Stillings & Buchinger, LLC

wisconsin child support

Under Wisconsin law, every child has a right to be supported and every parent owes an obligation to support that child. When a court considers support orders, it does so from the view of a parent's ability to pay support.

child support determinations

Child support determinations vary depending on what the placement arrangements are between the parties. Wisconsin starts with the premise that the non-placement parent should pay a percentage of his or her income depending on the number of children: 1 child -17%; 2 children-25%; 3 children-29%. These numbers are then adjusted after looking at placement of the children, other expenses, health insurance costs and allocation of the dependency deduction.

seasonal & inconsistent earnings

In situations where the paying parent’s wages are inconsistent, such as would be the case with a seasonal worker, the court may order alternative pay schedules or calculations.

ability to pay

Wisconsin law begins with the premise that the non-placement parent should have an ability to pay. That ability to pay is determined by the payor's (the person paying support) ability to earn, not actual earnings. To put it another way, if a person is capable of earning $75,000 per year, but for the past six months was only earning $35,000, a court can and likely will consider that person's ability to earn at $75,000.

Duration of child support obligations

Child support obligations begin the moment a court orders them. Wisconsin law provides that child support should, unless otherwise ordered by a court, continue until the child attains the age of 18 years or graduates from high school, whichever occurs last, unless the child is still in high school when he or she turns 18, then the support is obligated until age 19 or graduation from high school.

support during college

Wisconsin law does not require that child support continue beyond high school, such as through college; however, parents may stipulate child support payments until some other marker, such as graduation from college.

wisconsin child support enforcement agency

The KIDS program is an online interface to child support accounts. It helps parents receiving and paying child support to keep track of payments. The child support collection agency of Wisconsin is a very aggressive agency and successful in pursuing and collecting child support. If you need assistance beyond that which KIDS provides, please contact us.