Wisconsin calculates child support using a percentage-of-income model under Wis. Stat. § 767.511 and Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 150. The standard child support rate is 17% of the paying parent's gross income for one child, 25% for two children, 29% for three, 31% for four, and 34% for five or more children. Wisconsin's child support calculator applies these percentages to gross income from all sources, including wages, self-employment earnings, investment income, and Social Security benefits. For shared placement cases where both parents have at least 25% overnight placement (92 overnights per year), the state uses a separate formula that offsets each parent's obligation against the other.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Statute | Wis. Stat. § 767.511 |
| Guidelines Code | Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150 |
| Calculation Model | Percentage of income |
| Standard Rate (1 child) | 17% of gross income |
| Standard Rate (2 children) | 25% of gross income |
| High-Income Threshold | $7,000/month ($84,000/year) |
| Shared Placement Minimum | 25% overnights (92 days/year) |
| Filing Fee | $194.50 (with child support request) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months state, 30 days county |
| Waiting Period | 120 days |
How Does the Wisconsin Child Support Calculator Work?
The Wisconsin child support calculator estimates monthly child support by multiplying the paying parent's gross monthly income by the statutory percentage for the number of children. Under Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150.03, the percentage standards are 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and 34% for five or more children. Wisconsin uses a percentage-of-income model rather than the income shares model used by most other states, meaning only the paying parent's income determines the base support amount.
To use the Wisconsin child support calculator, a parent needs three pieces of information: gross monthly income, the number of children requiring support, and the overnight placement schedule. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families provides official calculator worksheets at dcf.wisconsin.gov/cs/order/tools. Wisconsin courts rely on these worksheets when setting child support orders, and judges use the percentage standard as a presumptive guideline unless a party demonstrates that strict application would be unfair to the child or either parent under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(1m).
A parent earning $5,000 per month gross income with one child would owe $850 per month (17% of $5,000). For two children, that same parent would owe $1,250 per month (25% of $5,000). These amounts represent the base calculation before any adjustments for shared placement, serial family obligations, or high-income reductions.
What Income Counts for Wisconsin Child Support?
Gross income for Wisconsin child support includes all income and earnings from all sources, whether or not taxable, as defined by Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150.02(13). Wisconsin courts consider wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, overtime, self-employment income, interest, dividends, rental income, Social Security disability and retirement benefits, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, trust income, and military allowances when calculating child support obligations.
Self-employment income under DCF 150.02(14) is calculated by subtracting ordinary and necessary business expenses from gross receipts. Wisconsin courts determine which business expenses are reasonably necessary for producing income, and these deductions may differ from allowable tax deductions. A self-employed parent claiming $100,000 in gross receipts with $40,000 in legitimate business expenses would have $60,000 in gross income for child support calculation purposes, resulting in a monthly obligation of $850 for one child (17% of $5,000 per month).
Income specifically excluded from the Wisconsin child support calculation includes child support received from another case, public assistance payments such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), W-2 cash payments, and FoodShare benefits. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on that parent's earning capacity, considering factors such as education, work history, occupational qualifications, and local job availability under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(1m)(f).
What Is the Wisconsin Shared Placement Formula?
Wisconsin uses a shared placement formula when both parents have court-ordered overnight placement of at least 25% (92 overnights per year) under Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150.04(2). The shared placement calculation reduces each parent's obligation proportionally to the time the child spends in that parent's care, then offsets the two amounts so that only the higher-earning parent pays the difference to the lower-earning parent.
The shared placement child support worksheet follows a specific calculation process. First, each parent's gross monthly income is multiplied by the standard percentage (17% for one child, 25% for two) to determine each parent's base obligation. Second, each base obligation is multiplied by the percentage of overnights the other parent has with the child. Third, the two adjusted amounts are offset, and the parent with the higher adjusted amount pays the difference.
For example, if Parent A earns $6,000 per month and Parent B earns $4,000 per month, with one child and a 60/40 placement split (219 nights / 146 nights), the calculation works as follows. Parent A's base is $1,020 (17% of $6,000), multiplied by Parent B's placement share (40%) = $408. Parent B's base is $680 (17% of $4,000), multiplied by Parent A's placement share (60%) = $408. In this scenario, the offset produces a $0 net support obligation because the income difference is balanced by the placement split. Courts also assign variable costs such as childcare, health insurance premiums, and tutoring proportionally to each parent's placement time.
How Do High-Income Payer Guidelines Affect Child Support in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin applies reduced child support percentages when the paying parent's gross income exceeds $7,000 per month ($84,000 per year) under Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150.04(4). The high-income payer guidelines divide income into three tiers, with standard percentages applying to the first $7,000 per month, reduced percentages for income between $7,000 and $12,500 per month ($84,000 to $150,000 per year), and further reduced percentages for income above $12,500 per month.
The Wisconsin child support calculator applies different rates at each income level to prevent excessive support orders that exceed the child's reasonable needs. For a parent earning $10,000 per month with one child, the standard 17% applies to the first $7,000 ($1,190), while a reduced percentage applies to the remaining $3,000. The total obligation would be lower than a flat 17% of the full $10,000 ($1,700). Courts have discretion to set support above or below the high-income guidelines based on the child's established standard of living, educational needs, and extraordinary expenses.
The high-income payer worksheet, available through the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families at dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/cs/order/worksheet-high-income.pdf, requires detailed income documentation including tax returns, pay stubs, and financial statements. Parents earning above $150,000 annually should work with a family law attorney to ensure the calculation accounts for all applicable reductions and adjustments.
What Is the Serial Family Payer Adjustment in Wisconsin?
A serial family payer in Wisconsin is a parent who has a legal obligation to support children from more than one family unit under Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150.04(1). Wisconsin reduces the child support obligation for a subsequent family by first subtracting the existing support obligation from the parent's gross monthly income, then applying the standard percentage to the remaining income.
For example, a parent earning $5,000 per month who already pays $850 per month (17%) for one child from a first relationship would have $4,150 in adjusted income for calculating support for a child from a second relationship. The support for the second child would be $705.50 per month (17% of $4,150) rather than $850 (17% of $5,000). This adjustment prevents parents with multiple support obligations from having combined orders that exceed their ability to pay while ensuring each child receives meaningful financial support.
The serial family payer calculation applies only when there is a legal obligation to support children in an intact family. Voluntary support payments, informal arrangements, or support for stepchildren do not qualify for the serial family adjustment. Courts verify existing support orders through the Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund (WI SCTF) before applying this provision.
How Can a Wisconsin Court Deviate from the Standard Percentage?
Wisconsin courts may deviate from the standard child support percentages when a party demonstrates by the greater weight of the credible evidence that applying the percentage standard would be unfair to the child or either parent under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(1m). The statute lists specific factors courts must consider before ordering a deviation, including the financial resources of both parents, the child's physical and emotional health needs, the child's educational needs, the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the marriage not ended, and the desirability of maintaining the custodial parent in the family home.
Common deviation scenarios in Wisconsin include cases where a child has extraordinary medical expenses exceeding $5,000 per year, cases where the paying parent supports other dependents not covered by the serial family adjustment, cases where a parent receives substantial non-income assets in the property division, and cases where the child has independent income from a trust or employment. Wisconsin courts must state the deviation amount and reasoning on the record whenever they depart from the percentage standard.
Deviation requests require detailed financial documentation. The parent requesting deviation must file a financial disclosure statement and provide evidence supporting each claimed factor. Courts deny deviation requests approximately 70-80% of the time, reflecting the strong presumption in favor of the percentage standard under Wisconsin law.
What Are the Wisconsin Child Support Worksheets?
Wisconsin provides four official child support worksheets through the Department of Children and Families, each designed for a specific custody and income situation. The standard worksheet covers primary placement cases (one parent has more than 75% of overnights). The shared placement worksheet applies when both parents have at least 25% overnights (92 days per year). The serial family payer worksheet addresses parents with support obligations across multiple families. The high-income payer worksheet applies when the paying parent earns more than $7,000 per month ($84,000 per year).
| Worksheet Type | When to Use | Key Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (DCF 150.03) | One parent has 75%+ overnights | Payer income under $84,000/year |
| Shared Placement (DCF 150.04(2)) | Both parents have 25%+ overnights (92+ days) | Minimum 92 overnights each |
| Serial Family Payer (DCF 150.04(1)) | Payer supports children from multiple families | Existing legal support obligation |
| High-Income Payer (DCF 150.04(4)) | Payer earns over $7,000/month | Income exceeds $84,000/year |
| Split Placement (DCF 150.04(3)) | Children split between households | At least one child primarily with each parent |
All Wisconsin child support worksheets are available for download at dcf.wisconsin.gov/cs/order/tools. Courts require completion of the appropriate worksheet before any child support hearing. The worksheet must be filed with the court at least five business days before the scheduled hearing under local court rules in most Wisconsin counties.
What Are Variable Costs in Wisconsin Child Support?
Variable costs in Wisconsin child support are reasonable expenses above the base support amount that cover specific child-related needs, including childcare, health insurance premiums, uninsured medical expenses, tuition, and special needs costs under Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150.02(30). Courts assign variable costs separately from the percentage-based support obligation, typically dividing them proportionally to each parent's income or placement time.
Medical support orders became standard in Wisconsin following the 2024 guideline updates, requiring both parents to contribute to uninsured medical expenses proportional to their income. Health insurance premiums for the child are typically assigned to the parent who can obtain coverage at a lower cost through employer-sponsored plans. Childcare costs necessary for a parent's employment or education are divided based on each parent's income share, not placement time. A parent paying $1,200 per month for daycare where Parent A earns 60% of the combined income and Parent B earns 40% would see Parent A responsible for $720 and Parent B for $480 of the monthly childcare expense.
Uninsured medical expenses in Wisconsin include dental, orthodontic, vision, therapeutic, and prescription costs not covered by insurance. Courts typically order parents to split these expenses using the same income proportion used for other variable costs. Parents must provide receipts and documentation within 30 days of incurring uninsured medical expenses to seek reimbursement from the other parent.
How Do I File for Child Support in Wisconsin?
Filing for child support in Wisconsin requires meeting residency requirements under Wis. Stat. § 767.301: at least one party must have resided in Wisconsin for 6 months and in the filing county for 30 days before commencing the action. The filing fee for a divorce action that includes a child support request is $194.50 ($184.50 base filing fee plus $10 for actions involving minor children), with an additional $20 convenience fee for electronic filing through efiling.wicourts.gov. As of March 2026, verify fees with your local clerk of court.
The child support filing process in Wisconsin follows these steps. First, file a Summons and Petition for Divorce or Paternity Action with the circuit court clerk, including a request for child support. Second, serve the other parent with the filed documents. Third, both parents must complete and exchange financial disclosure statements within 90 days of service. Fourth, attend a mandatory initial case management conference. Fifth, complete the appropriate child support worksheet using the DCF calculator tools. Sixth, attend the final hearing after the 120-day waiting period required by Wis. Stat. § 767.335.
Parents who cannot afford the filing fee may petition for a fee waiver by filing Form CV-410A (Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs). Wisconsin grants fee waivers to individuals with income at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, which is $19,506 for a single individual or $33,094 for a family of three in 2026. Free legal assistance is available through legal aid organizations in most Wisconsin counties.
What Changed in Wisconsin Child Support Law in 2024?
Wisconsin implemented significant child support guideline updates effective January 1, 2024, refining how courts calculate obligations under Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150. The 2024 changes included expanded earning capacity factors, clarification of the equivalent care definition, refined serial family payer calculations, and increased emphasis on actual parenting time when determining support amounts. These changes remain in effect in 2026 while the state evaluates their impact on case outcomes.
The 2024 updates redefined gross income to more comprehensively include all sources of income, not just wages, ensuring child support payments better reflect each parent's true ability to contribute. Courts now consider additional factors when determining earning capacity for unemployed or underemployed parents, including local labor market conditions, the parent's physical and mental health, and available job training programs. The equivalent care definition was clarified to ensure consistent application across Wisconsin's 72 counties, reducing county-by-county variation in how shared placement thresholds are evaluated.
Wisconsin's Department of Children and Families is conducting ongoing research through 2026 to evaluate whether the 2024 guideline changes have improved outcomes for children and families. The Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is analyzing data from 2017-2020 cases under the Child Support Policy Research Agreement (November 2024 through December 2026) to inform future guideline revisions.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Wisconsin Child Support Calculator
How much child support will I pay in Wisconsin for one child?
Wisconsin child support for one child is 17% of the paying parent's gross monthly income under Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150.03. A parent earning $4,000 per month gross would pay $680 per month. This is the base amount before adjustments for shared placement, serial family obligations, or high-income reductions above the $84,000 annual threshold.
Does Wisconsin use the income shares model or percentage of income model?
Wisconsin uses the percentage-of-income model, which calculates child support based solely on the paying parent's gross income under Wis. Stat. § 767.511. Unlike the income shares model used by 41 other states, Wisconsin's model does not factor in the receiving parent's income for the standard calculation. The receiving parent's income is only considered in shared placement calculations and deviation requests.
What is the maximum child support in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has no statutory maximum child support amount, but high-income payer guidelines under DCF 150.04(4) reduce the percentage applied to income above $7,000 per month ($84,000/year). A second reduction applies above $12,500 per month ($150,000/year). Courts may also deviate downward if the calculated amount exceeds the child's reasonable needs.
Can child support be modified in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin allows child support modification when there is a substantial change in circumstances under Wis. Stat. § 767.59. A change of 15% or more from the current order creates a rebuttable presumption that modification is warranted. Common grounds include job loss, significant income increase or decrease, changes in placement time, or a child's changed medical needs.
How does 50/50 custody affect child support in Wisconsin?
With equal (50/50) placement, Wisconsin uses the shared placement formula under DCF 150.04(2), which offsets each parent's obligation against the other. The higher-earning parent still pays the net difference to the lower-earning parent. With equal placement and equal income, the net support obligation would be $0. With equal placement but unequal income, the higher earner pays a reduced amount.
Does overtime count as income for Wisconsin child support?
Overtime pay is included in gross income for Wisconsin child support under DCF 150.02(13). Courts consider regular overtime as part of gross income, and historically consistent overtime is treated the same as base salary. If overtime is sporadic or newly reduced, the court may average overtime earnings over 2-3 years to establish a representative income figure.
How long does child support last in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin child support generally continues until the child turns 18, or 19 if the child is still pursuing a high school diploma or GED under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4). Support terminates automatically upon the child's emancipation, marriage, military enlistment, or death. Wisconsin does not order post-secondary (college) support — once the child ages out, the obligation ends.
Can I use the Wisconsin child support calculator for an unmarried parent case?
The Wisconsin child support calculator applies equally to married and unmarried parents. Once paternity is established — either voluntarily through a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment or through a court adjudication — the same percentage standards under DCF 150 govern the support calculation. Filing for child support in a paternity case uses the same $194.50 fee and identical worksheets as a divorce case.
What happens if a parent hides income in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin courts have broad authority to investigate hidden income under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(1m)(f). Courts may impute income based on earning capacity when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. Tools available to courts include subpoenaing tax returns, bank records, and business financial statements. The Wisconsin Child Support Agency can also request income verification through the Department of Revenue and the Department of Workforce Development.
Where can I find the official Wisconsin child support calculator?
The official Wisconsin child support calculator and worksheets are available through the Department of Children and Families at dcf.wisconsin.gov/cs/order/tools. The DCF provides the standard worksheet, shared placement worksheet, serial family payer worksheet, and high-income payer worksheet. All worksheets were last updated in June 2024 and reflect the current percentage standards under DCF 150.