Wisconsin Child Support Calculator

Wisconsin uses a percentage of income standard under Wis. Stat. § 767.511. Unlike most states that use an income shares model, Wisconsin bases child support primarily on the obligor's (paying parent's) gross income. The standard percentages are: 17% for 1 child, 25% for 2 children, 29% for 3 children, 31% for 4 children, and 34% for 5 or more children. When both parents have significant placement time, a shared placement formula is used.

Gross income in Wisconsin includes all income from any source, including wages, salary, overtime, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, pensions, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, interest, dividends, rental income, and trust income. Wisconsin courts may also impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed based on their earning capacity.

Shared placement in Wisconsin occurs when each parent has the child for at least 25% of the overnight stays per year (approximately 92+ overnights). Under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(1j), shared placement triggers a different formula: each parent's obligation is calculated using the standard percentages applied to their own income, then adjusted by the time the child spends with the other parent. The parent who owes more pays the difference.

Yes, either parent can request a modification of child support when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. This includes significant changes in either parent's income, changes in placement schedules, changes in the child's needs, or a change in the cost of living. Wisconsin also allows modification if the existing order differs from the current guideline amount by a substantial amount. The modification takes effect from the date of filing, not retroactively.

In Wisconsin, child support generally continues until the child turns 18. If the child is still pursuing a high school diploma or GED at age 18, support continues until the child turns 19 or receives the diploma/GED, whichever comes first. Support may also continue for an adult child who is physically or mentally disabled. Wisconsin courts do not typically order parents to pay for college as part of child support.

In the standard (non-shared) placement calculation, Wisconsin uses only the obligor's income because the custodial parent is presumed to spend their income directly on the child through daily care. However, when both parents have significant placement time (25%+ each), Wisconsin switches to a shared placement formula that considers both parents' incomes to ensure a fair division of the financial responsibility.

This calculator provides an estimate based on the Wisconsin child support guidelines. Actual court-ordered support may differ because judges may deviate from the standard when the guidelines would be unfair to the child or either parent. Factors considered include high or low income situations, the child's special needs, shared placement arrangements, obligations to other children, and the standard of living the child would have enjoyed. Consult a Wisconsin family law attorney for an accurate assessment.