Wyoming Post-Judgment Interest Rate: 10% Calculation Guide
10% Per Year, Starting at Entry
Generally, Wyoming money judgments accrue post-judgment interest at 10% per year from rendition under Wyo. Stat. § 1-16-102(a), unless a contract rate applies under subsection (b). A periodic child-support or maintenance installment that becomes a judgment by operation of law under § 14-2-204 does not bear interest under § 1-16-102(c). Interest begins running on the date the judge enters the judgment — not when you start collection, not when the debtor misses a payment, but from entry day.
On a $4,000 small claims judgment, that's $400 per year in interest. If collection takes two years, the debtor owes you an additional $800 on top of the original award. The interest compounds the incentive for debtors to pay quickly, and it compensates you for the time value of money while you work through enforcement.
The Math
Wyoming uses simple interest — no compounding. The formula:
Annual interest = Principal balance × 0.10
Daily interest = (Principal balance × 0.10) ÷ 365
For a $4,035 judgment (principal plus awarded court costs):
- Annual interest: $403.50
- Daily interest: approximately $1.11 per day
Interest accrues on the unpaid principal plus any court costs included in the judgment. It does not compound — you don't earn interest on previously accrued interest.
Applying Partial Payments
When the debtor makes a partial payment — through garnishment proceeds, a voluntary check, or execution sale proceeds — Wyoming's payment application rule requires that you apply funds first to accrued interest, then to principal.
Here's a worked example:
| Date | Event | Interest Added | Payment | Running Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2024 | Judgment entered | — | — | $4,035.00 |
| Aug 1, 2025 | One year of interest | $403.50 | — | $4,438.50 |
| Aug 15, 2025 | Garnishment payment (14 days' interest on $4,035.00 = $15.48) | $15.48 | ($1,000.00) | $3,453.98 |
After the $1,000 payment, $418.98 in accrued interest is satisfied first ($403.50 + $15.48). The remaining $581.02 reduces the principal from $4,035.00 to $3,453.98. Going forward, interest accrues on the new lower principal.
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Contract Rate Exception
The 10% statutory rate is the default. If your original dispute arose from a written contract that specifies a different interest rate, the contract rate applies instead of the statutory rate. This occasionally matters for promissory notes or service agreements that set a higher or lower rate.
For most small claims cases — neighbor disputes, property damage, unpaid invoices without a written interest provision — the 10% statutory rate is what you get.
Why Tracking Matters
Sloppy interest tracking causes problems at two points. First, when you file garnishment paperwork, you need to state the current total owed (principal + accrued interest + costs). Understating the amount means you collect less than you're entitled to. Overstating it can get your garnishment challenged.
Second, when the debtor has finally paid enough to satisfy the judgment, you need to know the exact date you hit zero balance. Filing a Satisfaction of Judgment too early means you waive the remaining balance. For a Circuit Court judgment, failing to endorse payments and satisfaction within 15 days violates Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-401 and is a misdemeanor under § 1-21-402.
Tools for the Calculation
The Wyoming judgment collection guide includes an interest and payment ledger worksheet designed for this exact scenario. It tracks principal, accrued interest, partial payments, and running balance so you always know the current enforceable total — no spreadsheet formulas required.
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