Wyoming child support is calculated using the Income Shares model under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-304, which combines both parents' net monthly incomes and applies a statutory support table based on the number of children. For example, at $5,000 combined net monthly income, the presumptive child support amount is $693 for one child and $1,046 for two children. The total obligation is then divided proportionally between parents based on each parent's share of the combined income, with the non-custodial parent typically paying their share to the custodial parent.
Key Facts: Wyoming Child Support at a Glance
| Factor | Wyoming Requirement |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares Model (both parents' incomes combined) |
| Governing Statute | Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-304 |
| Filing Fee | $70-$160 depending on county (as of March 2026) |
| Residency Requirement | 60 days in Wyoming |
| Self-Support Reserve | $1,255/month ($15,060 annually) in 2026 |
| Modification Threshold | 20% or more difference from current order |
| Termination Age | 18 years (or 19 if still in high school) |
| State Income Tax | None (calculation advantage) |
How Wyoming Calculates Child Support Under the Income Shares Model
Wyoming courts determine how much is child support in Wyoming by combining both parents' net monthly incomes and consulting a statutory table that lists presumptive support amounts based on the number of children. Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-304, the Income Shares model ensures children receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents remained together. Wyoming has no state income tax, which gives residents a calculation advantage when determining net income compared to states that deduct state taxes from gross earnings.
Step 1: Calculate Net Income
Wyoming calculates net income by subtracting specific deductions from gross income. Gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, dividends, and most other income sources. The following deductions reduce gross income to net income:
- Federal income tax withholding
- Social Security tax (FICA at 7.65%)
- Mandatory retirement contributions
- Union dues required as a condition of employment
- Health insurance premiums for the parent
Wyoming does not deduct state income tax because the state has no income tax, meaning Wyoming parents retain more net income than parents in high-tax states like California or New York.
Step 2: Combine Both Parents' Incomes
After calculating each parent's net monthly income, Wyoming adds both amounts together to determine the combined net monthly income. For instance, if Parent A earns $3,500 net monthly and Parent B earns $2,500 net monthly, the combined net monthly income equals $6,000.
Step 3: Apply the Statutory Child Support Table
The statutory child support table under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-304 covers combined net monthly incomes starting at $833 and extending to $15,000 with interpolation available for amounts in between. Below $833 combined monthly income, the non-custodial parent pays 25% of their net income. Courts extrapolate for incomes exceeding the table's upper range.
Wyoming Child Support Guidelines: Sample Amounts by Income Level
The following examples demonstrate how much child support costs in Wyoming based on combined parental income and number of children. These amounts represent the total obligation before dividing between parents based on their proportional share of income.
| Combined Net Monthly Income | One Child | Two Children |
|---|---|---|
| $3,200 | ~$470 | ~$709 |
| $4,000 | ~$556 | ~$839 |
| $5,000 | $693 | $1,046 |
| $7,000 | ~$946 | ~$1,879 |
| $8,000 | ~$1,078 | ~$1,626 |
Wyoming's statutory schedule has specific income breakpoints at $1,000, $2,000, $3,200, $4,000, $4,500, $8,000, and $15,000 combined net monthly income. The official Wyoming Child Support Calculator at childsupport.wyoming.gov/calculator provides exact amounts for any income level.
How Custody Arrangements Affect Child Support Amounts
Wyoming Statute § 20-2-304 provides three distinct calculation methods depending on the custody arrangement, significantly affecting how much child support Wyoming parents pay or receive.
Sole Custody (Basic Calculation)
When one parent has primary physical custody (more than 75% of overnights), Wyoming uses the basic calculation. The court determines the total child support obligation from the statutory table and divides it proportionally based on each parent's share of combined income. The non-custodial parent pays their calculated share directly to the custodial parent.
Shared Custody (25%+ Overnights Each)
When each parent has the child for more than 25% of overnights annually (at least 91 overnights), Wyoming applies the shared custody formula. Under this calculation, the total support obligation from the statutory table is multiplied by 150% to account for the increased costs of maintaining two households capable of caring for the child. Each parent's proportional share is then offset, with the higher-earning parent typically paying the difference to the lower-earning parent.
Split Custody (Each Parent Has at Least One Child)
When each parent has primary physical custody of at least one child from the relationship, Wyoming calculates per-child obligations separately. Each parent's support obligation for the child in the other parent's custody is calculated independently, and the obligations are offset to determine the net payment amount.
Deviation Factors: When Wyoming Courts Adjust Child Support
Wyoming courts may deviate from the presumptive child support amount under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-307 upon finding that the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case. The party seeking deviation bears the burden of proof, and the court must document specific written findings justifying any departure from the guidelines.
Factors Courts Consider for Deviation
- The age of the child and age-related expenses
- Special healthcare needs including extraordinary medical, dental, or psychological expenses
- Educational expenses such as private school tuition, tutoring, or special education costs
- Transportation costs for visitation, particularly when parents live far apart
- Responsibility for supporting other children from other relationships
- The value of services contributed by either parent (such as in-kind support)
- Expenses related to the mother's pregnancy and confinement if parents never married
- The amount of time the child spends with each parent
- Whether either parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed
- Any other factors the court deems relevant
Consequences of Unsuccessful Deviation Requests
If a party seeks deviation from the presumptive child support amount and fails to convince the court, Wyoming law permits the court to order the requesting party to pay the other parent's reasonable attorney fees and court costs incurred in defending against the deviation request. This provision discourages frivolous deviation requests.
The Self-Support Reserve: Protecting Low-Income Parents
Wyoming applies a self-support reserve to protect obligors from support orders that would push them below poverty level. The 2026 self-support reserve equals $1,255 per month ($15,060 annually), matching the federal poverty guideline for one person. If the difference between the obligor's net income and the self-support reserve is less than the calculated child support obligation, Wyoming courts reduce the support amount to the difference between net income and the poverty line.
For example, if an obligor earns $1,600 net monthly and the calculated support obligation is $400, the obligor would only have $1,200 remaining after paying support, which is below the $1,255 self-support reserve. Wyoming would reduce the support order to $345 ($1,600 minus $1,255) to preserve the minimum self-support amount.
Medical Support and Health Insurance Requirements
Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-401, every Wyoming child support order must address medical support. One or both parents must provide health insurance coverage for the children if insurance is available at reasonable cost and the benefits are accessible to the children.
What Qualifies as Reasonable Cost
Wyoming considers health insurance premiums reasonable if the cost to provide coverage does not exceed 5% of the providing parent's gross income. Insurance is considered accessible if it provides coverage within the geographic area where the child resides.
Allocation of Medical Costs
The cost of health insurance premiums attributable to the children is added to the basic child support obligation and divided between parents proportionally based on their incomes. The parent providing insurance receives credit only for the marginal cost of adding the children to the policy, not the parent's own coverage. Both parents share responsibility for medical expenses not covered by insurance, including deductibles and copays, in proportions specified by the court order.
When Child Support Ends in Wyoming
Wyoming child support obligations terminate when the child reaches age 18 or is otherwise emancipated. However, support continues past age 18 under specific circumstances defined by W.S. 20-2-313:
- Children who are full-time high school students and under age 19 continue receiving support until graduation or their 19th birthday, whichever comes first
- Children who are full-time students in an equivalent program and under age 20 may continue receiving support
- Children who are mentally or physically disabled and incapable of self-support may receive support indefinitely
Child support also terminates if the child marries, joins the military, or obtains a court order of emancipation (available starting at age 16 or 17 in Wyoming).
Modifying Child Support Orders in Wyoming
Wyoming permits child support modification when a material change in circumstances occurs. Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-311, the state presumes a change is material if recalculating support under current guidelines produces an amount differing by 20% or more from the existing order.
Common Grounds for Modification
- Significant increase or decrease in either parent's income
- Job loss or involuntary unemployment
- Changes in custody arrangements or parenting time
- Changes in the child's needs (such as new medical conditions or educational requirements)
- Incarceration of the obligor
- Emancipation of another child, changing the number of children covered
To request modification, the requesting parent files a motion with the district court that issued the original order, provides updated financial documentation, and completes a new Child Support Computation Form (DIVCP-13).
Enforcement of Wyoming Child Support Orders
Wyoming provides robust enforcement mechanisms for unpaid child support. The Wyoming Child Support Program offers free enforcement services to ensure children receive their court-ordered support.
Wage Garnishment Limits
Wyoming follows federal Consumer Credit Protection Act limits for income withholding:
- 50% of disposable income if the obligor supports another spouse or child
- 60% if the obligor has no other dependents
- 55% if more than 12 weeks in arrears with other dependents
- 65% if more than 12 weeks in arrears without other dependents
Child support withholding takes priority over all other wage garnishments except federal tax levies.
License Suspension
Wyoming can suspend driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, professional licenses, occupational licenses, and recreational licenses (hunting and fishing) for child support non-payment. Administrative suspension of driver's licenses requires that the non-custodial parent has not made a full monthly payment voluntarily or through wage withholding in the last 90 days.
Additional Enforcement Tools
Wyoming's enforcement arsenal includes:
- Interception of federal and state tax refunds
- Passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500
- Liens on real and personal property
- Financial account seizure
- Credit bureau reporting
- Lottery winnings interception
- Contempt of court proceedings with potential fines or jail time up to one year
Filing for Child Support in Wyoming: Costs and Process
Filing for child support in Wyoming requires completing the Child Support Computation Form and Net Income Calculation (DIVCP-13), available from the Wyoming Judicial Branch Self-Help Forms. The process involves several costs and requirements.
Filing Fees by County
District Court filing fees for divorce and child support cases in Wyoming range from $70 to $160 depending on the county, as of March 2026. Sheridan County and Natrona County charge $160, while other counties range from $70 to $120. The base civil filing fee under Wyo. Stat. § 5-3-206(a)(i) is $120, though county-specific additions may increase the total. Verify the exact fee with your local Clerk of District Court before filing.
Fee Waivers for Low-Income Filers
Individuals who cannot afford court costs may request a fee waiver by completing the Affidavit of Indigency and Request for Waiver of Filing Fees (Form MISC 11) along with the Order on Request for Waiver of Fees and Costs (Form MISC 12), both found in Packet 10 of the Self-Help Forms on wyocourts.gov.
Residency Requirements
Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-107, at least one party must have resided in Wyoming for 60 days immediately preceding filing. Alternatively, if the marriage was solemnized in Wyoming, one party must have resided continuously in the state from the date of marriage until filing. Wyoming has no separate county residency requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions: Wyoming Child Support
How much is child support for one child in Wyoming?
Wyoming child support for one child depends on combined parental income under the Income Shares model. At $5,000 combined net monthly income, the presumptive amount is $693 for one child. At $7,000 combined income, expect approximately $946 monthly. The non-custodial parent pays their proportional share based on their percentage of combined income. Use the official calculator at childsupport.wyoming.gov for exact amounts.
Does Wyoming have a maximum child support amount?
Wyoming has no statutory maximum on child support orders. The statutory table extends to $15,000 combined net monthly income, with courts extrapolating for higher incomes. However, federal law caps wage garnishment at 50-65% of disposable income depending on circumstances, which effectively limits enforcement through income withholding.
How does shared custody affect child support in Wyoming?
Shared custody in Wyoming applies when each parent has the child for more than 25% of overnights annually (91+ overnights). Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-304, the total support obligation is multiplied by 150% to account for dual-household costs, then offset between parents. The higher-earning parent typically pays the difference to the lower-earning parent.
Can child support be modified in Wyoming?
Yes, Wyoming allows child support modification when circumstances materially change. The state presumes a change is material if recalculating support produces an amount differing by 20% or more from the existing order. Common modification grounds include significant income changes, job loss, custody changes, or changes in the child's needs.
What happens if someone doesn't pay child support in Wyoming?
Wyoming enforces unpaid child support through wage garnishment (up to 50-65% of income), tax refund interception, license suspension (driver's, professional, and recreational), passport denial for arrears over $2,500, property liens, bank account seizure, and contempt proceedings with potential jail time up to one year.
When does child support end in Wyoming?
Wyoming child support terminates at age 18 or upon emancipation. Support continues until age 19 if the child is still enrolled in high school full-time. Children with physical or mental disabilities who cannot support themselves may receive support indefinitely. Support also ends upon the child's marriage, military enlistment, or court-ordered emancipation.
Does Wyoming consider health insurance in child support calculations?
Yes, under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-401, every child support order must address medical support. Parents must provide health insurance if available at reasonable cost (no more than 5% of gross income). The marginal cost of covering children is added to the basic support obligation and divided proportionally between parents.
What is the self-support reserve in Wyoming?
Wyoming's self-support reserve equals $1,255 per month ($15,060 annually) in 2026, matching the federal poverty guideline for one person. If paying the calculated support would leave the obligor below this threshold, Wyoming reduces the support amount to preserve the minimum self-support level.
Can I use an online calculator for Wyoming child support?
Yes, the Wyoming Child Support Program provides an official online calculator at childsupport.wyoming.gov/calculator that uses the statutory tables under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-304. You must complete the DIVCP-13 form (Child Support Computation Form and Net Income Calculation) for court filings, available from the Wyoming Judicial Branch Self-Help Forms.
How is income verified for Wyoming child support?
Wyoming courts require documentation of income including recent pay stubs (typically 3-6 months), federal tax returns from the past two years, W-2 forms, 1099 statements, business financial statements for self-employed individuals, and verification of other income sources such as rental income, investments, or government benefits.