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.

Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(d), the court shall not favor or disfavor any form of custody; custody is crafted to promote the best interests of the child(ren) and may include any combination of joint, shared, or sole custody. Sole custody is appropriate where the statutory best-interest factors, weighed together, support placing decision-making authority and/or primary physical custody with one Parent.

Circumstances supporting sole custody (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) Significant Distance Between Residences. The parties reside a substantial distance apart, making shared physical custody impractical. Distance between residences: [________________________________] miles.

☐ (e) Other Best-Interest Grounds. The statutory best-interest factors under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(a), weighed together, support sole custody for the reasons specified. Specify: [________________________________]

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;
(ix) The current physical and mental ability of each parent to care for each child;
(x) Whether either parent has a conviction for which the parent must register as a sex offender under Wyo. Stat. §§ 7-19-301 through 7-19-310;
(xi) Any other factors the court deems necessary and relevant.

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).

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 Statutory Notice. Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-202(a)(iii), either Parent who plans to change the Parent's home city or state of residence shall give written notice at least thirty (30) days before the move to both the other Parent and the clerk of District Court. The notice shall state the move date and destination. Information protected by a domestic-abuse confidentiality order or another address-confidentiality order shall remain confidential.

7.2 Effect on Existing Order. Relocation notice does not itself modify sole custody, visitation, transportation, or support. If the move requires different terms, the Parents may submit a proposed modification for Court approval or either Parent may petition under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-204. The existing order remains controlling unless the Court modifies it.

7.3 Proposed Long-Distance Terms. If a move materially affects visitation, the Parents propose the following child-specific transportation and parenting-time terms for Court review: [________________________________]

ARTICLE VIII — CHILD'S PREFERENCE

8.1 Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(a) does not separately enumerate a child's preference as a best-interest factor. The Parents may disclose a preference for the Court to evaluate if the Court deems it necessary and relevant under § 20-2-201(a)(xi); no preference creates an automatic custody result.

☐ 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 Optional or Court-Ordered Mediation. If communication fails, the Parents may agree to mediation, or shall participate if the Court orders it. Mediation shall not delay emergency relief or an otherwise authorized enforcement filing. If used, 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 and Modification. Upon an appropriate motion and a showing of willful violation of a custody or visitation order, the Court may find contempt and award attorney's fees, costs, or other relief under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-204(b). Custody modification separately requires a material change in circumstances and a best-interest finding under § 20-2-204(c).

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. Evidence of spousal/child abuse ☐ has / ☐ has not been considered under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201(c);
3. The Agreement is voluntary and adequately protects the child(ren)'s welfare;
4. 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) — Eleven statutory best interest factors, (a)(i)-(xi)
• 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
• 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)