Support in Wisconsin (2026)

Wisconsin’s Percentage-of-Income Model

Wisconsin is one of the few states that uses a percentage of income model for child support, making it fundamentally different from the income shares model used by most states. Under Wis. Stat. Section 767.511 and the administrative guidelines in DCF 150 (Department of Children and Families rules), the support obligation is calculated primarily as a flat percentage of the paying parent’s gross income — the receiving parent’s income is not part of the basic calculation.

The standard percentages are:

• 17% of gross income for 1 child
• 25% for 2 children
• 29% for 3 children
• 31% for 4 children
• 34% for 5 or more children

Gross income includes wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, overtime, pensions, Social Security, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, interest, dividends, rental income, and other income sources. Courts may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.

This approach has the advantage of simplicity — you can quickly estimate your support obligation based on your income and the number of children. However, the shared-time formula (discussed below) can produce substantially different results.

For a comparison of how different states handle child support calculations, see our guide on how child support is calculated. You can estimate your potential obligation with our child support calculator.

The Shared-Time Formula (DCF 150.04(2))

The straightforward percentage model becomes more complex when both parents have significant time with the child. Wisconsin adjusts the standard percentages through the shared-time formula under DCF 150.04(2):

• Shared-time payer. When the paying parent has placement for 25% or more of the overnights (at least 92 overnights per year), the shared-time formula applies. This formula calculates each parent’s obligation based on their income and the percentage of time spent with the child, then offsets the obligations.
• Split placement. When each parent has primary placement of at least one child, separate calculations are performed and the obligations are offset so that the parent with the higher net obligation pays the difference.

The shared-time formula can produce substantially different results than the standard percentages, particularly when both parents have similar incomes and roughly equal placement time. This is an important consideration for parents negotiating placement schedules.

The 33-Month Review Provision

Wisconsin offers a practical administrative mechanism that many states lack. Either parent may request a review of the child support order every 33 months through the child support agency, without needing to demonstrate a change in circumstances. This means you do not need to go through a full court modification process — the agency will review the order against current guidelines and recommend an adjustment if warranted.

This 33-month review is separate from the standard court modification process, which requires showing a substantial change in circumstances. The administrative review route can be a faster and less expensive way to keep support amounts aligned with current income levels.

Deviation from Standard Percentages

While the percentage amounts are presumptive, courts may deviate based on several factors:

• The financial resources and needs of the child
• The financial resources and needs of both parents
• The standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the family remained intact
• The physical, mental, and emotional health needs of the child
• The educational needs of the child
• Tax consequences
• The best interests of the child
• Any other relevant factors

Duration and Termination of Child Support

Child support in Wisconsin continues until the child turns 18, or until age 19 if the child is still pursuing a high school diploma or high school equivalency. Support also terminates upon the child’s marriage, death, or emancipation. Wisconsin does not generally require parents to fund post-secondary education, though parents may agree to do so.

Modification of Child Support

Either parent may seek a modification by demonstrating a substantial change in circumstances since the last order. Wisconsin also allows modification when the existing order deviates from the current guidelines by a significant percentage. The 33-month administrative review provides an additional pathway for adjustment.

Arrearages accrue interest and cannot be retroactively forgiven. Any modification takes effect from the date the motion is filed.

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

Wisconsin’s Bureau of Child Support has comprehensive enforcement authority:

• Income withholding from wages (mandatory for most new orders)
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses
• Liens on real and personal property
• Financial institution data matches and bank account levies
• Reporting to credit bureaus
• Contempt of court, which can result in fines or jail time

Maintenance (Alimony) in Wisconsin

Wisconsin uses the term “maintenance” rather than alimony. Maintenance is governed by Wis. Stat. Section 767.56, which grants courts broad discretion.

Wisconsin does not have a statutory formula for maintenance. Instead, the court considers a comprehensive list of factors:

• The length of the marriage
• The age and physical and emotional health of the parties
• The division of property
• The educational level of each party at the time of marriage and at the time of the divorce
• The earning capacity of the party seeking maintenance, including educational background, training, employment skills, work experience, length of absence from the job market, custodial responsibilities, and the time and expense necessary to find appropriate employment
• The feasibility of the party seeking maintenance becoming self-supporting at a standard of living reasonably comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage
• The tax consequences to each party
• Any mutual agreement made by the parties before or during the marriage
• The contribution by one party to the education, training, or increased earning power of the other
• Any other factors the court deems relevant

Maintenance Duration Patterns

While there is no binding formula, Wisconsin courts have developed general patterns:

• Short-term marriages (under 10 years) often result in rehabilitative maintenance for a limited period.
• Moderate-length marriages (10-20 years) may produce maintenance for a significant portion of the marriage’s duration.
• Long-term marriages (20 years or more) may result in indefinite maintenance, particularly when one spouse has been out of the workforce for an extended period.

Maintenance terminates upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient. Cohabitation is not an automatic ground for termination in Wisconsin, but it may serve as evidence of a change in the recipient’s financial circumstances that could support a modification.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Wisconsin’s percentage-of-income model for child support is more straightforward than many states for standard cases, but the shared-time formula and maintenance determinations still involve significant complexity. The 33-month administrative review can provide a useful pathway for adjustments. If you are evaluating a support issue, consider scheduling a free consultation with an experienced family law professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What child support model does Wisconsin use?

Wisconsin uses a percentage-of-income model under Wis. Stat. Section 767.511. Support is calculated as a flat percentage of 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.

How does shared placement affect child support in Wisconsin?

When the paying parent has placement for 25% or more of overnights (at least 92 per year), the shared-time formula under DCF 150.04(2) applies. Each parent’s obligation is calculated based on their income and percentage of time, then offset.

Until what age does child support last in Wisconsin?

Child support continues until the child turns 18, or until age 19 if the child is still pursuing a high school diploma or equivalency. Wisconsin does not generally require parents to fund post-secondary education.

What does Wisconsin call alimony?

Wisconsin uses the term “maintenance.” Under Wis. Stat. Section 767.56, there is no fixed formula. The court exercises broad discretion based on factors including marriage length, each party’s age and health, the property division, educational levels, and earning capacity.

Can I request a review of child support without going to court?

Yes. Wisconsin allows either parent to request an administrative review of the child support order every 33 months through the child support agency. This does not require demonstrating a change in circumstances and can be faster and less expensive than a court modification.

Does cohabitation end maintenance in Wisconsin?

Not automatically. Unlike some states, cohabitation does not automatically terminate maintenance in Wisconsin. However, it may serve as evidence of a change in the recipient’s financial circumstances that could support a motion to modify or terminate maintenance.

How This Guide Was Researched

This guide was developed through direct review of Wis. Stat. Section 767.511 (child support authority), the administrative guidelines in DCF 150 (percentage tables and the shared-time formula in DCF 150.04(2)), and Wis. Stat. Section 767.56 (maintenance factors and judicial discretion). We also reviewed the Wisconsin Bureau of Child Support enforcement program documentation and 33-month review procedures, Wisconsin Court System self-help resources on calculating support, State Bar of Wisconsin family law guides on the percentage-of-income approach, and Wisconsin DCF published percentage tables and shared-time worksheets.

Sources and Legal References

• Wis. Stat. § 767.511 — Child support authority and percentage-of-income model
• DCF 150 — Department of Children and Families child support percentage guidelines
• DCF 150.04(2) — Shared-time formula (applies when paying parent has 25%+ of overnights)
• Wis. Stat. § 767.56 — Maintenance factors, judicial discretion, no fixed formula
• 33-month administrative review — Either parent may request agency review without showing changed circumstances

Official Wisconsin Resources

• Wisconsin Court System — Self-Help Divorce and Family Law
• Wisconsin Family Law Circuit Court Forms

For more about how we research our guides, see our editorial policy and sources methodology.

Related Guides

• How child support is calculated
• Child support calculator
• Child custody in Wisconsin
• Divorce in Wisconsin
• Child support enforcement: what you need to know
• Modifying child support orders
• How to file for child support