Child Custody in Wyoming

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When a couple divorces and there is a minor child involved, the divorce decree will specify who has physical custody as well as legal custody of the child. Physical custody determines where and with whom the child will live. Legal custody specifies who has the legal right to make important decisions about the child related to issues such as education, religion, medical issues, and discipline. Spouses often reach an agreement regarding child custody on their own, but if they do not, a Wyoming court will intervene and establish custody arrangements based on the best interests of the child. Divorcesource.com provides a complete summary of divorce and custody laws in the state of Wyoming.

 

There are typically several different custody arrangements that may be made for children of divorced parents. In most cases, courts will award physical custody to one parent with whom the child will live most of the time. The parent with physical custody, or the custodial parent, often shares legal custody, or the right to make decisions regarding the child, with the non-custodial parent. Many child custody arrangements involve joint custody in which the child spends a relatively equal amount of time with each parent.

 

According to Wyoming law, the court my order joint, sole, or shared child custody according to what is determined to be in the best interests of the child. When awarding custody, Wyoming courts typically consider the following factors:

 

  • The quality of the relationship each child has with each parent
  • The ability of each parent to provide adequate care for each child throughout each period of responsibility
  • The relative competency and fitness of each parent
  • Each parent's willingness to accept all parenting responsibilities
  • How the parents and each child can best maintain and strengthen a relationship with each other
  • How the parents and each child interact and communicate with each other and how such interaction and communication may be improved
  • The ability and willingness of each parent to allow the other parent to provide care without intrusion and to respect the other parent's rights and responsibilities
  • Geographic distance between the parents' residences
  • The current physical and mental ability of each parent to care for each child
  • Any other relevant factors.

 

In Wyoming, the court will not award custody to one parent over the other based solely on the parent's gender. The court will consider evidence of spousal or child abuse as being contrary to the best interests of the child. The non-custodial parent is generally granted visitation rights; however, if the court finds that family violence has occurred, it will make arrangements for visitation that best protects the child and abused spouse from further harm.

 

When minor children are involved in a divorce, the Wyoming courts will do everything in their power to help lessen the emotional trauma that the children may be experiencing. If both parents are considered fit, the court may order any custody arrangement that encourages the parents to share in the rights and responsibilities of child-rearing. For a comprehensive overview of divorce and child custody laws in the state of Wyoming, go to lawyers.com.