In Wisconsin, child support generally ends when the child turns 18 years old. Under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4), support extends to age 19 if the child is still pursuing a high school diploma or GED. Wisconsin courts may also order indefinite support for a disabled adult child under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4m). Wisconsin does not require parents to pay child support for college expenses, making it one of 26 states with no postsecondary support mandate. The standard filing fee for a divorce involving child support in Wisconsin is $194.50 as of March 2026.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Default End Age | 18 years old |
| High School Extension | Age 19 if enrolled in accredited program |
| Disabled Child | Indefinite support possible under § 767.511(4m) |
| College Support | Not required by Wisconsin law |
| Filing Fee | $194.50 (with child support; as of March 2026) |
| Waiting Period | 120 days from service |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months state, 30 days county |
| Grounds | No-fault (irretrievable breakdown) |
| Property Division | Community property (marital partnership) |
| Governing Statute | Wis. Stat. § 767.511 |
When Does Child Support End in Wisconsin Under Current Law
Wisconsin child support terminates when the child reaches age 18, as established by Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4). The paying parent's obligation automatically ceases on the child's 18th birthday unless a court order or statutory exception applies. Wisconsin uses age 18 as the baseline emancipation age, which aligns with 38 other U.S. states. The termination is automatic and does not require the paying parent to file a motion or appear in court to stop payments.
Understanding when child support ends in Wisconsin requires knowing the specific exceptions. The two primary exceptions that extend support beyond 18 are high school enrollment and disability. Each exception has its own statutory requirements, documentation, and procedural steps. Parents who continue paying after the termination date without a valid exception may be entitled to reimbursement, though recovering overpayments requires court action.
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) administers child support enforcement through county child support agencies. These agencies process termination requests, verify high school enrollment for extensions, and handle modifications. Parents can contact their county child support agency or visit the DCF website at dcf.wisconsin.gov/cs for information about their specific case.
The High School Extension to Age 19
Wisconsin law extends child support to age 19 when the child is actively enrolled in an accredited course of instruction leading to a high school diploma or its equivalent under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4). The extension applies automatically if the custodial parent provides written documentation of enrollment to the child support agency before the child's 18th birthday. Approximately 7% of Wisconsin child support cases involve the high school extension based on DCF administrative data.
The high school extension covers enrollment in traditional high schools, alternative high schools, and GED preparation programs. The program must be accredited by the state of Wisconsin or a recognized accrediting body. Online high school programs qualify if they meet Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction accreditation standards. Part-time enrollment is generally sufficient, but the child must be making reasonable progress toward completing the diploma or GED.
The custodial parent bears the burden of proving continued enrollment. Written documentation typically includes a letter from the school or program confirming the child's enrollment status, expected graduation date, and course load. If the child drops out, is expelled, or otherwise stops attending before turning 19, child support terminates on the date enrollment ceases. The paying parent can request verification of enrollment through the county child support agency at any time during the extension period.
Child support during the extension period continues at the same rate as the original order unless the court modifies it. The percentage of income standard still applies: 17% of gross income for one child, 25% for two children, 29% for three children, 31% for four children, and 34% for five or more children under Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 150.
Child Support for Disabled Adult Children
Wisconsin courts may order child support to continue indefinitely for a disabled adult child under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4m). The child must meet all three statutory criteria: (1) the child requires substantial care and personal supervision due to a mental or physical disability, (2) the child is not and will not in the future be capable of self-support, and (3) the disability existed or its cause was known to exist on or before the child's 18th birthday. Wisconsin is one of 32 states that allow extended support for disabled adult children.
The court evaluates medical evidence, psychological evaluations, and functional assessments when determining whether a child qualifies for indefinite support. The requesting parent must present documentation from qualified medical professionals establishing the nature, severity, and permanence of the disability. The child does not need to be institutionalized to qualify for extended support. Living independently with assistance, residing in a group home, or living with a parent all satisfy the statutory requirement.
When ordering indefinite support for a disabled adult child, Wisconsin courts must also assign responsibility for the child's health care expenses under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4m). Health care responsibility includes medical insurance premiums, uninsured medical expenses, dental care, vision care, and prescription medications. Courts typically allocate health care costs proportionally based on each parent's income, following the same framework used for minor children.
The amount of child support for a disabled adult child is not automatically calculated using the percentage of income standard. Courts have discretion to set an amount that reflects the actual costs of the adult child's care, including housing, food, transportation, medical expenses, and supervision. The paying parent can petition to modify the amount if circumstances change, such as the child becoming eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Wisconsin Does Not Require College Support
Wisconsin does not require either parent to pay child support for a child's college or postsecondary education expenses. Child support ends at 18 (or 19 with the high school extension) regardless of whether the child attends college. This distinguishes Wisconsin from states like New York, New Jersey, and Indiana, which can order parents to contribute to college costs. Wisconsin parents who wish to share college expenses must negotiate those terms voluntarily, either in the divorce settlement agreement or through a separate written agreement.
| State | College Support Required | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | No | 18 (19 with HS extension) |
| Illinois | Yes | 23 |
| New York | Yes | 21 |
| New Jersey | Yes | 23 |
| Indiana | Yes | 21 |
| Iowa | Yes | 22 |
| Minnesota | No | 18 (20 with HS extension) |
| Michigan | No | 18 |
A voluntary agreement to pay college expenses is enforceable as a contract in Wisconsin but is not treated as a child support order. A parent who agrees to pay college costs in a marital settlement agreement cannot be held in contempt of court for failing to pay, unlike traditional child support obligations. However, the other parent can sue for breach of contract to enforce the agreement. Parents negotiating divorce settlements in Wisconsin should carefully consider whether to include college contribution provisions and consult with an attorney about enforcement mechanisms.
How Wisconsin Calculates Child Support Before It Ends
Wisconsin uses the percentage of income standard to calculate child support obligations under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(1j) and Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 150. The paying parent's gross income determines the base support amount: 17% for one child, 25% for two children, 29% for three children, 31% for four children, and 34% for five or more children. Gross income includes wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, investment income, and most other income sources.
The percentage standard is presumptive, meaning courts apply it unless a party demonstrates that applying the standard would be unfair to the child or either parent. Courts consider 12 deviation factors listed in Wis. Stat. § 767.511(1m), including the financial resources of both parents, the child's educational needs, the standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the marriage continued, and the desirability of maintaining the custodial parent in the home as a full-time parent.
Wisconsin uses a shared-placement formula when each parent has the child at least 25% of the time (92 or more overnights per year) under DCF 150.04(2). The shared-placement formula accounts for both parents' incomes and the proportion of time each parent spends with the child. A parent with 50/50 placement and higher income still pays support, but the amount is significantly reduced compared to the standard percentage. The shared-placement calculation worksheet is available on the DCF website.
Variable expenses such as health insurance premiums and childcare costs are added on top of the base child support percentage. As of the 2024 guideline revisions, both parents must contribute to uninsured medical expenses proportionally to their incomes, covering dental care, orthodontic treatment, eyeglasses, mental health services, and prescription medications. Childcare costs necessary for the custodial parent's employment or education are typically split proportionally.
Emancipation Events That End Child Support Early
Child support in Wisconsin can end before the child turns 18 if certain emancipation events occur. Marriage terminates child support because a married minor is legally emancipated under Wisconsin law. Military enlistment in active duty also constitutes emancipation, ending the child support obligation on the date the child enters active service. A court declaration of emancipation based on the child's financial independence and self-sufficiency can also terminate support before age 18.
Death of either the child or the paying parent terminates the child support obligation. If the paying parent dies, the surviving parent may seek support from the deceased parent's estate under Wis. Stat. § 767.511, but ongoing periodic payments cease. Life insurance provisions in divorce settlements often address this contingency, requiring the paying parent to maintain a policy naming the child or custodial parent as beneficiary until support would otherwise terminate.
Adoption of the child by another person terminates the biological parent's child support obligation. When a stepparent adopts a child, the noncustodial biological parent's rights and obligations, including child support, are permanently severed. However, any child support arrears that accrued before the adoption remain enforceable. The biological parent still owes unpaid support for the period before the adoption was finalized.
How to Modify or Terminate a Child Support Order
Either parent can request a modification of child support in Wisconsin by demonstrating a substantial change in circumstances under Wis. Stat. § 767.59. A substantial change is presumed after 33 months since the last order was established or modified, meaning the requesting parent does not need to prove changed circumstances if 33 months have passed. Before the 33-month mark, the requesting parent must show that circumstances have changed enough to result in a monthly support difference of more than $50.
To request a modification, file Form FA-4170V (Notice of Motion and Motion to Change) with the circuit court in the county that issued the original order. The filing fee for a modification motion is $50 as of March 2026 (verify with your local clerk). Parents can also request a free administrative review through their county child support agency, which evaluates whether the current order reflects both parents' actual incomes and circumstances. The agency review process typically takes 45 to 90 days.
Qualifying substantial changes include a significant increase or decrease in either parent's income, a change in the child's placement or custody arrangement, the paying parent's incarceration, the child aging out of eligibility, a change in the child's health care needs, or the custodial parent beginning to receive public assistance. Voluntary unemployment or underemployment does not qualify as a substantial change; Wisconsin courts may impute income based on earning capacity if a parent deliberately reduces income to lower support obligations.
To formally terminate child support when the child reaches 18 (or 19 with the extension), the paying parent should contact the county child support agency to confirm that the case will be closed. If payments are made through income withholding, the paying parent's employer must receive a notice to stop withholding. The child support agency typically sends this notice automatically, but delays can occur. Parents should monitor their case through the Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund (WI SCTF) online portal to verify that withholding has stopped.
Child Support Arrears Do Not End When the Child Turns 18
Unpaid child support (arrears) remains enforceable indefinitely in Wisconsin, even after the child turns 18 or the support obligation otherwise terminates. Wisconsin has no statute of limitations on child support arrears collection. A parent who owes $10,000 in back child support when the child turns 18 still owes that $10,000 and the state can use all available enforcement tools to collect it, including wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, license suspension, and contempt of court proceedings.
Interest accrues on unpaid child support arrears at the rate of 1% per month (12% annually) in Wisconsin under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(6m). A parent who owes $20,000 in arrears accumulates $200 per month in interest, or $2,400 per year. Interest compounds, increasing the total owed over time. This rate is among the higher state rates nationally, where the median is approximately 6% to 10% per year.
Enforcement tools available for collecting child support arrears in Wisconsin include income withholding from wages, seizure of federal and state tax refunds, suspension of driver's licenses and professional licenses, denial of passport applications for arrears exceeding $2,500, placement of liens on real property and personal property, and referral to the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement for interstate collection. Willful failure to pay child support can result in criminal prosecution, with penalties including fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 6 years under Wis. Stat. § 948.22.
Parents who owe arrears can negotiate a payment plan through the county child support agency. Payment plans typically require a monthly payment amount that covers the current obligation (if still active) plus an additional amount toward the arrears balance. Courts can also modify the arrears payment schedule if the paying parent demonstrates inability to pay the full amount. However, courts cannot retroactively reduce the arrears balance itself; they can only adjust the payment timeline.
Wisconsin Residency and Filing Requirements for Divorce
Wisconsin requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for a minimum of 6 months and in the filing county for at least 30 days before filing for divorce under Wis. Stat. § 767.301. The court imposes a mandatory 120-day waiting period from the date the respondent is served (or from the date a joint petition is filed) before it can grant the final divorce judgment. The standard filing fee is $184.50 for a basic divorce, increasing to $194.50 when child support or maintenance is requested. As of March 2026, verify fees with your local circuit court clerk.
Wisconsin is a no-fault divorce state. The only ground for divorce is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage under Wis. Stat. § 767.315. One spouse's assertion that the marriage is irretrievably broken is sufficient if the other spouse does not contest it. If the respondent contests the claim, the court may require both parties to attend counseling for up to 60 days before proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age does child support end in Wisconsin?
Child support ends at age 18 in Wisconsin under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4). The obligation extends to age 19 if the child is enrolled in an accredited high school or GED program. Wisconsin does not require child support payments for college attendance, making 18 (or 19 with the extension) the final cutoff.
Can child support continue past 19 in Wisconsin?
Child support can continue indefinitely past age 19 only for disabled adult children under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4m). The child must require substantial care due to a mental or physical disability, be incapable of self-support, and the disability must have existed before the child's 18th birthday. No other exception extends support past 19.
Does Wisconsin require parents to pay for college?
Wisconsin does not require parents to pay child support or contribute to college expenses. Child support terminates at 18 or 19 regardless of college enrollment. Parents who wish to share college costs must negotiate a voluntary agreement in their divorce settlement. A voluntary college agreement is enforceable as a contract but not as a child support order.
How do I stop child support payments when my child turns 18?
Contact your county child support agency to confirm case closure when your child turns 18. If payments are withheld from your wages, the agency notifies your employer to stop withholding. Verify through the Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund (WI SCTF) online portal that withholding has ceased. Overpayments after age 18 may require court action to recover.
What happens to unpaid child support when the child turns 18?
Unpaid child support arrears remain fully enforceable after the child turns 18 in Wisconsin. There is no statute of limitations on arrears collection. Interest accrues at 1% per month (12% annually) under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(6m). The state can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, and pursue criminal prosecution for willful nonpayment.
Can I modify child support before it ends in Wisconsin?
Either parent can request a modification by showing a substantial change in circumstances. After 33 months, a substantial change is legally presumed without additional proof. Before 33 months, the change must result in a monthly support difference exceeding $50. File Form FA-4170V with the circuit court or request a free review through your county child support agency.
What percentage of income is child support in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin uses the percentage of income standard: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and 34% for five or more children. These percentages apply to the paying parent's gross income under DCF 150. Courts may deviate from the standard based on 12 statutory factors listed in Wis. Stat. § 767.511(1m).
Does shared custody reduce child support in Wisconsin?
Shared placement reduces child support when each parent has the child at least 25% of the time (92 or more overnights per year) under DCF 150.04(2). The shared-placement formula considers both parents' incomes and their respective placement percentages. A parent with 50/50 placement and higher income still pays support, but the amount is substantially lower than the standard percentage.
What if my child drops out of high school before 19?
Child support terminates on the date the child stops attending school if the child drops out before turning 19. The high school extension under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(4) requires active enrollment in an accredited program. The paying parent can request enrollment verification through the county child support agency and should notify the agency promptly if the child leaves school.
Can child support be terminated if my child gets married before 18?
Marriage before age 18 legally emancipates the child in Wisconsin, terminating the child support obligation. Military enlistment in active duty and a court declaration of emancipation also end support before 18. The paying parent should file a motion to formally terminate the order and notify the county child support agency to close the case.