If you only remember one point about how to file for divorce in Wyoming, remember this: At least one party must have resided in Wyoming for 60 days immediately before filing. Grounds: No-fault irreconcilable differences are available alongside fault grounds (adultery, extreme cruelty, abandonment, and others). Property: equitable distribution. Wyoming is an equitable-distribution state. Marital property is divided fairly based on statutory factors, not necessarily equally; separate property generally remains with the owning spouse if traceable. Procedure, examples, and the opinions below hang off Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-104 to 20-2-116. Waiting period: No lengthy mandatory cooling-off beyond ordinary district-court caseflow; uncontested divorces can finalize after service and disclosures. File in District court in the county where either party resides.
Property division: equitable distribution
Wyoming is an equitable-distribution state. Marital property is divided fairly based on statutory factors, not necessarily equally; separate property generally remains with the owning spouse if traceable.
Retirement accounts, closely held businesses, and marital homes often need valuations and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs). Do not assume an informal split of bank accounts finishes the case.
Walking through Wyoming facts
Use this walkthrough to see which Wyoming authority does the work at each step.
A spouse wants to file for divorce in Wyoming and is unsure about residency, grounds, and property.
- Confirm residency: At least one party must have resided in Wyoming for 60 days immediately before filing.
- Plead grounds Wyoming recognizes: No-fault irreconcilable differences are available alongside fault grounds (adultery, extreme cruelty, abandonment, and others).
- Expect property division under equitable distribution: Wyoming is an equitable-distribution state. Marital property is divided fairly based on statutory factors, not necessarily equally; separate property generally remains with the owning spouse if traceable.
- Plan the timeline: No lengthy mandatory cooling-off beyond ordinary district-court caseflow; uncontested divorces can finalize after service and disclosures. A complaint for divorce is filed in district court. Temporary orders can address support and custody. Contested property is divided equitably. The decree dissolves the marriage and resolves support and parenting.
Wyoming Judicial Branch forms and Legal Aid of Wyoming assist with uncontested filings.
Waiting periods and timelines
No lengthy mandatory cooling-off beyond ordinary district-court caseflow; uncontested divorces can finalize after service and disclosures.
The typical Wyoming divorce process
A complaint for divorce is filed in district court. Temporary orders can address support and custody. Contested property is divided equitably. The decree dissolves the marriage and resolves support and parenting.
Self-help and when to hire counsel
Wyoming Judicial Branch forms and Legal Aid of Wyoming assist with uncontested filings.
Related Wyoming guides
- Child custody and parenting time in Wyoming
- Security deposit return in Wyoming
- DUI penalties in Wyoming
Case law: divorce in Wyoming
Jeannine Marie GROSSKOPF, Appellant (Defendant), v. Loren M. GROSSKOPF, Appellee (Plaintiff)
…NE, Justice. This appeal is from a judgment and decree in a divorce action and appellant’s objection to its provisions for child support, division of property, and denial of alimony and attorneys fees. We will affirm. The issues as framed by appellant are: “1. Whether the Court erred by finding Appellant at fault in determining which party should be granted the divorce. “2. Whe…
On divorce, Jeannine Marie GROSSKOPF, Appellant (Defendant), v. Loren M. GROSSKOPF, Appellee (Plaintiff) speaks to the Wyoming dispute in this passage: "NE, Justice. This appeal is from a judgment and decree in a divorce action and appellant’s objection to its provisions for child support, division of property, and denial of alimony and attorneys fees. We will affirm. The issues as framed by appellant are: “1." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
William L. COMBS, Appellant (Plaintiff), v. Joan E. SHERRY-COMBS, Appellee (Defendant)
TAYLOR, Justice. In this appeal from a divorce and custody proceeding, the former husband seeks to reverse the decision of the district court granting custody of a minor child to the former wife. The former husband contends that the custody provisions of a marital agreement were impermissibly disregarded. We affirm. I. ISSUES Appellant, the former husband,…
On divorce, William L. COMBS, Appellant (Plaintiff), v. Joan E. SHERRY-COMBS, Appellee (Defendant) speaks to the Wyoming dispute in this passage: "TAYLOR, Justice. In this appeal from a divorce and custody proceeding, the former husband seeks to reverse the decision of the district court granting custody of a minor child to the former wife." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
French Carter WALLOP, Appellant (Defendant), v. Malcolm WALLOP, Appellee (Plaintiff); Malcolm Wallop, Appellant
…(Wife) appeals the district court’s property division upon divorce, while Appellee/Cross-Appellant Malcolm Wallop (Husband) appeals the district court’s ruling regarding his government retirement account. We affirm in part, modify in part, and reverse and remand in part. *1024 FACTS [¶2] Husband and Wife were married May 26, 1984. After nearly sixteen years of marriage, the pa…
Practitioners open French Carter WALLOP, Appellant (Defendant), v. Malcolm WALLOP, Appellee (Plaintiff); Malcolm Wallop, Appellant when Wyoming divorce turns on the distinction in this sentence: "Wife) appeals the district court’s property division upon divorce, while Appellee/Cross-Appellant Malcolm Wallop (Husband) appeals the district court’s ruling regarding his government retirement account. We affirm in part, modify in part, and reverse and remand in part." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
William S. LUND, Appellant (Defendant), v. Janice M. LUND, Appellee (Plaintiff); Janice M. LUND, Appellant
…ward attorney fees and costs to her in connection with this divorce action and other ancillary litigation. We hold the ex parte hearing clearly was improper and cannot be condoned under the Canons of Judicial Conduct and ethical rules governing the bar. However, we hold no reversible error should be attributed to the conduct of that hearing since it did not impact any substanti…
Practitioners open William S. LUND, Appellant (Defendant), v. Janice M. LUND, Appellee (Plaintiff); Janice M. LUND, Appellant when Wyoming divorce turns on the distinction in this sentence: "We hold the ex parte hearing clearly was improper and cannot be condoned under the Canons of Judicial Conduct and ethical rules governing the bar." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
Peter Kole MURRAY, Appellant (Defendant), v. Carol Ann MURRAY, Appellee (Plaintiff)
…r transportation from the Wyoming State Penitentiary to the divorce hearing. The district court did not respond to the motion or the request. I. ISSUES Appellant, appearing pro se, sets forth one issue in the form of a statement: Mr. Murray has been deprived of his constitutional rights to due process by the trial court’s refusal to allow him to be present at the trial, and by…
Wyoming opinions such as Peter Kole MURRAY, Appellant (Defendant), v. Carol Ann MURRAY, Appellee (Plaintiff) are cited where divorce is disputed. The court stated: "Wyoming State Penitentiary to the divorce hearing. The district court did not respond to the motion or the request. I. ISSUES Appellant, appearing pro se, sets forth one issue in the form of a statement: Mr." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Faye L. CRAWFORD, Appellant (Plaintiff), v. Harry C. CRAWFORD, Appellee (Defendant)
…ition to modify the alimony award contained in the parties’ divorce decree. We affirm. Appellant words the issues on appeal: “1. Did the Appellant meet her burden of showing a substantial change of circumstances regarding her ability to work requiring a modification of the divorce decree? “2. Did the District Court abuse its discretion in disallowing a warranted modification on…
Wyoming opinions such as Faye L. CRAWFORD, Appellant (Plaintiff), v. Harry C. CRAWFORD, Appellee (Defendant) are cited where divorce is disputed. The court stated: "We affirm. Appellant words the issues on appeal: “1. Did the Appellant meet her burden of showing a substantial change of circumstances regarding her ability to work requiring a modification of the divorce decree?" That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Gary A. LIPPS, Appellant (Plaintiff), v. Devon Marie LOYD, F/K/A Devon Marie Lipps, A/K/A Devon M. Lipps, Appellee
…t entered into in anticipation and settlement of a Colorado divorce, which divorce was deemed void by the district court, was a valid contract separate from the void divorce decree? FACTS The husband married the wife on December 23, 1989, and one child was born as issue of the marriage. In June 1992, the husband and the wife, who were at that time living in South Dakota, separa…
Practitioners open Gary A. LIPPS, Appellant (Plaintiff), v. Devon Marie LOYD, F/K/A Devon Marie Lipps, A/K/A Devon M. Lipps, Appellee when Wyoming divorce turns on the distinction in this sentence: "Colorado divorce, which divorce was deemed void by the district court, was a valid contract separate from the void divorce decree?" Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
Ronald D. KELLY, Appellant (Defendant), v. Dustin KILTS, Personal Representative of the Estate of Roxie Carol Kelly
…Chief Justice. [T1] Roxie Carol Kelly filed a complaint for divorcee from her husband, Ronald D. Kelly. Mr. Kelly filed an answer in which he stated that he did not object to the divorce being awarded to Mrs. Kelly. Six days later, Mrs. Kelly filed a motion requesting an emergency hearing, alleging she was in the hospital in critical condition and wanted the divorce finalized b…
On divorce, Ronald D. KELLY, Appellant (Defendant), v. Dustin KILTS, Personal Representative of the Estate of Roxie Carol Kelly speaks to the Wyoming dispute in this passage: "Chief Justice. [T1] Roxie Carol Kelly filed a complaint for divorcee from her husband, Ronald D. Kelly. Mr. Kelly filed an answer in which he stated that he did not object to the divorce being awarded to Mrs. Kelly. Six days later, Mrs." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Key takeaways
- Residency: At least one party must have resided in Wyoming for 60 days immediately before filing.
- Grounds: No-fault irreconcilable differences are available alongside fault grounds (adultery, extreme cruelty, abandonment, and others).
- Property: equitable distribution — Wyoming is an equitable-distribution state.
- Waiting period: No lengthy mandatory cooling-off beyond ordinary district-court caseflow; uncontested divorces can finalize after service and disclosures.
- Filing forum: District court in the county where either party resides.
- Primary authority: Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-104 to 20-2-116.
Residency and where to file
At least one party must have resided in Wyoming for 60 days immediately before filing. File in the District court in the county where either party resides. Wrong venue or missing residency can delay service, temporary orders, and the final decree — confirm the county clerk’s checklist before you pay the filing fee.
Grounds for divorce in Wyoming
No-fault irreconcilable differences are available alongside fault grounds (adultery, extreme cruelty, abandonment, and others).
Even in no-fault states, fault allegations can still affect temporary support, attorney’s fees, or credibility disputes. Read the live statute text on LawDiver and pair it with the LawDiver search rail scoped to Wyoming.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to live in Wyoming before filing for divorce?
At least one party must have resided in Wyoming for 60 days immediately before filing.
Is Wyoming a community-property state?
Wyoming follows equitable distribution. Wyoming is an equitable-distribution state. Marital property is divided fairly based on statutory factors, not necessarily equally; separate property generally remains with the owning spouse if traceable.
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Wyoming?
Wyoming Judicial Branch forms and Legal Aid of Wyoming assist with uncontested filings.
What happens to child custody in a Wyoming divorce?
Custody and parenting time are decided under Wyoming’s best-interests framework. See child custody and parenting time in Wyoming.
This guide covers Wyoming law as of 2026. Statutes and local rules change — verify the live text on LawDiver before filing.