Wyoming Sole Custody Agreement

SOLE CUSTODY AGREEMENT

STATE OF WYOMING
IN THE DISTRICT COURT
[____] JUDICIAL DISTRICT, [________________________________] COUNTY

In the Matter of the Custody of:

[________________________________], minor child(ren)

[________________________________], Petitioner / Proposed Custodial Parent

v.

[________________________________], Respondent / Non-Custodial Parent

Case No.: [________________________________]

ARTICLE I — PARTIES, CHILD(REN), AND STATUTORY BASIS

1.1 Custodial Parent.
Name: [________________________________]
Residential Address: [________________________________], [________________________________], Wyoming [________]
County: [________________________________] (Judicial District: [____])
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

1.2 Non-Custodial Parent.
Name: [________________________________]
Residential Address: [________________________________]
City/State/Zip: [________________________________]
County (if in Wyoming): [________________________________] (Judicial District: [____])
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

1.3 Minor Child(ren).

1.4 Statutory Basis for Sole Custody in Wyoming.

Wyoming law generally favors joint custody arrangements. Effective July 1, 2025, the state enacted a rebuttable presumption of shared custody (2025 Wyo. Sess. Laws SF0117), meaning courts presume joint legal and joint physical custody with substantially equal time unless the presumption is rebutted. Sole custody must be supported by specific statutory grounds.

Basis for Rebutting the Shared Custody Presumption (select all that apply):

☐ (a) Written Agreement. Both Parents agree in writing that sole custody is in the child(ren)'s best interests.

☐ (b) Domestic Violence Finding. One or both parties have been found guilty of domestic violence. Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(c), the court shall consider evidence of spousal abuse or child abuse as contrary to the child(ren)'s best interests. Case/Order No.: [________________________________]

☐ (c) Child Abuse, Neglect, or Mistreatment. One or both parties have been found guilty of child abuse, neglect, or mistreatment. DFS Case No. or Court Order: [________________________________]

☐ (d) Distance Exceeding 300 Miles. The parties reside more than 300 miles apart, making shared physical custody impractical. Distance between residences: [________________________________] miles.

☐ (e) Clear and Convincing Evidence. Clear and convincing evidence demonstrates that a different custody arrangement is in the child(ren)'s best interests. Specify: [________________________________]

☐ (f) Pre-July 2025 Proceeding. This proceeding was filed before July 1, 2025, and the 2025 shared custody presumption does not apply.

1.5 Best Interest Factors (Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(a)). The Parents and/or the Court have considered the following statutory factors and determined that sole custody serves the child(ren)'s best interests:

(i) Quality of each child's relationship with each parent;
(ii) Each parent's ability to provide adequate care, including arranging care by others;
(iii) Relative competency and fitness of each parent;
(iv) Each parent's willingness to accept parenting responsibilities;
(v) How parents and child(ren) can best maintain and strengthen relationships;
(vi) How parents and child(ren) interact and communicate;
(vii) Each parent's willingness to allow the other to provide care without intrusion;
(viii) Geographic distance between parents' residences.

1.6 No Gender Preference. Pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201, the court shall not prefer one parent as custodian solely because of gender.

1.7 Reason for Sole Custody. Sole custody to the Custodial Parent is appropriate because:

[________________________________]

ARTICLE II — SOLE LEGAL CUSTODY

2.1 Sole Decision-Making Authority. The Custodial Parent shall have sole legal custody of the child(ren), including the exclusive right and responsibility to make all major decisions regarding:

(a) Education — school enrollment, school transfers, special education services, IEPs, tutoring;
(b) Medical care — healthcare providers, treatment plans, medications, surgical procedures;
(c) Mental health — counseling, therapy, psychiatric treatment;
(d) Religious upbringing and religious education;
(e) Extracurricular activities;
(f) Travel — domestic and international;
(g) Legal matters affecting the child(ren).

2.2 Consultation with Non-Custodial Parent. The Custodial Parent:

☐ Shall consult with the Non-Custodial Parent before making major decisions, though the Custodial Parent retains final decision-making authority.

☐ Is encouraged but not required to consult with the Non-Custodial Parent on major decisions.

☐ Shall not be required to consult with the Non-Custodial Parent due to: [________________________________]

2.3 Emergency Decisions. The Custodial Parent may make all emergency decisions without prior consultation. The Custodial Parent shall notify the Non-Custodial Parent of any emergency involving the child(ren) within twenty-four (24) hours.

2.4 Routine Decisions. Each Parent shall make day-to-day decisions regarding the child(ren)'s care, meals, bedtime, homework, and activities during their respective time with the child(ren).

ARTICLE III — SOLE PHYSICAL CUSTODY AND RESIDENCE

3.1 Primary Residence. The child(ren) shall reside primarily with the Custodial Parent at:

Address: [________________________________]
City/Town: [________________________________], Wyoming [________]
County: [________________________________]

3.2 School Enrollment. The child(ren) shall be enrolled in the [________________________________] School District / [________________________________] School.

3.3 Mailing Address for Legal Purposes. The child(ren)'s mailing address and legal residence for school enrollment, voter registration (when applicable), and other purposes shall be the Custodial Parent's residence.

ARTICLE IV — NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT VISITATION / PARENTING TIME

4.1 Visitation Schedule (select one):

☐ Option A — Standard Visitation

• Alternating weekends: Friday at [____]:00 PM to Sunday at [____]:00 PM
• One midweek visit: [________________________________] from [____]:00 PM to [____]:00 PM
• Extended summer: [____] non-consecutive weeks with thirty (30) days' advance notice

☐ Option B — Expanded Visitation

• Alternating weekends: Friday after school to Monday morning (school drop-off)
• Two midweek overnights: [________________________________] after school to [________________________________] morning
• Extended summer: [____] weeks (may be consecutive) with sixty (60) days' advance notice

☐ Option C — Long-Distance Visitation (parents more than 150 miles apart)

• [____] extended weekends per month: Thursday PM to Monday AM (during school breaks)
• [____] weeks during summer
• Alternating school breaks (spring break, winter break)
• Weekly video calls at mutually agreed times
• Additional time as mutually agreed

☐ Option D — Supervised Visitation (select when safety concerns exist)

• Frequency: [________________________________]
• Duration: [________________________________]

• Location: ☐ Supervised visitation center: [________________________________]
  ☐ In the presence of approved third party: [________________________________]

• Conditions: [________________________________]

• Review of supervision every [____] months for potential modification upon demonstrated progress
• Supervision costs paid by: ☐ Non-Custodial Parent ☐ Shared ☐ Other: [________________________________]

☐ Option E — Custom Schedule
[________________________________]

4.2 Exchange Location.
☐ Custodial Parent's residence
☐ Non-Custodial Parent's residence
☐ Child(ren)'s school
☐ Neutral public location: [________________________________]
☐ Supervised exchange location: [________________________________]

4.3 Transportation.
☐ Non-Custodial Parent responsible for pick-up and drop-off
☐ Custodial Parent responsible for pick-up and drop-off
☐ Shared — Non-Custodial Parent picks up; Custodial Parent picks up at end
☐ Other: [________________________________]

4.4 Wyoming Travel and Weather. Given Wyoming's extreme distances and harsh winter weather:

(a) If WYDOT road reports (wyoroad.info or 511) indicate road closures or dangerous conditions on the travel route, the exchange may be delayed. The delayed parent shall notify the other immediately. Make-up time shall be provided for weather-related missed parenting time.
(b) Midpoint exchange location (if applicable): [________________________________]
(c) Winter driving precautions: The transporting parent shall ensure appropriate winter vehicle equipment (tires, emergency kit) when traveling between October and April.

4.5 Holiday Schedule.

Fixed Annually:

• Mother's Day: With Mother
• Father's Day: With Father
• Child's Birthday: ☐ Alternating ☐ Shared ☐ Other: [________________________________]

4.6 Summer Parenting Time.
The Non-Custodial Parent shall have [____] weeks of summer parenting time. Specific dates shall be communicated in writing by [________________________________] of each year. The Custodial Parent may travel with the child(ren) during summer without the Non-Custodial Parent's consent for trips within the United States lasting less than [____] days, provided the Custodial Parent provides an itinerary.

4.7 Right of First Refusal.

☐ If the Custodial Parent is unavailable for more than [____] consecutive hours, the Custodial Parent shall first offer the time to the Non-Custodial Parent before arranging third-party childcare.

☐ Right of first refusal does not apply.

ARTICLE V — COMMUNICATION

5.1 Parent-to-Child Communication. The Custodial Parent shall facilitate reasonable telephone and/or video communication between the Non-Custodial Parent and the child(ren):

Schedule: [________________________________]
Method: ☐ Phone ☐ Video call ☐ Text (age-appropriate)

In rural Wyoming areas with limited connectivity, the Custodial Parent shall make reasonable accommodations.

5.2 Parent-to-Parent Communication. Parents shall communicate about the child(ren) through:
☐ Telephone ☐ Text ☐ Email ☐ Co-parenting app: [________________________________]

5.3 Emergency Notification. The Custodial Parent shall notify the Non-Custodial Parent within twenty-four (24) hours of any emergency, serious illness, injury, or hospitalization of the child(ren).

5.4 Information Access. The Non-Custodial Parent shall have the right to directly access:

• School records, report cards, and progress reports;
• Medical, dental, and mental health records;
• Notification of school events and extracurricular activities.

The Custodial Parent shall provide copies of report cards and significant medical information within seven (7) days of receipt.

5.5 Non-Disparagement. Neither Parent shall make negative or disparaging remarks about the other Parent, the other Parent's family, or household in the presence or hearing of the child(ren). Neither Parent shall discuss legal proceedings with the child(ren).

ARTICLE VI — DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SAFETY

6.1 Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(c) Findings. The court shall consider evidence of spousal abuse or child abuse as contrary to the best interests of the child(ren). If family violence has occurred, the court shall make arrangements for visitation that best protect the child(ren) and the abused parent from further harm.

6.2 Disclosures.

☐ Neither Parent has a history of domestic violence, abuse, or protective orders.

☐ A domestic violence finding or protective order exists:
Type: ☐ Protection Order ☐ Criminal conviction ☐ DFS finding ☐ Other
Case/Order No.: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]
Against: ☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B

☐ This sole custody arrangement is based in part on domestic violence findings under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(c) and the SF0117 exception for domestic violence.

6.3 Safety Restrictions on Non-Custodial Parent (if applicable).

☐ No contact with the child(ren) except as specified in the visitation schedule
☐ No contact with the Custodial Parent except through: [________________________________]
☐ Exchanges at a supervised location: [________________________________]
☐ Third party present during exchanges: [________________________________]
☐ Drug/alcohol testing required before or during visitation: [________________________________]
☐ Completion of the following program required: [________________________________]
☐ No overnight visitation until: [________________________________]
☐ Other restrictions: [________________________________]

6.4 Substance Use. The Non-Custodial Parent shall not consume alcohol to the point of impairment or use illegal substances during visitation or within twelve (12) hours preceding visitation.

6.5 Firearms Safety. All firearms in the Non-Custodial Parent's residence shall be stored unloaded in a locked safe or cabinet with ammunition stored separately, inaccessible to the child(ren). Wyoming's hunting culture does not exempt this requirement.

ARTICLE VII — RELOCATION

7.1 Custodial Parent Relocation Within Wyoming. The Custodial Parent may relocate within Wyoming with thirty (30) days' written notice to the Non-Custodial Parent and the Court. Given Wyoming's vast geography, the notice shall address any impact on the visitation schedule.

7.2 Custodial Parent Relocation Outside Wyoming. Relocation outside Wyoming with the child(ren) requires either:
(a) Written consent of the Non-Custodial Parent; or
(b) Court approval after a hearing considering the child(ren)'s best interests.

7.3 Non-Custodial Parent Relocation. The Non-Custodial Parent shall provide thirty (30) days' written notice of any relocation to a different city or state. The visitation schedule shall be modified as necessary.

7.4 Contents of Notice. All relocation notices shall include: proposed new address, date of move, reason, proposed revised schedule, and proposed school district (if applicable).

ARTICLE VIII — CHILD'S PREFERENCE

8.1 Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(a)(vii), the court considers the wishes of the child as one factor in the best-interest analysis. Wyoming does not set a specific statutory age at which the child's preference becomes controlling; the court evaluates the child's maturity, reasoning, and whether the preference is based on valid considerations.

☐ The child(ren) have expressed a preference that was considered in this arrangement.
☐ The child(ren) have not expressed a preference or are too young for their preference to be considered.
☐ A guardian ad litem has been appointed. GAL name: [________________________________]

ARTICLE IX — PARENTING EDUCATION

9.1 Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201, the Court may require parents to attend parenting classes at any time.

☐ Both Parents have completed court-approved parenting education.
☐ Parenting education has been ordered. Deadline: [__/__/____]
☐ Not applicable.

ARTICLE X — DISPUTE RESOLUTION

10.1 Direct Communication. Parents shall first attempt to resolve disputes through direct communication.

10.2 Mediation. If communication fails, Parents shall participate in mediation before seeking court intervention. Many Wyoming judicial districts (including those serving Laramie, Natrona, and Campbell counties) require mediation for contested custody matters. Cost: ☐ Equally divided ☐ Pro rata ☐ Other: [________________________________]

10.3 Court Action. Either Parent may file a motion in the District Court of the [____] Judicial District, [________________________________] County, Wyoming. Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-203, a certified copy of the existing custody order must be attached.

10.4 Contempt. Willful violations may result in contempt proceedings, attorney's fees, and custody modification.

10.5 Emergency Relief. Either Parent may seek emergency court relief to protect the child(ren).

ARTICLE XI — MODIFICATION

11.1 This Agreement may be modified by:
(a) Written agreement of both Parents, approved by the Court; or
(b) Court order upon a showing of material change in circumstances under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-204(c) and a finding that modification serves the child(ren)'s best interests. The two-step analysis of Pace v. Pace, 22 P.3d 861 (Wyo. 2001) applies: first, the court determines whether a material change has occurred; second, if so, the court conducts a best-interest analysis under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(a).

11.2 The Non-Custodial Parent may petition for modification to joint custody if circumstances change sufficiently to rebut the basis for sole custody.

ARTICLE XII — GENERAL PROVISIONS

12.1 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by Wyoming family law, including Wyo. Stat. §§ 20-2-201 through 20-2-205.

12.2 Forum. The District Court of the [____] Judicial District, [________________________________] County, Wyoming retains continuing jurisdiction.

12.3 Severability. If any provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect.

12.4 Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire custody arrangement and supersedes all prior agreements.

12.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by electronic signature.

12.6 Assignment. Custodial rights are personal and non-assignable.

EXECUTION

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parents have executed this Sole Custody Agreement.

CUSTODIAL PARENT:

Signature: [________________________________]
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT:

Signature: [________________________________]
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

VERIFICATION

STATE OF WYOMING )
) ss.
County of [________________________________] )

I, [________________________________], being first duly sworn, state under penalty of perjury that I am a party to this Agreement and the statements herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: [________________________________]
Subscribed and sworn to before me on [__/__/____].

[________________________________]
Notary Public, State of Wyoming
My Commission Expires: [__/__/____]

ORDER APPROVING SOLE CUSTODY AGREEMENT

The District Court of the [____] Judicial District, [________________________________] County, Wyoming, having reviewed this Sole Custody Agreement and finding:

1. Sole custody to the Custodial Parent is in the best interests of the minor child(ren) under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(a);
2. The rebuttable presumption of shared custody under 2025 Wyo. Sess. Laws SF0117 has been overcome by: [________________________________];
3. Evidence of spousal/child abuse ☐ has / ☐ has not been considered under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(c);
4. The Agreement is voluntary and adequately protects the child(ren)'s welfare;
5. Visitation arrangements best protect the child(ren) and any abused parent from further harm (if applicable);

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this Sole Custody Agreement is APPROVED and incorporated into this Court's Order.

Date: [__/__/____]

[________________________________]
District Court Judge
[____] Judicial District
State of Wyoming

Sources and References

• Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(a) — Eight statutory best interest factors
• Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(c) — Domestic violence: court must consider spousal/child abuse as contrary to best interests; visitation arrangements must protect child(ren) and abused parent
• Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201 — No gender preference in custody
• Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-202 — Custody orders in well-defined terms
• Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-203 — Continuing jurisdiction; certified copy requirement for enforcement/modification petitions
• Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-204(c) — Modification: material change in circumstances plus best-interest analysis
• 2025 Wyo. Sess. Laws SF0117 — Rebuttable presumption of shared custody (eff. July 1, 2025); exceptions: written agreement, DV, child abuse/neglect, 300+ miles, clear and convincing evidence
• Pace v. Pace, 22 P.3d 861 (Wyo. 2001) — Two-step modification analysis
• Wyoming Judicial Branch Self-Help Forms — Packets 11/12 (Establishment of Custody), available at www.wyocourts.gov
• Wyoming District Courts — 9 judicial districts, 23 counties; First (Laramie), Third (Sweetwater, Lincoln, Uinta), Sixth (Campbell, Crook, Weston), Seventh (Natrona), Ninth (Fremont, Sublette, Teton)