Wyoming Alimony & Spousal Support (2026)
Alimony is legally possible in Wyoming, but it is not commonly awarded. Courts favor other approaches, and the situations where alimony does apply are narrow. See the details below before assuming you will pay or receive alimony.
What determines alimony in Wyoming
Under Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-114 (Wyoming Statutes § 20-2-114 (Disposition of Property; Alimony Generally)), a court considers:
- The respective merits of the parties
- Condition each party will be left in after the divorce
- How and when the property was acquired
- Each party's income-earning capacity
- Contributions to the marriage, including homemaking and child care
- Length of the marriage
- Custody arrangements for any children
- Burdens imposed on the property of either party
Good to know
- Wyoming law technically permits alimony, but courts treat it as a last resort and rely heavily on equitable property division instead. In practice, alimony is reserved mainly for long marriages (often 20+ years) where the receiving spouse cannot realistically become self-sufficient due to age, disability, or a chronic health condition — short marriages (under about 5 years) rarely result in any alimony at all.
- When Wyoming courts do award support, they generally prefer rehabilitative or short-term awards aimed at helping a spouse become self-sufficient, rather than long-term or permanent alimony.
Also need a child support estimate?
Alimony and child support are calculated completely separately in Wyoming. If you also have children, use our free Wyoming child support calculator — that one does compute a real number, based on the official guideline formula.
Frequently asked questions
Is alimony common in Wyoming?
No. Wyoming courts favor dividing marital property equitably over awarding alimony, and treat alimony as a last resort. It's mainly reserved for long marriages (often 20+ years) where a spouse can't realistically become self-sufficient due to age, disability, or a chronic health condition.
Is there a formula for Wyoming alimony?
No. Wyoming has no statutory formula for either the amount or duration of alimony. Courts weigh factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, and contributions to the marriage, and often address a lower-earning spouse's needs through property division instead of alimony.
Source: Wyoming Statutes § 20-2-114 (Disposition of Property; Alimony Generally) · Last verified 2026-07-22
Disclaimer: This page explains the general legal framework for alimony in Wyoming and is for informational purposes only — it is not legal advice and does not predict the outcome of any specific case. Laws change; always verify with the official source above or a family law attorney licensed in Wyoming before making decisions.