Wyoming custody laws are found in Chapter 20 of Title 20 in the Wyoming Statutes Annotated. Here is a highlight of some of the laws–especially those that affect the Wyoming parenting plan.
Types of Custody
The state allows parents to have any combination of joint or shared custody or a sole custody agreement. A joint or shared arrangement means that parents divide the legal and physical responsibilities of parenting between them. They can divide this however they choose and they should define their divisions in their Wyoming custody agreement. In a sole custody arrangement, one parent primarily cares for the children while the other parent has visitation.
Authority of the Court
Generally, when parents work together to make a Wyoming custody schedule, the court will accept it. When the terms and conditions of custody are contested, the state gives authority to the court to make decisions about the custody decision. This means that the court can create a parenting plan or custody schedule and the parents will have to follow it.
Best Interest of the Child
When the court makes any custody decisions, it does so in the best interest of the child. Parents should also focus on the child’s best interest and make a Wyoming visitation schedule that meets the needs of the child and promotes the child’s welfare. Here are some of the factors that the court will consider when determining what custody arrangements are in the best interest of the child.
- The quality of the relationship each child has with each parent.
- The ability of each parent to provide adequate care for each child.
- The relative competency and fitness of each parent.
- Each parent’s willingness to accept all responsibilities of parenting.
- How the parents and each child can best maintain and strengthen a relationship with each other.
- The ability and willingness of each parent to allow the other to provide care without intrusion.
- Geographic distance between the parents’ residences.
- The current physical and mental ability of each parent to care for each child.
- Any other factors the court deems necessary and relevant.