How Wisconsin Calculates Primary Placement Child Support Rates
When the non-residential parent has less than 92 (less than 25% of the time) overnight visits with the child(ren), Wisconsin considers the case to be of primary placement to the residential parent. The child(ren)’s primary residence and supervision are provided by the residential parent, while the non-residential parent is entitled to visitation, which may or may not include overnights.
Wisconsin uses the standard percentage formula, set by DCF 150 of our State Legislature. The percentage is based on the number of kids to be in primary placement of a parent. The paying parent will make child support payments based on the following percentages:
- For 1 child, it's 17% of gross income
- For 2 children, it's 25% of gross income
- For 3 children, it's 29% of gross income
- For 4 children, it's 31% of gross income
- For 5+ children, it's 34% of gross income
In Wisconsin, the courts may use their discretion in evaluating other factors to increase or decrease monthly child support payments. Additionally, percentages vary based on low or high-income of either party.
Use Divergent Law’s Wisconsin child support calculator with overnights to estimate child support payments for shared custody, split custody or full custody situations. These calculations should only be used as estimates to determine your monthly child support based on time spent with the child(ren).
Wisconsin Child Support Percentage Conversion (Examples)
Monthly Income | 1 child (0.17) | 2 children (0.17) | 3 children (0.17) | 4 children (0.17) | 5+ children (0.17) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$2,000.00 | $340.00 | $500.00 | $580.00 | $620.00 | $680.00 |
$2,100.00 | $357.00 | $525.00 | $609.00 | $651.00 | $714.00 |
$2,300.00 | $391.00 | $575.00 | $667.00 | $713.00 | $782.00 |
$2,500.00 | $425.00 | $625.00 | $725.00 | $775.00 | $850.00 |
$2,900.00 | $493.00 | $725.00 | $841.00 | $899.00 | $986.00 |
View the WI Child Support Percentage Conversion Table (Chapter DCF 150 APPENDIX A) for more examples.
*Gross income is the sum of all wages, tips, profits, salaries, interest payments, and other forms of earnings, before any taxes and other deductions.