Wyoming Alimony: Eligibility, Amount, and Duration
September 10, 2026 · LawDiver Research Team
Wyoming calls post-divorce spousal payments alimony. Awards are governed primarily by Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 20-2-114. This guide covers eligibility, how courts set amount and duration, when support ends, and how Wyoming case law frames the analysis. Open linked opinions in LawDiver for the full text.
Primary keywords: Wyoming alimony, Wyoming Statute 20-2-114, Wyoming divorce spousal support, rehabilitative alimony Wyoming
Key takeaways
- Wyoming uses the term alimony under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 20-2-114.
- Amount and duration are largely discretionary, guided by statutory factors. Discretionary. Courts may decree alimony as reasonable based on circumstances—no statutory percentage formula.
- Common forms include: Temporary and periodic alimony; lump-sum awards appear in some decrees.
- Duration framework: Duration is equitable and often limited to a rehabilitative period.
- Permanent / indefinite support: Rare. Permanent alimony is exceptional under Wyoming practice.
- Companion child-support guide: Wyoming child support guidelines.
What alimony is (and is not)
Alimony is court-ordered support from one spouse to the other after separation or divorce. It is separate from child support (see Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-301 to 20-2-315) and from property division. A single judgment may include all three, but each has its own legal tests.
No spouse is automatically entitled to alimony. Courts typically ask whether one party has a genuine need and whether the other has the ability to pay, then apply Wyoming's statutory framework.
Eligibility and statutory factors
Discretionary. Courts may decree alimony as reasonable based on circumstances—no statutory percentage formula.
Fault. Fault may be considered among all relevant circumstances.
Document income, earning capacity, health, length of marriage, contributions as homemaker or to the other spouse's career, and the marital standard of living. Those facts drive both temporary (pendente lite) and final awards.
Types of alimony in Wyoming
Temporary and periodic alimony; lump-sum awards appear in some decrees.
Labeling matters. Rehabilitative awards usually require a plan (schooling, retraining, re-entry to the workforce). Durational or term awards run for a fixed period. Lump-sum or reimbursement awards may be non-modifiable depending on the judgment language and statute.
How amount is set
Wyoming does not use a statewide calculator for final alimony. Judges weigh the statutory factors and the record. Online “alimony calculators” are at best rough illustrations and are not controlling.
Temporary support while a divorce is pending often follows different local practices or guidelines than the final award. Confirm what your county or division actually uses.
How long alimony lasts
Duration is equitable and often limited to a rehabilitative period.
Permanent / indefinite support. Rare. Permanent alimony is exceptional under Wyoming practice.
When alimony ends or can be changed
Death, remarriage, or expiration of the term in the decree.
Either party may usually seek modification upon a substantial change in circumstances unless the award was expressly made non-modifiable. Retirement, disability, remarriage, cohabitation, and large income swings are frequent triggers — but the statutory test and burden of proof are Wyoming-specific.
Taxes
Federal TCJA rules apply post-2018; Wyoming has no state income tax.
Child support remains non-deductible and non-taxable. Do not assume alimony treatment mirrors child support.
Case law: how Wyoming courts decide alimony
These LawDiver opinions illustrate how Wyoming appellate courts discuss need, ability to pay, duration, and related issues:
Beverly C. HARSHFIELD, Appellant (Plaintiff), v. Gale L. HARSHFIELD, Appellee (Defendant)
…ed in a divorce decree constitute a request for revision of alimony within the scope of W.S. 20-2-116? Because the district court dismissed the petition based on W.R.C.P. 12(b)(6), our sole concern is whether the district court erred when it granted appellee’s motion to dismiss. The district court dismissed the petition for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction because of the bar…
Use this decision — and the surrounding Wyoming appellate line — when briefing need, ability to pay, duration, or modification of alimony.
John Eric HENDRICKSON, Appellant (Plaintiff Below), v. Lena Paulette HENDRICKSON, Appellee (De — McCLINTOCK, J
…ns. I would concede with the majority that the allowance of alimony is a subject peculiarly within the discretion of the trial court. Under our practice of “notice pleading” and particularly in view of the fact that the subject of defendant’s income seems to have been gone into in the evidence, I am not greatly concerned that issues concerning alimony were not alleged, thereby…
Use this decision — and the surrounding Wyoming appellate line — when briefing need, ability to pay, duration, or modification of alimony.
Alpha Louise WARREN, Appellant (Defendant Below), v. Francis E. WARREN, Appellee (Plaintiff Below)
…ed for temporary custody of the children; awarded permanent alimony, attorney fees and suit money to the wife; and made a disposition of property. From this decree the defendant has appealed claiming that the trial court erred in failing to set over to her any part of the property owned by plaintiff. No other issue is presented. The trial of the case lasted for five days and th…
Use this decision — and the surrounding Wyoming appellate line — when briefing need, ability to pay, duration, or modification of alimony.
Practical checklist
- Identify the correct statutory label (alimony) and controlling section (Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 20-2-114).
- Assemble income, budget, and health evidence for both spouses.
- For rehabilitative requests, prepare a concrete plan and timeline.
- Address fault only if Wyoming law makes it relevant to eligibility or amount.
- Search LawDiver for recent Wyoming decisions before mediation.
- Cross-check child support interactions via the Wyoming child support guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does Wyoming still award permanent alimony?
Rare. Permanent alimony is exceptional under Wyoming practice.
How is alimony calculated in Wyoming?
Wyoming leaves amount largely to judicial discretion under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 20-2-114, guided by statutory factors rather than a mandatory statewide calculator.
How long do I have to be married to receive alimony?
Duration is equitable and often limited to a rehabilitative period. Short marriages rarely produce long-term awards; longer marriages support broader remedies where the statute allows.
Does remarriage or cohabitation end alimony?
Death, remarriage, or expiration of the term in the decree.
Is alimony taxable?
Federal TCJA rules apply post-2018; Wyoming has no state income tax.
Where can I read Wyoming alimony opinions?
Open the cases linked above or search LawDiver scoped to Wyoming. For support of children, see the Wyoming child support guidelines guide.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about Wyoming alimony and is not legal advice. Confirm the current text of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 20-2-114 and consult a licensed Wyoming family-law attorney before acting on any rule described here.