SF0093

Amends Wyoming child custody law to require shared custody consideration in custody determinations and mandates specific court findings when custody is not allocated equally between parents.

• Requires courts to include specific findings of fact and conclusions of law in custody orders that do not allocate custody equally between both parents, explaining how the best interests factors support the custody determination. (Sec. 1, W.S. 20-2-206)
• Adds a new best interests factor allowing courts to consider evidence that either parent has knowingly provided false information to the court regarding domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, child abandonment, or child neglect. (Sec. 2, W.S. 20-2-201(a)(xi))
• Requires courts to order shared custody on a temporary basis pending final custody disposition unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that shared custody would not be in the children's best interests. (Sec. 2, W.S. 20-2-201(d)(i))
• Requires courts to consider shared custody in final custody orders and hear from both parents on the shared custody arrangement, with shared custody to be ordered unless the court finds it was unsuccessful or not in the children's best interests. (Sec. 2, W.S. 20-2-201(d)(ii))
• Requires courts to provide written explanation of reasons for finding that shared custody is not in the children's best interests when shared custody is not ordered in temporary or final custody orders. (Sec. 2, W.S. 20-2-201(d)(iii))
• Defines key custody terms: joint legal custody as shared decision-making regarding health, education and welfare; joint physical custody as child residing substantially equally with each parent; and shared custody as including both joint legal and joint physical custody. (Sec. 2, W.S. 20-2-201(j))
• Makes conforming amendments to references in annulment provisions, custody modification standards, and enforcement provisions to incorporate the new shared custody requirements. (Sec. 2, W.S. 20-2-101(g), W.S. 20-2-204(c), W.S. 20-2-309(a)(iv))

Effective: July 1, 2026

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