I don’t think my child(ren)’s parent is using the child support the way it should be. What can I do?

Child support is intended to go toward your child(ren)’s welfare, which includes rent, food, clothes, etc. Some of these things such as rent and food overlap where the other parent may benefit from. If you are concerned your child(ren) is being neglected, you could try to contact the Department of Health and Human Services to see what can be done. However, the paying parent does not have the right to decide how the support is spent on the child(ren).

If the other parent is refusing to let me see our child(ren), can I stop paying child support?

Your obligation first and foremost is to care for your child(ren), so do not stop paying. The issue of placement of the child(ren) and child support are considered two entirely different issues with the court and if you stop paying your child support, you could be held in contempt of court. If your court-ordered child placement schedule is being violated, you can file a motion to enforce physical placement against the other parent. Contact our attorneys today to find out all your options going forward.

Can I just use the Child Support Calculator to determine the monthly child support payment?

Using the Child Support Calculator can give a calculated estimate to determine the monthly child supported cost. Though the calculator is based on guidelines determined by the State of Wisconsin courts, specifically DCF 150. The courts can deviate from these guidelines and increase or decrease payments based on other factors. A child support lawyer in Wisconsin can help you determine more accurate child support payment estimations.

How is child support determined?

Child support determination is based on the needs of the child, income and needs of the custodial parent, the paying parent's ability to pay and the child's standard of living before divorce or separation.

How many overnights is every other weekend?

Custody of your child(ren) every other weekend results in 52 overnights per year.

How many overnights is joint custody?

To qualify for joint physical custody, Wisconsin requires that each parent host more than 92 overnights per year. Use our child support shared custody calculator to see how many overnights for various joint custody arrangments.

How much child support will I pay for one child?

For one child, you will pay 17% of your gross income in child support. Percentages vary for low-income payers.

How do I apply for child support in Wisconsin?

To apply for child support in Wisconsin, you should visit your local child support agency. Filing for child support in Wisconsin can take place by downloading an application form online at the Wisconsin DCF website and returning the completed application to the child support agency.

How do I determine the first weekend of the month?

To determine the first weekend of the month, look at the first Friday of the month. If the 1st of the month is on or before Friday, that is the first weekend. However, if the 1st of the month is on Saturday, the following weekend will be the first weekend of the month.

What percentage of income do you pay for child support?

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: 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.

Easy-to-use Wisconsin Child Support Calculator 2023

Primary Placement

Shared Placement

Low-Income

High-Income

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.

How Wisconsin Calculates Shared Placement Child Support Rates

To qualify for shared placement in Wisconsin, both parents are required to have at least 92 (25% of the time) overnight visits with the child(ren). Both parents have a significant amount of contact and time with their child(ren).

Wisconsin uses a Shared Placement formula based on the percentage standard as well as time spent with each parent. Child support in Wisconsin is determined by each parent’s gross monthly income, the standard percentage based on the number of children (see table below), and the percentage of time each parent spends with the child(ren).

In Wisconsin, the use of the shared placement formula for shared placement is at the discretion of the courts. The courts may also use other factors in increasing or decreasing monthly child support payments.

Use Divergent Law’s free online Wisconsin child support calculator for joint custody to determine an estimate of your monthly child support payments. These calculations should only be used as estimates to determine your monthly child support cost.

Wisconsin Child Support Standard Percentage

1 child	2 children	3 children	4 children	5+ children
17% of gross income	25% of gross income	29% of gross income	31% of gross income	34% of gross income

View the WI Shared Placement Worksheet.

*Gross income is the sum of all wages, tips, profits, salaries, interest payments, and other forms of earnings, before any taxes and other deductions.

How Wisconsin Calculates Low-Income Child Support Rates

If you’re gross monthly income is less than $1,485/month (75% to 150% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines), your child support obligation may be based off the low-income formula for primary placement or shared placement.

In Wisconsin, the use of the low-income formula for primary placement or shared placement is at the discretion of the courts. The courts may also use other factors in increasing or decreasing monthly child support payments.

Use Divergent Law’s easy-to-use online Wisconsin child support calculator to determine an estimate of your monthly child support payments. Our child support formula should only be used as estimates to determine your monthly child support cost.

Child Support Obligation of Low−Income Payers (Examples)

Gross Monthly Income Up To:	Child Support for 1 child		Child Support for 2 kids		Child Support for 3 kids		Child Support for 4 Kids		Child Support for 5+ children
Gross Monthly Income Up To:	Percent	Child Support Amount	Percent	Child Support Amount	Percent	Child Support Amount	Percent	Child Support Amount	Percent	Child Support Amount
$781.00	11.22%	$88	16.50%	$129	19.14%	$149	20.46%	$160	22.44%	$175
$808.00	11.43%	$92	16.80%	$136	19.49%	$157	20.84%	$168	22.85%	$185
$889.00	12.05%	$107	17.71%	$157	20.55%	$183	21.97%	$195	24.09%	$214
$1,057.00	13.28%	$140	19.54%	$206	22.66%	$240	24.22%	$256	26.57%	$281
$1,309.00	15.14%	$198	22.27%	$291	25.83%	$338	27.61%	$361	30.28%	$396
$1,485.00 or higher	– No longer eligible for Low Income formula –

View the WI Low-Income Payer Guidelines (Chapter DCF 150 – APPENDIX C) 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.

How Wisconsin Calculates High-Income Child Support Rates

If the paying parent’s gross income is $7000/month ($84,000/year) or more, your child support obligation may be based on the high-income payer worksheet for primary placement or shared placement.

In Wisconsin, the use of the high-income formula for primary placement or shared placement is at the discretion of the courts. The courts may also use other factors in increasing or decreasing monthly child support payments.

Use Divergent Law’s free online Wisconsin child support calculator to determine an estimate of your monthly child support amount per child.

Child Support Obligation of High-Income Payers

	1 child	2 children	3 children	4 children	5+ children
The first $7,000/month of income	17% of gross income	25% of gross income	29% of gross income	31% of gross income	34% of gross income
Portion of income between $7,000/month and $12,500/month	14% of gross income	20% of gross income	23% of gross income	25% of gross income	27% of gross income
Portion of income that is more $12,500/month	10% of gross income	15% of gross income	17% of gross income	19% of gross income	20% of gross income

View the WI High-Income Payer Worksheet.

*Gross income is the sum of all wages, tips, profits, salaries, interest payments, and other forms of earnings, before any taxes and other deductions.