Wyoming Child Support Guidelines

By Olivia Wathne, Esq. | Legally reviewed by Olivia Wathne, Esq. | Last reviewed May 06, 2025

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In the state of Wyoming, a child support obligation represents the amount of money that a non-custodial parent must pay to the custodial parent to ensure the well-being and care of their child. 

The Wyoming Child Support Program, administered by the Wyoming Department of Family Services, provides child support services to assist families with establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support orders as necessary.

Since the primary purpose of child support is to provide for the needs of the child, this obligation remains separate from any spousal support (or alimony) order. Generally, parents cannot waive or limit child support obligations without court approval.

How is Child Support Determined in Wyoming?

Generally speaking, states use one of three models to calculate child support payments:

  • Income shares model;

  • Percentage of income model; or

  • The Melson formula.

The majority of states, including Wyoming, follow the income shares model to determine the amount of child support. This model is based on the idea that a child should receive the same proportion of the parents' combined gross income that they would have received if the family unit were intact.

In Wyoming, factors such as each parent's gross income, the number of children involved, specific needs of the child, and physical custody arrangements (such as shared custody) are all considered in determining child support payments.

Once a court order for child support is established, payments are typically processed through the State Disbursement Unit (SDU) to ensure reliable and timely distribution.

Overview of Wyoming Child Support Guidelines

Although the actual text of a Wyoming law is the most authoritative source of information, statutory language is rarely written in a clear manner. For this reason, reading an overview of the law in plain English can be very helpful.

In the chart that follows, you can find an overview of Wyoming child support guidelines and Wyoming rules related to child support, along with links to relevant statutes.

Statute(s)

Wyoming Statutes, Title 20:

Presumptive Child Support

Child support is determined based on the net monthly income of both parents, the number of shared children, and then divided between the parents in proportion to the net income of each parent.

Definition of Net Income for Child Support Calculations

Net income is defined as any income a person receives minus the following:

  • Personal income taxes

  • Social security deductions

  • Cost of dependent health insurance coverage for all dependent children

  • Current payments for preexisting support orders for other children

  • Current payments for other court-ordered support obligations

  • Mandatory pension deductions

Deviation from the Presumptive Child Support

A court can deviate from the presumptive support amount if it finds that it would be inappropriate or unfair. To determine this, the court will consider a variety of factors* including:

  • The child's age

  • The cost of [necessary] child care

  • Special educational and health care needs of the child

  • Prevailing wage rates in the local area

  • The cost of transportation of the child to and from visitation

  • The availability of employment for the parent

  • Any other factors that the court deems is relevant

*Please see Section 20-2-307 for a full list of factors.

Related Statute(s)

Wyoming Statutes, Title 20:

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Wyoming Child Support Guidelines: Related Resources

For additional information and resources related to this topic, please visit the links listed below.

Have Questions About Wyoming Child Support Guidelines? Talk to a Lawyer

If you have questions about child support or need help with an existing child support order, it's a good idea to speak with a local Wyoming child support attorney to learn how the child support guidelines in Wyoming apply to your particular case.

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