Wyoming Child Support Calculator (2025)

How Wyoming Calculates Child Support

Wyoming uses the Income Shares model for calculating child support obligations, governed by Wyoming Statute §20-2-304. This model is based on the economic principle that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income that they would have received if the parents had remained together. The Income Shares approach considers both parents' net incomes to determine the total support obligation, which is then divided proportionally based on each parent's share of the combined income.

The Wyoming child support guidelines establish a presumptive amount of support based on the parents' combined net monthly income and the number of children requiring support. This presumptive amount creates a rebuttable presumption under the law, meaning the court will apply the guideline amount unless a party demonstrates that deviation is warranted based on specific statutory factors set forth in WY Stat §20-2-307.

Wyoming's guidelines were developed based on economic studies of the cost of raising children at various income levels. The support amounts in the schedule represent the average expenditure on children by intact families at each income level, recognizing that higher-income families spend more on their children in absolute terms, though a smaller percentage of their overall income. The guidelines have been periodically updated to reflect changes in the cost of living and economic research on child-rearing costs.

The Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) administers the state's child support program and provides enforcement services for child support orders. While the DFS does not set the guidelines themselves (that is done by the legislature), they play a critical role in establishing paternity, locating non-custodial parents, and enforcing payment obligations. The district courts have jurisdiction to enter and modify child support orders, and they must apply the statutory guidelines unless deviation is justified.

Wyoming Support Schedule

The Wyoming child support guidelines provide a schedule of presumptive support amounts based on the parents' combined net monthly income. The following table shows selected amounts from the schedule. For income levels between the listed amounts, courts interpolate to determine the exact presumptive amount.

The schedule continues for combined net monthly incomes above $15,000. For incomes exceeding the schedule, courts typically extrapolate using the percentage applicable at the highest scheduled income level or exercise discretion based on the child's documented needs and the family's standard of living.

How to Read the Schedule

To use the schedule, first determine each parent's net monthly income. Combine the two incomes and look up the corresponding presumptive support amount for the applicable number of children. Then calculate each parent's proportional share based on their percentage of the combined income. The non-custodial parent's share becomes the child support obligation.

Net Income Definition in Wyoming

Wyoming uses net income rather than gross income for child support calculations. Net income is defined under WY Stat §20-2-303 as gross income from all sources minus specified deductions. Understanding what constitutes gross income and which deductions are permissible is essential for an accurate calculation.

Gross Income Sources

Wyoming defines gross income broadly to include virtually all monetary receipts:

• Wages, salary, and tips — All compensation from employment
• Commissions and bonuses — Including irregular or one-time payments
• Self-employment income — Gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses
• Dividends and interest — Investment income from all sources
• Trust and estate income — Distributions and allocable income
• Annuities and pensions — Retirement benefit payments
• Social Security benefits — Including retirement, disability, and survivor benefits
• Workers' compensation — All payment types
• Unemployment benefits — State and federal unemployment insurance
• Rental income — Net income from real property
• Capital gains — From the sale of assets (may be averaged if irregular)
• Severance pay — Payments received upon termination of employment
• Military allowances — Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)

Notable Exclusions

Certain income sources are not included in the gross income calculation:

• Benefits from means-tested public assistance programs (TANF, SNAP, Medicaid)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Child support received for other children from a different case
• Income of a new spouse or partner
• Foster care payments

Allowable Deductions from Gross Income

Wyoming allows specific deductions from gross income to arrive at net income. These deductions are outlined in WY Stat §20-2-303 and are limited to mandatory, involuntary deductions rather than voluntary lifestyle choices:

• Federal income taxes — Based on the parent's actual tax liability, using the appropriate filing status and standard deduction (not itemized deductions unrelated to child support)
• State and local taxes — Wyoming has no state income tax, so this primarily applies to parents earning income in other states
• FICA/Social Security and Medicare taxes — Employee's share of payroll taxes (7.65%)
• Mandatory retirement contributions — Contributions required as a condition of employment (not voluntary 401(k) contributions)
• Union dues — Required dues and assessments
• Health insurance premiums — Premiums for the parent's own coverage only (children's premiums are handled separately as an add-on)
• Court-ordered support for other children — Support obligations for prior-born children that are currently being paid

Notably, Wyoming does not allow deductions for voluntary retirement contributions (such as discretionary 401(k) contributions above any employer-required minimum), voluntary additional tax withholding, loan repayments, credit card payments, or other personal financial obligations. The court may scrutinize claimed deductions to ensure they are truly mandatory rather than voluntary.

Wyoming's No State Income Tax Advantage

Wyoming is one of the few states with no state income tax, which means the net income available for child support purposes is generally higher than it would be for parents earning equivalent gross incomes in states with income taxes. This can result in higher child support obligations when comparing Wyoming to income-tax states, all other factors being equal. However, the Wyoming support schedule was calibrated to account for the state's tax structure, so the presumptive amounts reflect appropriate support levels for Wyoming residents.

Shared Custody Adjustments

Wyoming does not have a specific statutory shared-custody formula like some other states. However, the amount of parenting time each parent exercises is an important factor that courts consider when determining whether to deviate from the presumptive guideline amount.

Under WY Stat §20-2-307, the court may adjust the support amount when one parent has substantially more than the standard visitation time. The rationale is that a parent who has the child for a significant portion of the time is directly providing for the child's food, shelter, clothing, and other needs during that time, and the support obligation should reflect this contribution.

Courts evaluate shared custody situations on a case-by-case basis, considering:

• The actual number of overnights each parent has with the child
• The additional expenses each parent incurs during their custodial time (meals, activities, transportation)
• Whether the custodial parent's fixed costs (housing, utilities, insurance) remain the same regardless of the child's location
• The overall financial circumstances of both parents
• The child's specific needs and the costs associated with meeting those needs

In practice, Wyoming courts frequently apply a pro-rata adjustment for shared custody. Some courts use a formula similar to other Income Shares states: they calculate each parent's obligation for the time the child spends with the other parent, then offset the amounts and require the parent with the higher obligation to pay the net difference.

Deviation Factors Under Wyoming Law

Wyoming law provides specific factors that courts must consider when determining whether to deviate from the presumptive guideline amount. Under WY Stat §20-2-307, these factors include:

• The age of the child — Older children generally have higher expenses (activities, clothing, education)
• The cost of necessary childcare — Work-related childcare expenses that are not already factored into the calculation
• Special healthcare needs — Extraordinary medical, dental, or psychological needs of the child
• Educational expenses — Private school tuition, tutoring, special education costs
• Transportation costs for visitation — Particularly significant in Wyoming given the state's vast distances
• The standard of living the child would have enjoyed — If the parents had remained together
• Each parent's net income and earning capacity — Including potential income if a parent is voluntarily underemployed
• Responsibility for other children — Support obligations for children from other relationships
• Special needs of a parent — Disability or extraordinary health expenses of the paying parent
• The child's own financial resources — Trust funds, inheritance, or substantial assets

When a court deviates from the guidelines, it must make specific findings on the record explaining why the deviation is in the best interest of the child and how the deviation amount was determined. This ensures transparency and provides a basis for appellate review if either party challenges the deviation.

Imputed Income in Wyoming

When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, Wyoming courts have the authority to impute income based on the parent's earning capacity rather than their actual earnings. This prevents parents from reducing their child support obligation by deliberately earning less than they are capable of earning.

Courts consider several factors when determining whether to impute income and the appropriate amount:

• Work history and experience — The parent's employment record and career trajectory
• Education and vocational training — Degrees, certifications, and specialized skills
• Physical and mental health — Any limitations on the parent's ability to work
• Local job market conditions — Availability of employment in the parent's area and field
• Prevailing wage rates — Typical earnings for comparable positions in the community
• Child-care responsibilities — Whether the parent is caring for a very young child (under age 2)
• Prior earnings — The parent's most recent documented income

Income imputation is not automatic. The party requesting imputation must demonstrate that the other parent's reduced income is voluntary and not due to legitimate circumstances such as disability, layoff, or enrollment in an educational program likely to increase future earning capacity. Wyoming courts have significant discretion in determining the appropriate imputed income amount, and their decisions are generally upheld unless there is a clear abuse of discretion.

Modification Process in Wyoming

Under WY Stat §20-2-311, either parent can petition the court to modify an existing child support order when there has been a material change in circumstances. Wyoming law establishes a specific threshold for what constitutes a material change.

The 20% Rule

Wyoming presumes that a change in circumstances is material if recalculating support under the current guidelines would result in an amount that differs by 20% or more from the existing order. This 20% threshold provides a clear benchmark for determining whether modification is warranted, reducing the need for subjective judicial determinations about whether a change is "substantial enough."

Common Grounds for Modification

• Significant income change — Either parent's income has substantially increased or decreased
• Job loss or disability — Involuntary loss of employment or onset of a disabling condition
• Change in custody arrangement — The child's primary residence or the parenting time schedule has changed
• Change in child's needs — New medical conditions, educational requirements, or other changed needs
• Additional children — Birth of additional children creating new financial obligations
• Emancipation of a child — One of the children in the order has turned 18 or otherwise emancipated
• Changes in healthcare or childcare costs — Significant changes in insurance premiums or daycare expenses

Filing the Modification Petition

To modify child support in Wyoming, the requesting parent must file a petition for modification with the district court that issued the original order. The petition should include documentation of the changed circumstances, current financial information for both parties, and a proposed new support amount based on the guidelines. The court will schedule a hearing, and both parties will have the opportunity to present evidence.

Wyoming modifications are generally effective from the date the petition is filed or served, not retroactively. However, the court has some discretion to set an effective date based on the specific circumstances of the case. Importantly, unpaid support that accrued before the modification cannot be retroactively reduced, so it is essential to file promptly when circumstances change.

Enforcement of Child Support in Wyoming

Wyoming takes child support enforcement seriously and provides multiple mechanisms for ensuring payment compliance. The Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) offers enforcement services, and the courts have broad authority to compel payment.

Enforcement Tools

• Income withholding — Automatic wage garnishment from the obligor's employer, which is the primary enforcement mechanism
• Tax refund interception — Federal and state tax refunds can be intercepted and applied to overdue support
• License suspension — Driver's license, professional licenses, and recreational licenses can be suspended for non-payment
• Passport denial — The U.S. State Department can deny or revoke a passport when arrears exceed $2,500
• Credit bureau reporting — Delinquent support is reported to credit agencies, affecting the obligor's credit score
• Liens on property — Liens can be placed on real property, vehicles, and other assets
• Bank account levy — Funds can be seized from bank accounts to satisfy overdue obligations
• Contempt of court — Willful non-payment can result in civil or criminal contempt proceedings, potentially including incarceration

Interest on Arrears

Wyoming charges interest on unpaid child support arrears. The interest accrues automatically on any overdue amounts and compounds over time, which can significantly increase the total amount owed. The interest rate is set by statute and applies uniformly to all delinquent support obligations in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

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