TITLE 1 - CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO CIVIL ACTIONS

1-1-101. Provisions to be liberally construed.

The Code of Civil Procedure and all proceedings under it shall be liberally construed to promote its object and assist the parties in obtaining justice. The rule of common law that statutes in derogation thereof must be strictly construed has no application to the Code of Civil Procedure, but this shall not be so construed as to require a liberal construction of provisions affecting personal liberty, relating to amercement or of a penal nature.

1-1-102. Minors as parties to actions.

Every person over fourteen (14) years of age and under the age of majority, when subject to no disability other than being a minor, may sue or be sued. When plaintiff he shall sue by a next friend selected by him before suit is commenced. The next friend is liable for the cost chargeable to the plaintiff. When the minor is sued he shall appear by guardian nominated by him and appointed by the court before further proceedings are had in the case, but judgment shall be against the minor defendant only. In either case, if plaintiff or defendant neglects or refuses to nominate a next friend or guardian, the court shall appoint a next friend or guardian, who shall file his consent in writing, with the court.

1-1-103. Power of deputies.

A duty enjoined by statute upon a ministerial officer or an act permitted to be done by him may be performed by his lawful deputy.

1-1-104. Sureties; justification.

A court or an officer authorized by law to approve a surety may require such person to testify orally or in writing touching his sufficiency, but this in itself shall not exonerate the officer in an action for taking insufficient surety.

1-1-105. Sureties; qualifications.

Sureties shall be residents of this state, worth in the aggregate double the sum to be secured, beyond the amount of their debts, and have property liable to execution in this state equal to the sum to be secured. Every person acting as surety for another shall file with the court his affidavit showing that he meets the requirements set forth herein.

1-1-106. Compensation of cross demands.

When cross demands exist between persons under circumstances that if one brought an action against the other, a counterclaim or setoff could be set up, neither can be deprived of the benefit thereof by assignment by the other, or by his death, but the two (2) demands will be deemed compensated so far as they equal each other.

1-1-107. Furnishing of transcripts.

Upon request and receipt of the lawful fees required, judges of judicial tribunals and the clerks of every court of record, shall furnish to any person an authenticated transcript of proceedings containing the judgment or final order in their court.

1-1-108. Voluntary partial payment of liability claims.

No voluntary partial payment of a claim based on alleged liability for injury or property damage shall be construed as an admission of fault or liability, or as a waiver or release of claim by the person receiving payment. Such payment is not admissible as evidence in any action for the purpose of determining the amount of any judgment, with respect to the parties to the occurrence from which the claim arose. Upon settlement of the claim, the parties may make any agreement they desire in respect to all voluntary partial payments. After entry of judgment, any such payment shall be treated as a credit and deducted from the amount of the judgment. If after partial voluntary payments are made it is determined by final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that the payor is liable for an amount less than the voluntary payments already made, the payor has no right of action for the recovery of amounts by which the voluntary payments exceed the final judgment. No voluntary partial payments shall be construed to reduce the amount of damages which may be pleaded and proved in a court proceeding between the parties.

1-1-109. Comparative fault.

(a) As used in this section:

(i) "Actor" means a person or other entity, including the claimant, whose fault is determined to be a proximate cause of the death, injury or damage, whether or not the actor is a party to the litigation;

(ii) "Claimant" means a natural person, including the personal representative of a deceased person, or any legal entity, including corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships or unincorporated associations, and includes a third party plaintiff and a counterclaiming defendant;

(iii) "Defendant" means a party to the litigation against whom a claim for damages is asserted, and includes third party defendants. Where there is a counterclaim, the claimant against whom the counterclaim is asserted is also a defendant;

(iv) "Fault" includes acts or omissions, determined to be a proximate cause of death or injury to person or property, that are in any measure negligent, or that subject an actor to strict tort or strict products liability, and includes breach of warranty, assumption of risk and misuse or alteration of a product;

(v) "Injury to person or property," in addition to bodily injury, includes, without limitation, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, pain and suffering, disfigurement, physical or mental disability, loss of earnings or income, damage to reputation, loss of consortium, loss of profits and all other such claims and causes of action arising out of the fault of an actor;

(vi) "Wrongful death" means that cause of action authorized by Wyoming statute to recover money damages when the death of a person is caused by the fault of an actor such as would have entitled the party injured to maintain an action to recover damages if death had not ensued.

(b) Contributory fault shall not bar a recovery in an action by any claimant or the claimant's legal representative to recover damages for wrongful death or injury to person or property, if the contributory fault of the claimant is not more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fault of all actors. Any damages allowed shall be diminished in proportion to the amount of fault attributed to the claimant.

(i) If a jury trial:

(A) Direct the jury to determine the total amount of damages sustained by the claimant without regard to the percentage of fault attributed to the claimant, and the percentage of fault attributable to each actor; and

(B) Inform the jury of the consequences of its determination of the percentage of fault.

(ii) If a trial before the court without jury, make special findings of fact, determining the total amount of damages sustained by the claimant without regard to the percentage of fault attributed to the claimant, and the percentage of fault attributable to each actor.

(d) The court shall reduce the amount of damages determined under subsection (c) of this section in proportion to the percentage of fault attributed to the claimant and enter judgment against each defendant in the amount determined under subsection (e) of this section.

(e) Each defendant is liable only to the extent of that defendant's proportion of the total fault determined under paragraph (c)(i) or (ii) of this section.

1-1-110. Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 24, 2.

1-1-111. Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 24, 2.

1-1-112. Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 24, 2.

1-1-113. Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 24, 2.

1-1-114. Pleading of damages.

In all cases the court shall inform the jury of the consequences of its verdict.

1-1-115. Civil liability for unpaid checks.

(a) Any person who issues a check which is not paid because the check has been dishonored for any reason has thirty (30) days following the date of a written demand mailed to the drawer of the check by United States postal service certificate of mailing at the address shown on the check or his last known address or personally served pursuant to the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, to pay to the holder of the check the amount of the check and a collection fee not to exceed thirty dollars ($30.00). The demand shall state that the drawer is required to pay the value of the check and the collection fee demanded and shall state the collection fee provided for in this section.

(b) Any person who fails to pay the amount of the check and the collection fee as set forth in subsection (a) of this section within thirty (30) days following the date of a written demand, mailed to or served on the drawer in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, is liable to the holder of the check for three (3) times the amount of the check, but in no case less than one hundred dollars ($100.00), a collection fee of thirty dollars ($30.00), and court costs.

(c) In extraordinary cases, including cases in which the court determines that the party who wrote the check has raised dilatory or bad faith defenses, the court may award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees.

(d) Nothing in this section shall prevent the criminal prosecution of the person who issues the check. However, any payment made by the defendant to a victim pursuant to an order for restitution entered in a criminal case pursuant to W.S. 7-9-101 through 7-9-112 or 6-3-704(b), shall be set off against any judgment in favor of the victim in a civil action brought under this section arising out of the same facts or event.

(e) A cause of action under this section may be brought in small claims court, if the amount of the demand does not exceed the jurisdiction of that court, or in any other appropriate court.

(f) As used in this section, "check," "drawee," "drawer" and "issue" have the same meaning as defined in W.S. 6-3-701.

1-1-116. Civil liability for theft of services.

(a) Notwithstanding any criminal penalties which may apply, an owner or operator of a franchised or otherwise duly licensed provider of services may bring a civil action to enjoin or restrain any violation of W.S. 6-3-408 and may in the same action seek damages from the person violating W.S. 6-3-408.

(b) In order to maintain an action for injunctive relief under this section, it is not necessary for the plaintiff to show actual damages or the threat of actual damages.

1-1-117. Affidavits of noninvolvement.

(a) In any action, whether in tort, contract or otherwise, in which the plaintiff seeks damages, a party may, in lieu of answering or otherwise pleading, file an affidavit certifying that he was not directly or indirectly involved in the occurrence or occurrences alleged in the action. If an affidavit is filed, the court shall order the dismissal of the claim against the certifying party, except as provided for in subsection (b) of this section. The affidavit shall be filed within the time required for filing an answer, if no answer is filed; and, in any event, at least twenty (20) days prior to trial. Any order of dismissal based on the affidavit shall not be entered within ten (10) days after the affidavit is filed.

(b) Any party may oppose the dismissal or move to vacate the order of dismissal and reinstate the certifying party, provided he can show that the certifying party was directly or indirectly involved in the occurrence or occurrences alleged in the action. After the filing of an affidavit under this section, the party opposing the dismissal may have discovery with respect to the involvement or noninvolvement of the party filing the affidavit, provided the discovery is completed within sixty (60) days of the filing of the affidavit.

1-1-118. Amateur rodeos; liability for injuries; consent to participate.

(a) No public school or nonprofit organization sponsoring an amateur rodeo is liable for injuries suffered by a contestant as a result of his voluntary participation in a rodeo event except for injuries caused by the willful, wanton or reckless act of the sponsoring organization or its employees.

(b) A minor shall be deemed to be a voluntary participant for purposes of this section if he has signed a written consent to participate in the rodeo event and the consent is also signed by one (1) of the minor's parents or by his legal guardian.

1-1-119. Release or covenant not to sue.

When a release or a covenant not to sue or not to enforce judgment is given in good faith to one (1) of two (2) or more persons liable in tort for the same injury or the same wrongful death, it does not discharge any of the other tortfeasors from liability for the injury or wrongful death unless its terms so provide.

1-1-120. Persons rendering emergency assistance exempt from civil liability.

(a) Any person licensed as a physician and surgeon under the laws of the state of Wyoming, or any other person, who in good faith renders emergency care or assistance without compensation at the place of an emergency or accident, is not liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions in good faith.

(b) Persons or organizations operating volunteer ambulances or rescue vehicles supported by public or private funds, staffed by unpaid volunteers, and which make no charge, or charge an incidental service or user fee, for services rendered during medical emergencies, and the unpaid volunteers who staff ambulances and rescue vehicles are not liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions in good faith in furnishing emergency medical services. This immunity does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. For purposes of this section, "unpaid volunteers" means persons who either receive incidental remuneration on a per call basis or receive no more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) annually for volunteer ambulance and rescue activities. The immunity provided by this subsection shall extend to a physician while serving in his capacity as medical director of any ambulance service, to hospitals and hospital employees for activities directly related to providing clinical training as part of an emergency medical service class approved by the department of health, and to students while participating in emergency medical services training approved by the department of health. If an unpaid volunteer's, medical director's, hospital's or trainee's acts or omissions are subject to the provisions of the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, immunity under this section is waived to the extent of the maximum liability provided under W.S. 1-39-118.

(c) Any person who provides assistance or advice without compensation other than reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses in mitigating or attempting to mitigate the effects of an actual or threatened discharge of hazardous materials, or in preventing, cleaning up or disposing of or in attempting to prevent, clean up or dispose of any discharge of hazardous materials, is not liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions in good faith in providing the assistance or advice. This immunity does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. As used in this subsection:

(i) "Discharge" includes leakage, seepage or other release;

(ii) "Hazardous materials" includes all materials and substances which are now or hereafter designated or defined as hazardous by any state or federal law or by the regulations of any state or federal government agency.

1-1-121. Recreation Safety Act; short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Recreation Safety Act".

1-1-122. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Inherent risk" with regard to any sport or recreational opportunity means those dangers or conditions which are characteristic of, intrinsic to, or an integral part of any sport or recreational opportunity;

(ii) "Provider" means any person or governmental entity which for profit or otherwise, offers or conducts a sport or recreational opportunity. This act does not apply to a cause of action based upon the design or manufacture of sport or recreational equipment or products or safety equipment used incidental to or required by the sport or recreational opportunity;

(iii) "Sport or recreational opportunity" means commonly understood sporting activities including baseball, softball, football, soccer, basketball, swimming, hockey, dude ranching, nordic or alpine skiing and other alpine sports, snowboarding, mountain climbing, outdoor education programs, river floating, hunting, fishing, backcountry trips, horseback riding and any other equine activity, snowmobiling and similar recreational opportunities and includes the use of private lands for vehicle parking and land access related to the sport or recreational opportunity;

(iv) "Equine activity" means:

(A) Equine shows, fairs, competitions, performances or parades that involve any or all breeds of equines;

(B) Any of the equine disciplines;

(D) Boarding equines;

(E) Riding, inspecting or evaluating an equine belonging to another, whether or not the owner has received some monetary consideration or other thing of value for the use of the equine or is permitting a prospective purchaser of the equine to ride, inspect or evaluate the equine;

(F) Rides, trips, hunts or other equine activities of any type however informal or impromptu;

(G) Day use rental riding, riding associated with a dude ranch or riding associated with outfitted pack trips; and

(H) Placing or replacing horseshoes on an equine.

(v) Repealed By Laws 1996, ch. 78, 2.

(vi) "This act" means W.S. 1-1-121 through 1-1-123.

1-1-123. Assumption of risk.

(a) Any person who takes part in any sport or recreational opportunity assumes the inherent risks in that sport or recreational opportunity, whether those risks are known or unknown, and is legally responsible for any and all damage, injury or death to himself or other persons or property that results from the inherent risks in that sport or recreational opportunity.

(b) A provider of any sport or recreational opportunity is not required to eliminate, alter or control the inherent risks within the particular sport or recreational opportunity.

(c) Actions based upon negligence of the provider wherein the damage, injury or death is not the result of an inherent risk of the sport or recreational opportunity shall be preserved pursuant to W.S. 1-1-109.

(d) The assumption of risk provisions in subsections (a) through (c) of this section apply irrespective of the age of the person assuming the risk.

1-1-124. Pretrial screening.

(a) The supreme court may promulgate rules to provide a screening procedure to expedite the prelitigation resolution of claims arising from any alleged act, error or omission in the rendering of licensed or certified professional or health care services.

(b) The screening procedure authorized by this section shall be designed to reduce the burden of malpractice cases on the state judicial system and to encourage the prompt resolution of nonmeritorious claims. The expedited procedure may include the creation of professional review panels to review claims and to determine:

(i) Whether there is substantial evidence that the acts complained of occurred, constituted malpractice and resulted in injury to the claimant; and

(ii) A recommended award if requested by the parties.

(c) The supreme court shall annually report to the joint judiciary interim committee the costs of operating the expedited screening procedure and shall submit a recommendation for the proration and assessment of costs among the professions subject to the pretrial screening procedure.

1-1-125. Immunity for volunteers; volunteer firefighters.

(a) As used in this section:

(i) "Compensation" does not include actual and necessary expenses that are incurred by a volunteer in connection with the services that the volunteer performs for a nonprofit organization and that are reimbursed to the volunteer or otherwise paid nor does it include any incidental personal privileges received by volunteers for their services;

(ii) "Nonprofit organization" means those nonprofit organizations exempt from federal income tax pursuant to section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(iii) "Volunteer" means an officer, director, trustee or other person who performs services for a nonprofit organization but does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, for those services, or a volunteer firefighter who performs services for a volunteer fire department under W.S. 35-9-601(h) whether or not he receives compensation or a pension.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a volunteer who provides services or performs duties on behalf of a nonprofit organization or a volunteer fire department is personally immune from civil liability for any act or omission resulting in damage or injury if at the time of the act or omission:

(i) The person was acting within the scope of his duties as a volunteer for the nonprofit organization or volunteer fire department; and

(ii) The act or omission did not constitute willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence.

(c) This section does not grant immunity to any person causing damage as a result of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

(d) In any suit against a nonprofit organization or a volunteer fire department for civil damages based upon the negligent act or omission of a volunteer, proof of the act or omission shall be sufficient to establish the responsibility of the organization or department under the doctrine of respondeat superior, notwithstanding the immunity granted to the volunteer with respect to any act or omission included under subsection (b) of this section.

1-1-126. Civil liability for stalking.

(a) A person who is the victim of stalking as defined by W.S. 6-2-506 may maintain a civil action against an individual who engages in a course of conduct that is prohibited under W.S. 6-2-506 for damages incurred by the victim as a result of that conduct. The aggrieved party may also seek and be awarded exemplary damages, reasonable attorney's fees and costs of the action.

(b) A civil action may be maintained under this section whether or not the individual who is alleged to have engaged in a course of conduct prohibited under W.S. 6-2-506 has been charged or convicted under W.S. 6-2-506 for the alleged crime.

(c) Neither the pendency nor the termination of a civil action under this section shall prevent the criminal prosecution of a person who violates W.S. 6-2-506.

1-1-127. Civil liability for shoplifting.

(a) A person over ten (10) years of age who violates W.S. 6-3-404(a) or (b) is civilly liable to the merchant of the property in an amount consisting of:

(i) Return of the property in original condition or actual damages equal to the full marked or listed price of the property; plus

(ii) A civil liability of twice the amount of the full marked or listed price of the property but not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00); plus

(iii) Reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.

(b) If an unemancipated minor violates W.S. 6-3-404(a) or (b), the parents or guardian of the child shall be civilly liable as provided by subsection (a) of this section, provided liability under this subsection shall not apply to foster parents, to parents whose parental custody and control of the child have been terminated by court order prior to the violation or to any governmental or private agency that has been appointed guardian for the minor child pursuant to court order or action of the department of family services. Civil liability under this subsection is not subject to the limitation on liability provided by W.S. 14-2-203 or any other law that limits the liability of parents for damages caused by an unemancipated minor.

(c) A conviction or a plea of guilty to a violation of W.S. 6-3-404(a) or (b) is not a prerequisite to the bringing of a civil suit under this section.

(d) An action to recover damages and any civil liability under this section may be brought in small claims court if the total amount of the demand for damages and any civil liability does not exceed the jurisdiction of that court, or in any other appropriate court.

(e) In order to recover damages and any civil liability under this act, the merchant of the property shall also notify law enforcement officials.

1-1-128. Civil liability for theft of identity.

(a) A person who is the victim of theft of identity as defined by W.S. 6-3-901 may maintain a civil action to enjoin or restrain any violation of W.S. 6-3-901 and may in the same action seek damages from the person violating W.S. 6-3-901. In order to maintain an action for injunctive relief under this section, it is not necessary for the plaintiff to show actual damages or the threat of actual damages. A prevailing party in an action under this section may recover court costs and reasonable attorney fees.

(b) A conviction or plea of guilty is not a prerequisite to the bringing of a civil action under this section.

(d) Nothing in this section shall prevent the criminal prosecution of a person for theft of identity. However, any payment made by the defendant to a victim pursuant to an order for restitution entered in a criminal case pursuant to W.S. 6-3-901 and 7-9-101 through 7-9-115, shall be set off against any judgment in favor of the victim in a civil action brought under this section arising out of the same facts or event.

1-1-129. Immunity from liability for volunteer health care professionals; insurance required of nonprofit health care facility.

(a) As used in this section:

(i) "Health care professional" means any of the following who provide medical or dental diagnosis, care or treatment:

(A) Physicians, osteopaths and physician assistants licensed to practice as provided in title 33, chapter 26 of the Wyoming statutes;

(B) All nurses licensed to practice as provided in title 33, chapter 21 of the Wyoming statutes;

(D) Dentists and dental hygienists licensed to practice as provided in title 33, chapter 15 of the Wyoming statutes; and

(E) Optometrists licensed to practice as provided in title 33, chapter 23 of the Wyoming statutes.

(ii) "Low income uninsured person" means a person who meets all of the following requirements:

(A) The person's income is not greater than two hundred percent (200%) of the current poverty line as defined by federal law, as amended;

(B) The person currently is not receiving medical, disability or other assistance under any federal or state government health care program; and

(I) The person is not a policyholder, certificate holder, insured, contract holder, subscriber, enrollee, member, beneficiary or other covered individual under a health insurance or health care policy, contract or plan; or

(II) The person is a policyholder, certificate holder, insured, contract holder, subscriber, enrollee, member, beneficiary or other covered individual under a health insurance or health care policy, contract or plan, but the insurer, policy, contract or plan denies coverage or is the subject of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings in any jurisdiction.

(iii) "Nonprofit health care facility" means a charitable nonprofit corporation or association organized and operated under title 17, chapters 19 or 22 of the Wyoming statutes, or any charitable organization not organized and not operated for profit, that exclusively provides health care services to low income uninsured persons, except that "health care facility" does not include a hospital, including a swing bed hospital, facility or center defined under W.S. 35-2-901 or any other medical facility that is operated for profit;

(iv) "Operation" means an invasive procedure that involves cutting or otherwise infiltrating human tissue by mechanical means, including surgery, laser surgery, ionizing radiation, therapeutic ultrasound or the removal of intraocular foreign bodies. "Operation" does not include the administration of medication by injection, unless the injection is administered in conjunction with a procedure infiltrating human tissue by mechanical means other than the administration of medicine by injection;

(v) "Tort action" means a civil action for damages for injury, death or loss to person or property other than a civil action for damages for a breach of contract or another agreement between persons or government entities;

(vi) "Volunteer" means an individual who provides any medical, dental or other health care related diagnosis, care or treatment without the expectation of receiving, and without receipt of, any compensation or other form of remuneration from a low income uninsured person, another person on behalf of a low income uninsured person, any health care facility or any other person or government entity.

(b) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, a health care professional who is a volunteer and complies with subsection (c) of this section is not liable in damages to any person or government entity in a tort or other civil action, including an action on a medical, dental or other health-related claim for injury, death or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from an action or omission of the volunteer in the provision at a nonprofit health care facility to a low income uninsured person of medical, dental or other health-related diagnosis, care or treatment, including the provision of samples of medicine and other medical or dental products, unless the action or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(c) To qualify for immunity under subsection (b) of this section, a volunteer health care professional shall do all of the following prior to the initial diagnosis, care or treatment:

(i) Inform the person of the provisions of this section either personally or by means of a writing so stating provided by the nonprofit health care facility and signed by the person, or by another individual on behalf of, and in the presence of, the person; and

(ii) Obtain the informed consent of the person and a written waiver, signed by the person, or by another individual on behalf of, and in the presence of, the person.

(d) Except as provided in this subsection, the immunities provided by subsection (b) of this section are not available to a volunteer health care professional, if at the time of an alleged injury, death or loss to person or property, the volunteer health care professional involved was performing an operation or delivering a baby. This subsection does not apply to a volunteer health care professional who provides diagnosis, care or treatment or performs an operation or delivers a baby when necessary to preserve the life of a person in a medical emergency.

(e) In order for the immunity under subsection (b) of this section to apply and before the rendering of any services by the volunteer health care professional at the nonprofit health care facility, there must be a written agreement between the volunteer health care professional and the facility pursuant to which the volunteer health care professional will provide medical, dental or health care related diagnosis, care or treatment under the control of the facility to patients of the facility.

(f) A nonprofit health care facility entering into a written agreement under subsection (e) of this section shall maintain liability coverage of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence, except that no such coverage shall be required to be maintained by the facility if such coverage is maintained by all volunteer health care professionals rendering services at the facility. A nonprofit health care facility shall be liable for the negligent acts of a volunteer health care professional providing diagnosis, care or treatment at the facility only in the circumstances and to the extent the facility is required to maintain liability coverage under this subsection.

1-1-130. Actions against health care providers; admissibility of evidence.

(a) In any civil action or arbitration brought by an alleged victim of an unanticipated outcome of medical care against a health care provider, any and all statements, affirmations, gestures or conduct expressing apology, sympathy, commiseration, condolence, compassion or a general sense of benevolence that are made by a health care provider or an employee of a health care provider to the alleged victim, or to a relative or representative of the alleged victim, and that relate to the discomfort, pain, suffering, injury or death of the alleged victim as the result of the unanticipated outcome of medical care, are inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission against interest.

(b) For purposes of this section:

(i) "Health care provider" means a person who is licensed, certified or otherwise authorized or permitted by the laws of this state to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession;

(ii) "Relative" means a spouse, parent, grandparent, stepfather, stepmother, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half brother, half sister or parent of a spouse, and includes those relationships established by adoption;

(iii) "Representative" means a legal guardian, attorney, person designated to make decisions on behalf of a patient under a medical power of attorney or any person recognized in law or custom as a patient's agent;

(iv) "Unanticipated outcome" means the result of a medical treatment or procedure that differs from an expected result.

1-1-131. Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Successor Corporation Asbestos-Related Liability Fairness Act."

1-1-132. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Asbestos claim" means any claim, wherever or whenever made, for damages, losses, indemnification, contribution or other relief arising out of, based on or in any way related to asbestos, including:

(A) The health effects of exposure to asbestos, including a claim for personal injury or death, mental or emotional injury, risk of disease or other injury, or the costs of medical monitoring or surveillance;

(B) Any claim made by or on behalf of any person exposed to asbestos, or a representative, spouse, parent, child or other relative of the person; and

(ii) "Corporation" means a corporation for profit, including a domestic corporation organized under the laws of this state or a foreign corporation organized under laws other than the laws of this state;

(iii) "Successor" means a corporation that assumes or incurs or has assumed or incurred successor asbestos-related liabilities that is a successor and became a successor before May 13, 1968, or is any of that successor corporation's successors;

(iv) "Successor asbestos-related liabilities" means any liability, whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated or due or to become due, which is related to asbestos claims and was assumed or incurred by a corporation as a result of or in connection with a merger or consolidation or the plan of merger or consolidation related to the merger or consolidation with or into another corporation, or that is related in any way to asbestos claims based on the exercise of control or the ownership of stock of the corporation before the merger or consolidation. The term includes liabilities that, after the time of the merger or consolidation for which the fair market value of total gross assets is determined under W.S. 1-1-135, were or are paid or otherwise discharged, or committed to be paid or otherwise discharged, by or on behalf of the corporation or by a successor of the corporation or by or on behalf of a transferor, in connection with settlements, judgments or other discharges in this state or another jurisdiction;

(v) "Transferor" means a corporation from which successor asbestos-related liabilities are or were assumed or incurred.

1-1-133. Applicability.

(a) The limitations in W.S. 1-1-134 shall apply to any successor corporation.

(b) The limitations of W.S. 1-1-134 shall not apply to:

(i) Workers' compensation benefits paid by or on behalf of an employer to an employee under the provisions of Wyoming statutes, title 27, chapter 14 or a comparable workers' compensation law of another jurisdiction;

(ii) Any claim against a corporation that does not constitute a successor asbestos-related liability;

(iii) Any obligation under the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 151, et seq., as amended, or under any collective bargaining agreement;

(iv) A successor that, after a merger or consolidation, continued in the business of mining asbestos or in the business of selling or distributing asbestos fibers or in the business of manufacturing, distributing, removing or installing asbestos-containing products; or

(v) Any claim against a corporation that was filed in a court of competent jurisdiction prior to the effective date of this act.

1-1-134. Limitations on successor asbestos-related liabilities.

(a) Except as further limited in subsection (b) of this section, the cumulative successor asbestos-related liabilities of a successor corporation are limited to the fair market value of the total gross assets of the transferor determined as of the time of the merger or consolidation. The successor corporation shall not have responsibility for successor asbestos-related liabilities in excess of this limitation.

(b) If the transferor had assumed or incurred successor asbestos-related liabilities in connection with a prior merger or consolidation with a prior transferor, then the fair market value of the total assets of the prior transferor determined as of the time of the earlier merger or consolidation shall be substituted for the limitation set forth in subsection (a) of this section for purposes of determining the limitation of liability of a successor corporation.

1-1-135. Establishing fair market value of total assets.

(a) A successor corporation may establish the fair market value of total gross assets for the purpose of the limitations under W.S. 1-1-134 through any method reasonable under the circumstances, including:

(i) By reference to the going concern value of the assets or to the purchase price attributable to or paid for the assets in an arms-length transaction; or

(ii) In the absence of other readily available information from which the fair market value can be determined, by reference to the value of the assets recorded on a balance sheet.

(b) Total gross assets include intangible assets.

(c) To the extent total gross assets include any liability insurance that was issued to the transferor whose assets are being valued for purposes of this section the applicability, terms, conditions and limits of such insurance shall not be affected by this section, nor shall this section otherwise affect the rights and obligations of an insurer, transferor or successor under any insurance contract or any related agreements, including, without limitation, preenactment settlements resolving coverage-related disputes, and the rights of an insurer to seek payment for applicable deductibles, retrospective premiums or self-insured retentions or to seek contribution from a successor for uninsured or self-insured periods or periods where insurance is uncollectible or otherwise unavailable. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent total gross assets include any such liability insurance, a settlement of a dispute concerning any such liability insurance coverage entered into by a transferor or successor with the insurers of the transferor before July 1, 2011 shall be determinative of the total coverage of such liability insurance to be included in the calculation of the transferor's total gross assets.

1-1-136. Adjustment.

(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) through (d) of this section, the fair market value of total gross assets at the time of the merger or consolidation shall increase annually at a rate equal to the sum of:

(i) The prime rate as listed in the first edition of the Wall Street Journal published for each calendar year since the merger or consolidation, unless the prime rate is not published in that edition of the Wall Street Journal, in which case any reasonable determination of the prime rate on the first day of the year may be used; and

(ii) One percent (1%).

(b) The rate found in subsection (a) of this section shall not be compounded.

(c) The adjustment of the fair market value of total gross assets shall continue as provided in subsection (a) of this section until the date the adjusted value is first exceeded by the cumulative amounts of successor asbestos-related liabilities paid or committed to be paid by or on behalf of the successor corporation or a predecessor or by or on behalf of a transferor after the time of the merger or consolidation for which the fair market value of total gross assets is determined.

(d) No adjustment of the fair market value of total gross assets shall be applied to any liability insurance that may be included in the definition of total gross assets by W.S. 1-1-135(c).

1-1-137. Scope of act.

(a) The courts of this state shall construe the provisions of this act liberally with regard to successors.

(b) This act shall apply to all asbestos claims filed against a successor on or after July 1, 2011.

1-1-138. Donation of emergency responder equipment; exemption from civil and criminal liability; definitions; relation to other law.

(a) Any person who donates surplus emergency response equipment to any emergency responder shall not be liable for damages in any civil action or subject to prosecution in any criminal proceeding resulting from the nature, age, condition or packaging of such equipment; except that this exemption shall not apply to the grossly negligent, willful, wanton or reckless acts of donors.

(b) As used in this section:

(i) "Emergency responder" means as provided in W.S. 35-9-152(a)(i);

(ii) "Emergency response equipment" means all equipment designed for or typically used in the course of performing the duties required of an emergency responder.

(c) Should any grant of immunity, exception or imposition of liability within the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, W.S. 1-39-101 through 1-39-121, conflict with any provision of this section, the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act shall prevail.

CHAPTER 2 - OATHS

1-2-101. Form.

A person may be sworn by any form he deems binding on his conscience.

1-2-102. Officers authorized to administer.

(a) The following officers are authorized to administer oaths:

(i) Justices of the Wyoming supreme court;

(ii) Judges of the Wyoming district courts;

(iii) Judge of the United States district court for the district of Wyoming;

(iv) Clerks of the Wyoming supreme court, Wyoming district courts and Wyoming county courts;

(v) Clerk of the United States district court for the district of Wyoming;

(vi) Commissioners and magistrates appointed by authority of the laws of the United States or of Wyoming;

(vii) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 113, 3.

(viii) County clerks;

(ix) County treasurers;

(x) Clerks of school districts in Wyoming;

(xi) Clerks of any incorporated city or town in Wyoming;

(xii) County commissioners within their respective counties;

(xiii) Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 168, 202.

(xiv) Judges of the Wyoming county courts;

(xv) Notarial officers.

(b) Except for notarial officers, officers listed in this section are authorized to administer oaths, but are not authorized to perform other notarial acts as defined in W.S. 34-26-101(b)(iii), unless specified otherwise in W.S. 34-26-103(a).

1-2-103. Affirmation in lieu of oath; manner of administering.

Persons conscientiously opposed to swearing or to taking any oath may affirm, and are subject to the penalties of perjury as in the case of swearing an oath. Whenever any person is required to take an oath in any court, or before any person or officer authorized by law to administer oaths, it is lawful for the court, officer or person administering the same, to administer it in the following manner: the person taking the oath or swearing shall, with his or her right hand uplifted, swear or take the oath, concluding with the words "so help me God".

1-2-104. Certification of documents.

(a) A matter required or authorized to be supported, evidenced, established or proven by the sworn statement, declaration, verification, certificate, oath or affidavit, in writing of the person making it, other than a deposition, an acknowledgment, an oath of office or an oath required to be taken before a specified official other than a notary public, may be supported, evidenced, established or proven by the person certifying in writing "under penalty of false swearing" that the matter is true. The certification shall state the date and place of execution and the following:

"I certify under penalty of false swearing that the foregoing is true".

(b) A person who knowingly makes a false certification under subsection (a) of this section is guilty of false swearing in violation of W.S. 6-5-303(c).

CHAPTER 3 - LIMITATION OF ACTIONS

1-3-101. Applicability of provisions.

This chapter shall not apply in the case of a continuing and subsisting trust, nor to an action by a vendee of real property in possession thereof to obtain a conveyance of it.

1-3-102. When actions may be commenced.

Civil actions can only be commenced within the periods prescribed in this chapter, after the cause of action accrues, but where a different limitation is prescribed by statute, that shall govern.

1-3-103. Recovery of real property; generally.

An action for the recovery of the title or possession of lands, tenements or hereditaments can only be brought within ten (10) years after the cause of such action accrues.

1-3-104. Recovery of real property; legal disability.

Any person entitled to bring an action for the recovery of real property who is under any legal disability when the cause of action accrues may bring his action within ten (10) years after the disability is removed.

1-3-105. Actions other than recovery of real property.

(a) Civil actions other than for the recovery of real property can only be brought within the following periods after the cause of action accrues:

(i) Within ten (10) years, an action upon a specialty or any contract, agreement or promise in writing;

(ii) Within eight (8) years, an action:

(A) Upon a contract not in writing, either express or implied; or

(B) Upon a liability created by statute other than a forfeiture or penalty.

(iii) Within five (5) years after the debtor establishes residence in Wyoming, an action on a foreign claim, judgment or contract, express or implied, contracted or incurred and accrued before the debtor became a resident of Wyoming;

(iv) Within four (4) years, an action for:

(A) Trespass upon real property;

(B) The recovery of personal property or for taking, detaining or injuring personal property;

(D) For relief on the ground of fraud.

(v) Within one (1) year, an action for:

(A) Libel or slander;

(B) Assault or battery not including sexual assault;

(D) Upon a statute for a penalty or forfeiture, except that if a different limitation is prescribed in the statute by which the remedy is given the action shall be brought within the period prescribed by the statute.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a civil action based upon sexual assault as defined by W.S. 6-2-301(a)(v) against a minor may be brought within the later of:

(i) Eight (8) years after the minor's eighteenth birthday; or

(ii) Three (3) years after the discovery.

1-3-106. When certain causes of action accrue.

A cause of action for the wrongful taking of personal property is not deemed to have accrued until the wrongdoer is discovered. A cause of action on the ground of fraud is not deemed to have accrued until the discovery of the fraud.

1-3-107. Act, error or omission in rendering professional or health care services.

(a) A cause of action arising from an act, error or omission in the rendering of licensed or certified professional or health care services shall be brought within the greater of the following times:

(i) Within two (2) years of the date of the alleged act, error or omission, except that a cause of action may be instituted not more than two (2) years after discovery of the alleged act, error or omission, if the claimant can establish that the alleged act, error or omission was:

(A) Not reasonably discoverable within a two (2) year period; or

(B) The claimant failed to discover the alleged act, error or omission within the two (2) year period despite the exercise of due diligence.

(ii) For injury to the rights of a minor, by his eighth birthday or within two (2) years of the date of the alleged act, error or omission, whichever period is greater, except that a cause of action may be instituted not more than two (2) years after discovery of the alleged act, error or omission, if the claimant can establish that the alleged act, error or omission was:

(A) Not reasonably discoverable within the two (2) year period; or

(B) That the claimant failed to discover the alleged act, error or omission within the two (2) year period despite the exercise of due diligence.

(iii) For injury to the rights of a plaintiff suffering from a legal disability other than minority, within one (1) year of the removal of the disability;

(iv) If under paragraph (i) or (ii) of this subsection, the alleged act, error or omission is discovered during the second year of the two (2) year period from the date of the act, error or omission, the period for commencing a lawsuit shall be extended by six (6) months.

(b) This section applies to all persons regardless of minority or other legal disability.

1-3-108. Official bonds and statutory undertakings.

An action upon the official bond of an officer, assignee, trustee, executor, administrator or guardian, or upon a bond given in pursuance of a statute can only be brought within ten (10) years after the cause of action accrues.

1-3-109. Actions not otherwise limited.

An action for relief, not hereinbefore provided for, can only be brought within ten (10) years after the cause of action accrues.

1-3-110. "Substantial completion" defined.

As used in this act "substantial completion" means the degree of completion at which the owner can utilize the improvement for the purpose for which it was intended.

1-3-111. Improvements to real property; generally.

(a) Unless the parties to the contract agree otherwise, no action to recover damages, whether in tort, contract, indemnity or otherwise, shall be brought more than ten (10) years after substantial completion of an improvement to real property, against any person constructing, altering or repairing the improvement, manufacturing or furnishing materials incorporated in the improvement, or performing or furnishing services in the design, planning, surveying, supervision, observation or management of construction, or administration of construction contracts for:

(i) Any deficiency in the design, planning, supervision, construction, surveying, manufacturing or supplying of materials or observation or management of construction;

(ii) Injury to any property arising out of any deficiency listed in paragraph (i) of this subsection; or

(iii) Injury to the person or wrongful death arising out of any deficiency listed in paragraph (i) of this subsection.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, if an injury to property or person or an injury causing wrongful death occurs during the ninth year after substantial completion of the improvement to real property, an action to recover damages for the injury or wrongful death may be brought within one (1) year after the date on which the injury occurs.

1-3-112. Improvements to real property; exception as to persons in possession or control.

The limitation prescribed by this act shall not be asserted by way of defense by any person in actual possession or control, as owner, tenant or otherwise, of the improvement at the time any deficiency in the improvement constitutes the proximate cause of the injury or death for which it is proposed to bring an action.

1-3-113. Improvements to real property; extension of limitations precluded.

Nothing in this act shall be construed as extending the period prescribed by law for the bringing of any action.

1-3-114. Legal disabilities.

If a person entitled to bring any action except for an action arising from error or omission in the rendering of licensed or certified professional or health care services or for a penalty or forfeiture, is, at the time the cause of action accrues, a minor or subject to any other legal disability, the person may bring the action within three (3) years after the disability is removed or within any other statutory period of limitation, whichever is greater.

1-3-115. Liability created by federal statute.

All actions upon a liability created by a federal statute, other than a forfeiture or penalty, for which no period of limitations is provided in such statute, shall be commenced within two (2) years after the cause of action has accrued.

1-3-116. Absence from state, abscondence or concealment.

If a cause of action accrues against a person when he is out of the state, or has absconded or concealed himself, the period limited for the commencement of the action does not begin to run until he comes into the state or while he is so absconded or concealed. If after the cause of action accrues he departs from the state or absconds or conceals himself, the time of his absence or concealment is not computed as a part of the period within which the action shall be brought.

1-3-117. Effect of foreign law.

If by the laws of the state or country where the cause of action arose the action is barred, it is also barred in this state.

1-3-118. Right to commence new action.

If in an action commenced in due time a judgment for the plaintiff is reversed, or if the plaintiff fails otherwise than upon the merits and the time limited for the commencement of the action has expired at the date of the reversal or failure, the plaintiff, or his representatives if he dies and if the cause of action survives, may commence a new action within one (1) year after the date of the failure or reversal. This provision also applies to any claim asserted in any pleading by a defendant.

1-3-119. Effect of partial payment or new promise in writing.

When payment has been made upon any demand founded on contract or a written acknowledgment thereof, or promise to pay the same has been made and signed by the party to be charged, the time for commencing an action runs from the date of such payment, acknowledgment or promise.

CHAPTER 4 - ABATEMENT AND SURVIVAL

1-4-101. Causes of action that survive.

In addition to the causes of action which survive at common law, causes of action for mesne profits, injuries to the person, an injury to real or personal estate, or any deceit or fraud also survive. An action may be brought notwithstanding the death of the person entitled or liable to the same, but in actions for personal injury damages, if the person entitled thereto dies recovery is limited to damages for wrongful death.

1-4-102. Abatement of actions by death.

No action or proceeding pending in any court abates by the death of either or both of the parties thereto except as herein provided; an action for libel, slander, malicious prosecution, assault, assault and battery or nuisance shall abate by the death of either party.

CHAPTER 5 - VENUE

1-5-101. Actions to be brought where real property situated; exceptions.

(a) Actions for the following causes shall be brought in the county in which the subject of the action is situate, except as provided in W.S. 1-5-102 and 1-5-103:

(i) For the recovery of real property, or of an estate or interest therein;

(ii) For the partition of real property;

(iii) For the sale of real property under a mortgage, lien or other encumbrance or charge.

1-5-102. Property situate in more than a single county.

When the property is situate in more than one (1) county, the action may be brought in either, but in actions to recover real property, this can only be done when the property is an entire tract.

1-5-103. Specific performance of sale contract for realty.

An action to compel the specific performance of a contract of sale of real estate may be brought in the county where any of the defendants reside.

1-5-104. Actions to be brought where cause of action arose.

(a) Actions for the following causes shall be brought in the county where the cause or some part thereof arose:

(i) For the recovery of a fine, forfeiture or penalty imposed by a statute. When it is imposed for an offense committed on a river or other water course or a road which is the boundary of the state or of two (2) or more counties, the action may be brought in any county bordering on the river, water course or road, and opposite to the place where the offense was committed;

(ii) Against a public officer for an act done by virtue or under color of his office, or for a neglect of his official duty;

(iii) On the official bond or undertaking of a public officer.

1-5-105. Actions against domestic corporations.

An action, other than those mentioned in W.S. 1-5-101 through 1-5-103, against a corporation created under the laws of this state may be brought in the county in which the corporation is situate or has its principal office or place of business. If the corporation is an insurance company the action may be brought in the county wherein the cause of action or some part thereof arose.

1-5-106. Actions against public carriers and railroad companies.

An action for an injury to person or property upon a liability as a public carrier, or an action against a railroad company, may be brought in any county through or into which the carrier or railroad line passes.

1-5-107. Actions against nonresidents and foreign corporations.

An action, other than one (1) of those mentioned in W.S. 1-5-101 through 1-5-104, against a nonresident of this state or a foreign corporation, whether or not codefendants reside in Wyoming, may be brought in any county where the cause of action arose or where the plaintiff resides.

1-5-108. Actions not otherwise provided for; exception.

Every action not otherwise provided for in this chapter shall be brought in the county in which a defendant resides or may be summoned, except actions against an executor, administrator, guardian or trustee, which may be brought in the county where he was appointed or resides. If the action involves two (2) or more defendants, the action may be brought against all defendants in any county in which one (1) of the defendants resides or may be summoned.

1-5-109. Actions for personal injuries or wrongful death.

An action for personal injuries or wrongful death may be brought in the county in which the cause of action arose or in the county in which the defendant resides or may be summoned.

CHAPTER 6 - PROCESS, NOTICE AND LIS PENDENS

ARTICLE 1 - IN GENERAL

1-6-101. Endorsement by sheriff required.

The sheriff shall endorse upon every writ or order, the day and hour it was received by him.

1-6-102. Service of process when sheriff is an interested party.

When the sheriff is a party or is interested in an action, process shall be directed to and executed by a person over the age of eighteen (18) years, not a party to the action, appointed for that purpose by the court.

1-6-103. Appointment to serve particular process or order.

For good cause the court may appoint a person to serve a particular process or order, who has the same power as the sheriff to execute it. The person may be appointed on the motion of the party who obtains the process or order, and the return must be verified by affidavit. He is entitled to the fees allowed the sheriff for similar services.

1-6-104. Duties of sheriff.

The sheriff shall execute every summons, order or other process, return the same as required by law, and exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties enjoined upon him by statute and by the common law.

1-6-105. Proceedings when defendants not all served.

(a) When service has been made on one (1) or more defendants, but not on all, the plaintiff may proceed as follows:

(i) If the action is against defendants jointly indebted upon contract, he may proceed against the defendants served, unless the court otherwise directs; or

(ii) If the action is against defendants severally liable, he may without prejudice to his rights against those not served, proceed against the defendants served.

1-6-106. Lis pendens; generally.

When a summons has been served or publication made, the action is pending so as to charge third persons with notice of its pendency, and while pending no interest can be acquired by third persons in the subject matter thereof as against the plaintiff's title.

1-6-107. Lis pendens; recordation when real property situate in other counties; constructive notice.

After filing an action in a court of competent jurisdiction the subject matter of which is the title to real property located in one (1) or more counties in this state, the plaintiff may file a certified copy of the complaint or a sworn notice of the pendency of the action in the office of the county clerk in the county or counties in which the real property is located. The notice shall contain the names of the parties, the object of the action and a description of the property before it shall operate as constructive notice to third parties in such counties. Notice shall be effective in the county where the action is filed without filing a document with the county clerk of that county. Constructive notice shall be effective as to property in the county in which the complaint is filed as of the date the complaint is filed and shall be effective as to property in any other county as of the date on which the notice is filed in the clerk's office of that county.

1-6-108. Lis pendens; notice of pendency of action affecting real property or action between husband and wife.

In an action in a state court or in a United States district court affecting the title or right of possession of real property, or in an action between husband and wife, the plaintiff at the time of filing the complaint and the defendant at the time of filing his pleading when affirmative relief is claimed or at any time afterward, may file in the office of the county clerk in which the property is situate a notice of pendency of the action containing the names of the parties, the object of the action or defense and a description of the property in that county affected thereby as provided by W.S. 1-6-107. From the time of filing the notice a subsequent purchaser or encumbrancer of the property shall have constructive notice of the pendency of the action.

1-6-109. Lis pendens; record of notice.

The county clerk upon the filing of such notice shall record the same in a book kept for that purpose.

1-6-110. Transmission of process by telecommunications.

Any summons, writ or order in any civil proceeding, and all other papers requiring service may be transmitted by any form of telecommunication for service in any place, and the copy of such writ, order or paper so transmitted may be served or executed by the officer or person to whom it is sent for that purpose and returned by him, if any return be requisite, in the same manner and with the same force and effect as the original thereof might be if delivered to him. The officer or person serving or executing the same has the same authority and is subject to the same liabilities as if the copy were the original. The original, when a writ or order, must also be filed in the court from which it was issued and a certified copy thereof shall be preserved in the telecommunication office from which it is sent. In sending it, either the original or certified copy may be used by the operator for that purpose. Whenever any document to be sent by telecommunication bears a seal, either private or official, it is not necessary for the operator to communicate a description of the seal or any words or device thereon, but the same may be expressed in the telecommunication by the letters "L. S." or by the word "Seal".

1-6-111. Substitution of certified mail for registered mail.

Wherever required by statute, rule of court or otherwise that service be made or notice given by registered mail, such requirement may be satisfied by use of certified mail and proof of mailing.

ARTICLE 2 - PUBLICATION OF NOTICE

1-6-201. Manner of publishing generally.

All notices by law directed, authorized or permitted to be made by publication may be published once each week during the period of time for which the notice is required by law to be published. All such weekly publications made in a newspaper issued more than once each week shall be published in the same issue in each succeeding week for the required publication period.

1-6-202. Notice for certain number of days.

Whenever the law requires or permits the publication of a notice for a certain number of days prior to any action, unless otherwise provided by law the publication may be made weekly as provided in W.S. 1-6-201, and as often as such weekly publication can be made during the period of time for which such publication is required by law to be made, the first publication to be made as many days prior to such action as the law requires.

1-6-203. Notice for specified number of weeks.

In all cases where under the laws a notice is required or permitted to be published for a specified number of weeks, it is sufficient that the publication be made once each week for the number of issues corresponding to the number of weeks for which such publication is required to be made, provided that not more than twenty (20) days shall intervene between the date of the last publication and the time set for the intended action. In no case shall the notice given for a longer time than required by law be held defective for that reason.

1-6-204. Publication of real property; descriptions used.

All notices directed, authorized or permitted to be made by publication that require a legal description of real property on the notice shall include the street address for the property used by the United States postal service when available, or the street address used by the county or municipality if available.

ARTICLE 3 - SERVICE ON NONRESIDENT MOTORISTS

1-6-301. Secretary of state deemed attorney for service; continuance of action; costs; record of process; jurisdiction; direction of summons.

(a) The use and operation of a motor vehicle on any street or highway within Wyoming by any person upon whom service of process cannot be made within Wyoming either personally or by service upon a duly appointed resident agent is deemed an appointment of the secretary of state of Wyoming as the operator's lawful attorney upon whom may be served all legal processes in any proceeding against him, or his personal representative if he be deceased, due to damage or injury to person or property resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle on the streets or highways within this state. Such operation constitutes the operator's agreement that any process served in any action against him or his personal representative has the same legal force and validity as if served upon him or his personal representative personally within this state. Service shall be made by serving a copy of the process upon the secretary of state or by filing such copy in his office, together with payment of a fee of three dollars ($3.00). Within ten (10) days after the date of service, notice of such service and a copy of the process shall be served upon the defendant or his personal representative either personally or by certified mail addressed to the last known address of the defendant or his personal representative. The plaintiff shall file with the clerk of the court in which the action is brought an affidavit that he has complied with such requirement.

(b) The court in which the action is pending shall order such continuance as necessary to afford the defendant or his personal representative reasonable opportunity to defend the action. The fee of three dollars ($3.00) paid by the plaintiff to the secretary of state at the time of service of process shall be taxed as costs in the suit.

(c) The secretary of state shall keep a record of all processes served showing the date and hour of service and shall arrange and index the record to make it readily accessible and convenient for inspection. The district court of the county in which the cause of action arose or the district court of the county in which the plaintiff resides shall have jurisdiction over the action. The clerk of the district court in which the action is commenced may issue summons directed to the sheriff of Laramie county, Wyoming for service upon the secretary of state of Wyoming.

CHAPTER 7 - CHANGE OF VENUE

1-7-101. Liability for expenses in civil actions.

When a change of venue is directed in a civil action in the district court, the county from which the change of venue is taken shall be liable to pay to the county to which the change is taken the fees paid to the jury trying the case and any of the regular panel not engaged in the trial but held in waiting as an incident thereto, allowance to bailiffs, and all other jury expenses necessarily incurred by such county because of the change of venue. Such expenses shall be audited and allowed by the court to which the action is changed and the court shall certify such allowance to the county clerk of the county from which the change of venue was first taken. The allowance shall be paid by the county from which the change of venue was first taken.

1-7-102. Venue in criminal cases generally.

(a) Every criminal case shall be tried in the county in which the indictment or offense charged is found, except as otherwise provided by law.

(b) When the location of a criminal offense cannot be established with certainty, venue may be placed in the county or district where the corpus delicti is found, or in any county or district in which the victim was transported.

CHAPTER 8 - TIME FOR TRIAL

1-8-101. Trial docket.

The clerk shall make a trial docket on the first day of each term, on which shall appear all cases in which the issues have been joined. The cases shall be set for trial in the order in which they stand on the appearance docket. The clerk shall not place upon the trial docket any case in which nothing remains to be done except to execute an order for the sale of real or personal property, and to distribute the proceeds as directed by the order, but if it becomes necessary, the case may be redocketed upon the application of either party, whereupon it shall stand in all respects as if it had remained on the docket.

1-8-102. Order of hearing.

All cases shall be heard in the order in which they stand on the trial docket unless the court otherwise directs. The court may hear a motion at any time and may prescribe by rule the time of hearing motions.

1-8-103. Copy of docket for bar.

The clerk shall make a copy of the trial docket for the use of the bar before the first day of the term.

CHAPTER 9 - CONTINUANCES

1-9-101. Contents of affidavit showing lack of evidence or absent witness; procedure if evidence admitted.

(a) A motion to postpone the trial of a case because of the lack of evidence shall be supported by affidavit showing:

(i) The materiality of the evidence expected to be obtained;

(ii) That due diligence has been used to obtain the evidence; and

(iii) Where it is expected the evidence may be found.

(b) If the postponement is because of an absent witness, the affidavit shall also state:

(i) Where the witness resides, if known;

(ii) The probability of procuring the testimony within a reasonable time;

(iii) That absence of the witness was not procured by the act or connivance of the party seeking the postponement, nor by others at his request or with his knowledge or consent;

(iv) The facts the witness is expected to prove and that affiant believes the facts as stated to be true; and

(v) Such facts cannot be proven by any other witness whose testimony can be as readily procured.

(c) If the adverse party consents that, on the trial, the facts stated in the affidavit will be taken as true, if the evidence is written or documentary, or in case of an absent witness that the witness will testify to the facts stated in the affidavit as true, the trial shall not be postponed for that cause. The party against whom the evidence is offered may impeach the evidence of an absent witness the same as when the witness is present or his deposition is used.

1-9-102. Continuance for good cause.

Any court, for good cause shown may continue any action at any stage of the proceedings at the cost of the applicant, to be paid as the court shall direct.

CHAPTER 10 - TENDER AND OFFER TO CONFESS JUDGMENT

1-10-101. Tender of money before action.

In an action on contract for the payment of money, if the defendant answers and proves that he tendered payment of the money due before commencement of the action, and pays to the clerk before trial the money so tendered, the plaintiff shall not have judgment for more than the money so tendered and due, without costs, and shall pay the defendant his costs.

1-10-102. Tender of payment other than money or performance of labor.

If, in an action on a contract for the payment of anything other than money or for the performance of labor, the defendant answers that he did tender payment or performance of the contract at such time and place, and in such things or labor as by the contract he was bound to pay or perform, and the court or jury finds that he did tender as alleged in his pleading, they shall assess the value of the property or labor so tendered, and judgment shall be rendered in favor of the plaintiff for the value found, without interest or costs. If the defendant forthwith performs his contract, or gives to the plaintiff such assurance as the court approves that he will perform within such time as the court directs, judgment shall be rendered for the defendant. If any article so tendered is perishable it shall, from the time of tender, be kept at the risk and expense of the plaintiff, provided the defendant takes reasonable care of the same.

1-10-103. Offer to confess judgment before action brought.

Before an action for recovery of money is brought against any person, he may go into the court of competent jurisdiction in the county of his residence or the county in which the person having the cause of action resides, and offer to confess judgment in favor of the claimant for a specified sum. If the claimant, having such notice as the court deems reasonable that the offer will be made, its amount, and the time and place of making it fails to attend and accept the confession, or if he attends and refuses to accept it and afterwards commences an action upon the cause and fails to recover more than the amount offered to be confessed, with interest from the date of the offer, he shall pay all the costs of the action.

1-10-104. Offer in court to confess for part of claim or causes.

The defendant in an action for the recovery of money may offer in court to confess judgment for part of the amount claimed, or part of the causes involved in the action. If the plaintiff, being present, refuses to accept such confession of judgment in full satisfaction of his demands in the action, or having had such notice as the court deems reasonable that the offer would be made, its amount, and the time of making it, fails to attend, and, on the trial, does not recover more than was offered to be confessed, with interest from the date of the offer, the plaintiff shall pay all costs of the defendant incurred after the offer was made.

1-10-105. Offer to confess not to affect trial.

An offer to confess judgment is not an admission of the cause of action nor of the amount to which the plaintiff is entitled. It is not a cause of continuance of the action, or a postponement of the trial, and may not be offered or admitted in evidence or mentioned at the trial.

1-10-106. Applicability of confession of judgment provisions.

The provisions relating to confessions of judgment shall apply so far as practicable to an offer made by the plaintiff, and in the discretion of the court, may be applied to one (1) or more of several causes of action, counterclaims, cross-claims or setoffs, and the court shall make such order as to costs as it deems proper.

CHAPTER 11 - TRIAL BY JURY

ARTICLE 1 - QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION AND EMPANELING OF JURIES

1-11-101. Qualifications of juror.

(a) A person is competent to act as juror if he is:

(i) An adult citizen of the United States who has been a resident of the state and of the county ninety (90) days before being selected and returned;

(ii) In possession of his natural faculties, of ordinary intelligence and without mental or physical infirmity preventing satisfactory jury service;

(iii) Possessed of sufficient knowledge of the English language.

(b) No citizen shall be excluded from service as a juror on account of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or economic status.

1-11-102. Convicted felon disqualified.

A person who has been convicted of any felony is disqualified to act as a juror unless his conviction is reversed or annulled, he receives a pardon or his rights are restored pursuant to W.S. 7-13-105(a).

1-11-103. Persons exempt as juror; duty to discharge.

(a) A person is exempt from liability to act as juror if the court finds that the provisions of W.S. 1-11-104 apply or for any other compelling reasons or if a person is:

(i) A salaried and active member of an organized fire department or an active member of a police department of a city, town or law enforcement agency of the county or state; or

(ii) An elected public official.

(b) The court shall discharge a person from serving as a trial juror if it satisfactorily appears that the person is not competent or the person is exempt and specifically claims the benefit of the exemption.

1-11-104. Causes for excusal.

A juror may not be excused for a trivial cause or for hardship or inconvenience to his business, but only when material injury or destruction to his property or property entrusted to him is threatened, or when his health or the sickness or death of a member of his family requires his absence. A person may be excused at his request if he is over seventy-two (72) years of age. A person may be excused from jury duty when the care of that person's young children requires his absence. Any person who has served on a jury shall, upon request, be excused from further jury service in that court for the remainder of that jury term and in the discretion of the court may be excused from jury service for the following jury term.

1-11-105. Exemption affidavit required; failure to file.

If a person exempt from jury duty is summoned as a juror, he may file his affidavit with the clerk of the court for which he is summoned stating his office, occupation or employment. The affidavit must be delivered by the clerk to the judge of the court where the person is summoned, and if sufficient in substance, must be received as evidence of his right to exemption and as an excuse for nonattendance in person. The affidavit must then be filed by the clerk. Failure of any person who is exempt to file the affidavit is a waiver of his exemption, and he is required to appear upon the day for which the jury is summoned and serve as a juror the same as if he were not entitled to exemption.

1-11-106. Jury list; preparation of ballots for jury box; drawing jury panel; certificate and summons.

(a) The list of persons qualified to serve as trial jurors, compiled pursuant to W.S. 1-11-129, is the base jury list for the district court and the circuit court from April 1 of the year in which the list is certified and delivered through March 31 of the following year. By order of the district judge or circuit judge, for their respective courts, the base jury list may be expanded by including some other source or sources of names in addition to voter lists. After the list is delivered and supplemented when applicable, suitable ballots shall be prepared and deposited in a box known as and plainly marked "jury box number one". Upon order of the court, the clerk of the district court, sheriff and county treasurer shall draw from jury box number one a panel of trial jurors, which shall contain such number of names as specified by the court.

(b) The clerk shall prepare a certificate containing the names constituting the panel of trial jurors, and summon them to appear in court for a trial whenever ordered by the court.

1-11-107. Depositing new ballots in jury box.

Before depositing new ballots in any jury box the clerk shall destroy each old ballot remaining in the box and remove all contents therefrom.

1-11-108. Jury panel in circuit courts; functions, powers and duties of judges thereof.

(a) The names in jury box number one in the office of the clerk of the district court is the panel of trial jurors in all circuit courts.

(b) In conducting jury trials, judges of the circuit courts shall exercise and perform the same functions, powers and duties as are prescribed for both the judge and the clerk of the district court in W.S. 1-11-101 through 1-11-401, insofar as practicable.

1-11-109. Procedure for drawing jury; contents of certificate; summons.

(a) The clerk shall shake the box containing the names of the regular jurors so as to mix the ballots therein as well as possible. He shall then draw from the box as many ballots as are ordered by the court.

(b) The name on each ballot drawn shall be entered in the minutes of the court.

(c) If the name of any person is drawn who is not competent to serve as a trial juror, and the incompetence shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the court, the name of the person shall be stricken from the jury list, the ballot containing the name shall be destroyed, and such fact shall be entered in the minutes of the court.

(d) When the necessary number of jurors has been drawn, the clerk shall make and certify a list of the names drawn. The certificate shall state:

(i) The date of the court order for the drawing;

(ii) The date of the drawing;

(iii) The number of jurors drawn;

(iv) The names and addresses of the competent jurors; and

(v) The time and place where the jurors are required to appear.

(e) The jurors on the certified list shall be summoned to appear.

1-11-110. Repealed by Laws 1983, ch. 138, 3.

1-11-111. Repealed by Laws 1983, ch. 138, 3.

1-11-112. Jurors to appear at time specified.

Each grand juror and petit juror summoned shall appear before the court on the day and at the hour specified in the summons, and depart only with permission of the court.

1-11-113. Completion of jury panel.

(a) The persons drawn from jury box number one and certified as trial jurors shall appear in answer to the summons and be examined as to their qualifications. If after all qualified trial jurors have been accepted it appears that there are not enough in attendance, the court shall order the clerk to draw from jury box number one the necessary number of names to complete the jury panel, and the clerk shall continue to draw from that box until a sufficient number of jurors are obtained. The persons so drawn shall be summoned to appear.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1983, ch. 138, 3.

1-11-114. Service of summons; proof of service.

(a) Service of a summons may be made by such means as the court may order. If service is accomplished through the sheriff's office, the sheriff's costs shall be paid by the county.

(b) If necessary the court may require proof of service.

1-11-115. Failure of juror to attend.

Any juror summoned who willfully and without reasonable excuse fails to attend may be arrested and compelled to attend and is subject to contempt of court.

1-11-116. Empaneling of jury.

At the opening of court on the day that trial jurors are summoned to appear, the clerk shall call the names of those summoned. The court shall hear the jurors summoned, and shall excuse those whom the court finds are exempt, disqualified or have material cause for being excused. The clerk shall write the names of the jurors present and not excused upon separate ballots, fold the ballots so that the names are concealed, and deposit the ballots in a sealed box numbered two. The box shall remain sealed until ordered by the court to be opened.

1-11-117. Drawing trial jury.

When an issue of fact to be tried by a jury is brought to trial, the clerk under the direction of the court shall openly draw out of box number two as many ballots as necessary to form a jury. Before the first ballot is drawn, the box must be well shaken so as to thoroughly mix the contents, and the clerk shall draw each ballot without seeing the name written on any of them.

1-11-118. Procedure upon exhaustion of ballots during empaneling.

If at any time during the empaneling of a jury all the ballots contained in box number two are exhausted, the court shall enter an order directing that such number of names as necessary be drawn from box number one. The court may excuse any jurors so drawn if it appears that, because of distance, the delay occasioned by summoning the juror and requiring his presence would unduly prolong empaneling the trial jury. The clerk shall forthwith summon the persons drawn to appear in court immediately. The names of those accepted by the court shall be placed in box number two and shall be drawn therefrom to complete the jury. The process shall continue from time to time when necessary until a jury is obtained.

1-11-119. Number of jurors; fees and mileage.

Trial juries in circuit courts shall be composed of six (6) persons. Trial juries in civil cases and all other proceedings in the district courts except criminal cases shall be composed of six (6) jurors unless one (1) of the parties to the action files a written demand for twelve (12) jurors within the time a demand for jury may be filed, in which event the number of jurors shall be twelve (12). Jurors in all courts shall be allowed the same fees and mileage as jurors in district court.

1-11-120. Persons sworn to constitute jury; generally.

The first six (6) persons, or twelve (12) if demanded, who appear as their names are drawn and are approved as indifferent between the parties and not discharged or excused shall be sworn and constitute the jury to try the issue.

1-11-121. Persons sworn to constitute jury; names placed in another box.

The ballots containing the names of the jurors so sworn shall be deposited in another box numbered three and there kept apart from the other ballots until that jury is discharged.

1-11-122. Discharge of jurors.

After the jury is discharged the jurors, upon request, shall be excused from jury service for the remainder of the calendar year.

1-11-123. Discharge of jurors; absent or excused jurors.

The ballot containing the name of a juror who is absent when his name is drawn, or is set aside, or excused from serving on that trial shall be returned to the box containing the undrawn ballots as soon as the jury is sworn.

1-11-124. Procedure where additional jury needed.

If an issue is brought to trial while a jury is empaneled in another cause and not then discharged, the court may order a jury for the trial of that issue to be drawn out of box number two containing the ballots then undrawn and the second jury may be completed as provided by law. In any other case the ballots containing the names of all trial jurors returned and attending the court shall be placed together in the same box before a jury is drawn.

1-11-125. Procedure when sufficient number of jurors fail to attend.

If a sufficient number of jurors duly drawn and notified do not attend to form a jury the court shall direct the clerk to draw a sufficient number of ballots from box number one to complete the jury and shall summon the persons drawn to attend immediately or at a time fixed by the court. If for any reason a sufficient number of jurors to try the issue is not obtained from the persons notified, the court may make successive orders until a sufficient number is obtained. The court may excuse any juror so drawn if it appears that, because of distance, the delay occasioned by summoning the juror and requiring his presence would unduly prolong empaneling the trial jury. Each person so notified, unless excused by the court, shall serve as a juror at the trial. For a neglect or refusal to serve he may be fined in the same manner as a trial juror regularly drawn and notified and he is subject to the same exceptions and challenges as any other trial juror.

1-11-126. No objection that jury not original one returned.

It is not a valid objection to a jury that it contains none of the jurors originally returned to the court or is only partially composed of such jurors or that the base jury list was not supplemented as permitted herein.

1-11-127. Furnishing of jury boxes.

The board of county commissioners of each county of this state shall furnish to the clerk of the district court in their county jury boxes suitable for the purposes prescribed herein.

1-11-128. Preparation of jury lists in new counties.

In new counties organized under the laws of Wyoming where no official register of voters for the new county exists, the board of county commissioners of the new county may demand from the county clerk of any county from which the new county was wholly or partially organized, a certified list of the names and addresses of the registered voters residing in that portion of the preexisting county which is included in the new county. The county clerk of the new county shall as soon as practicable compile and deliver to the clerk of court of the new county a list of qualified jurors.

1-11-129. Procedure for maintaining jury lists, ballots and jury boxes.

The procedures for compiling and maintaining of jury lists, jury ballots and jury boxes, and for drawing jurors, may be set by the court to permit the compilation and maintenance of jury lists and ballots and for the drawing of jurors by any manual, mechanical, electronic or other means calculated to insure the integrity of the system and a random selection process.

ARTICLE 2 - CONDUCT OF TRIAL; VERDICT

1-11-201. Oath of jurors; jury ordered into custody.

As soon as the jury is selected an oath shall be administered to the jurors that they will truly try the matter in issue between ...., the plaintiff, and ...., the defendant, and render a true verdict according to the evidence. After the oath has been administered and the jury fully empaneled, the court shall order the jury into the custody of the officer selected by the court. The jurors shall not separate from the custody of the officer until they have been duly discharged, unless by the consent of the parties to the action. The officer shall provide for suitable quarters and food for the jury pending the trial.

1-11-202. Peremptory challenges allowed.

In the trial of civil cases in the district courts of this state, each side is allowed three (3) peremptory challenges.

1-11-203. Challenges for cause; grounds.

(a) Challenges for cause may be taken on one (1) or more of the following grounds:

(i) A lack of any of the qualifications prescribed by statute which render a person competent as a juror;

(ii) Relationship by consanguinity or affinity within the third degree to either party;

(iii) Standing in the relation of debtor or creditor, guardian or ward, master or servant, or principal or agent to either party, or being a partner united in business with either party, or being security on any bond or obligation for either party;

(iv) Having served as a juror or a witness in a previous trial between the same parties for the same cause of action, or being then a witness therein;

(v) Interest on the part of the juror in the event or question involved in the action, but not an interest of the juror as a member or citizen of a municipal corporation;

(vi) Having formed or expressed an unqualified opinion or belief as to the merits or the main question of the action. The reading of newspaper accounts of the subject matter before the court shall not disqualify the juror either for bias or opinion;

(vii) The existence of a state of mind in the juror evincing enmity or bias for either party.

1-11-204. Challenges for cause; trial.

All challenges for cause shall be tried by the court, and the juror challenged, and any other persons may be examined as witnesses upon the trial of the challenge.

1-11-205. Order of trial.

(a) When the jury has been sworn, the trial shall proceed in the following order, unless the court for good cause otherwise directs:

(i) The party who has the burden of the issues may briefly state his case and the evidence by which he expects to sustain it;

(ii) The adverse party may then briefly state his defense and the evidence he expects to offer in support of it;

(iii) The party who has the burden of the issues shall first produce his evidence, the adverse party will then produce his evidence;

(iv) The parties will then be confined to rebutting evidence unless the court permits them to offer evidence in their original case;

(v) When the evidence is concluded, and either party desires special instructions to be given to the jury, the instructions shall be reduced to writing, numbered and signed by the party or his attorney asking the same, and delivered to the court;

(vi) Before argument of the cause is begun, the court shall give such instructions of the law to the jury as may be necessary. The instructions shall be in writing, numbered and signed by the judge;

(vii) Where either party asks special instructions to be given to the jury, the court shall either give such instructions as requested, give the instructions with modifications, or refuse to give them. The court shall mark each instruction offered so that it shall appear which instructions were given in whole or in part, and which were refused, so that either party may except to the instructions as given, refused or modified. All instructions given by the court together with those refused shall be filed as a part of the record.

1-11-206. View of property or place by jury.

When the court considers it proper for the jurors to view the property which is the subject of litigation or the place in which any material fact occurred, it may order them to be conducted in a body under the charge of an officer to the place which shall be shown to them by a person appointed by the court for that purpose. While the jurors are absent no person other than the person so appointed shall speak to them on any subject connected with the trial.

1-11-207. Decision or deliberation by jury; duty of officer in charge of jury.

When the case is submitted, the jury may decide in court or retire for deliberation. If the jurors retire, they shall be kept together in some convenient place under the charge of an officer until they agree upon a verdict or are discharged by the court. The court may permit them to separate temporarily at night or at their meals. The officer having them under his charge shall not allow any communication to be made to them nor make any himself except to ask them if they have agreed upon their verdict, unless by order of the court. He shall not communicate to any person the state of their deliberations or the verdict agreed upon before their verdict is rendered.

1-11-208. Admonition to jurors when permitted to separate.

If the jurors are permitted to separate during the trial or after the case is submitted to them, they shall be admonished by the court that it is their duty not to converse with nor allow themselves to be addressed by any person on any subject of the trial, and that they are not to form or express an opinion until the cause is finally submitted to them.

1-11-209. Further information after jury's retirement.

After the jurors have retired for deliberation, if there is a disagreement between them as to any part of the testimony, or if they desire to be informed as to any part of the law arising in the case, they may request the officer to conduct them to the court where information upon the matter of law shall be given. The court may give its recollection as to the testimony on the points in dispute, in the presence of or after notice to the parties or their counsel.

1-11-210. Discharge of jury without verdict.

The jury may be discharged by the court on account of the sickness of a juror or any accident or calamity requiring its discharge, or by consent of both parties or after the jurors have been kept together until it appears there is no probability of their agreeing.

1-11-211. Retrial after discharge of jury.

When the jury is discharged after the cause is submitted or during the trial, the cause may be tried again immediately or at a future time as the court directs.

1-11-212. Rendition of verdict.

When the jurors agree upon their verdict, it shall be reduced to writing and signed by the foreman. They shall then be conducted into court, their names called by the clerk and the verdict rendered by the foreman. The clerk shall then read the verdict to the jury and inquire whether it is their verdict.

1-11-213. Further deliberation; polling jury.

If a jury disagrees, or if when the jury is polled a juror answers in the negative, or if the verdict is defective in substance, the jury shall be sent out again for further deliberation and either party may require the jury to be polled by the clerk or court asking each juror if it is his verdict.

1-11-214. Discharge of jury; correcting defective verdict.

If no disagreement is expressed and neither party requires the jury to be polled, or on polling each juror answers in the affirmative, the verdict is complete and the jury shall be discharged. If the verdict is defective in form only, it may be corrected by the court with the assent of the jurors before they are discharged.

ARTICLE 3 - JURY FEES

1-11-301. Fees in district court generally.

All persons summoned as jurors in the district courts of this state shall receive the fees hereinafter provided and none other.

1-11-302. Mileage rate.

For each mile actually and necessarily traveled in going to and returning from the place of trial they shall receive mileage at the rate set in W.S. 9-3-103 when the distance traveled exceeds five (5) miles.

1-11-303. Amount of fees.

Jurors shall receive thirty dollars ($30.00) for each full or part day of actual attendance. A juror in attendance for more than five (5) consecutive days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, may, in the discretion of the court, be allowed an additional twenty dollars ($20.00) per day for each day actually in attendance.

1-11-304. Certificate issued to jurors.

The clerk of the court shall note the time of the discharge of each juror summoned and issue to the juror a certificate under seal of the court for the amount due him for mileage and juror fees.

ARTICLE 4 - JURORS' EMPLOYMENT

1-11-401. Protection of jurors' employment.

(a) No employer shall discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate or coerce any employee by reason of the employee's jury service, for the attendance or scheduled attendance in connection with jury service, in any court in the state of Wyoming.

(b) Any employer who violates the provisions of this section:

(i) May be enjoined from further violations of this section in order to provide other appropriate relief, including but not limited to reinstatement; and

(ii) Is liable for exemplary damages to the employee in an amount set by the court, but not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for each violation as to each employee; and

(iii) Is liable for the employee's reasonable costs and attorney's fees, as set by the court, in enforcing his rights hereunder.

(c) Any individual who is reinstated to a position of employment in accordance with this section shall be considered as having been on furlough or leave of absence during his period of jury service, shall be reinstated to his position of employment without loss of seniority and is entitled to participate in insurance or other benefits offered by the employer pursuant to established rules and practices relating to employees on furlough or on leave of absence in effect with the employer at the time the individual entered upon jury service.

(d) No action by an employee aggrieved hereunder shall be brought more than six (6) months after the alleged violation.

(e) The court may award a prevailing employer a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the cost if the court determines that any action brought by an employee is frivolous, vexatious or brought in bad faith.

CHAPTER 12 - EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES

ARTICLE 1 - WITNESSES GENERALLY

1-12-101. Privileged communications and acts.

(a) The following persons shall not testify in certain respects:

(i) An attorney or a physician concerning a communication made to him by his client or patient in that relation, or his advice to his client or patient. The attorney or physician may testify by express consent of the client or patient, and if the client or patient voluntarily testifies the attorney or physician may be compelled to testify on the same subject;

(ii) A clergyman or priest concerning a confession made to him in his professional character if enjoined by the church to which he belongs;

(iii) Husband or wife, except as provided in W.S. 1-12-104;

(iv) A person who assigns his claim or interest concerning any matter in respect to which he would not be permitted to testify if a party;

(v) A person who, if a party, would be restricted in his evidence under W.S. 1-12-102 shall, where the property is sold or transferred by an executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, heir, devisee or legatee, be restricted in the same manner in any action or proceeding concerning the property;

(vi) A confidential intermediary, as defined in W.S. 1-22-201(a)(viii), concerning communications made to him or information obtained by him during the course of an investigation pursuant to W.S. 1-22-203, when the public interests, in the judgment of the court, would suffer by the disclosure.

1-12-102. When party incapable of testifying.

In an action or suit by or against a person who from any cause is incapable of testifying, or by or against a trustee, executor, administrator, heir or other representative of the person incapable of testifying, no judgment or decree founded on uncorroborated testimony shall be rendered in favor of a party whose interests are adverse to the person incapable of testifying or his trustee, executor, administrator, heir or other representative. In any such action or suit, if the adverse party testifies, all entries, memorandum and declarations by the party incapable of testifying made while he was capable, relevant to the matter in issue, may be received in evidence.

1-12-103. Compelling testimony of adverse parties in civil and criminal actions.

A party may compel the adverse party to testify orally or by deposition as any other witness, and no person is disqualified as a witness in any action, civil or criminal, because of his interest in the same as a party or otherwise. Every person is a competent witness except as otherwise provided by law, but his interest in the action may be shown to affect the credibility of the witness. Any party of record in a civil action, or any person for whose immediate benefit the action is prosecuted or defended, or his assignor, officer, agent or employee or if a county or city is a party any officer of the county or city, may be examined upon the trial of any action as if under cross-examination at the instance of the adverse party and may be compelled to testify subject to the same rules for examination as any other witness. The party calling for the examination is not concluded thereby and may rebut the evidence given by counter or impeaching testimony.

1-12-104. Husband and wife as witnesses in civil and criminal cases.

No husband or wife shall be a witness against the other except in criminal proceedings for a crime committed by one against the other, or in a civil action or proceeding by one against the other. They may in all civil and criminal cases be witnesses for each other the same as though the marital relation did not exist.

1-12-105. Right of witness to demand fees; failure to pay; payments noted.

After the case is called for trial and before a witness is sworn, he may demand his traveling fees and fees for one (1) day's attendance. If the fees are not paid he is not obliged to testify. At the commencement of the trial each day after the first day he may demand his fees for that day's attendance and if the fees are not paid he shall not be compelled to remain. The clerk shall note the payment of fees in the witness book.

1-12-106. Contempt of court by witness.

Disobedience of a subpoena, refusal to be sworn except for refusal to pay fees on demand, or refusal to answer as a witness or to subscribe a deposition when lawfully ordered, may be punished as a contempt of the court or officer who required the attendance or testimony of the witness.

1-12-107. Attachment of witness who disobeys subpoena.

When a witness fails to attend in obedience to a subpoena, the court or officer before whom his attendance is required may issue an attachment to the sheriff of the county commanding him to arrest and bring the person named before the court at a time and place fixed in the attachment, to give his testimony and answer for the contempt. If the attachment is not for immediately bringing the witness before the court or officer, a sum may be fixed in which the witness may give bond with surety for his appearance. The sum shall be endorsed on the back of the attachment. If no sum is fixed and endorsed, it shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00). If the witness was not personally served, the court may order him to show cause why an attachment should not issue against him.

1-12-108. Punishment for contempt by witness.

(a) Punishment for the contempt mentioned in W.S. 1-12-106 is as follows:

(i) When the witness fails to attend in obedience to a subpoena, the court or officer may fine him not more than fifty dollars ($50.00);

(ii) In other cases the court or officer may fine the witness not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor less than five dollars ($5.00), or may imprison him in the county jail until he submits to be sworn, testifies or gives his deposition.

(b) The fine imposed shall be paid into the county treasury.

(c) The witness is also liable to the party injured for any damages occasioned by his failure to attend, his refusal to be sworn, to testify or give his deposition.

1-12-109. Discharge of imprisoned witness.

Upon application of a witness imprisoned by an officer, a judge of the supreme court or district court may discharge him if it appears that his imprisonment is illegal.

1-12-110. Attachment for arrest or order of commitment; execution.

Every attachment for the arrest or order of commitment to prison of a witness by a court or officer must be under the seal of the court or officer, if the officer has an official seal, and must specify particularly the cause of the arrest or commitment. If the commitment is for a refusal to answer a question, the question must be stated in the order and the order of commitment directed to the sheriff of the county where the witness resides or may be found at that time. It shall be executed by committing the witness to the jail of the county and delivering a copy of the order to the jailer.

1-12-111. Procuring testimony of imprisoned witness.

When it is necessary to procure testimony of a person confined in the state penitentiary or any jail or reformatory, in the trial of any issue in an indictment or information, or in any hearing before a grand jury, the court may order a subpoena issued, directed to the warden of the state penitentiary or the superintendent of the jail or reformatory commanding him to bring the witness named in the subpoena before the court. The warden, superintendent or sheriff shall take the witness before the court at the time and place named in the subpoena and hold him until he is discharged by the court. When discharged he shall be returned by the officer to the place of imprisonment from which he was taken. The officer may command such assistance as he deems proper for the safe transportation of the witness. When the witness is in attendance of any court he may be placed for safekeeping in the jail of the county. The county in which the offense was alleged to have been committed shall pay the actual and necessary expenses of producing, keeping and returning the witness.

1-12-112. Taking of prisoner's deposition.

While a prisoner's deposition is being taken he shall remain in the custody of the officer having charge of him. The officer shall afford reasonable facilities for the taking of the deposition.

1-12-113. Immunity of witness obeying subpoena.

A witness may not be served with a summons or sued in a county in which he does not reside while going, returning or attending in obedience to a subpoena.

1-12-114. Oath of witness.

Before testifying the witness shall be sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

1-12-115. Testimony for use in foreign jurisdiction.

Whenever any mandate, writ or commission is issued from any court of record in any foreign jurisdiction, or whenever upon notice or agreement it is required to take the testimony of a witness in this state, the witness may be compelled to appear and testify in the same manner and by the same process as employed for taking testimony in matters pending in the courts of this state.

1-12-116. Confidential communications between family violence and sexual assault advocate and victim.

(a) As used in this section:

(i) "Advocate" or "family violence or sexual assault advocate" means a person who is employed by or volunteers services to any family violence and sexual assault program, who is certified by the program as having undergone at least forty (40) hours of crisis advocacy training and whose work is directed and supervised under a family violence and sexual assault program;

(ii) "Confidential communication" means information transmitted in confidence between a victim and an advocate in the course of that relationship and includes all information received by, and any report, working paper or document prepared by the advocate in the course of that relationship;

(iii) "Crisis services to victims of family violence and sexual assault" means emergency and follow-up intervention, information, referral services and medical, legal and social services advocacy;

(iv) "Family violence and sexual assault program" means a program whose primary purpose is to offer shelter and crisis services to victims of family violence and sexual assault through any community facility or center;

(v) "Shelter" means a place of temporary refuge, offered on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day per week basis to victims and their children;

(vi) "Victim" means a person who has been subjected to sexual assault as defined by W.S. 6-2-301(a)(v), incest as defined by W.S. 6-4-402 or domestic abuse as defined by W.S. 35-21-102(a)(iii).

(b) Except as provided by W.S. 14-3-210, a person exempted from testifying under the provisions of W.S. 1-12-116 shall not be examined as a witness in any civil, criminal, legislative or administrative proceeding concerning the following communications and information:

(i) An advocate shall not testify concerning a confidential communication made by a victim in the course of that relationship, except the advocate:

(A) May testify:

(I) With the express consent of the victim; or

(II) If the victim voluntarily testifies, provided the advocate's testimony shall be limited to the same subject matter.

(B) May be compelled to testify if the victim is unable to testify due to death or incompetence.

(ii) Any employee of a family violence and sexual assault program who has access to confidential communication shall not testify except in those circumstances where the advocate may testify.

ARTICLE 2 - DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE GENERALLY

1-12-201. Copies of documents filed with interstate commerce or public service commissions.

Printed copies of schedules, classifications and tariffs of rates, fares, charges, rules and regulations and supplements thereto, filed with the interstate commerce commission or the public service commission, which show respectively an interstate commerce commission number and an effective date or a public service commission number and an effective date, may be received in evidence without certification and shall be presumed to be correct copies of the originals on file with the interstate commerce commission or on file with the public service commission.

ARTICLE 3 - JUDICIAL NOTICE OF FOREIGN LAW

1-12-301. Proof of laws of foreign jurisdictions.

Printed copies of written law enacted by any other state, territory or foreign government purporting or proved to have been published by the authority thereof, or proved to be commonly admitted as evidence of the existing law in the courts or tribunals of the state, territory or government shall be admitted by the courts and officers of this state on all occasions as prima facie evidence of the law. The unwritten or common law of any other state, territory or foreign government may be proved by parol evidence and the books of reports of cases adjudicated in their courts may also be admitted as prima facie evidence of the law.

1-12-302. Judicial notice required.

Every court of this state shall take judicial notice of the common law and statutes of every state, territory and other jurisdiction of the United States.

1-12-303. Manner of obtaining information.

The court may inform itself of foreign laws in such manner as it deems proper, and the court may call upon counsel to aid in obtaining such information.

1-12-304. Determination of foreign law; reviewability.

The determination of foreign laws shall be made by the court and not by the jury, and is reviewable.

1-12-305. Reasonable notice to be given adverse party.

Any party may present to the trial court any admissible evidence of foreign laws, but to enable a party to offer evidence of the law in another jurisdiction or to ask that judicial notice be taken thereof, reasonable notice shall be given to the adverse parties in the pleadings or otherwise.

1-12-306. Laws of jurisdictions outside United States.

The law of a jurisdiction other than a state, territory or jurisdiction of the United States, is an issue for the court but is not subject to the foregoing provisions concerning judicial notice.

ARTICLE 4 - CAPTURED, MISSING OR DEAD PERSONS

1-12-401. Written finding of presumed death admissible as evidence.

1-12-402. Official report that person is missing or captured as evidence of person's condition.

An official written report, record or certified copy thereof that a person is missing, missing in action, interned in a neutral country, beleaguered, besieged, captured by an enemy or is dead or alive, made by any officer or employee of the United States authorized by any law of the United States to make the report or copy, shall be received in any court, office or other place in this state as evidence of the condition of that person.

1-12-403. Findings and reports and records deemed prima facie valid.

For the purposes of W.S. 1-12-401 and 1-12-402, any finding, report, record or certified copy purporting to have been signed by an officer or employee of the United States shall be deemed prima facie to have been signed and issued by the officer or employee pursuant to law, and the person signing shall be deemed prima facie to have acted within the scope of his authority. If a copy purports to have been certified by a person authorized by law to certify the same, such certified copy shall be prima facie evidence of his authority.

ARTICLE 5 - PRESUMPTIONS

1-12-501. Survivorship upon simultaneous death.

(a) When two (2) persons perish in the same calamity and it is not shown who died first and there are no particular circumstances from which it can be inferred, survivorship is presumed from the probabilities resulting from the strength, age and sex, according to the following rules:

(i) If both of those who have perished were under the age of fifteen (15) years, the older is presumed to have survived;

(ii) If both were of the age of sixty (60) years or older, the younger is presumed to have survived;

(iii) If one is under fifteen (15) years of age and the other is sixty (60) years of age or older, the former is presumed to have survived;

(iv) If both are fifteen (15) years of age or older and under sixty (60) years of age, and the sexes are different, the male is presumed to have survived. If the sexes are the same, the older will be presumed to have survived;

(v) If one is under the age of fifteen (15) years or is sixty (60) years of age or older, and the other is between those ages, the latter is presumed to have survived.

1-12-502. Renumbered by Laws 1979, ch. 142, 3.

ARTICLE 6 - BURDEN OF PROOF

1-12-601. Injury by health care providers; burden of proof.

(a) In an action for injury alleging negligence by a health care provider the plaintiff shall have the burden of proving:

(i) If the defendant is certified by a national certificating board or association, that the defendant failed to act in accordance with the standard of care adhered to by that national board or association; or

(ii) If the defendant is not so certified, that the defendant failed to act in accordance with the standard of care adhered to by health care providers in good standing performing similar health care services.

(b) In either paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) of this section, variations in theory of medical practice or localized circumstances regarding availability of equipment, facilities or supplies may be shown to contravene proof offered on the applicable standard of care.

CHAPTER 13 - RESERVATION OF QUESTION TO SUPREME COURT

1-13-101. Constitutional questions; generally.

When an important and difficult constitutional question arises in a proceeding pending before the district court on motion of either party or upon his own motion the judge of the district court may cause the question to be reserved and sent to the supreme court for its decision.

1-13-102. Constitutional questions; clerk's duties; rules.

When a question is reserved to the supreme court, the clerk of the district court shall transmit the original papers in the case involving the question to the clerk of the supreme court, who shall place the papers on file. The matter shall then stand for hearing by the supreme court, and the supreme court may make rules of procedure as it deems proper for the speedy hearing of the proceeding.

1-13-103. Constitutional questions; remand for further proceedings.

Upon hearing the supreme court may remand the case together with the original papers to the district court for further proceedings. The clerk of the supreme court shall certify the order of remand to the clerk of the district court, who shall immediately enter the case upon the journal of the district court, and when entered the order stands as the order of the district court.

1-13-104. Questions from federal courts; generally.

W.S. 1-13-104 through 1-13-107 is cited as the "Federal Court State Law Certificate Procedure Act".

1-13-105. Questions from federal courts; definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Certificate procedure" means the procedure authorized herein by which a federal court in disposing of a cause pending before it submits a question of state law to the supreme court for determination;

(ii) "Federal court" means any court of the United States of America including the supreme court of the United States, courts of appeal, district courts and any other court created by act of congress;

(iii) "Supreme court" means the supreme court of Wyoming.

1-13-106. Questions from federal courts; authority of supreme court.

The supreme court may answer questions of law certified to it by a federal court when requested by the certifying court if there are involved in any proceeding before the federal court questions of law of this state which may be determinative of the cause then pending in the federal court, and as to which it appears to the federal court there is no controlling precedent in the existing decisions of the supreme court.

1-13-107. Questions from federal courts; rules.

The supreme court may adopt rules of practice and procedure to implement or otherwise facilitate utilization of certificate procedure.

CHAPTER 14 - FEES AND COSTS AND SECURITY THEREFOR

1-14-101. "Folio" defined.

The term folio as used in this act means one hundred (100) words. Four (4) figures shall be counted as one (1) word.

1-14-102. Witness fees; fees for expert witnesses in civil and criminal cases.

(a) Witnesses are entitled to receive the following minimum fees:

(i) For attending before any court or grand jury, or before any judge, referee or commissioner, ten dollars ($10.00) per day, and five dollars ($5.00) for half a day; and

(ii) Repealed By Laws 2004, Chapter 42, 2.

(iii) Mileage at the rate set in W.S. 9-3-103 for each mile actually and necessarily traveled in going to and returning from place of attendance.

(b) In any civil or criminal case, any party may call expert witnesses to testify and if the court finds any witness to be a qualified expert and the expert gives expert testimony which is admitted as evidence in the case, the expert witness shall be allowed witness fees of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per day or such other amount as the court allows according to the circumstances of the case. Expert witness fees may be charged as costs against any party or be apportioned among some or all parties in the discretion of the court.

1-14-103. Witness or juror to receive only single fee.

No witness shall receive fees or mileage in more than one (1) case covering the same period of time or the same travel. Each witness shall make affidavit that the fees and mileage claimed have not been claimed or received in any other case. No juror shall receive pay as a witness while serving as a juror.

1-14-104. Physician testifying as expert or performing postmortem or autopsy; fees.

Any physician or surgeon shall receive a reasonable fee as determined by the coroner when testifying as an expert before a coroner or other officer for each half day or portion thereof, and when conducting a postmortem examination or autopsy.

1-14-105. Physician testifying as expert or performing postmortem or autopsy; postmortem fee certificate; exceptions.

The coroner or other officer who has ordered a postmortem examination shall issue to the physician or surgeon a certificate for the fees provided, which shall be paid by the board of county commissioners by issuing a county warrant on the treasurer of the county in which the services were rendered in the amount of the certificate. W.S. 1-14-104 and 1-14-105 do not apply in the case of any physician regularly employed by the county.

1-14-106. Payment of fees in criminal cases.

In criminal cases where the fees prescribed are not paid by the defendant or the prosecuting witness, they shall be paid to the party entitled thereto by the public defender's office, if subpoenaed by a defendant represented by the public defender, otherwise by the county.

1-14-107. Record of attendance and fees of jurors and witnesses.

The clerk of the district court shall keep a record of the attendance and fees of jurors and witnesses at each term of court when claimed during the term and for which the county is liable.

1-14-108. Statement of attendance of jurors and witnesses in criminal cases.

Within ten (10) days after the close of each term of a court of record, the clerk shall return to the county commissioners a statement of the attendance of jurors and witnesses at such term and their mileage as taken by him in all criminal cases for which the county is liable.

1-14-109. Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 168, 207.

1-14-110. Only actual mileage allowed for service; liability for false statement.

If any officer or other person who is allowed mileage for any services rendered receives at the same time more than one (1) writ or process to serve, or authority to render more than one (1) service at the same place, he is only entitled to mileage for the actual number of miles traveled, allowing a full mile from place to place for every person served or every service rendered during the same journey. His return or claim for mileage shall show the actual number of miles necessarily traveled from the place where he received his authority to the place where the actual service was made or rendered. Should any false statement for mileage be proved, then no mileage shall be allowed for any services performed by virtue of the authority, writ or process by which such services were rendered and the maker of the false statement is liable to criminal process.

1-14-111. Witness or juror entitled to but single day's service for multiple criminal cases and on grand juries.

If a witness or juror is summoned to serve in more than one (1) criminal case in the same court on the same day, the witness or juror is entitled to but one (1) day's service, which shall be taxed as costs in the first case. The officer swearing the witness or juror shall keep a proper account of the fees in order that not more than one (1) payment is made under such circumstances. This also applies to grand juries and witnesses before grand juries.

1-14-112. Court officers not allowed witness fees.

An officer whose duty it is to be in constant attendance upon any court and who is sworn as a witness in a case then pending in that court, is not entitled to witness fees in the case.

1-14-113. Officer's fees to be posted; penalty.

Each officer herein named shall post a list of his fees in his office in a conspicuous place. For failure to do so he shall pay three dollars ($3.00) per day for each day of failure, which may be recovered by the county in a civil action.

1-14-114. Officer's return to show his fees.

An officer serving any process or order is not entitled to fees for service unless he returns on the process the amount of his fees and the items thereof.

1-14-115. Right to receive certified bill of costs or fees.

Any person liable for any costs or fees is entitled to receive on demand a certified bill of the same, in which the items of service and the charges therefor are stated.

1-14-116. Repealed By Laws 2004, Chapter 42, 2.

1-14-117. Disposition of costs collected.

Every sheriff and other officer collecting costs on execution, after retaining the amount of his own fees shall pay the residue of the collected costs to the clerk of the court which issued the execution and take a receipt therefor.

1-14-118. Payment of fees and compensation.

All fees provided for by law when due from any party other than the state or the county are payable in advance to the person entitled to them. All fees and compensation due any person from the county are payable once every three (3) months by warrants drawn upon the county treasury in the manner provided by law, unless herein otherwise provided.

1-14-119. Nonresidents and partnerships suing in company name to furnish security; requirements.

If a nonresident of the state or a partnership suing in its company name brings an action, the plaintiff must furnish sufficient security for costs approved by the clerk. A surety's obligations are complete by his endorsing the summons or complaint. The surety is bound for the payment of all costs adjudged or taxed against the plaintiff in the court in which the action is brought or in any other court to which it may be carried, whether he obtains judgment or not. The nonresident plaintiff may deposit with the clerk of court as security for costs in the case such sum of money as the clerk deems sufficient for the purpose. Upon motion of the defendant, the court may require the deposit to be increased, that personal security be given or that the nonresident plaintiff pay all costs as fast as they accrue.

1-14-120. Nonresidents and partnerships suing in company name to furnish security; failure to give security.

If security for costs is not given as required by W.S. 1-14-119 or if the costs are not paid, the court shall at any time before the commencement of the trial, on motion of the defendant and notice to the plaintiff, dismiss the action unless within a reasonable time allowed by the court security is given.

1-14-121. Nonresident and partnership suing in company name to furnish security; when plaintiff becomes nonresident of county.

If the plaintiff becomes a nonresident of the county in which the action is brought during its pendency, he may be compelled to give security in the manner stated in W.S. 1-14-119 and 1-14-120.

1-14-122. Additional security upon motion of defendant.

In an action in which security for costs has been given, the defendant may at any time before the commencement of the trial, after reasonable notice to the plaintiff, move the court for additional security. If on the motion the court is satisfied that the surety has moved from this state or the security is not sufficient the action may be dismissed unless in a reasonable time fixed by the court sufficient security is given.

1-14-123. Judgment against surety for costs; execution.

After final judgment in an action in which security for costs is given, the court may on motion of the defendant or a person having a right to costs, after ten (10) days notice of the motion, render judgment in the name of the movant against the surety, his executors or administrators, for the costs adjudged against the plaintiff. Execution may be issued on the judgment as in other cases for the use and benefit of the person entitled to the costs.

1-14-124. Costs allowed for recovery of money or property.

Costs shall be allowed to the plaintiff upon a judgment in his favor in an action for the recovery of money only or for the recovery of specific real or personal property, unless otherwise provided by law.

1-14-125. When costs not recoverable by plaintiff.

When the judgment is less than one hundred dollars ($100.00), unless the recovery is reduced below that sum by counterclaim or setoff, each party shall pay his own costs. When the damage assessed is under five dollars ($5.00), the plaintiff shall not recover costs in any action for libel, slander, malicious prosecution, assault, assault and battery, false imprisonment or nuisance.

1-14-126. Costs in discretion of court.

(a) In other actions the court may award and tax costs and apportion them between the parties on the same or adverse sides as it deems right and equitable. When a civil case is settled too late for the clerk of court to advise the jury panel that the jurors should not appear on the date summoned the court may order that any or all parties reimburse the proper fund for the fees and mileage paid to the jurors and bailiffs for their appearance.

(b) In civil actions for which an award of attorney's fees is authorized, the court in its discretion may award reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party without requiring expert testimony. In exercising its discretion the court may consider the following factors:

(i) The time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly;

(ii) The likelihood that the acceptance of the particular employment precluded other employment by the lawyer;

(iii) The fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services;

(iv) The amount involved and the results obtained;

(v) The time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances;

(vi) The nature and length of the professional relationship with the client;

(vii) The experience, reputation and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services; and

(viii) Whether the fee is fixed or contingent.

1-14-127. Recovery of costs when several actions brought on same instrument.

When several actions are brought on one (1) instrument in writing against several parties who might have been joined as defendants in the same action, no costs shall be recovered by the plaintiff in more than one (1) of the actions if the parties proceeded against in the other action were openly within the state at the commencement of the previous action.

1-14-128. Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 168, 102.

CHAPTER 15 - ATTACHMENT, REPLEVIN AND GARNISHMENT

ARTICLE 1 - IN GENERAL

1-15-101. Applicability.

(a) This chapter shall apply to and govern:

(i) Attachment, replevin and garnishment proceedings in all district courts and circuit courts of this state;

(ii) Post judgment garnishment in small claims proceedings as provided by W.S. 1-21-205.

1-15-102. Definitions.

(a) As used in this chapter unless otherwise defined:

(i) "Attachment" means the procedure by which a plaintiff obtains a judicial lien on a defendant's property prior to judgment;

(ii) "Continuing garnishment" means any procedure for withholding the earnings of a judgment debtor for successive pay periods for payment of a judgment debt;

(iii) "Court" means any district court or circuit court of this state;

(iv) "Defendant" means a person whose property is being attached, garnished or replevied by a plaintiff and includes a judgment debtor after entry of judgment;

(v) "Disposable earnings" means that part of an individual's earnings remaining after the deduction of all amounts required by law to be withheld;

(vi) "Earnings" or "earnings from personal services" means compensation paid or payable for personal services, whether denominated as wages, salary, commission, bonus, proceeds of any pension or retirement benefits or deferred compensation plan or otherwise;

(vii) "Garnishee" means a person other than a plaintiff or defendant who is in possession of earnings or property of the defendant and who is subject to garnishment in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;

(viii) "Garnishment" means the procedure by which a plaintiff on whose behalf a writ of garnishment has been issued against a defendant reaches tangible or intangible personal property of the defendant in the possession, control or custody of, or debts or other monetary obligations owing by, a third person;

(ix) "Judgment creditor" means any person who has recovered a money judgment against a judgment debtor in a court of competent jurisdiction;

(x) "Judgment debtor" means any person who has a judgment entered against him in a court of competent jurisdiction;

(xi) "Officer" means sheriff;

(xii) "Plaintiff" means a person who is attaching, garnishing or repleving property of a defendant and includes a judgment creditor after entry of judgment;

(xiii) "Replevin" means the procedure by which a plaintiff in a pending action to recover possession of property obtains redelivery of property claimed to be wrongfully taken or detained.

1-15-103. General procedures relating to prejudgment writs of attachment, replevin and garnishment; issuance of writs without notice.

(a) Prejudgment writs of attachment, replevin and garnishment shall be issued subject to the following conditions and circumstances:

(i) The writ shall issue only upon written motion and pursuant to a written order of the court;

(ii) The court shall not direct the issuance of the writ without notice to the adverse party and an opportunity to be heard unless it clearly appears from specific facts shown by affidavit or by the verified complaint that immediate and irreparable injury will result to the plaintiff before notice can be served and a hearing had thereon. A finding by the court that the plaintiff will suffer irreparable injury shall be made only if the court finds the existence of either of the following circumstances:

(A) There is present danger that the property will be immediately disposed of, concealed, or placed beyond the jurisdiction of the court; or

(B) The value of the property will be impaired substantially if the issuance of an order of attachment is delayed.

(iii) An order granted without notice authorizing the issuance of a writ shall be endorsed with the date and hour of issuance and shall be filed in the clerk's office and entered of record. The order shall define the injury and state why the injury is irreparable and why the order was granted without notice. The order, and any writ issued pursuant thereto, shall expire within a time fixed by the court, not to exceed ten (10) days after issuance. Within the time fixed, the court may, after notice and hearing, order the writ continued in effect or the adverse party may consent that the writ may be extended for a longer period. The reasons for the extension shall be entered of record;

(iv) If the order granting the writ is issued without notice, a hearing thereon shall be set for the earliest reasonable time;

(v) At the hearing on the issuance of the writ or its continuance, the plaintiff shall have the burden of establishing the facts justifying the issuance and continuance of the writ;

(vi) On notice to the plaintiff obtaining the issuance of the writ without notice, the adverse party may appear and move dissolution or modification of the writ, and in that event the court shall proceed to hear and determine the motion as expeditiously as possible;

(vii) Any notice required under this section shall be in a form and served in a manner as will expeditiously give the adverse party actual notice of the proceeding, all as directed by the court;

(viii) In the event that property has been seized by the sheriff pursuant to the issuance of a writ without notice, the property shall be retained by him subject to the order of the court.

1-15-104. Prejudgment writs; bond required; objection to plaintiff's sureties; hearing on objections; liability of sureties.

(a) No prejudgment writ of attachment, replevin or garnishment shall issue unless the plaintiff files with the clerk a surety bond in an amount fixed by the court for the payment of all costs and damages which may be incurred or suffered by any party as a result of the wrongful issuance of the writ, not exceeding the sum specified in the bond.

(b) If the party for whose benefit a bond under subsection (a) of this section is given is not satisfied with the amount of the bond or the sufficiency of the sureties, he may, within five (5) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after the receipt of a copy of the bond, serve upon the party giving the bond a notice that the party for whose benefit the bond is given objects to the amount of the bond or the sufficiency of the sureties. If the party for whose benefit the bond is given fails to object within the time allowed he is deemed to have waived all objection to the amount of bond and the sufficiency of the sureties.

(c) Notice of objections to the amount of bond and the sufficiency of sureties as provided in subsection (b) of this section shall be filed in the form of a motion for hearing on objections to the bond. Upon demand of the objecting party, each surety shall appear at the hearing of the motion and be subject to examination as to the surety's pecuniary responsibility or the validity of the execution of the bond. Upon hearing, the court shall approve or reject the bond as filed or require any amended, substitute or additional bond as the circumstances warrant. If the court rejects the bond or if the plaintiff fails within the time allowed to file any amended, substitute or additional bond required by the court, any property seized under the writ shall be returned to the defendant.

(d) The bond required by this section shall, in addition to other requirements, provide that each surety is subject to the jurisdiction of the court and irrevocably appoints the clerk of the court as the agent of the surety upon whom any papers affecting the liability of the surety on the bond may be served, and that the liability of the surety may be enforced on motion and upon notice as the court may require without the necessity of an independent action.

1-15-105. Writs; release of property or discharge of writ; undertaking required; objections to defendant's sureties; liability of sureties.

(a) At any time, either before or after the execution of a writ of attachment, replevin or garnishment, the defendant may obtain a release of any property or a discharge of the writ as follows:

(i) To secure a discharge of the attachment or garnishment the defendant shall furnish a bond, with sufficient sureties, in a sum of not less than double the amount claimed by the plaintiff, but not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) in amount. The conditions of the bond shall be to the effect that if the plaintiff recovers judgment, the defendant will pay the judgment together with interest and all costs assessed against him, not exceeding the sum specified in the bond;

(ii) To secure a release of property seized under a writ of attachment, replevin or garnishment, the defendant shall furnish a bond, with sufficient sureties, in a sum not less than the value of the property to be released, but in no case in an amount greater than necessary to obtain a discharge of the writ under paragraph (i) of this subsection. The conditions of the bond shall be to the effect that if the plaintiff recovers judgment, the defendant will pay the judgment, together with interest and all costs assessed against him, not exceeding the sum specified in the bond.

(b) The bond required by subsection (a) of this section shall be delivered to the sheriff at or before the time of service of the writ of attachment, replevin or garnishment. If the release or discharge is sought after the writ has been executed or the property seized, the defendant shall apply to the court, upon reasonable notice to the plaintiff, for an order releasing the property or discharging the writ.

(c) The bond required by subsection (a) of this section shall be filed with the court, and a copy of the bond served upon the plaintiff. Within five (5) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after the plaintiff is served with notice of the filing of the bond required by subsection (a) of this section the plaintiff may object to the amount of the bond or the sufficiency of defendant's sureties, by serving upon the defendant and filing with the court a motion for hearing on objection to bond.

(d) Upon demand of the plaintiff, each surety shall appear at the hearing requested under subsection (c) of this section, and be subject to examination as to the surety's pecuniary responsibility or the validity of the execution of the bond. Upon hearing, the court shall approve or reject the bond as filed or require any amended, substitute or additional bond as the circumstances warrant.

(e) Upon a discharge of the writ or release of the property under this section, all of the property released, if not sold, and the proceeds of any sale of the property, shall be delivered to the defendant. The release or discharge by the court shall not be effective until the time for plaintiff to object to the amount of the bond or the sufficiency of the defendant's sureties has expired.

(f) The bond required by this section shall, in addition to other requirements, provide that each surety is subject to the jurisdiction of the court and irrevocably appoints the clerk of the court as his agent upon whom any papers affecting the liability of the surety on the bond may be served, and that his liability may be enforced on motion and upon notice as the court may require without the necessity of an independent action.

1-15-106. Discharge of improperly issued writs.

The defendant may at any time, upon notice to the plaintiff as the court may require, move the court in which the action is pending, to have a writ of attachment, replevin or garnishment discharged on the ground that it was improperly or irregularly issued. The court shall give the plaintiff reasonable opportunity to correct any defect in the complaint, affidavit, bond, writ or other proceeding so as to show that a legal cause for the writ existed at the time it was issued.

1-15-107. Notice of exemptions; right to a hearing; procedures.

(a) Within five (5) days after the court receives the person's written request for a hearing, a person whose property is attached or whose property is in the possession of another person and is attached or garnished, and against whom no judgment has been entered, is entitled to a hearing on the attaching party's right to the property. The sheriff shall mail to the person a copy of the order of attachment or writ of garnishment and notice of the right to a hearing under this section, at the time the order of attachment is executed or the writ of garnishment is served on the garnishee. The papers shall be sent by first class United States mail with the postage prepaid and the envelopes furnished and properly addressed by the plaintiff.

(b) The notice required by this section shall inform the person of his right to request a hearing. The notice shall inform him that certain benefits and property cannot be taken to pay a debt and shall list the exempted benefits and property set forth in paragraphs (i) through (x) of this subsection. The notice shall also include a form for requesting a hearing and instructions that if the person believes he is entitled to retain or recover the property because it is exempt, or for any other reason, he should sign the form requesting a hearing and return or mail the form to the office of the clerk of court within ten (10) days after the date the notice was mailed to him. The request for hearing form shall set forth the following exemptions and provide a place for the person to designate which exemptions he claims:

(i) Social security benefits pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 407 and supplemental security income;

(ii) Veteran's benefits;

(iii) Black lung benefits;

(iv) Personal opportunities with employment responsibilities (POWER) payments;

(v) Federal civil service and state retirement system benefits as provided in 5 U.S.C. 8346 and W.S. 9-3-426, 9-3-620, 9-3-712 and 15-5-313;

(vi) Worker's compensation benefits;

(vii) Unemployment compensation benefits;

(viii) Earnings from personal services as defined by W.S. 1-15-102(a)(vi);

(ix) Homestead, personal articles and articles used for carrying on a trade or business to the extent provided by W.S. 1-20-101 through 1-20-111;

(x) Other exemptions as provided by law.

(c) The notice shall state that there may be additional exemptions not listed which may be applicable. Failure by the person to claim an exemption on the request for hearing form does not preclude him from claiming other exemptions or defenses at a hearing on the matter. If a person fails to make a written request for a hearing and claim exemptions pursuant to this section within ten (10) days after the date the notice was mailed to him, the notice shall state he may waive or lose his rights under this section.

(d) The sheriff may withhold execution of the prejudgment writ of attachment or garnishment until the plaintiff either provides the person's last known address or a statement that the plaintiff has no knowledge of the person's last known address. The sheriff shall have no duty under this section if the plaintiff provides a statement that the plaintiff has no knowledge of the defendant's address.

(e) In the case of a post judgment writ of garnishment, procedures for notice and hearing on a claim of exemptions shall be as provided by W.S. 1-15-501 through 1-15-511 or 1-17-102.

1-15-108. Forms.

Affidavits, notices, writs and other forms for use in attachment, replevin, garnishment and continuing garnishment shall be in accordance with rules promulgated by the supreme court of Wyoming.

ARTICLE 2 - ATTACHMENT

1-15-201. When attachment may issue; affidavit.

(a) Subject to W.S. 1-15-101 through 1-15-108 and the provisions of this article, at any time after the filing of the complaint in a civil action for the recovery of money, the plaintiff may have the property of the defendant not exempt from execution attached as security for the satisfaction of any judgment that may be recovered.

(b) Before a writ of attachment is issued, the plaintiff shall file with the court in which the action is pending an affidavit stating:

(i) That the defendant is indebted to the plaintiff, specifying the amount of the indebtedness over and above all legal setoffs and the nature of the indebtedness;

(ii) That the attachment is not sought to hinder, delay or defraud any creditor of the defendant;

(iii) That the payment of the indebtedness has not been secured by any mortgage or lien upon real or personal property in this state, or, if originally so secured, that the security has, without any act of the plaintiff or the person to whom the security was given, become impaired; and

(iv) Any one (1) or more of the following grounds for attachment:

(A) That the defendant is not a resident of this state;

(B) That the defendant is a foreign corporation, not qualified to do business in this state;

(D) That the defendant has assigned, removed, disposed of or concealed, or is about to assign, remove, dispose of or conceal, any of his property with intent to defraud his creditors;

(E) That the defendant has departed or is about to depart from the state to the injury of his creditors;

(F) That the defendant fraudulently or criminally contracted the debt or incurred the obligation respecting which the action is brought.

1-15-202. Issuance of writ; contents.

(a) If authorized by a written order of the court pursuant to W.S. 1-15-103(a)(i), the clerk shall issue the writ of attachment upon the filing by the plaintiff of the bond required by W.S. 1-15-104.

(b) The plaintiff may have other writs of attachment issued as often as he may require at any time before judgment, based upon the original affidavit and bond, if the amount of the bond is sufficient.

(c) In actions pending in district court or circuit court several writs may be issued at the same time to the sheriff of any county.

(d) The writ shall be issued in the name of the state of Wyoming and shall be directed to the sheriff of any county in which property of the defendant is located and shall require him to attach and safely keep all the property of the defendant within his jurisdiction not exempt from execution, or so much thereof as may be sufficient to satisfy the plaintiff's demand, the amount of which shall be stated in conformity with the complaint.

1-15-203. Manner of executing writ.

(a) If the undertaking provided for in W.S. 1-15-105(a) is not given by the defendant at or before the time the writ is executed, the sheriff to whom the writ is directed shall execute the writ without delay in the following manner:

(i) Real property owned in the name of the defendant shall be attached by filing with the county clerk a copy of the writ, together with a description of the property attached, and a notice that it is attached, and by leaving a copy of the writ, description and notice with an occupant of the property, or if there is no occupant, by posting the copy of the writ, description and notice in a conspicuous place on the property attached;

(ii) Growing crops, which until severed shall be deemed personal property not capable of manual delivery, growing upon real property owned in the name of the defendant shall be attached by filing with the county clerk a copy of the writ, together with a description of the growing crops to be attached, and of the real property upon which the crops are growing, and a notice that the growing crops are attached in pursuance of the writ, and by leaving a copy of the writ, description and notice with an occupant of the real property, or if there is no occupant, by posting the copy of the writ, description and notice in a conspicuous place on the real property;

(iii) Real property or an interest therein belonging to the defendant and held in the name of any other person, shall be attached by filing with the county clerk a copy of the writ, together with a description of the property and a notice that the real property and any interest of the defendant therein held in the name of the other person, naming him, are attached, and by leaving with the occupant, if any, and with the named person or his agent, if known and within the county, or at the residence of either, if within the county, a copy of the writ, with a similar description and notice. If there is no occupant of the property, a copy of the writ, together with the description and notice, shall be posted in a conspicuous place upon the property. When filed, the county clerk shall index the attachment in the names of the defendant and of the person in whose name the real property is held;

(iv) Growing crops, which until severed, shall be deemed personal property not capable of manual delivery, or any interest therein belonging to the defendant, and growing upon real property held in the name of any other person, shall be attached in the same manner as crops growing upon real property held in the name of the defendant are attached under paragraph (ii) of this subsection. The notice of attachment shall state that the crops therein described or any interest of the defendant therein, held by, or standing upon the records of the county in the name of such other person, naming him, are attached pursuant to the writ. In addition, a copy of the writ, description and notice shall be delivered to such other person, or his agent, if known and within the county, or left at the residence of either, if known and within the county. When filed, the county clerk shall index the attachment in the names of the defendant and of the person in whose name the real property is held;

(v) Personal property capable of manual delivery shall be attached by taking it into custody;

(vi) Stocks or shares, or interest in stocks or shares, of any corporation or company shall be attached as provided by W.S. 1-19-101 through 1-19-108;

(vii) Personal property not capable of manual delivery shall be attached by leaving a copy of the writ with the person having the property in his possession if he can be found, and by placing a conspicuous notice of levy on the property;

(viii) Personal property, other than earnings from personal services as defined by W.S. 1-15-102(a)(vi), in the possession of another person shall be attached by service of a writ of garnishment as provided by W.S. 1-15-401 through 1-15-425;

(ix) If there are several attachments against the same defendant in different actions, they shall be executed in the order in which they are received by the sheriff.

1-15-204. Third party claims; indemnity to sheriff; application for release.

(a) If the sheriff executing the writ has actual notice of any third party claim to the personal property to be levied on or is in doubt as to ownership of the property, or of encumbrances thereon, or damage to the property held that may result by reason of its perishable character, he may require the plaintiff to file with the sheriff a surety bond, indemnifying the sheriff against any loss or damage by reason of the illegality of any holding or sale on execution, or by reason of damage to any personal property held under attachment. Unless a lesser amount is acceptable to the sheriff, the bond shall be in double the amount of the estimated value of the property to be seized.

(b) Any person not a party to the action, who claims ownership or right to possession of property attached, may, at any time, either before or after judgment, be made a party on his application for the purpose of removing or discharging the attachment. The court may grant summary relief as is just, and may in proper cases try appropriate issues by jury.

1-15-205. Return of sheriff; inventory of property.

The sheriff shall return the writ of attachment to the court within twenty (20) days after its receipt, together with a certificate of his actions endorsed thereon or attached thereto. The certificate shall contain a full inventory of the property attached.

1-15-206. Examination of defendant.

The defendant may be required to appear before the court or a master appointed by the court, to be examined on oath respecting his property. After any examination conducted pursuant to this section, the court or master may order personal property capable of manual delivery to be delivered to the officer, on any terms as are just, having reference to any liens on or claims against the personal property, and may require a memorandum of the amount and description of all other personal property. The court shall make provision for witness fees and mileage as is just.

1-15-207. Sale of attached property before judgment.

(a) If any of the property attached is perishable, the sheriff shall sell it in the manner in which property is sold on execution. The sheriff shall retain the proceeds and other property attached by him to answer any judgment that may be recovered in the action, unless released or discharged, or subjected to execution upon another judgment recovered previous to issuing the attachment.

(b) When property has been taken by an officer under a writ of attachment and the court is satisfied that the interest of the parties to the action will be served by a sale, the court may order the property sold in the same manner as property sold under an execution, and the proceeds deposited in the court to be disbursed pursuant to the judgment in the action. The order shall be made only upon notice to the adverse party if the party has been personally served or has entered an appearance in the action.

1-15-208. Satisfaction of judgment; deficiency; redelivery of property.

(a) If judgment is recovered by the plaintiff, the sheriff shall satisfy it out of the attached property which has not been delivered to the defendant or to a claimant pursuant to W.S. 1-15-105, or subjected to a prior lien, by paying to the plaintiff the proceeds of all sales of perishable property sold by the sheriff, or of any debts or credits collected by the sheriff or as much as is necessary to satisfy the judgment. If any balance remains due and an execution has issued on the judgment, the sheriff shall sell under the execution so much of the property, real or personal, as may be necessary to satisfy the balance, if enough real or personal property for that purpose remains in his hands. Notice of the sales shall be given and the sales shall be conducted as in other cases of sales on execution.

(b) After selling all the property attached by the sheriff which remains in his hands, the sheriff shall deduct his fees and apply the proceeds and any debts or credits collected by him, to the payment of the judgment. If any balance remains due on the judgment, the sheriff shall proceed to collect it as upon an execution in other cases. When the judgment is paid in full, the sheriff upon reasonable demand, shall deliver to the defendant the attached property remaining in his hands and any proceeds of the property attached not applied to the judgment.

1-15-209. Proceedings where defendant prevails.

If the plaintiff does not recover judgment against the defendant, any undertaking received in the action, all the proceeds of sales and money collected by the sheriff and all the property attached remaining in his hands shall be delivered to the defendant, and the attachment shall be discharged and the property released therefrom.

1-15-210. Release of attachment upon real property.

If the plaintiff does not recover judgment or an order is made discharging or releasing an attachment upon real property, a certified copy of the judgment or order shall be filed and indexed in the office of the county clerk in which the notice of attachment has been filed.

1-15-211. Attachment before maturity of claim.

A party may commence an action upon an obligation before it is due and have an attachment against the property of the debtor upon any one (1) or more of the grounds set forth in W.S. 1-15-201(b)(iv)(D) through (F). The property attached, or its proceeds, shall be held subject to the judgment to be rendered, but no judgment shall be rendered on the claim until the obligation becomes due.

1-15-212. Property bound from time of service.

An order of attachment binds the property attached from the time the writ is executed.

ARTICLE 3 - REPLEVIN

1-15-301. Possession of personal property pending action.

Subject to W.S. 1-15-101 through 1-15-108, after filing the complaint and at any time before judgment, the plaintiff in an action to recover the possession of personal property may claim the delivery of the property to him as provided in this article.

1-15-302. Affidavit.

(a) When delivery is claimed, the plaintiff shall file with the court an affidavit stating:

(i) A description of the property claimed;

(ii) The plaintiff is the owner of the property or has a special ownership or interest in it, stating the facts in relation to it, and that he is entitled to the possession of it;

(iii) The property is wrongfully detained by the adverse party;

(iv) The alleged cause of the detention of the property according to the best knowledge, information and belief of the affiant;

(v) The property has not been taken for a tax, assessment or fine pursuant to a statute, or seized under an execution or an attachment against the property of the plaintiff, or if so seized, that it is by statute exempt from seizure; and

(vi) The actual value of the property.

1-15-303. Issuance of writ; undertaking; service.

(a) If authorized by a written order of the court pursuant to W.S. 1-15-103(a)(i), and upon the filing by plaintiff of the bond required by W.S. 1-15-104, the clerk shall issue the writ of replevin.

(b) The writ shall be issued in the name of the state of Wyoming and shall require the sheriff to take the property described in the affidavit and retain it in his custody until delivered as provided in this article. The sheriff shall execute the writ and without delay serve on the defendant a copy of the affidavit, undertaking and writ. If personal service cannot be made upon the defendant service shall be made by depositing a copy of the papers in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the defendant at his last known address.

1-15-304. Delivery of property.

Subject to the provisions of W.S. 1-15-103(a)(viii) and 1-15-306, property seized under a writ of replevin shall be delivered by the sheriff to the plaintiff unless returned to the defendant pursuant to W.S. 1-15-104(c) or 1-15-105.

1-15-305. Return of sheriff.

The sheriff shall return the writ to the court within twenty (20) days after its receipt, together with a certificate of his actions endorsed thereon or attached thereto.

1-15-306. Claim to property by third party.

If property taken under a writ of replevin is claimed by any person other than the defendant, and the claimant serves on the sheriff an affidavit stating the grounds of the claimant's title or right to possession, the sheriff is not bound to keep the property or deliver it to the plaintiff, unless the plaintiff files with the sheriff a surety bond, indemnifying the sheriff against any loss or damage by reason of the illegality of any holding or delivery or by reason of damage to any personal property held under the writ of replevin. Unless a lesser amount is acceptable to the sheriff, the bond shall be in double the amount of the estimated value of the property seized.

ARTICLE 4 - GARNISHMENT

1-15-401. Availability of writ of garnishment.

(a) Subject to W.S. 1-15-101 through 1-15-108, a plaintiff or judgment creditor may obtain a writ of garnishment as provided in this article.

(b) A prejudgment writ of garnishment is available as a means of attachment of tangible or intangible property, other than earnings from personal services of the defendant, at any time after the filing of a complaint and before judgment, in cases in which a writ of attachment is available under W.S. 1-15-201.

1-15-402. Property subject to garnishment.

Any writ of garnishment may be used to levy upon or affect the accrued credits, chattels, goods, effects, debts, choses in action, money and other personal property and rights to property of the defendant in the possession of a third person, or under the control or constituting a performance obligation of any third person, whether due or yet to become due at the time of service of the writ of garnishment, which are not exempt from garnishment or execution under any applicable provisions of state or federal law.

1-15-403. Affidavit for writ of prejudgment garnishment.

(a) Before a writ of prejudgment garnishment is issued, the plaintiff shall file with the court in which the action is pending an affidavit stating:

(i) The facts showing that plaintiff's claim is one upon which attachment is authorized by W.S. 1-15-201;

(ii) The grounds and cause for the garnishment;

(iii) That the plaintiff has good reason to believe that the defendant has nonexempt credits, chattels, goods, effects, debts, choses in action or other personal property or rights to obligations of performance in the possession or in the control or otherwise owing from one (1) or more specified third persons that plaintiff seeks to charge as garnishees or that such third persons are indebted to the defendant; and

(iv) That the property, rights or debts are not earnings for the personal services of the defendant, or otherwise exempt from garnishment.

1-15-404. Issuance of writ of prejudgment garnishment.

If authorized by a written order of the court pursuant to W.S. 1-15-103(a)(i), the clerk shall issue one (1) or more writs of prejudgment garnishment upon the filing by the plaintiff of the bond required by W.S. 1-15-104.

1-15-405. Issuance of writ of post judgment garnishment; multiple writs.

(a) After the entry of a judgment requiring the payment of money, the clerk of the court from which execution could issue shall, upon application of the plaintiff, issue one (1) or more writs of post judgment garnishment. The writ may be issued without the necessity for a bond.

(b) Several writs may be issued at the same time and the names of as many persons as are sought to be charged as garnishees may be inserted in the same writ or different writs.

1-15-406. Content of writ of prejudgment or post judgment garnishment; to whom directed.

A writ of prejudgment or post judgment garnishment shall be issued in the name of the state of Wyoming and shall be directed to the person or persons designated in the plaintiff's affidavit as garnishee. The writ shall advise each person that until further order of the court or until the garnishee has complied with the requirements of W.S. 1-15-407(c), he is attached as garnishee in the action, command him not to pay any debt due or to become due to the defendant which is not exempt from execution and to retain possession and control of all credits, chattels, goods, effects, debts, choses in action, money and personal property and rights to property of the defendant not exempt from execution.

1-15-407. Answer of garnishee; release of garnishee.

(a) A writ of prejudgment or post judgment garnishment shall require the garnishee to file with the court a verified answer within ten (10) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, from the date of service of the writ. The answer of the garnishee shall state:

(i) Whether the garnishee is indebted to the defendant, either in property or in money, whether the same is now due and, if not, when it is to become due;

(ii) Whether the garnishee has in his possession, custody or control any credits, chattels, goods, effects, debts, choses in action, money or other personal property belonging to the defendant, or in which the defendant has an interest, and if so, the description and value of the same;

(iii) Whether the garnishee knows of any debts owing to the defendant or of any credits, chattels, goods, effects, debts, choses in action, money or other personal property belonging to the defendant or in which defendant has an interest, whether in the possession or under the control of the garnishee or another, and if so, the particulars thereof;

(iv) If the defendant is an employee of the garnishee, the defendant's job title, position or occupation, the defendant's rate and method of compensation, his pay period and the computation of the amount of the defendant's accrued disposable earnings attached by the writ;

(v) Whether the garnishee, pursuant to W.S. 1-15-417, is retaining or deducting any amount in satisfaction of a claim the garnishee has against the plaintiff or the defendant, a designation as to whom the claim relates and the amount retained or deducted.

(b) The garnishee shall mail a copy of his answer to the plaintiff and defendant if, at the time he is served with the writ, the garnishee is furnished with stamped envelopes addressed to the parties.

(c) The garnishee shall be released from the writ of garnishment not later than thirty (30) days after service of the writ on the garnishee, unless sooner released by order of the court, provided, that the garnishee has first filed with the court the verified answer required by subsection (a) of this section and delivered to the court all of the defendant's credits, chattels, goods, effects, debts, choses in action, money, personal property and rights to property not exempt from execution, in the possession of the garnishee or coming into his possession within thirty (30) days after service of the writ.

1-15-408. Garnishment of earnings for personal services.

(a) A writ of post judgment garnishment attaching earnings for personal services shall attach that portion of the defendant's accrued and unpaid disposable earnings, specified in subsection (b) of this section. The writ shall direct the garnishee to withhold from the defendant's accrued disposable earnings the amount attached pursuant to the writ and to pay the exempted amount to the defendant at the time his earnings are normally paid. Earnings for personal services shall be deemed to accrue on the last day of the period in which they were earned or to which they relate. If the writ is served before or on the date the defendant's earnings accrue and before the same have been paid to the defendant, the writ shall be deemed to have been served at the time the periodic earnings accrue. If more than one (1) writ is served, the writ first served shall have priority. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, an income withholding order for child support obtained pursuant to W.S. 20-6-201 through 20-6-222 shall have priority over any other garnishment.

(b) The maximum portion of the aggregate disposable earnings of an individual which are subject to garnishment is the lesser of:

(i) Twenty-five percent (25%) of defendant's disposable earnings for that week; or

(ii) The amount by which defendant's aggregate disposable earnings computed for that week exceeds thirty (30) times the federal minimum hourly wage prescribed by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, 29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1), in effect at the time the earnings are payable, or, in case of earnings for any pay period other than a week, any equivalent multiple thereof prescribed by the administrator of the Wyoming Uniform Consumer Credit Code in the manner provided by W.S. 40-14-505(b)(iii).

(c) Unless a garnishee is specifically informed by affidavit of the plaintiff that the defendant has other periodic earnings from sources other than from the garnishee and the amount thereof, the garnishee shall treat the defendant's earnings becoming due from the garnishee as the defendant's entire aggregate earnings for the purpose of computing the sum attached by the garnishment.

1-15-409. Service of writ; return; copy to defendant.

(a) A writ of prejudgment or post judgment garnishment shall be served on the garnishee in the same manner as a summons.

(b) Not later than five (5) days after service is made upon the garnishee the sheriff or other person who served the writ shall mail a copy of the writ to the defendant. The writ shall be sent by first class United States mail with the postage prepaid. The envelope shall be furnished and properly addressed by the plaintiff.

1-15-410. Release or discharge of garnishment.

At any time, either before or after the service of any writ of garnishment, the defendant may obtain a release or discharge as provided by W.S. 1-15-105. In the case of a writ of post judgment garnishment, the condition of the bond required by W.S. 1-15-105(a)(ii) shall be to the effect that if the plaintiff is entitled to execute the writ upon the property seized, the defendant will pay an amount equal to the value of the property, together with interest and all costs assessed against him, not exceeding the sum specified in the bond.

1-15-411. Delivery of property.

(a) Repealed by Laws 1988, ch. 42, 2.

(b) The garnishee may deliver to the officer serving the writ the property belonging to and the money due to the defendant as shown by the answer of the garnishee. The officer shall return the property, money and the writ to the court. The property shall then be dealt with as ordered by the court. After the property is delivered, the garnishee shall be relieved from further liability in the proceedings, unless his answer is successfully controverted as provided in this article.

1-15-412. Reply to answer of garnishee; trial of issues; judgment.

If the garnishee answers, the plaintiff or defendant may, within ten (10) days after the answer of the garnishee is filed with the court, file and serve upon the garnishee and the other party to the action a reply to the garnishee's answer. Either party may also allege any matters which would charge the garnishee with liability. New matter in a reply is deemed denied. Matters in issue shall be tried to the court and judgment entered as in other civil actions. Costs shall be awarded to the prevailing party unless the court otherwise directs.

1-15-413. Judgment on answer of garnishee.

(a) The parties to the principal action who fail to reply to the answer of the garnishee shall be deemed to have accepted it as correct. If both parties to the principal action have accepted the answer, an appropriate judgment shall be entered. If the answer shows that the garnishment has attached personal property of any kind in the possession or under the control of the garnishee which belongs to and is due the defendant, the court shall enter judgment that the garnishee deliver the personal property to the sheriff. If the plaintiff has already recovered, or subsequently recovers judgment against the defendant in the action, the personal property or as much as may be necessary shall be sold upon execution and the proceeds applied toward the satisfaction of the judgment, together with the costs of the action and proceedings. Any surplus of the personal property or the proceeds thereof shall be returned to the defendant.

(b) If the answer shows that the garnishee is indebted to the defendant, and if the plaintiff has recovered, or subsequently recovers judgment against the defendant in the action, the court shall also enter judgment in favor of the defendant for the use of the plaintiff against the garnishee. The judgment shall be the amount attached as shown in the answer but shall not be for a greater sum than is necessary to satisfy the judgment against the defendant, together with costs. In no event shall the garnishee be chargeable with costs except under the provisions of W.S. 1-15-412 and 1-15-414.

1-15-414. Proceedings on failure of garnishee to answer.

If the garnishee has been duly served with a writ of prejudgment or post judgment garnishment and fails to answer as required by W.S. 1-15-407, the plaintiff may enter the default of the garnishee and proceed to prove the liability of the garnishee. The garnishee may be ordered to appear before the court or a master appointed by the court and be examined in the same manner as persons are examined under the discovery provisions of the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. The court may make provision for witness fees and mileage as is just, provided that if any garnishee has willfully failed to file any required answer, he may be required to pay the costs of any proceeding taken for the purpose of obtaining the information required to be furnished in the answer. Judgment shall be entered upon the evidence to the same effect as if the garnishee had answered. Costs shall be awarded to the prevailing party unless the court otherwise directs.

1-15-415. Judgment discharges garnishee for amount paid.

A garnishee shall be discharged from all claims of all parties in the garnishee action for all goods, effects and credits paid, delivered or accounted for by the garnishee as a result of any judgment against the garnishee.

1-15-416. Intervention or interpleader of third persons.

(a) If it appears that any person not a party to the action has or claims an interest in any of the garnished property antedating the garnishment, the court may permit that person to appear and maintain his rights.

(b) If the answer of the garnishee discloses that any person other than the defendant claims the indebtedness or property in his hands, the court may on motion order that the claimant be interpleaded as a defendant to the garnishee action. Notice in such form as the court shall direct, together with a copy of the order, shall be served upon the third-party claimant in the manner required for the service of a summons. The garnishee may pay or deliver to the court the indebtedness or property, which shall be a complete discharge from all liability to any party for the amount paid or property delivered. The third-party claimant shall be deemed a defendant to the garnishee action and shall answer within ten (10) days, setting forth his claim or defense. In case of default, judgment may be rendered as in other cases of default which shall conclude any claim upon the part of the third-party claimant.

(c) Any person who intervenes or is interpleaded as a defendant under this section is bound by the judgment in the garnishee action.

1-15-417. Claims of garnishee against plaintiff or defendant.

A garnishee may retain or deduct out of the property, effects or credits of the defendant in his hands all demands whether or not due against the plaintiff and against the defendant of which he could have availed himself if he had not been served as garnishee. The garnishee is liable for the balance only after all mutual demands between himself and the plaintiff and defendant are settled, not including unliquidated damages for wrongs and injuries. The verdict or findings, if any, and the judgment shall show against which party any claim is allowed, and the amount thereof.

1-15-418. Liability of garnishee on negotiable instruments.

No person shall be liable as garnishee for having drawn, accepted, made or endorsed any negotiable instrument in the hands of the defendant at the time of service of the writ of prejudgment or post judgment garnishment when the negotiable instrument is not due.

1-15-419. When garnishee is mortgagee or pledgee.

When any personal property, choses in action or effects of the defendant in the hands of the garnishee are mortgaged or pledged, or in any way liable for the payment of a debt to the garnishee, the plaintiff may obtain an order from the court authorizing the plaintiff to pay the amount due the garnishee, and requiring the garnishee to deliver the personal property, choses in action and effects, to the officer serving the writ of prejudgment or post judgment garnishment upon payment to the garnishee of the amount due him by the plaintiff.

1-15-420. Where property held to secure performance of other obligation.

(a) The court may order the plaintiff to redeem personal property, choses in action or effects levied upon under a writ of prejudgment or post judgment garnishment by performing the obligation or tendering performance if:

(i) The personal property, choses in action or effects secure any obligation other than the payment of money; and

(ii) The obligation secured can be performed by the plaintiff without damage to the interested persons.

(b) Upon performance under subsection (a) of this section or any tender thereof which is refused, the garnishee shall deliver the personal property and effects to the officer serving the writ.

1-15-421. Disposition of property.

(a) All personal property, choses in action and effects received by the sheriff under W.S. 1-15-419 or 1-15-420, shall be disposed of in the same manner as if the property, choses in action and effects had been delivered by the garnishee under the provisions of W.S. 1-15-411, provided that the plaintiff shall, out of the proceeds thereof:

(i) Be first repaid the amount paid by him to the garnishee for the redemption of the property, choses in action or effects; or

(ii) Be indemnified for any other act or thing done by him or performed pursuant to the order of the court for the redemption of the property, choses in action or effects.

1-15-422. Effect of discharge of garnishee.

Except as provided by W.S. 1-15-415, a judgment discharging a garnishee shall be no bar to an action brought against the garnishee by the defendant for or on account of the same demand.

1-15-423. Execution on judgment against garnishee for debt not due.

When a judgment is rendered against a garnishee with respect to a debt from the garnishee to the defendant and the debt is not yet due, execution shall not issue until the debt has become due.

1-15-424. Failure to proceed against nonexempt garnished earnings.

If a judgment creditor fails, within sixty (60) days from the filing of the answer of the garnishee, to secure a garnishee judgment and execute on garnished nonexempt earnings held by a garnishee pursuant to a writ of post judgment garnishment, the writ of garnishment which commanded the garnishee to hold the nonexempt portion of the defendant's earnings shall be released and discharged without further order of the court. In that event the garnishee shall pay to the judgment debtor that portion of his earnings which had been held pursuant to the writ of garnishment.

1-15-425. Garnishee bound.

A garnishee served with a writ of prejudgment or post judgment garnishment shall hold for the benefit of the plaintiff all property of the defendant in his possession, and money and credits due from him to the defendant, from the time he is served with the writ until the writ is discharged.

ARTICLE 5 - CONTINUING GARNISHMENT

1-15-501. Definitions.

(a) As used in this article:

(i) "Continuing garnishment" means any procedure for withholding the earnings of a judgment debtor for successive pay periods for payment of a judgment debt;

(ii) "Court" means any district court or circuit court of this state;

(iii) "Disposable earnings" means that part of an individual's earnings remaining after the deduction of all amounts required by law to be withheld;

(iv) "Earnings" means compensation paid or payable for personal services, including but not limited to wages, salary, commission, bonus, proceeds of any pension or retirement benefits or deferred compensation plan. "Earnings" does not include compensation paid as per diem;

(v) "Garnishee" means a person other than a judgment creditor or judgment debtor who is in possession of earnings of the judgment debtor and who is subject to garnishment in accordance with the provisions of this article;

(vi) "Garnishment" means any procedure through which the property or earnings of an individual in the possession or control of a garnishee are required to be withheld for payment of a judgment debt;

(vii) "Judgment creditor" means any person who has recovered a money judgment against a judgment debtor in a court of competent jurisdiction;

(viii) "Judgment debtor" means any person who has a judgment entered against him in a court of competent jurisdiction.

1-15-502. Continuing garnishment; creation of lien.

(a) In addition to garnishment proceedings otherwise available under the laws of this state, in any case in which a money judgment is obtained in a court of competent jurisdiction the judgment creditor or his assignees shall be entitled, in accordance with this article, to have the clerk of the court issue a writ for continuing garnishment against any garnishee who is an employer of the judgment debtor. Issuance of a writ of execution is not a prerequisite to issuance of a writ of continuing garnishment. To the extent that the earnings are not exempt from garnishment, the garnishment shall be a lien and continuing levy upon the earnings due or to become due to the judgment debtor at the time the writ of continuing garnishment is served on the garnishee.

(b) Subject to the provisions of W.S. 1-15-504, garnishment pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be a lien and continuing levy against said earnings due until such time as the employment relationship is terminated, the underlying judgment is vacated, modified or satisfied in full, the writ is dismissed, or ninety (90) days have expired since service of the writ, whichever is sooner. A continuing garnishment may be suspended for a specified period of time by the judgment creditor upon agreement with the judgment debtor. The agreement shall be in writing and filed by the judgment creditor with the clerk of the court in which the judgment was entered and a copy of the agreement shall be delivered by the judgment creditor to the garnishee.

(c) Continuing garnishment pursuant to this article shall apply only to proceedings against the earnings of a judgment debtor who is a natural person.

1-15-503. Earnings subject to continuing garnishment.

(a) Subject to the provisions of W.S. 1-15-504, any earnings owed by the garnishee to the judgment debtor at the time of service of the writ of continuing garnishment upon the garnishee and all earnings accruing from the garnishee to the judgment debtor from the date of service up to and including the ninetieth day thereafter is subject to the process of continuing garnishment.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the exemptions from garnishment shall apply to continuing garnishments.

1-15-504. Priority between multiple garnishments.

(a) Only one (1) writ of continuing garnishment against earnings due the judgment debtor shall be satisfied at one (1) time. When more than one (1) writ of continuing garnishment has been issued against earnings due the same judgment debtor, they shall be satisfied in the order of service on the garnishee. When a writ of continuing garnishment is served upon a garnishee during the effective period of a prior writ of continuing garnishment, service of the subsequent writ shall be deemed effective from the time the liens of all prior writs have terminated. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a lien and continuing levy obtained pursuant to this article shall have priority over any subsequent garnishment lien or wage attachment. In any civil action, a judgment creditor shall serve no more than one (1) writ of continuing garnishment upon any one (1) garnishee for the same judgment debtor during any ninety (90) day period.

(b) Where a continuing garnishment has been suspended for a specific period of time by agreement of the parties pursuant to W.S. 1-15-502(b), the suspended continuing garnishment shall have priority over any writ of garnishment or continuing garnishment served on the garnishee after the suspension has expired. No suspension shall extend the running of the ninety (90) day effective period of the writ nor otherwise affect priorities.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an income withholding order for child support obtained pursuant to W.S. 20-6-201 through 20-6-222 shall have priority over any other continuing garnishment. If an income withholding order is served during the effective period of a writ of continuing garnishment, the effective period shall be tolled and all priorities preserved until the termination of the income withholding order.

(d) Any writ of garnishment or continuing garnishment served upon a garnishee while any previous writ of continuing garnishment is still in effect shall be answered by the garnishee with a statement that he has been served previously with one (1) or more writs of continuing garnishment against earnings due the judgment debtor and specifying the date on which all such liens are expected to terminate.

(e) Upon the termination of a lien and continuing levy obtained pursuant to this article, any other writ of garnishment or continuing garnishment which has been issued or which is issued subsequently against earnings due the judgment debtor shall have priority in the order of service on the garnishee. The person who serves a writ of continuing garnishment on a garnishee shall note the date and time of the service.

1-15-505. Service of writ; notice to judgment debtor in continuing garnishment; payment to clerk of court.

(a) The judgment creditor shall serve two (2) copies of the writ of continuing garnishment upon the garnishee, one (1) copy of which the garnishee shall deliver to the judgment debtor as provided in W.S. 1-15-506. The writ shall be served on the garnishee in the same manner as a summons under Rule 4(d) of the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure or by certified mail sent to the garnishee at the address of its principal place of business in accordance with Rule 4(l) of the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. The writ shall include notice to the judgment debtor of the formula used to calculate:

(i) The amount of exempt earnings owed to the judgment debtor for a single pay period; and

(ii) The amount of nonexempt earnings payable to the judgment creditor for a single pay period.

(b) The writ shall contain notice to the judgment debtor of his right to object to the calculation of exempt and nonexempt earnings and his right to a hearing on his objection.

(c) The writ shall direct the garnishee to pay over all earnings withheld under this article to the clerk of the court from which the writ was issued.

1-15-506. Service of notice upon judgment debtor; answer and tender of payment by garnishee.

(a) The garnishee shall deliver a copy of the writ of continuing garnishment required by W.S. 1-15-505, together with the calculation of exempt earnings, to the judgment debtor at the time the judgment debtor receives earnings for the first pay period affected by the writ of continuing garnishment. For all subsequent pay periods affected by the writ, the garnishee shall deliver a copy of the calculation of the amount of exempt earnings to the judgment debtor at the time the judgment debtor receives earnings for that pay period.

(b) Compliance with this section and W.S. 1-15-505 by the judgment creditor shall be deemed to give sufficient notice to the judgment debtor of the continuing garnishment proceedings against him, and no further notice shall be required under this article.

(c) The garnishee shall file with the court a verified answer to the writ of continuing garnishment no later than ten (10) days following the date the judgment debtor receives earnings for the first pay period affected by the writ, or forty (40) days following the date the writ was served upon the garnishee, whichever is earlier. The answer of the garnishee shall state:

(i) Whether the judgment debtor was employed by the garnishee on the date the writ was served;

(ii) Whether the judgment debtor is paid weekly, monthly or otherwise;

(iii) The dates on which the judgment debtor will be paid during the ninety (90) day effective period of the writ;

(iv) The amount of the judgment debtor's regular gross pay and an itemization of deductions regularly withheld from the judgment debtor's gross pay by the garnishee; and

(v) Whether any other outstanding writ of continuing garnishment or income withholding order for child support relating to the judgment debtor has been served on the garnishee and if so the date on which each writ or order is expected to terminate.

(d) For each pay period affected by the writ, the garnishee shall pay any nonexempt earnings and deliver a calculation of the amount of exempt earnings to the clerk of the court which issued the writ no less than five (5) nor more than ten (10) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, following the day the judgment debtor receives earnings affected by the writ.

1-15-507. Judgment debtor to file written objection.

(a) If the judgment debtor objects to the calculation of the amount of exempt earnings, the judgment debtor shall have five (5) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, from receipt of the calculation of exempt earnings within which to resolve the issue of the miscalculation by agreement with the garnishee, during which time the garnishee shall not tender any monies to the clerk of the court. If the objection is not resolved within five (5) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, the garnishee shall pay the withheld income to the clerk of the court in which the judgment was entered and the judgment debtor may file a written objection with the clerk setting forth with reasonable detail the grounds for the objection. The judgment debtor's objection shall be filed with the clerk of court and a copy mailed to the judgment creditor or his attorney of record within five (5) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, from the date the withheld earnings are received by the clerk of court. If the objection is not filed within the time allowed, the clerk of court shall pay the withheld income to the judgment creditor.

(b) Upon the filing of a written objection, all further proceedings with relation to the disposition of the earnings shall be stayed until the matter of the objection is determined.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a judgment debtor failing to make a written objection may, at any time within ninety (90) days from receipt of a calculation of exempt earnings, and for good cause shown, move the court in which the judgment was entered to hear an objection as to any earnings levied in continuing garnishment, the amount of which the judgment debtor claims to have been miscalculated.

1-15-508. Hearing on objection.

(a) Upon the filing of an objection pursuant to W.S. 1-15-507(a), the court in which the judgment was entered shall set a time for the hearing of the objection, which shall be not more than ten (10) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after filing. The clerk of the court where the objection is filed shall immediately inform the judgment creditor or his attorney of record and the judgment debtor or his attorney of record by telephone, by mail or in person of the date set for the hearing.

(b) The certificate of the clerk of the court that service of notice of the hearing has been made in the manner and form stated in subsection (a) of this section, which certificate has been attached to the court file, shall constitute prima facie evidence of service, and the certificate of service filed with the clerk of the court is sufficient return of service.

(c) Upon hearing, the court shall determine whether the amount of the judgment debtor's exempt earnings was correctly calculated by the garnishee and shall enter an order or judgment setting forth the determination of the court. If the amount of exempt earnings is found to have been miscalculated, the court shall order the clerk of the court to remit the amount of over garnished earnings to the judgment debtor.

(d) If the judgment debtor moves the court to hear an objection within the time provided by W.S. 1-15-507(c) and the judgment giving rise to the claim has been satisfied against earnings of the judgment debtor, the court shall determine whether the amount of the judgment debtor's earnings paid to the judgment creditor was correctly calculated and shall issue an order setting forth the determination of the court. If the amount of earnings is found to have been miscalculated, the court shall order the judgment creditor to remit immediately the amount of the over garnished earnings to the judgment debtor.

(e) Any order or judgment entered by the court as provided for in subsections (c) and (d) of this section is a final judgment or order for the purpose of appellate review.

1-15-509. No discharge from employment for any garnishment; general prohibition.

(a) No employer shall discharge an employee for the reason that a creditor of the employee has subjected or attempted to subject unpaid earnings of the employee to any continuing garnishment directed to the employer for the purpose of paying any judgment.

(b) If an employer discharges an employee in violation of the provisions of this section, the employee may, within one hundred twenty (120) days, bring a civil action for the recovery of wages lost as a result of the violation and for an order requiring the reinstatement of the employee. Damages recoverable shall be lost wages not to exceed thirty (30) working days, costs and reasonable attorney fees.

1-15-510. Forms.

Affidavits, notices, writs and other forms for use in continuing garnishment shall be in accordance with rules promulgated by the supreme court of Wyoming.

1-15-511. Limitation on continuing garnishment.

(a) The maximum portion of the aggregate disposable earnings of a judgment debtor which are subject to continuing garnishment under this article is the lesser of:

(i) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the judgment debtor's disposable earnings for that week; or

(ii) The amount by which the judgment debtor's aggregate disposable earnings computed for that week exceeds thirty (30) times the federal minimum hourly wage prescribed by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, 29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1), in effect at the time the earnings are payable, or, in case of earnings for any pay period other than a week, any equivalent multiple thereof prescribed by the administrator of the Wyoming Uniform Consumer Credit Code in the manner provided by W.S. 40-14-505(b)(iii).

CHAPTER 16 - JUDGMENTS GENERALLY

ARTICLE 1 - IN GENERAL

1-16-101. Rights of minors reserved.

It is not necessary to reserve in a judgment or order the right of a minor to show cause why such order or judgment should be set aside after he attains the age of majority, but in any case in which such reservation would have been proper, the minor may show cause against such order or judgment within one (1) year after arriving at the age of majority.

1-16-102. Interest on judgments.

(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, all decrees and judgments for the payment of money shall bear interest at ten percent (10%) per year from the date of rendition until paid.

(b) If the decree or judgment is founded on a contract and all parties to the contract agreed to interest at a certain rate, the rate of interest on the decree or judgment shall correspond to the terms of the contract.

(c) A periodic payment or installment for child support or maintenance which is unpaid on the date due and which on or after July 1, 1990, becomes a judgment by operation of law pursuant to W.S. 14-2-204 shall not bear interest.

1-16-103. Penalty assessed on unpaid judgment by operation of law.

(a) As used in this section "judgment by operation of law" means a periodic payment or installment for child support or maintenance which is unpaid on the date due and which has become a judgment by operation of law pursuant to W.S. 14-2-204.

(b) Any judgment by operation of law which is not paid within thirty-two (32) calendar days from the date the judgment by operation of law arises is subject to an automatic late payment penalty in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the amount of the judgment by operation of law.

(c) In order to recover penalties assessed under subsection (b) of this section, the obligee shall file with the clerk of court a sworn affidavit setting forth the payment history resulting in assessment of any penalty and a computation of all penalties claimed to be due and owing. It shall not be the responsibility of the clerk to compute the amount of the penalties due and owing. If the obligor disputes the payment history or penalty computation as stated in the obligee's sworn affidavit, the obligor shall file with the clerk of court a written request for a hearing within ten (10) days after seizure of his property under execution.

(d) This section shall apply only to judgments by operation of law arising on or after July 1, 1990.

ARTICLE 2 - JUDGMENTS BY CONFESSION

1-16-201. Right to confess judgment.

A person indebted or against whom a cause of action exists, may personally appear in a court of competent jurisdiction and with the assent of the creditor or person having such cause of action, confess judgment, whereupon judgment shall be entered accordingly.

1-16-202. Warrant of attorney to be produced.

An attorney who confesses judgment in any case, at the time of making the confession shall produce the warrant of attorney for making the same to the court. The original or a copy of the warrant shall be filed with the clerk of the court.

1-16-203. Repealed by Laws 1988, ch. 37, 3.

ARTICLE 3 - RECORDING AND INDEXING OF JUDGMENTS; RELEASE

1-16-301. Judgments and orders to be entered in journal; recordation where real property affected.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, all judgments and orders must be entered in the journal of the court and specify clearly the relief granted or order made in the action. When a judgment or order is made determining any matter affecting the title to real property, a certified copy of the judgment or order shall be recorded in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the property is situate.

(b) No entry will be made in the journal relating to a judgment by operation of law arising under W.S. 14-2-204.

1-16-302. Record; requirement.

The clerk shall make a complete record of every cause as soon as it is finally determined, unless such record or part thereof is waived.

1-16-303. Record; contents.

The record shall contain the complaint, the process, the return, pleadings subsequent thereto and all material acts and proceedings of the court. If the items of an account or the copies of papers attached to the pleadings are voluminous, the court may order the record to be made by abbreviating the same or inserting a pertinent description thereof, or by omitting them entirely. Evidence will not be recorded.

1-16-304. Transcription into new volume.

A court by order on the journal, may direct its clerk to transcribe any book in his office into a new volume, and the transcripts made are as valid as the original.

1-16-305. When complete record not required.

(a) W.S. 1-16-302 does not apply:

(i) In criminal prosecutions when the indictment has been quashed, or when the district attorney has entered a nolle prosequi on the indictment;

(ii) When the action has been dismissed without prejudice to a future action, as provided in W.S. 1-16-306;

(iii) In all actions in which, in open court, at the term at which the final order or judgment is made, both parties agree that no record shall be made.

1-16-306. Record in dismissed action.

When an action has been dismissed without prejudice to a future action, the clerk shall make a complete record of the proceedings upon being paid therefor by the party requesting it.

1-16-307. Index to judgments.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the clerk shall keep an index, direct and reverse, of all judgments, by the names of parties alphabetically arranged showing in separate columns the following:

(i) The name of the judgment debtor;

(ii) The name of the judgment creditor;

(iii) The amount of the judgment and the year and term when it was rendered;

(iv) The page of the journal on which it is entered;

(v) The volume and page of the final record;

(vi) The number of the suit;

(vii) The number and time of issue of the execution and satisfaction thereof when satisfaction has been made.

(b) No index shall be made of a judgment by operation of law arising under W.S. 14-2-204.

(c) The clerk shall include in the index required by subsection (a) of this section all judgments, decrees and orders establishing or modifying a child support obligation, provided the index in such case shall show:

(i) The name of the obligor;

(ii) The name of the obligee; and

(iii) The docket number of the suit.

(d) The procedures for compiling and maintaining the judgment index required by subsection (a) of this section may be modified by the court to permit the compilation and maintenance by any manual, mechanical, electronic or other means calculated to ensure the accuracy of the index.

1-16-308. Release of satisfied judgment; requirement.

(a) Any action pending or judgment rendered in the district courts of this state which has been settled or satisfied shall be released or dismissed in writing upon the face of the docket or by written release by the attorney of record or the person in whose favor the judgment was rendered, who shall date and sign the release. If neither the attorney of record nor the judgment creditor can be found in the county, the judgment debtor may pay the amount due upon the judgment to the clerk of court. Upon proper showing to the court that the judgment has been paid in full, the court shall order the judgment released and satisfied.

(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to judgments arising by operation of law under W.S. 14-2-204.

1-16-309. Release of satisfied judgment; liability for failure.

(a) If the attorney of record or other proper person fails to release any action pending or judgment rendered within fifteen (15) days after settlement or satisfaction, the person in whose favor the judgment was rendered is liable for damages sustained.

(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to judgments by operation of law arising under W.S. 14-2-204.

ARTICLE 4 - MODIFICATION OR VACATION AFTER TERM

1-16-401. Authority of court; grounds.

(a) A district court may vacate or modify its own judgment or order after the term at which it was made:

(i) By granting a new trial when the grounds for a new trial could not with reasonable diligence have been discovered before, but are discovered after the original motion for a new trial has been passed upon by the district court;

(ii) By a new trial granted in proceedings against defendants constructively summoned;

(iii) For mistake, neglect or omission of the clerk or irregularity in obtaining a judgment or order;

(iv) For fraud practiced by the successful party in obtaining a judgment or order;

(v) For erroneous proceedings against a minor or person of unsound mind, when the condition of the defendant does not appear in the record nor the error in the proceedings;

(vi) For the death of the parties before judgment in the action;

(vii) For unavoidable casualty or misfortune preventing the party from prosecuting or defending;

(viii) For errors in a judgment shown by a minor within twelve (12) months after arriving at the age of majority;

(ix) For taking judgments upon warrants of attorney for more than was due the plaintiff, when the defendant was not summoned or otherwise legally notified of the time and place of taking the judgment;

(x) When the judgment or order was obtained in whole or in a material part by false testimony on the part of the successful party or any witness in his behalf which ordinary prudence could not have anticipated or guarded against and the guilty party has been convicted.

1-16-402. Opening judgment or order rendered on service by publication.

A party against whom a judgment or order has been rendered without service other than by publication in a newspaper may have the same opened and be allowed to defend within six (6) months after the date of the judgment or order. Before the judgment or order can be opened, the applicant shall give notice to the adverse party of his intended application, file a full answer to the petition, pay all costs if the court requires them to be paid and make it appear to the satisfaction of the court that during the pendency of the action he had no actual notice thereof in time to appear in court and make his defense. Each party may present affidavits.

1-16-403. Bona fide purchasers unaffected.

The title to any property which is the subject of the judgment or order sought to be opened and which in consequence of the judgment or order has passed to a purchaser in good faith, shall not be affected by any proceedings to vacate or modify the judgment, nor shall title to any property sold before judgment under an attachment be affected by the proceedings.

1-16-404. Grounds to vacate tried first.

The court must first try and decide whether to vacate or modify a judgment or order before trying or deciding the validity of the defense or cause of action.

1-16-405. Proceedings prior to vacation and upon modification.

A judgment shall not be vacated until it is decided that there is a valid defense to the action in which the judgment was rendered or if the plaintiff seeks its vacation, that there is a valid cause of action. When a judgment is modified, all liens and securities obtained under it shall be preserved to the modified judgment.

1-16-406. Injunction; suspension of judgment or order.

The party seeking to vacate or modify a judgment or order may obtain an injunction suspending proceedings on the whole or a part thereof when it appears probable by affidavit or by exhibition of the record that the party is entitled to have the judgment or order vacated or modified.

1-16-407. Injunction; suspension of premature judgment.

If the judgment was rendered before the action stood for trial, the injunction may be granted although no valid defense to the action is shown. The court shall make such orders concerning the executions on the judgment as shall give to the defendant the same rights of delay he would have had if the judgment had been rendered at the proper time.

1-16-408. Limitation on time for proceedings.

Proceedings to vacate or modify a judgment or order, for the causes mentioned in W.S. 1-16-401(a)(iv), (v) and (vii) must be commenced within two (2) years after the judgment was rendered or order made, unless the party entitled thereto is a minor or a person of unsound mind, and in cases of such disability, within two (2) years after the removal thereof. Proceedings for the causes mentioned in W.S. 1-16-401(a)(iii) and (vi) shall be commenced within three (3) years, and in W.S. 1-16-401(a)(ix) within two (2) years, after the defendant has notice of the judgment. Proceedings for the causes mentioned in W.S. 1-16-401(a)(x) may be commenced after the guilty party is convicted, if the conviction is within two (2) years from the rendition of the judgment.

1-16-409. Applicability of provisions to supreme court.

The provisions relating to modification or vacation of judgments or orders apply to the supreme court so far as the same are applicable to its judgments or final orders.

ARTICLE 5 - REVIVOR AND NEW PARTIES

1-16-501. Proceeding against parties not summoned and persons whose liability unknown.

When judgment is rendered in this state on a joint instrument, parties to the action who were not summoned and persons whose liability was not known to the plaintiff at the rendition of the judgment may be made parties thereto by action in the same court if they can be summoned. When the judgment is rendered elsewhere, the plaintiff may bring suit upon the instrument against the parties not summoned or persons whose liability was unknown, in any county where any of the parties reside or may be summoned.

1-16-502. Revivor of dormant judgments; generally.

When a judgment, including judgments rendered by a circuit court, a transcript of which has been filed in the district court for execution, becomes dormant, it may be revived in the same manner as prescribed for reviving actions before judgment or by action. When either party to the dormant judgment, his agent or attorney, makes affidavit showing that the adverse party is a nonresident of the state and that the judgment remains unsatisfied in whole or in part and the amount owing thereon, service may be made by publication as in other cases. If sufficient cause is not shown to the contrary, the judgment shall stand revived for the amount which the court finds to be due and unsatisfied thereon. The lien of the judgment for the amount due shall be revived and shall operate from the time of the entry of the conditional order or the filing of the motion.

1-16-503. Revivor of dormant judgments; limitations on time to revive.

(a) No action shall be brought to revive a judgment after ten (10) years after it becomes dormant, unless the party entitled to bring the action was:

(i) A minor or subject to any other legal disability at the time the judgment became dormant, in which case the action may be brought within fifteen (15) years after the disability has ceased; or

(ii) A party in a child support proceeding, in which case the action shall be brought within twenty-one (21) years.

1-16-504. Revivor when parties die after judgment.

If either or both parties die after judgment and before satisfaction thereof, their representatives may be made parties to the judgment in the same manner prescribed for the revival of actions before judgment. The judgment may be rendered and execution awarded against the representatives of the deceased parties.

1-16-505. Partners made parties to judgment.

The members of a partnership against which a judgment has been rendered in its firm name may by action be made parties to the judgment.

1-16-506. Sureties made parties to judgment.

Sureties to the bond of an executor, administrator, guardian or trustee may by action be made parties to a judgment thereon against the principal.

ARTICLE 6 - WYOMING STRUCTURED SETTLEMENT PROTECTION ACT

1-16-601. Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Wyoming Structured Settlement Protection Act.

1-16-602. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Annuity issuer" means an insurer that has issued a contract to fund periodic payments under a structured settlement;

(ii) "Dependents" include a payee's spouse and minor children and all other persons for whom the payee is legally obligated to provide support, including alimony;

(iii) "Discounted present value" means the present value of future payments determined by discounting the payments to the present value using the most recently published applicable federal rate for determining the present value of an annuity, as issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service;

(iv) "Gross advance amount" means the sum payable to the payee or for the payee's account as consideration for a transfer of structured settlement payment rights before any reductions for transfer expenses or other deductions to be made from such consideration;

(v) "Independent professional advice" means advice of an attorney, certified public accountant, actuary or other licensed professional adviser;

(vi) "Interested parties" means, with respect to any structured settlement, the payee, any beneficiary irrevocably designated under the annuity contract to receive payments following the payee's death, the annuity issuer, the structured settlement obligor and any other party that has continuing rights or obligations under the structured settlement;

(vii) "Net advance amount" means the gross advance amount less the aggregate amount of the actual and estimated transfer expenses required to be disclosed under W.S. 1-16-603(e);

(viii) "Payee" means an individual who is receiving tax free payments under a structured settlement and proposes to make a transfer of payment rights thereunder;

(ix) "Periodic payments" includes both recurring payments and scheduled future lump sum payments;

(x) "Qualified assignment agreement" means an agreement providing for a qualified assignment within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. 130;

(xi) "Settled claim" means the original tort claim resolved by a structured settlement;

(xii) "Structured settlement" means an arrangement for periodic payment of damages for personal injuries or sickness established by settlement agreement or judgment in resolution of a tort claim;

(xiii) "Structured settlement agreement" means the agreement, judgment, stipulation or release embodying the terms of the structured settlement;

(xiv) "Structured settlement obligor" means, with respect to a structured settlement, the party that has a continuing obligation to make periodic payments to the payee under a structured settlement agreement or a qualified assignment agreement;

(xv) "Structured settlement rights" means rights to receive periodic payments under a structured settlement, whether from the structured settlement obligor or the annuity issuer, where:

(A) The payee is domiciled in, or the domicile or principal place of business of the structured settlement obligor or the annuity issuer is located in, this state;

(B) The structured settlement agreement was approved by a court in this state; or

(xvi) "Terms of the structured settlement" include, with respect to a structured settlement agreement, the terms of the structured settlement agreement, the annuity contract, a qualified assignment agreement and any order or other approval of any court that authorized or approved the structured settlement;

(xvii) "Transfer" means any sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other alienation or encumbrance of structured settlement payment rights made by a payee for consideration, provided that the term "transfer" does not include the creation or perfection of a security agreement in structured settlement payment rights under a blanket security agreement entered into with an insured depository institution, in the absence of any action to redirect the structured settlement payments to the insured depository institution, or an agent or successor in interest thereof, or otherwise to enforce the blanket security interest against the structured settlement payment rights;

(xviii) "Transfer agreement" means the agreement providing for a transfer of structured settlement payment rights;

(xix) "Transfer expenses" means all expenses of a transfer that are required under the transfer agreement to be paid by the payee or deducted from the gross advance amount, including without limitation, court filing fees, attorneys' fees, escrow fees, lien recordation fees, judgment and lien search fees, finders' fees, commissions and other payments to a broker or other intermediary. "Transfer expenses" do not include preexisting obligations of the payee payable for the payee's account from the proceeds of a transfer;

(xx) "Transferee" means a party acquiring or proposing to acquire structured settlement payment rights through a transfer;

(xxi) "This act" means W.S. 1-16-601 through 1-16-607.

1-16-603. Required disclosures to payee.

(a) Not less than three (3) days prior to the date on which a payee signs a transfer agreement, the transferee shall provide to the payee a separate disclosure statement, in bold type no smaller than fourteen (14) points, setting forth:

(i) The amounts and due dates of the structured settlement payments to be transferred;

(ii) The aggregate amount of the payments;

(iii) The discounted present value of the payments to be transferred and the amount of the applicable federal rate used in calculating the discounted present value;

(iv) The gross advance amount;

(v) An itemized listing of all applicable transfer fees, other than attorneys' fees and related disbursements payable in connection with the transferee's application for approval of the transfer and the transferee's best estimate of the amount of any such fees and disbursements;

(vi) The net advance amount;

(vii) The amount of any penalties or liquidated damages payable by the payee in the event of any breach of the transfer agreement by the payee;

(viii) A statement that the payee has the right to cancel the transfer agreement without penalty or further obligation not later than the third business day after the date the agreement is signed by the payee.

1-16-604. Approval of transfers of structured settlement payment rights.

(a) No direct or indirect transfer of structured settlement payment rights shall be effective and no structured settlement obligor or annuity issuer shall be required to make any payment directly or indirectly to any transferee of structured settlement payment rights unless the transfer has been approved in advance in a final court order based on express findings by the court that:

(i) The transfer is in the best interest of the payee, taking into account the welfare and support of the payee's dependents;

(ii) The payee has been advised in writing by the transferee to seek independent professional advice regarding the transfer and has either received such advice or knowingly waived such advice in writing; and

(iii) The transfer does not contravene any applicable statute or the order of any court or other government authority.

1-16-605. Effects of transfer of structured settlement payment rights.

(a) Following a transfer of structured settlement payment rights under this act:

(i) The structured settlement obligor and the annuity issuer shall, as to all parties except the transferee, be discharged and released from any and all liability for the transferred payments;

(ii) The transferee shall be liable to the structured settlement obligor and the annuity issuer:

(A) If the transfer contravenes the terms of the structured settlement, for any taxes incurred by such parties as a consequence of the transfer; and

(B) For any other liabilities or costs, including reasonable costs and attorneys' fees arising from compliance by such parties with the order of the court or arising as a consequence of the transferee's failure to comply with this act.

(iii) Neither the annuity issuer nor the structured settlement obligor may be required to divide any periodic payment between the payee and any transferee or assignee or between two (2) or more transferees or assignees; and

(iv) Any further transfer of structured settlement payment rights by the payee may be made only after compliance with all requirements of this act.

1-16-606. Procedure for approval of transfers.

(a) An application under this act for approval of a transfer of structured settlement payment rights shall be made by the transferee and may be brought in the Wyoming district court that approved the structured settlement payment rights, or the Wyoming district court in the county where the payee resides without regard to where the structured settlement payment rights may have accrued.

(b) Not less than twenty (20) days prior to the scheduled hearing on an application for approval of a transfer of structured settlement payment rights under W.S. 1-16-604, the transferee shall file with the court and serve all interested parties a notice of the proposed transfer and application for its authorization, including with the notice:

(i) A copy of the transferee's application for transfer;

(ii) A copy of the transfer agreement;

(iii) A copy of the disclosure statement required under W.S. 1-16-603;

(iv) A listing of each of the payee's dependents, together with each dependent's age and date of birth;

(v) Notification that any interested party may support, oppose or otherwise respond to the transferee's application, either in person or by counsel, by submitting written comments to the court or by participating in the hearing; and

(vi) Notification of the time and place of the hearing and notification of the manner in which and the time by which written responses to the application shall be filed, which time shall be not less than fifteen (15) days after service of the transferee's notice, in order to be considered by the court.

1-16-607. General provisions; construction.

(a) The provisions of this act may not be waived by any payee.

(b) Any transfer agreement entered into on or after July 1, 2006 by a payee who resides in this state shall provide that disputes under the transfer agreement, including any claim that the payee has breached the agreement, shall be determined in and under the laws of this state. No transfer agreement shall authorize the transferee or any other party to confess judgment or consent to entry of judgment against the payee.

(c) No transfer of structured settlement payment rights shall extend to any payments that are life-contingent unless, prior to the date on which the payee signs the transfer agreement, the transferee has established and has agreed to maintain procedures reasonably satisfactory to the annuity issuer and the structured settlement obligor for:

(i) Periodically confirming the payee's survival; and

(ii) Giving the annuity issuer and the structured settlement obligor prompt written notice in the event of the payee's death.

(d) No payee who proposes to make a transfer of structured settlement payment rights shall incur any penalty, forfeit any application fee or other payment, or otherwise incur any liability to the proposed transferee or any assignee based on any failure of the transfer to satisfy the requirements of this act.

(e) Nothing contained in this act shall be construed to authorize any transfer of structured settlement payment rights in contravention of any law or to imply that any transfer under a transfer agreement entered into prior to July 1, 2006 is valid or invalid.

(f) Compliance with the requirements of W.S. 1-16-603 and fulfillment of the conditions set forth in W.S. 1-16-604 shall be solely the responsibility of the transferee in any transfer of structured settlement payment rights, and neither the structured settlement obligor nor the annuity issuer shall bear any responsibility for, or any liability arising from, noncompliance with the requirements of W.S. 1-16-603 or failure to fulfill the conditions set forth in W.S. 1-16-604.

CHAPTER 17 - ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS

ARTICLE 1 - EXECUTIONS DEFINED AND CLASSIFIED; HEARING

1-17-101. Execution defined; issuance; kinds.

(a) An execution is a process of the court issued by the clerk and directed to the sheriff of the county. Executions may be issued to the sheriffs of different counties at the same time.

(b) Executions are of two (2) kinds:

(i) Against the property of the judgment debtor, including orders of sale; and

(ii) For the delivery of the possession of real property in which case the writ shall contain a specific description of the property and a command to the officer to whom the writ is delivered to deliver the property to the person entitled to it. The writ may also require the officer to recover damages for withholding possession and costs, or costs alone, out of the property of the person who withholds possession.

1-17-102. Request for hearing when property seized under execution.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a person, other than a corporate entity, against whom a money judgment has been entered and whose property is seized under execution is entitled to a hearing within five (5) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after the court receives the person's written request for a hearing to determine if the property seized is exempt from execution. The person whose property is seized shall file a written request for a hearing with the clerk of court within ten (10) days after seizure of his property.

(b) Except where the judgment is solely against corporate entities, the court shall attach to every money judgment a notice containing the following information:

"You are informed that since the judgment is entered the prevailing party may proceed to seize your property, funds or wages by execution or garnishment. In that event you may be entitled to the following exemptions:

(i) Social security benefits pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 407 and supplemental security income;

(ii) Veteran's benefits;

(iii) Black lung benefits;

(iv) Personal opportunities with employment responsibilities (POWER) payments;

(v) Federal civil service and state retirement system benefits as provided in 5 U.S.C. 8346 and W.S. 9-3-426, 9-3-620, 9-3-712 and 15-5-313;

(vi) Worker's compensation benefits;

(vii) Unemployment compensation benefits;

(viii) A portion of wages as provided in W.S. 1-15-408, or in the case of consumer credit sales, leases or loans, as provided by W.S. 40-14-505;

(ix) Homestead, personal articles and articles used for carrying on a trade or business to the extent provided by W.S. 1-20-101 through 1-20-111;

(x) Other exemptions as provided by law.

To assert your right to any of the foregoing exemptions you shall file a written request with the clerk of court within ten (10) days after seizure of your property, funds or wages. If you fail to make a written request for a hearing and claim one (1) or more of the foregoing exemptions within ten (10) days after seizure of your property, funds or wages, you may waive or lose your right to claim the exemptions."

(c) The notice provided in this section shall be sent to the last known address of the judgment debtor by the clerk of court upon the request of any person before any property of the judgment debtor is seized by execution or garnishment.

(d) A copy of the money judgment together with the exemption information shall be transmitted by the court by first class United States mail, with the postage prepaid in envelopes furnished and properly addressed by the prevailing party.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a judgment debtor who is served with a writ of continuing garnishment under W.S. 1-15-506 shall file objections to the continuing garnishment and receive a hearing on his objections as provided by W.S. 1-15-507 and 1-15-508.

ARTICLE 2 - STAY OF EXECUTION

1-17-201. Right to stay; procedure.

(a) When judgment has been rendered in any district court against any person for the recovery of money or sale of property he may have a stay of execution as provided by the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, except that a supersedeas bond to be furnished in order to stay the execution of any judgment under this section or under W.S. 1-17-210 during the entire course of appellate review shall not, regardless of amount of the judgment, exceed two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) in any action in which all appellants are either individuals or have fifty (50) or fewer employees, or twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000.00) in any other action; provided, however:

(i) That if an appellee proves by a preponderance of the evidence that an appellant is dissipating assets which may affect the ultimate payment of all or any portion of the judgment, the district court, upon motion and hearing, may require the appellant to post a bond in an amount up to the amount of the judgment; or

(ii) That an appellee of a judgment to pay taxes or liens to the state of Wyoming shall post a bond in an amount not less than the full amount of the judgment plus interest and costs of the appeal, unless otherwise ordered, as provided in Rule 4.02(b) of the Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure.

1-17-202. Notice to sheriff; relinquishment of property.

(a) When the bond is entered after execution is issued, the clerk shall immediately notify the sheriff and he shall forthwith return the execution, noting his actions thereon.

(b) All property levied on before the stay of execution and all written undertakings for the delivery of personal property to the sheriff shall be relinquished by the officer upon bond for the stay of execution being entered.

1-17-203. Effect of recognizance.

Every recognizance of surety taken as provided shall have the effect of a judgment confessed from the date taken against the person and property of the surety.

1-17-204. Execution at expiration of stay.

At the expiration of the stay the clerk shall issue a joint execution against the property of all the judgment debtors and sureties, but the sheriff shall first levy upon the property of the judgment defendant if sufficient property can be found. If not found, he shall without delay levy the execution upon the property of the original judgment debtor subject to the execution which can be found in the county.

1-17-205. No stay on "not repleviable" judgments.

A stay of execution shall not be allowed upon any judgment recovered against any person or surety for money received in a fiduciary capacity or for a breach of any official duty. The clerk shall issue executions upon the judgments immediately, returnable in ninety (90) days, endorsed "Not repleviable" and the judgment shall so order.

1-17-206. No stay where sureties object; exception.

When a court renders judgment against two (2) or more persons, any of whom are sureties for another in the contract on which the judgment is founded, there shall be no stay of execution on the judgment if the sureties object at the time of rendering the judgment unless the surety for the stay of execution will undertake specially to pay the judgment in case the amount cannot be levied of the principal defendant.

1-17-207. Execution upon affidavit of surety; generally.

Any surety for the stay of execution may file with the clerk an affidavit stating that he believes he will be liable for the judgment with interest and costs thereon unless execution issues immediately, and the clerk shall issue execution immediately unless other sufficient surety is entered before the clerk or sheriff as in other cases.

1-17-208. Execution upon affidavit of surety; effect of new surety.

If other sufficient surety is entered, it shall have the force of the original surety entered before the filing of the affidavit and shall discharge the original surety.

1-17-209. Time of stay excluded for execution.

The time during which any judgment is stayed shall not be included in the period during which the judgment creditor shall cause execution to be issued and levied in order to preserve his lien on the property of the debtor as against other judgment creditors.

1-17-210. Stay on appeal.

Execution of a judgment or final order, other than those enumerated in W.S. 1-17-201, of any judicial tribunal, or the levy or collection of any tax or assessment therein litigated, may be stayed on such terms as may be prescribed by the court in which the appeal is filed.

ARTICLE 3 - LIEN OF JUDGMENT AND ENFORCEMENT BY EXECUTION

1-17-301. Property subject to execution.

Except for property exempt by law, all property of the judgment debtor, both real and personal or any legal or equitable interest therein including any interest of the judgment debtor in mortgaged property or property being sold under an executory land contract, is subject to execution.

1-17-302. When lien attaches to property; generally.

The lands and tenements within the county in which judgment is entered are bound for the satisfaction thereof from the day the judgment is filed with the county clerk. Whenever a judgment is required to be filed with the county clerk, it shall be recorded in the real estate records. Goods and chattels of the debtor are bound from the time they are seized in execution.

1-17-303. When lien attaches to property; judgment of supreme court.

A judgment of the supreme court for money binds the lands and tenements of the debtor within the county in which the suit originated from the day the judgment is filed with the county clerk. Whenever a judgment is required to be filed with the county clerk, it shall be recorded in the real estate records. Goods and chattels of the debtor are bound from the time they are seized in execution. The lien of a judgment of the district court which is appealed to the supreme court shall not be divested or vacated, but shall continue until the final determination of the action in the supreme court.

1-17-304. Recording lien on real estate in other counties.

The judgment creditor in any judgment rendered by any district court in this state, or in any judgment rendered in a circuit court of this state and filed in the judgment record of the district court, may file a transcript of the judgment record of the district court with the clerk of the district court and the county clerk in any other counties within this state where the judgment debtor owns real estate. The judgment is a lien upon all real estate of the judgment debtor in any county in which the transcript is filed with the clerk of district court and the county clerk from the date of filing with the county clerk. The clerk of the district court of any county in which the transcript is filed shall enter the judgment upon the judgment records of the court in the same manner as judgments are rendered in that court.

1-17-305. Lien of judgments of federal courts.

(a) Judgments and decrees entered in any United States district court or circuit court held within this state are a lien against the lands and tenements of the person against whom the judgment or decree is rendered, situated within the county where the judgment or decree is entered, from the day the judgment is filed with the county clerk.

(b) The judgment creditor in any judgment or decree rendered in any United States district court within this state may file a transcript of the judgment record in the office of the clerk of any Wyoming district court and the county clerk in any counties in the state of Wyoming where the judgment debtor owns real estate.

(c) The clerk of the district court of any county in which the transcript is filed shall enter the judgment upon the judgment records of the court in the same manner as judgments rendered in that court.

(d) The judgment or decree is a lien upon all the real estate of the judgment debtor in the county or counties where the transcript is filed with the clerk of district court and the county clerk from the date of filing with the county clerk.

1-17-306. Lien of judgments of circuit courts.

(a) The party in whose favor a judgment is rendered by a circuit court if the judgment is not appealed or stayed, may file with the clerk of the district court and the county clerk of the county in which the judgment was rendered a transcript thereof, certifying therein the amount paid thereon, if any. The clerk of court shall enter the case on the execution docket, together with the amount of the judgment and the time of filing the transcript with the county clerk. If within ten (10) days after the judgment was rendered, the judgment debtor pays the same or gives bond for stay of execution, the justice shall immediately certify that fact to the clerk of the district court and the county clerk. The district court clerk shall enter a memorandum thereof upon the docket. The cost of the transcript, the filing, recording and the entry on the docket shall be paid by the party who files and records the transcript and not be taxed to the other party.

(b) The judgment shall be a lien on the real estate of the judgment debtor within the county from the day the transcript is filed with the county clerk provided the transcript has also been filed previously or that same day with the clerk of district court.

(c) Execution may be issued on the judgment at any time after filing the transcript as if the judgment had been rendered in the district court.

1-17-307. When judgment becomes dormant.

If execution on a judgment rendered in any court of record in this state or a transcript of which has been filed as provided in W.S. 1-17-306(a) is not issued within five (5) years from date of the judgment or if five (5) years intervene between the date the last execution issued on the judgment and the time of issuing another execution thereon, the judgment is dormant and ceases to operate as a lien on the estate of the judgment debtor.

1-17-308. Writs of execution; generally.

(a) The writ of execution against the property of the judgment debtor issuing from any court of record shall command the officer to whom it is directed that he shall collect the money specified in the writ from the real and personal property of the debtor.

(b)