Wyoming Parenting Plan & Custody Agreements
Wyoming courts want divorcing or separated parents to reach agreement on their parenting issues. When put in writing, this kind of agreement is called a parenting plan or a child custody and visitation plan. If you can't agree, the court may still order a parenting plan one parent proposes on their own.
Military parents have to write a parenting plan due to military rules. For other parents, Wyoming courts don't usually require a parenting plan, but writing one helps you make a convincing proposal to the other parent or the court.
When to write a parenting plan
Draft a parenting proposal as early as possible — before you open your case, or soon after.
Parents who have unresolved issues in court are usually ordered to go to mediation. Bring your proposed parenting plan with you.
Ideally, you'll agree on a plan with your co-parent, as that way the two of you may be more likely to stick to it. You can introduce your child to the new routine even before the court orders you to follow it. The court is likely to approve a plan that you both agree to.
If you need to propose a plan on your own, you can. The court will listen to your argument for it. If the court approves your proposal, you and your co-parent both have to follow the plan.
Many parents use the Custody X Change parenting plan template, which guides you through over 140 provisions so you're confident you're being thorough.
Try this with Custody X Change.
What to cover
1. Legal and physical custody
Start your parenting plan with a broad overview of your parenting responsibilities.
| Type of custody | What it designates |
|---|---|
| Legal custody | Which parent makes important decisions about the child, like medical treatment and school enrollment |
| Physical custody | Which parent the child lives with most of the time |
You can share legal and physical custody with your co-parent. Wyoming courts are likely to order shared (joint) parenting when both parents agree to it. If at least one parent is asking for sole custody, the court may conclude the parents wouldn't cooperate well and give one parent sole custody.
2. Parenting schedule
Write a parenting schedule, and remember to plan for school breaks, holidays (including days when school is closed) and your child's birthday. Adding a visual version is helpful.
Try this with Custody X Change.
If you need to step up a parent's time gradually, explain when each increase will happen and if they must meet any condition to qualify for it.
If one parent needs supervised visitation, explain the details. A family member may be able to supervise in your home, or you may need professionals to supervise visits at a center like Safe Harbor in Cheyenne or Wyoming Children's Law Center in Laramie.
3. Parenting rules
You may not need to spell out many parenting rules if you and your co-parent share values, can compromise, and expect to tolerate each other's day-to-day decisions.
But if you often question each other's judgment, get on each other's nerves, or have concerns about your child's well-being, it can help to get detailed.
For any topics on which you anticipate conflict, write down specific instructions, like:
- Where will you exchange your child?
- Can a parent's romantic partner drive your child to school or appointments?
- Who will pay for expensive extracurriculars, like sports that involve travel?
- How will you take care of their important belongings, like musical instruments?
- Who will maintain their health insurance policy?
- Do you expect the other parent to give you advance notification before taking your child on a trip out of Wyoming?
- Which parent gets the tax deduction?
The answers go in your parenting plan. Phrase them in terms of what you and the other parent must do, not what your child must do.
The easiest way to make a parenting plan
When you create a parenting plan, it's critical you address all of your children's needs and use airtight language that leaves no room for interpretation.
If you're writing your own plan, use technology to take the guesswork out of the equation. The Custody X Change app will walk you through each step of creating a comprehensive parenting plan.
Choose from over 140 common provisions in more than 25 categories. Just select the items you want to include in your plan and fill in the blanks. You can also create custom provisions to meet your family's unique needs.
The result will be a professional document that demonstrates your competence as a parent from the first glance.
The easiest and most reliable way to make a parenting plan is with Custody X Change.
Frequently asked questions
How is custody determined in Wyoming?
A judge considers the best interests of the child and any agreement the parents reach. The parents' genders don't matter. If parents can't agree, their case will go to trial.
Does the child have a say?
The court may listen to the child's opinion if they're mature enough to provide one. Sometimes a guardian ad litem is involved to learn more about the child's perspective. However, the court doesn't have to do what the child wants.
Do grandparents have the right to visit their grandchild?
If a parent is keeping their child away from a grandparent, the grandparent can ask a court for the right to visit. The judge can grant or deny the request. It's based on what is best for the child and avoids interfering with the parent's rights.