How Child Support Is Calculated in Wisconsin

Wisconsin uses a percentage-of-income standard applied to the paying parent's gross income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and 34% for five or more. When both parents have court-ordered placement of at least 25% (92 days a year), the shared placement calculation is the primary method. Special rules apply to serial families, split placement, low income and high income. Courts may deviate if the standard would be unfair, but must state the reason.

To apply, download the Parent Application for Child Support Services (or the Guardian application), fill it out, sign it, and submit it to your local county child support agency. The application page lists no general application fee; a $25 fee applies to locate-only services. The parent receiving support is charged a $35 annual fee once the case receives $550 or more in a federal fiscal year (with exceptions, such as W-2 and Kinship Care cases), and the paying parent is charged a $65 annual receipt and disbursement fee per court case.

The court must order support for a child under 18, and for a child under 19 who is pursuing an accredited course of instruction leading to a high school diploma or its equivalent.

A court can change support only after finding a substantial change in circumstances. A substantial change is presumed in some situations, such as when 33 months have passed since the last support order (unless support is set as a percentage of income) or when a parent has started receiving public aid. Either party, or a child support agency, can file a petition, motion or order to show cause, and support due before notice of the request is given generally cannot be changed. A parent can ask the local child support agency for a free review if the order has not been reviewed in three years (or sooner after a substantial change, such as a significant income change); the agency has up to 180 days. Filing a motion yourself with the clerk of court typically costs $30 when a court date is needed.

Interest of 0.5% per month (6% a year) is charged once past-due support equals or exceeds one month's support. Wage withholding can be increased by up to 50% of the current support amount to pay off past-due support, within federal limits. Child support agencies can also intercept tax refunds (a fee of 10% of each collection over $10, up to $25, applies), place child support liens, seize bank accounts and titled property, take court actions, and use federal enforcement actions. Professional, occupational, recreational and driver's licenses can be denied, restricted or suspended when the parent is on the Child Support Lien Docket or owes the greater of 300% of the monthly support or $1,000. Following an agreed payment plan stops license suspension and bank account or property seizure, but not liens or tax refund intercepts.

Wisconsin's child support program is run by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) through local county and tribal child support agencies. All parents paying and receiving support automatically get financial management services; parents and guardians can apply for full case management (if one parent applies, both get it), and locate-only help is available for a $25 fee. To apply, complete the Parent (Form 11053) or Guardian (Form 11002) application, sign it, and submit it to your local child support agency. Child Support Online Services (CSOS) shows account and payment information. KIDS Information Line: (800) 991-5530 (TDD (877) 209-5209); automated information 24/7, representatives Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (Child Support Program) offers worksheets and downloadable calculators to estimate child support under Wisconsin's guidelines, including shared placement (the primary method when both parents have court-ordered placement of at least 25%, or 92 days a year), serial family, split placement and high-income calculations. DCF says each order is unique and only the court can order child support or modify an existing order.