Start with Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-301 to 20-2-315. In Wyoming, Wyoming uses the Income shares and measures income as net income. Wyoming’s guidelines use net income figures and statutory tables to establish a joint support obligation allocated by parental income share. Abatements for extended visitation and medical support rules are built into the statutes. That is the question this guide answers for how child support is calculated. Support generally ends when Support generally continues until 18, or 20 if still in high school under statutory conditions. Modification: Substantial change of circumstances; a 20% difference from guidelines is a common threshold.
Statutory framework and guideline model
Wyoming's child support system is built around Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-301 to 20-2-315. Under the income shares, Wyoming’s guidelines use net income figures and statutory tables to establish a joint support obligation allocated by parental income share. Abatements for extended visitation and medical support rules are built into the statutes.
Federal law requires every state to maintain presumptive guidelines and to review them at least every four years (42 U.S.C. § 667). Confirm the latest Wyoming schedule or worksheet before relying on any online calculator.
How child support is calculated in Wyoming
- Identify each parent's guideline income using net income as defined in Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-301 to 20-2-315 and the accompanying worksheets or administrative rules.
- Apply the income shares — whether that means a combined-income schedule, an obligor percentage table, or a Melson-style self-support reserve plus primary obligation.
- Allocate add-ons such as health insurance premiums, unreimbursed medical expenses, and work-related child care according to Wyoming practice.
- Consider parenting time adjustments where the guidelines or case law authorize a credit or shared-custody formula.
- Test for deviation if a strict guideline result would be unjust or inappropriate on the record.
Online calculators can illustrate ranges, but only the controlling statute, guidelines, and court findings produce an enforceable order.
How the Wyoming rule applies
Apply the Wyoming authorities in order. The facts are simplified so the statute and the standard are visible.
Two parents in Wyoming need a presumptive child-support figure and may have facts that justify a departure.
- Measure guideline income as net income under Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-301 to 20-2-315.
- Apply the Income shares: Wyoming’s guidelines use net income figures and statutory tables to establish a joint support obligation allocated by parental income share. Abatements for extended visitation and medical support rules are built into the statutes.
- Test deviation: Deviation is permitted when the guideline amount is unjust or inappropriate under statutory factors.
- If circumstances later change: Substantial change of circumstances; a 20% difference from guidelines is a common threshold.
The enforceable number is the Wyoming guideline result under Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-301 to 20-2-315, plus any deviation findings. Child Support Enforcement uses withholding, intercepts, and contempt.
Deviation from the guidelines
Deviation is permitted when the guideline amount is unjust or inappropriate under statutory factors.
When a court departs from the presumptive amount, Wyoming practice generally requires findings that explain why the guideline figure is unjust or inappropriate and what amount better serves the child's needs. Those findings matter on appeal and in later modification proceedings.
Modification of child support
Substantial change of circumstances; a 20% difference from guidelines is a common threshold.
A parent seeking a change typically must show that circumstances after the prior order make the existing award inequitable. Common triggers include job loss, substantial income changes, a new parenting-time schedule, emancipation of a child, or extraordinary medical needs. Retroactivity and temporary relief rules are statute-specific — check Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-301 to 20-2-315 and local family-division procedures.
Enforcement in Wyoming
Child Support Enforcement uses withholding, intercepts, and contempt.
Interstate cases often implicate UIFSA. Income withholding, contempt, license suspension, and tax-refund intercept remain core tools nationwide, but the Wyoming child support agency and clerk of court procedures control day-to-day collection.
When child support ends
In Wyoming, Support generally continues until 18, or 20 if still in high school under statutory conditions. Orders may extend for disability, secondary education, or other statutory grounds where the statute allows. Always read the judgment language — agreed orders sometimes set a different end date or require a notice of emancipation.
Case law: how Wyoming courts apply the guidelines
The opinions below are in the LawDiver corpus. Each block quote is taken from the opinion text so you can jump from this guide into the full decision.
Michael Dean CRANSTON, Appellant (Defendant), v. Julie Ann CRANSTON, Appellee (Plaintiff)
…ending that he should benefit from a provision of Wyoming’s child support guidelines, brings this appeal. The father sought a modification of his child support obligation based on a provision which states a presumptive level of child support when both parents share physical custody of their children. The shared physical custody provision applies when each parent keeps the child…
Michael Dean CRANSTON, Appellant (Defendant), v. Julie Ann CRANSTON, Appellee (Plaintiff) is worth reading on Wyoming child support because the court put the point in its own words: "Wyoming’s child support guidelines, brings this appeal. The father sought a modification of his child support obligation based on a provision which states a presumptive level of child support when both parents share physical custody of their children." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Thomas David ROBERTS, Appellant (Plaintiff), v. Carol A. ROBERTS, Appellee (Defendant); Carol A. ROBERTS, Appellant
…alled to pass upon the correctness of an application of the child support guidelines in a modification-of-divorce-decree context, not upon the efficacy of the guidelines in the establishment of an initial child support award. Rather oxymoronically, the guidelines, though styled “guidelines,” create a rebuttable presumption. Deviation from this presumption, utilizing certain fac…
Wyoming opinions such as Thomas David ROBERTS, Appellant (Plaintiff), v. Carol A. ROBERTS, Appellee (Defendant); Carol A. ROBERTS, Appellant are cited where child support is disputed. The court stated: "Rather oxymoronically, the guidelines, though styled “guidelines,” create a rebuttable presumption." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Joseph Morton SMITH, III, Appellant (Defendant/Petitioner), v. Suzanne Elizabeth Leland SMITH, N/K/A Suzanne Lym
…the trial court abused its discretion in not following the child support guidelines in Wyo.Stat. § 20-6-304 (Supp. 1993), in an instance in which the parties had agreed upon the amount of child support. The trial court found good cause to deviate from the presumptive amounts established by the statutory formula, and it did not modify the amount of child support in response to…
Practitioners open Joseph Morton SMITH, III, Appellant (Defendant/Petitioner), v. Suzanne Elizabeth Leland SMITH, N/K/A Suzanne Lym when Wyoming child support turns on the distinction in this sentence: "Wyo.Stat. § 20-6-304 (Supp. 1993), in an instance in which the parties had agreed upon the amount of child support." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
Clint Raymond Webb v. State of Wyoming, Ex Rel. Department of Family Services, Child Support Enforcement Division
…v. STATE OF WYOMING, ex rel. DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, S-20-0031 Appellee (Petitioner), and JULIE ALIA WEBB, Appellee (Plaintiff). Appeal from the District Court of Natrona County The Honorable Daniel L. Forgey, Judge Representing Appellant: Pro se. Representing Appellee State of Wyoming, ex rel. Department of Family Services, Child Supp…
Practitioners open Clint Raymond Webb v. State of Wyoming, Ex Rel. Department of Family Services, Child Support Enforcement Division when Wyoming child support turns on the distinction in this sentence: "STATE OF WYOMING, ex rel. DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, S-20-0031 Appellee (Petitioner), and JULIE ALIA WEBB, Appellee (Plaintiff). Appeal from the District Court of Natrona County The Honorable Daniel L." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
TSR, f/k/a TSH, (Respondent) v. STATE of Wyoming, EX REL., DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
…ant, TSR, appeals from the district court’s order modifying child support with respect to her daughter, LLB. She claims the court abused its discretion in determining child support. We affirm. ISSUES [¶2] Appellant presents the following issues: 1. Whether the District Court abused its discretion by using the matrix for two (2) children rather than one (1) child in W.S. § 20-2-…
Wyoming opinions such as TSR, f/k/a TSH, (Respondent) v. STATE of Wyoming, EX REL., DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT are cited where child support is disputed. The court stated: "TSR, appeals from the district court’s order modifying child support with respect to her daughter, LLB. She claims the court abused its discretion in determining child support. We affirm. ISSUES [¶2] Appellant presents the following issues: 1." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
The STATE of Wyoming, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, Child Support Enforcement, Appellant (Intervenor), v. Connie M
…tion to enforce a 2008 order requiring Connie Powell to pay child support and certain related expenses. Instead of enforcing the 2008 order, the district court set aside the 2003 order, ordered that the child support obligation be recalculated, and directed that the revised child support obligation be applied retroactive to 1999, the date the children's father obtained custody…
On child support, The STATE of Wyoming, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, Child Support Enforcement, Appellant (Intervenor), v. Connie M speaks to the Wyoming dispute in this passage: "Connie Powell to pay child support and certain related expenses." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Michael Scott Carroll, II v. State of Wyoming, ex rel. Department of Family Services, Child Support Enforcement
…v. STATE OF WYOMING, ex rel. DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, CHILD SUPPORT S-22-0033 ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, Appellee (Petitioner), and MIRANDA CHRISTINE GIBSON, Appellee (Respondent). Appeal from the District Court of Laramie County The Honorable Thomas T.C. Campbell, Judge Representing Appellant (Respondent): Michael S. Carroll, II, Pro Se. Representing Appellee (Petitioner) The…
On child support, Michael Scott Carroll, II v. State of Wyoming, ex rel. Department of Family Services, Child Support Enforcement speaks to the Wyoming dispute in this passage: "STATE OF WYOMING, ex rel. DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, CHILD SUPPORT S-22-0033 ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, Appellee (Petitioner), and MIRANDA CHRISTINE GIBSON, Appellee (Respondent). Appeal from the District Court of Laramie County The Honorable Thomas T.C." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Steve John GRENZ, Appellant, Respondent, v. the STATE of Wyoming, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, CHILD SUPPORT
…nt, v. The STATE of Wyoming, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, Appellee (Petitioner). No. S-10-0089. Supreme Court of Wyoming. January 11, 2011. Representing Appellant: Sue Davidson, Aspen Ridge Law Offices, PC, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Representing Appellee: Bruce A. Salzburg, Attorney General; Robin Sessions Cooley, Deputy Attorney General; Jill E. Kucera, S…
Wyoming opinions such as Steve John GRENZ, Appellant, Respondent, v. the STATE of Wyoming, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, CHILD SUPPORT are cited where child support is disputed. The court stated: "The STATE of Wyoming, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, Appellee (Petitioner). No. S-10-0089. Supreme Court of Wyoming. January 11, 2011. Representing Appellant: Sue Davidson, Aspen Ridge Law Offices, PC, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Representing Appellee: Bruce A." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Practical checklist for Wyoming child support matters
- Gather recent pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of health insurance / child-care costs.
- Complete the current Wyoming worksheet or financial affidavit required by the local court.
- Document parenting-time overnights if a shared-custody adjustment may apply.
- Flag facts that could support deviation (special needs, travel costs, high income, other children).
- Search LawDiver for recent Wyoming appellate decisions before mediation or trial.
Key takeaways
- Wyoming follows the Income shares model for presumptive child support.
- Income is generally measured using net income, then allocated under Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-301 to 20-2-315.
- Guideline amounts are presumptive, not automatic — courts may deviate when the facts justify it.
- Support generally continues until 18, or 20 if still in high school under statutory conditions.
- Either parent can seek modification when substantial change of circumstances; a 20% difference from guidelines is a common threshold..
- Read the companion guide: Wyoming alimony / alimony.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Wyoming?
Wyoming uses the income shares under Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-301 to 20-2-315. Courts start with net income, apply the guideline schedule or percentage, allocate add-ons, and may deviate with findings when the presumptive amount is unjust.
What income counts for Wyoming child support?
Guideline income generally tracks net income as defined by Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-301 to 20-2-315 and the worksheets. Wages, self-employment income, bonuses, and certain benefits are commonly included; exact deductions and exclusions are statute-specific.
Can Wyoming courts order more or less than the guideline amount?
Yes. Guideline support is presumptive. Judges may deviate when the record shows the guideline result is unjust or inappropriate, typically with written findings explaining the departure.
How do I modify a Wyoming child support order?
Substantial change of circumstances; a 20% difference from guidelines is a common threshold. File in the court with continuing jurisdiction (or follow UIFSA for interstate cases) and support the request with current financial evidence.
When does child support end in Wyoming?
Support generally continues until 18, or 20 if still in high school under statutory conditions. Confirm any disability, educational, or agreed extensions in your particular order.
Where can I research Wyoming child support case law?
Use LawDiver search scoped to Wyoming, or open the opinions linked in this guide. Companion reading: Wyoming alimony guide.
Disclaimer
This guide is general legal information about Wyoming child support, not legal advice. Statutes, guidelines, and case law change. Confirm the current text of Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-2-301 to 20-2-315 and consult a licensed Wyoming family-law attorney about your facts.