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Wyoming Spousal Support Calculator
Wyoming Spousal Support Calculator
Calculate Maintenance Under Wyoming Statutes W.S. 20-2-114 — Updated 2026
Use this free Wyoming spousal support calculator to estimate how much maintenance you may pay or receive under Wyoming Statutes W.S. 20-2-114. Whether your divorce is filed in Laramie County (Cheyenne), Natrona County (Casper), Campbell County (Gillette), Sweetwater County (Rock Springs), Fremont County (Riverton), or anywhere else in Wyoming, this tool applies all relevant statutory factors. Wyoming courts have broad discretion with no fixed formula — a common informal starting point is (payor income × 30%) − (recipient income × 40%). The duration guideline is approximately 1 year of support per 3 years of marriage. Wyoming uses a 15-year threshold for long-term marriages. Always consult a licensed Wyoming family law attorney or Wyoming divorce lawyer for advice tailored to your case.
Income Information
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Marriage Details
Enter 0–100 years
Enter a past date
Marriage less than 5 years? ℹ️Short marriages (under 5 years) typically result in 0-1 years of maintenance in Wyoming. Wyoming's informal duration guideline: ~1 year per 3 years married.
Marriage 15+ years? ℹ️Wyoming uses a 15-year threshold (not 20) for long-term marriages. Marriages of 15+ years may support extended or potentially long-term maintenance under W.S. 20-2-114.
Is recipient custodial parent? ℹ️Check if the alimony recipient has primary physical custody of minor children. This is a statutory factor under W.S. 20-2-114.
Wyoming-Specific Factors
Domestic violence involved? ℹ️Wyoming courts may increase maintenance 10% and extend duration when domestic violence is documented. Protective orders can also affect temporary support calculations.
Wyoming Domestic Violence Impact:
May be considered in maintenance determinations
Can affect duration and amount of support (+10%)
Court may order additional therapy / rehabilitation costs
Protective orders can affect temporary support calculations
Fault-based divorce? ℹ️Wyoming is primarily no-fault. Fault rarely affects maintenance except in extreme cases of economic misconduct such as hiding assets or intentional unemployment.
Wyoming Fault Considerations:
Wyoming is primarily no-fault: Fault rarely affects maintenance
Economic misconduct: Hiding assets or intentional unemployment may affect awards
Marital misconduct: May be considered in rare cases
Needs & Resources
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Enter age 18–100
Earning Capacity
Enter 0–50 years
Recipient sacrificed career for marriage?
Recipient has a disability?
Duration Factors
Maintain marital standard of living?
Significant separate property (recipient)?
Enter 0–50 years
Enter age 18–100
Important Legal Note: Wyoming courts have broad discretion under W.S. 20-2-114 with no statutory formula. The informal starting point is (payor × 30%) − (recipient × 40%). Wyoming’s duration guideline is approximately 1 year of support per 3 years of marriage. The long-term marriage threshold is 15 years (not 20). Not legal advice.
Wyoming Spousal Maintenance Calculation Results
Maintenance Type Determination
Recommended Maintenance Type:
Primary Factors:
Monthly Maintenance Amount
Guideline Amount:
Statutory Considerations:
Duration of Maintenance
Recommended Duration:
Wyoming Guidelines:
Judicial Considerations
Likely Range:
Key Factors:
Disclaimer: Estimates only. Wyoming has no statutory formula; judges exercise broad discretion under W.S. 20-2-114. Duration guideline: ~1 year per 3 years married. Long-term threshold: 15 years. Consult a licensed Wyoming family law attorney.
Wyoming Maintenance Case Law
Broad Judicial Discretion in Maintenance Awards
Agar v. Agar, 2010 WY 47, 228 P.3d 1264 (Wyo. 2010)
The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed that courts have broad discretion under W.S. 20-2-114 and that maintenance awards are highly fact-specific. No single factor is controlling; courts weigh all circumstances of the marriage, including the length of the marriage, earning capacities of both parties, and each party’s financial needs.
Marriage Length and Standard of Living as Primary Factors
Reavis v. Reavis, 955 P.2d 428 (Wyo. 1998)
Established that the length of the marriage and the standard of living established during the marriage are among the most important factors in determining maintenance. Courts must consider what is reasonable and necessary for the requesting spouse given the circumstances of the marriage.
Clarified that maintenance should be awarded to allow the requesting spouse to become self-supporting at a standard of living reasonably comparable to the marriage. Courts must consider career sacrifices made during the marriage, particularly when one spouse supported the other’s career or education.
Retirement as Material Change in Circumstances
Anderson v. Anderson, 2014 WY 13, 318 P.3d 315 (Wyo. 2014)
Held that retirement at a reasonable age constitutes a material change in circumstances justifying modification of maintenance under W.S. 20-2-116. Courts must consider whether retirement is reasonable, good faith, and whether the payor can continue payments from retirement income.
Modifying Maintenance in Wyoming
Wyoming law allows modification of maintenance under W.S. 20-2-116 upon a showing of a material change in circumstances.
1. Legal Standards for Modification
General Standard: A “material change in circumstances” is required. Wyoming uses “material” rather than “substantial and continuing” — a somewhat lower bar than some other states.
Automatic Termination: Maintenance terminates upon the recipient’s remarriage or death of either party by operation of law unless parties agreed otherwise.
Cohabitation: Does not automatically terminate maintenance. Payor must petition and prove financial interdependence changed recipient’s needs.
Retirement: Reasonable retirement (typically 65+) constitutes a material change per Anderson v. Anderson (2014). Good faith required.
2. Common Grounds for Modification
Significant Income Change: Involuntary reduction in payor’s income, or unexpected income increase for recipient.
Remarriage of Recipient: Automatic termination by operation of law.
Payor’s Retirement (65+): Material change under Anderson. IRA/401k income may still be counted.
Disability: New or worsening medical condition affecting earning capacity of either party.
Recipient’s Improved Earning Capacity: Completion of rehabilitative plan or significant new employment.
3. Step-by-Step Modification Process
Step 1 – File a Petition: Submit a Petition for Modification to the district court that issued the original order.
Step 2 – Serve Notice: Legally notify the other party using certified mail or a process server.
Step 4 – Mediation: Many Wyoming courts encourage or require mediation before a contested hearing.
Step 5 – Court Hearing: Present evidence to the district court judge. Burden of proof is on the party seeking modification.
Step 6 – Order on Modification: Effective from the filing date; modifications are not retroactive.
4. Critical Practical Considerations
Never stop paying without a court order: Stopping payments can result in contempt and arrearages.
No retroactive modification: Act promptly when circumstances change.
Timeline: Uncontested modifications: 2–4 months; contested: 6–12 months depending on district court.
Energy sector note: Wyoming courts are aware of boom/bust cycles in the energy economy; involuntary income loss from industry downturns may be recognized as a material change.
W.S. 20-2-116 | Anderson v. Anderson (2014) | Agar v. Agar (2010)
Wyoming Spousal Maintenance FAQs (Updated 2026)
How is spousal support calculated in Wyoming?
Wyoming courts have broad discretion under W.S. 20-2-114 with no statutory formula. The common informal starting point used by practitioners is (payor income × 30%) − (recipient income × 40%), adjusted for all relevant factors. Duration guideline: approximately 1 year of support for every 3 years of marriage. Long-term threshold: 15 years.
Wyoming Statutes W.S. 20-2-114; Agar v. Agar (2010)
What types of maintenance exist in Wyoming?
Wyoming recognizes three types of maintenance under W.S. 20-2-114:
Temporary Maintenance: Ordered during divorce proceedings to maintain the financial status quo.
Rehabilitative Maintenance: Time-limited support for education or job training to achieve self-sufficiency per Sellers v. Sellers (2012).
Transitional Maintenance: Short-term post-divorce support based on the Wyoming ~1-year-per-3-years guideline.
How does marriage length affect maintenance in Wyoming?
Wyoming uses a 15-year threshold (not 20) for long-term marriages, and an informal ~1 year per 3 years married guideline:
Under 5 years: 0–1 years of support
5–10 years: 1–3 years
10–15 years: 3–5 years
15–20 years: 5–7 years
20+ years: 7+ years or potential long-term / permanent maintenance
Does fault affect maintenance in Wyoming?
Wyoming is primarily a no-fault divorce state. Fault rarely affects maintenance except in extreme cases of economic misconduct — such as hiding assets, intentionally destroying marital property, or quitting employment to avoid support obligations. Marital misconduct may occasionally be considered in rare cases at the court’s discretion.
Can maintenance be modified or terminated in Wyoming?
Yes. Wyoming requires a material change in circumstances under W.S. 20-2-116. Note: Wyoming uses “material” (not “substantial and continuing”), which may be a somewhat lower bar. Common grounds: remarriage (auto-terminates), significant income changes, payor’s reasonable retirement (typically 65+), disability, or recipient’s improved earning capacity. Cohabitation alone does not auto-terminate — payor must petition court and prove financial interdependence.
W.S. 20-2-116; Anderson v. Anderson (2014)
How does Wyoming’s energy economy affect maintenance awards?
Wyoming courts, particularly in Natrona County (Casper) and Campbell County (Gillette), are experienced with energy industry income patterns, including boom/bust cycles in oil, gas, and coal. Courts may consider the volatility of energy sector income when setting maintenance amounts, and may recognize involuntary income loss from industry downturns as a material change for modification purposes.
How does retirement affect maintenance in Wyoming?
Per Anderson v. Anderson (2014), retirement at a reasonable age constitutes a material change in circumstances justifying modification. Courts consider: whether retirement is in good faith, whether it is voluntary or health-related, and the payor’s ability to continue payments from retirement income. IRA/401k withdrawals may still be treated as income.
Anderson v. Anderson, 2014 WY 13; W.S. 20-2-116
Are maintenance payments taxable in Wyoming?
For divorce agreements after December 31, 2018 (post-TCJA): Maintenance is NOT deductible for the payor and NOT taxable income for the recipient under federal law. Wyoming has no state income tax, so there is no additional state-level tax impact on maintenance payments.