Quick answer: In Wyoming, a child support installment unpaid on its due date is a judgment by operation of law, and it bears no interest. Instead, a judgment unpaid 32 calendar days takes an automatic 10% late payment penalty. A separate court judgment for arrears can carry 10% interest. Enforcement tools include income withholding, license suspension, liens and passport denial.
This Wyoming child support arrears calculator adds up the unpaid installments, the 10% penalty and, if you have a separate court judgment, interest at the rate you enter under Wyo. Stat. 1-16-102 and 1-16-103, and flags the passport threshold.
Wyoming child support arrears and interest at a glance
| Rule | What Wyoming says |
|---|---|
| Judgment | A periodic child support payment unpaid on its due date is a judgment by operation of law (Wyo. Stat. 1-16-102(c), 1-16-103) |
| Interest | Such installments do not bear interest (1-16-102(c)); other money judgments bear 10% a year from rendition (1-16-102(a)) |
| Penalty | A judgment by operation of law unpaid 32 calendar days takes an automatic late payment penalty of 10% of its amount (1-16-103(b)) |
| Enforcement tools | Income withholding, license suspension, contempt or criminal nonsupport, passport denial, credit reporting, liens, tax refunds and bonds (Wyoming Judicial Branch) |
| Dormancy | A support judgment can go dormant if the last attempt to enforce was over five years ago, and revives when the payer is notified of collection efforts (Child Support Program policy 9.10) |
| Higher monthly payments | The court or the department may raise the monthly payment to include arrears (20-2-311(c)) |
How do child support arrears work in Wyoming?
- Penalty, not interest. See the Wyoming child support late-payment penalty.
- Collection. See what happens if you do not pay child support in Wyoming.
- Whether arrears can be changed. See whether Wyoming child support arrears expire or can be forgiven.
What does this arrears calculator check?
You enter the monthly support, the number of installments unpaid, the penalty (10% by default) and an optional interest rate for a separate court judgment (0 by default). The calculator applies the penalty to every installment except the newest and flags the $2,500 passport line. It does not model partial payments. To change the amount going forward, see the Wyoming child support modification calculator, and for when the obligation stops, the Wyoming child support end date calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does Wyoming charge interest on child support arrears?
Not on installments that are judgments by operation of law; a separate court judgment for arrears can bear 10% interest.
What is the Wyoming penalty on unpaid child support?
An automatic 10% late payment penalty on a judgment by operation of law unpaid 32 calendar days.
Is the Wyoming 10% charge charged every year?
No. It is a one-time penalty on each judgment, not annual interest.
Can Wyoming suspend a license for unpaid child support?
Yes. Driver, professional, occupational and recreational licenses can be suspended.
What is the Wyoming withholding limit?
50% if the payer has another family and 60% if not, and 5 points higher if 12 weeks or more overdue.
Official sources
- Wyo. Stat. 1-16-102 and 1-16-103: interest and penalty
- Wyo. Stat. 1-16-102: interest on judgments
- Wyo. Stat. 20-2-311: adjustment; arrears in payments
- Wyoming Judicial Branch: child support common questions
- Wyoming Child Support Program policy manual 9.10: judgments
- 15 U.S.C. 1673: restriction on garnishment
- 42 U.S.C. 652(k): denial of passports