Courts would generally require shared parenting in Wyoming custody cases

Courts would generally order temporary shared custody and continue it in the final order after hearing from both parents. Shared custody means parents share decisions about their child's health, education, and welfare, with roughly equal parenting time each calendar year. A judge could reject temporary sharing by finding that the evidence shows it is more likely than not against the children's best interests. After temporary shared custody, the judge would continue sharing unless it was unsuccessful or facts show it is against the children's best interests. The proposal sets July 1, 2026, as its effective date and would apply to filings to establish child custody made on or after that date.

Judges would give written reasons for unequal custody and for temporary or final orders that reject shared custody. These requirements cover custody decisions that divide custody unequally or do not provide both shared decisions and roughly equal parenting time. Unequal custody orders would need specific facts based on sworn testimony presented at any hearing held, plus legal reasons supporting the decision. Orders rejecting shared custody would need written reasons explaining why sharing is against the children's best interests. These requirements would apply to filings to establish child custody made on or after July 1, 2026.

Judges would consider evidence that either parent knowingly gave the court false information about certain abuse-related cases. This factor would guide custody decisions involving divorce, legal separation, cancellation of a marriage, or establishing who a child's father is. The information must concern prior or pending civil or criminal cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, or child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. This factor would apply to filings to establish child custody made on or after July 1, 2026.