Changing a child support order in Wyoming: what to do

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026

In Wyoming:

Your state's rule for changing an order
If the order is more than 6 months old (or not adjusted in the last 6 months), any party can ask for a review if the guideline amount would change by 20% or more per month; that counts as a change of…
Do this now
Ask for the change in writing right away: a request to the child support agency, or a motion or petition in the court that made the order.

Get your letter ↓ Need Word? Open on Child Support Map

General legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm.

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Choose your state and answer 3 quick questions. The plan below changes as you answer: steps that don't fit your answers are hidden, and your state's deadlines appear. Your answers stay in the page address.

Your plan for Wyoming

Do now

  1. Ask for the change in writing right away: a request to the child support agency, or a motion or petition in the court that made the order.

    Why: A change usually applies only from the date the other parent gets notice of your request. Past-due support can't be lowered later.

  2. Keep paying what the current order says, as much as you can, until a new order is made, and keep proof of every payment.

    Why: The old amount stays in force until it is changed, and every unpaid payment becomes a debt you still owe.

  3. If you will be in jail or prison for more than 180 days, ask the child support agency for a review now, or have someone ask for you.

    Why: Federal rules require states either to start a review or to tell both parents of their right to ask for one when the agency learns of a jail term over 180 days, unless state law already changes the order; and states can't treat jail as choosing not to work.

  4. If your case is not with the agency, you can apply for child support services and ask for a review, or file in the court that made the order.

    Why: The agency handles reviews only for cases it works on; any parent can apply for services.

This week

  1. Gather proof of the change: pay stubs, a layoff or termination letter, unemployment benefit letters, tax returns, and any medical or child care bills.

    Why: The agency or the court decides whether the change is big enough, from proof of both parents' income.

  2. Read your state's rule for when an order can be changed.

    Your state's rule for changing an order

    Wyoming: If the order is more than 6 months old (or not adjusted in the last 6 months), any party can ask for a review if the guideline amount would change by 20% or more per…

    Why: States set their own test, for example a change of a certain percentage or amount, or a set time since the last order.

  3. If you receive support and think the other parent's income went up, ask the agency for a review and give it what you know about the new job or income.

    Why: The agency can check wage and tax records; either parent may ask for a review.

  4. If you lost your job and get unemployment benefits, ask the agency whether support is being withheld from them.

    Why: Federal law requires agencies to check unemployment benefit records and collect unpaid support from those benefits (42 U.S.C. 654(19)).

If it's not resolved

  1. Go to every hearing or answer every notice from the agency or the court, and bring your proof.

    Why: If you don't take part, the request can be denied or decided without your information.

  2. If the review ends with no change or an amount you think is wrong, ask how to challenge it before the deadline in the notice.

    Why: Agency decisions and court orders have their own ways and time limits to object.

  3. When your situation changes again, for example a new job, tell the agency and ask for another review if needed.

    Why: Either parent can ask again after a new substantial change, and at least every 3 years in agency cases.

Deadlines

When a change can start

General rule: Usually only from the date the other parent got notice of your request; past-due support can't be lowered (42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9))

Official source

Your state's rule for changing an order

General rule: see state

In Wyoming:

If the order is more than 6 months old (or not adjusted in the last 6 months), any party can ask for a review if the guideline amount would change by 20% or more per month; that counts as a change of circumstances. You can also ask at any time for a substantial change of circumstances. Every 3 years, either parent can ask for a review without showing any change. Starting POWER (TANF), Medicaid, SNAP or SSI is a substantial change. Support cannot be changed for past months, except by agreement or back to the date the other side was served with the petition. (W.S. 20-2-311(a), (d))

Law: W.S. 20-2-311(a), (d) · checked Oct 2026 · Official source · From Child Support Map: Wyoming

Agency review

General rule: In agency cases, either parent can ask for a review at least every 3 years, or sooner with a substantial change; the state must finish the review within 180 days of the request or of finding the other parent (45 CFR 303.8)

Official source

Key facts for Wyoming

Child Support Map

How support is figured
Income shares
When support usually ends
18
Child support agency
Wyoming Child Support Program, Wyoming Department of Family Services · 307-777-6948

Child Support Map: Wyoming · checked Oct 2026

Documents to gather

  • Your current child support order and the case number
  • Proof of the change: pay stubs, layoff or termination letter, unemployment benefit letters
  • Your last tax return and W-2s or 1099s
  • Proof of health insurance and child care costs for the child
  • Record of the payments you made or received
  • Any notice of a jail or prison term and the expected release date

Letters you can send

Fill in the boxes; the letter updates as you type. When every box is filled, download it as a PDF.

Request to review a child support order

Ask the state child support agency in writing to review your order and adjust it to the state guidelines because your circumstances changed. Keep a copy: the date you ask can matter.

[Your name]
[Your address (where they should reply)]
[Your phone or email]

[Today's date]

[Child support agency name]
[Agency's mailing address]

Re: Request for review and adjustment, case number [Case number]

I am a parent in the child support case above. The support order dated [Date of the support order] sets support at [Current support (per month)] per month.

My circumstances have changed: [What changed]

I ask the agency to review this order and, if appropriate, adjust it under the state's child support guidelines. Please treat this letter as my request for review as of the date above, and tell me in writing what information you need from me and when the review will be done.

I will keep following the current order until a new order is made.

Sincerely,



[Your name]

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Sign it, keep a copy, and send it by certified mail with a return receipt so you can prove it was delivered.

Where to go

Costs

A review by the child support agency is part of its services: an application fee of up to $25 may apply if you don't already have a case (free if you get public assistance). A court motion may have a filing fee; you can ask the court to waive it if you can't afford it.

Talk to a lawyer if

  • The other parent says you are hiding income or quit a job on purpose
  • You are self-employed or your income changes a lot from month to month
  • Custody or parenting time is changing too
  • The other parent lives in another state or country
  • You already owe a large amount of past-due support
  • There is violence or threats

Free help

Free legal aid for people with low income: find your local office through the Legal Services Corporation (lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help) or LawHelp.org (lawhelp.org). Most family courts have a free self-help center with the forms to ask for a change; ask the court clerk. The state child support agency can explain how its review works, but it can't give either parent legal advice.

Guides for your state

Guides for every state

Questions

When a change can start: what is the rule?

Usually only from the date the other parent got notice of your request; past-due support can't be lowered (42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9))

Your state's rule for changing an order in Wyoming: what is the rule?

If the order is more than 6 months old (or not adjusted in the last 6 months), any party can ask for a review if the guideline amount would change by 20% or more per month; that counts as a change of circumstances. You can also ask at any time for a substantial change of circumstances. Every 3 years, either parent can ask for a review without showing any change. Starting POWER (TANF), Medicaid, SNAP or SSI is a substantial change. Support cannot be changed for past months, except by agreement or back to the date the other side was served with the petition. (W.S. 20-2-311(a), (d)) (W.S. 20-2-311(a), (d))

Agency review: what is the rule?

In agency cases, either parent can ask for a review at least every 3 years, or sooner with a substantial change; the state must finish the review within 180 days of the request or of finding the other parent (45 CFR 303.8)

When should I talk to a lawyer?

The other parent says you are hiding income or quit a job on purpose; You are self-employed or your income changes a lot from month to month; Custody or parenting time is changing too; The other parent lives in another state or country; You already owe a large amount of past-due support; There is violence or threats.

How much does it cost?

A review by the child support agency is part of its services: an application fee of up to $25 may apply if you don't already have a case (free if you get public assistance). A court motion may have a filing fee; you can ask the court to waive it if you can't afford it.

Plans by state

Open the plan with one state's rules filled in:

Sources

Plan checked Oct 2026. Independently fact-checked 2026-10-25.

This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case. How we research.