The spouse that files for divorce must be a resident of Wyoming for at least 60 days immediately preceding the time of filing for divorce or the spouse that files for divorce must have resided in Wyoming from the time of the marriage, which must have been performed in Wyoming, until the time of filing.
The legal divorce process begins when the filing spouse files a complaint for divorce in the district court of the county where either spouse lives. There is a 20-day waiting period after filing and before a divorce will be granted.
A divorce may be granted in Wyoming based on the following grounds:
Wyoming is an "equitable distribution" state where all of your property as well as all of your spouse's property is divided in an equitable manner when you divorce. A just and equitable division is required, which is not necessarily an equal division.
In deciding how to divide the property owned by divorcing couples, judges will consider a number of factors, including:
It is important to collect all the information you can about all your property, including when you purchased it, approximately how much it is worth and details such as account numbers, serial numbers and so forth. Collecting this information before you see a Wyoming divorce lawyer can save you a lot of time and money. A court may order alimony in the form of a specific sum or property to either party in Wyoming after it considerers the other's ability to pay. The court may order one spouse's real estate or the rents and profits from any real estate to be assigned to either party. Marital fault is not a factor in the alimony determination. In Wyoming, the court my order joint, sole or shared child custody as long as it is in the best interests of the child. The court will consider the following factors:
The court will not prefer one parent over the other parent as a custodian solely based on gender. The court will consider evidence of spousal or child abuse as being contrary to the best interests of the children. The noncustodial parent is generally granted visitation rights. If the court finds that family violence has occurred, it will make arrangements for visitation that best protects the children and abused spouse from further harm. In Wyoming, either parent may be ordered to pay child support. There are official child support guidelines that are presumed to be correct unless there is a showing that the amount would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case. Deviation from the guidelines may be allowed after the court considers the following factors:
Residency Requirements and Grounds for Divorce
Dividing the Property
Alimony
Child Custody and Visitation
Child Support
Related Web Links:
- Wyoming Domestic Relations Select Title 20
- Wyoming Child Support
- Wyoming Child Support Enforcement
- Wyoming State Profile
- Family Law: Selecting a Good Lawyer
- Divorce - General message board for more help
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