In Wyoming, you can write up your own parenting plan (on your own or with the other parent) or you can work with an attorney or legal professional and have them create it. If you don't want to pay the high cost of an attorney, and want to easily make your own agreement, you can use the Custody X Change software.
Custody X Change is software that creates professional parenting plan documents and parenting schedules. Use the free download to see how it can help you.
You can also use Custody X Change to:
It is important to be aware of the laws pertaining to child custody and visitation when creating a parenting plan in the State of Wyoming.
These laws can be found in the Wyoming Statutes, Chapter 20, Domestic Relations.
The law specifies the factors the court uses when ruling on child custody cases, defines many of the terms used by the courts, and describes the manner in which custody may be awarded.
If you use the law as a guide when creating your parenting plan and consider the best interest of your child to be the main priority of the plan, you will be better equipped to create a parenting plan the court will accept.
In the State of Wyoming, the courts have the power to decide the custodial arrangement for any child when the case is brought before the court for litigation.
The court may award physical and legal custody either jointly to both parents, solely to one parent, or in any combination the court finds to be in the best interest of the child (20-2-201-d).
Physical custody pertains to the actual physical care of the child, where he or she lives, etc.
Legal custody involves the rights and responsibilities of each parent to make important decisions, such as where the child will go to school, what doctor he or she will see, etc.
When ruling on any matter involving the custody of a child in the State of Wyoming, the court uses the best interest of the child as the ultimate determining factor.
In determining the best interests of the child, the court considers (20-2-201-a):
Parents in the State of Wyoming are permitted and encouraged to work together and submit a parenting plan to the court.
This is often the best method of creating a parenting plan, as the parents have intimate knowledge of the child's needs, habits, schedule, and their own availability and history of care.
When you are able to work together to create your parenting plan, it is beneficial to your child, but sometimes working with the other parent can prove to be difficult.
If you cannot agree on the issues in your custody case, you may want to attend mediation to try to work your differences out. However, even if you are unable to agree on anything, you are still permitted to submit a proposed parenting plan to the court on your own. It gives the judge something to consider.
Regardless of how you submit your parenting plan, the court will review it to make sure it serves the best interest of your child and meets the requirements of the law.
If the court determines your parenting plan is acceptable, it will be made part of the court order and will become part of a legal document that both parents will be required to comply with.
A comprehensive parenting plan may include:
Related articles:
The top ten cities in Wyoming (by population, US Census Bureau, 2008) are: Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette, Rock Springs, Sheridan, Green River, Evanston, Riverton, Cody.