11.B Continuing Exclusive Jurisdiction

Appendix 11.B - Continuing Exclusive Jurisdiction Rules

Purpose:

A District Court in Wyoming can be the court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction (CEJ) if it can obtain subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction.  The court with CEJ is the only court that can make decisions regarding current and future child support.  No state has the authority to modify an order of a Wyoming District Court, as long as the conditions that are required for CEJ as listed below are met by a tribunal in Wyoming.

CEJ Rules

Since the Uniform Intergovernmental Family Support Act (UIFSA) is designed for only one support order at a time (See Appendix 11.A – Determination of Controlling Order), the state that has CEJ shall be determined when multiple orders exist for the same non-custodial parent and child(ren).  

Wyoming has CEJ, if the order is the controlling order and: 

1) Wyoming is the residence of the non-custodial parent, custodial parent, or the child; or

2) If no one lives in Wyoming, the parties consent in writing or in District Court that Wyoming may continue to exercise CEJ.

Wyoming does not have CEJ if:

1) The parties have filed written notice with the District Court in Wyoming that allows another state’s tribunal with personal jurisdiction over at least one party to modify the order and assume CEJ; or

2) Its order is not the controlling order.

Statutory Authority

Wyo. Stat. § 20-4-146 Continuing exclusive jurisdiction

Wyo. Stat. § 20-4-147 Continuing jurisdiction to enforce child support order