vote for a candidate who supports children spending equal or nearly equal time with each parent following separation or divorce when both parents are fit and willing to be parents.

  • 87% of those in Wyoming indicated they would support a change in Wyoming law that awards children as much time as possible with each parent.

  • 88% believe that when there is conflict between parents, awarding sole custody to one parent increases conflict

  • 95% believe that both parents should have equal rights and responsibilities following divorce or separation.

  • 92% believe that Wyoming should promote shared parenting for all children with separated parents.

POSITIVES:

  • Wyoming's PTA has an appropriate adjustment to reflect the fixed, duplicated costs involved in shared parenting.

  • Wyoming's PTA appropriately results in no presumptive child support transfer payment when parental income and parenting time are both equal.

NEGATIVES: 

  • Wyoming's PTA has a very high threshold of 92 days.

  • Wyoming's PTA has a significant discontinuity (or discontinuities), creating a significant cliff effect or multiple cliff effects.

  • Under certain circumstances, Wyoming's PTA calculation can inappropriately result in a higher child support award than under sole custody.

2019 NPO Shared Parenting Report Card

WHY DID WYOMING RECEIVE A D-?

POSITIVES:

  • Wyoming statutes mandate that courts consider a “friendly parent” factor in determining a child’s best interest concerning custody. Courts shall consider “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. ” WYO. STAT. ANN. § 20-2-201

NEGATIVES: 

  • Wyoming has no statutues preference for, or presumption of, shared parenting (joint legal custody and shared physical custody) for temporary or final orders.

  • Wyoming statutes do not explicitly provide for shared parenting during either temporary or final orders. Wyoming statutes consistently speak of “the custodial parent” and “the noncustodial parent.”

  • Wyoming statute does not contain any policy statement or other language encouraging shared parenting.