Wind River Reservation Legal Services

Custody & Visitation · Wyoming · Free

Wind River Reservation Legal Services provides free legal assistance to Native American fathers and families on the reservation, including tribal custody, ICWA matters, and family law issues. The Fort Washakie office serves Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho members. Call for an intake appointment and bring tribal enrollment documentation, photo ID, and any existing tribal or state court orders related to your case.

Contact & Details

Address: Fort Washakie, WY 82514

Phone: (307) 332-6626

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

About Custody & Visitation for Fathers

Custody and visitation cases are handled at the state and county level, typically through each state's family court or unified family division. Every state follows some version of the 'best interest of the child' standard, but the specifics — how judges weigh parental fitness, how parenting time is structured, how modifications are granted — vary widely. Most states have free self-help centers inside their main courthouses where fathers can get forms, file paperwork, and receive guidance without hiring an attorney. National organizations like the ABA, Cordell & Cordell, and various fathers' rights groups supplement local resources. This directory combines official state court self-help portals, county-level family law facilitators, private family law firms that represent fathers, and fatherhood advocacy organizations — all verified and up to date.

Custody & Visitation in Wyoming

Wyoming district courts hear family matters across its 23 counties and nine judicial districts. The Child Support Services Program operates under DFS. Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, and Gillette are the largest cities. Legal Aid of Wyoming is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

More Custody & Visitation in Wyoming

  • Wyoming District Courts — Family Law — Wyoming District Courts handle custody, visitation, and parenting plan matters under state law. Fathers can access self-help packets, filing
  • Wyoming Legal Services — Wyoming Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income fathers facing custody, divorce, and child support matters. Attorneys as
  • Wyoming Volunteer Attorney Program — The Volunteer Attorney Program matches low-income Wyoming parents with pro bono attorneys for family law cases including custody, visitation
  • Children's Law Center — Wyoming — The Children's Law Center provides legal representation for children involved in custody disputes, dependency proceedings, and abuse/neglect

Custody & Visitation — Common Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?
No. Every state has self-represented (pro se) filing options, and most county courthouses have a Family Law Facilitator or Self-Help Center that provides forms and guidance at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if the case is contested, involves abuse allegations, or requires relocation or interstate issues.
How is 'best interest of the child' actually decided?
Judges weigh factors including each parent's ability to provide stability, the child's relationship with each parent, any history of violence or substance abuse, the child's preference (usually after a certain age), work schedules, and each parent's willingness to support the other's relationship with the child. Specific factors are listed in each state's custody statute.
Can I get 50/50 custody as a father?
Yes. Most states now have a presumption of — or strong preference for — joint legal and joint physical custody when both parents are fit and engaged. Fathers who show consistent involvement, stable housing, and willingness to coordinate with the mother have strong odds of receiving substantial parenting time, up to 50/50.
What if my ex violates the custody order?
File a Motion for Contempt or a Motion to Enforce with the court. Document every missed exchange, refused visit, or violation with dates, times, messages, and witnesses. Most courts treat repeated violations seriously, with remedies ranging from make-up time to modification of custody to sanctions.