In Wisconsin, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) administers child support, and the agency also enforces child support when necessary. Enforcement tools include income withholding, tax refund intercepts, liens on property, license suspension, and potential federal actions.
Wisconsin law places a 20-year statute of limitations on child support that is past due. This 20-year period begins the date the youngest child emancipates or reaches the age of majority, not the date of the last order.
If you are owed support from a parent who has fallen behind on their child support payment, you can file a motion for contempt with the court. One of our Wisconsin family lawyers can guide you through this legal process.
Once a motion is filed with the court, the court will schedule a hearing so arguments can be made, and the court can address the matter. The Judge will make a finding of whether or not the delinquent payer is in contempt. The Judge will order a payment arrangement to make up for the missed support payments.
Yes, Wisconsin law allows the Court to impose interest on the arrears at a rate of 0.5% per month. Once a parent falls behind on payments, the child support agency automatically enters an arrears judgment. Once this is entered, interest will begin accruing on the delinquent balance owed. That being said, it is in a parent’s best interest to make all support payments in a timely manner.
What circumstances have changed enough, the court can adjust the child support order. To modify child support in Wisconsin, there needs to be a substantial change in circumstances such as one party getting a new job and now making more money.
