Wisconsin Child Support Calculator and
Guidelines Worksheet

Wisconsin calculates child support using the Percentage of Income model, with the governing statute at [Wis. Stat.

§ 767.511](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/767/iv/511) and the percentage standards established by the Department of Children and Families. Wisconsin applies a flat percentage to the gross income of the non-custodial parent (the parent with less time): **17% for 1 child, 25% for 2 children, 29% for 3 children, 31% for 4 children, and 34%** for 5 or more children.

Wisconsin's "serial family" provision adjusts these percentages downward when the obligor supports additional children in other households — the base percentages are reduced by a formula that accounts for the obligations to all children. Wisconsin also has a specific "shared-time" formula under Wis.

Stat. § 767.511(1m) that applies when the payer parent has the child for **25% or more** of overnights (91 or more per year), replacing the standard percentage with a formula based on both parents' incomes and the parenting time split.

Wisconsin's percentage standards cover most cases up to approximately $7,000/month in gross income; above that level, courts can deviate from the percentage. Work-related childcare is added to the support calculation separately.

The Wisconsin Bureau of Child Support administers enforcement through county child support agencies statewide.

Wisconsin's Percentage of Income calculation starts with determining the non-custodial parent's income. Depending on whether Wisconsin uses a flat or varying percentage model, the court either applies a single percentage regardless of income level or uses a sliding scale where the percentage decreases as income rises.

The specific percentages and income thresholds are set forth in Percentage of obligor's gross income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, 34% for five+, providing a clear framework that both parents can reference.

For a flat percentage model, the calculation is straightforward: if the statutory rate for one child is, for example, 20% and the obligor's net monthly income is $5,000, the child support payment would be $1,000 per month. For two or more children, the percentage typically increases — the exact rates for Wisconsin are set forth in Percentage of obligor's gross income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, 34% for five+ and should be verified against the current schedule.

The varying percentage model applies different rates at different income brackets, producing a more graduated obligation.

While the custodial parent's income is not part of the primary calculation in Wisconsin's model, it may become relevant in deviation proceedings. Courts can adjust the guideline amount based on the child's healthcare needs, childcare expenses, and the custodial parent's ability to cover day-to-day costs.

The simplicity of the percentage-based approach makes it efficient for courts to process, but the deviation framework ensures that exceptional circumstances receive individualized attention.

The number of children is the most direct factor in any Wisconsin child support calculation under the child support guidelines in Percentage of obligor's gross income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, 34% for five+. The basic child support obligation increases with each additional child, though not in a strictly linear fashion.

The amount of child support also depends on each parent's monthly gross income, which includes wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, and other recurring sources. The noncustodial parent's share is calculated based on their proportion of the combined monthly gross income.

Health care and child care costs play a major role. The parent who carries the child's health insurance receives a credit or offset, and unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding a threshold are typically split between the parents.

Child care costs necessary for employment or education are added to the basic child support obligation and divided proportionally between parents.

Children with special needs — whether physical, developmental, or educational — can significantly increase the amount of child support. Wisconsin courts operating under Wis.

Stat. § 767.511; Wis.

Admin. Code DCF 150 have discretion to deviate upward from the guideline amount when a child requires therapies, specialized schooling, or ongoing medical treatment that exceeds ordinary expenses.

Similarly, extracurricular activities and private school tuition may be considered, though courts vary in how they treat these costs.

High-income cases present unique challenges. Where Wisconsin's schedule under Percentage of obligor's gross income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, 34% for five+ sets a maximum combined income threshold, courts exercise independent discretion above that cap rather than applying the standard table.

When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, Wisconsin courts may impute income — assigning an earning capacity based on the parent's education, work history, job market conditions, and prior earnings — to prevent artificially lowering the child support amount by choosing not to work or accepting a lower-paying job without justification.

Wisconsin's child support obligation generally continues until the child reaches the age of majority under state law — check Wis. Stat.

§ 767.511; Wis. Admin.

Code DCF 150 for the specific cutoff age, which may extend beyond 18 in certain circumstances such as a child still in high school or college. Support may also end earlier if the child becomes emancipated through marriage, military service, or court order.

Either parent may petition the court under Wis. Stat. § 767.511; Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150 to modify a child support order when there has been a material change in circumstances. Common triggers include:

• A significant income change for either parent (a material change in circumstances — such as a significant income shift, change in custody arrangement, or change in the child's needs — is generally required to modify the existing order; the exact threshold under Wis. Stat. § 767.511; Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150 controls for Wisconsin)
• Loss of employment or onset of a disability
• A significant change in the child's medical, educational, or developmental needs
• A substantial change in the custody or parenting-time arrangement

The parent seeking modification bears the burden of proving that circumstances have genuinely changed since the last order.

Modifications in Wisconsin under Wis. Stat.

§ 767.511; Wis. Admin.

Code DCF 150 are not automatic — even when circumstances change, the existing order remains in effect until a court enters a new one. Filing promptly matters because modifications typically take effect from the date of the petition, not retroactively to when the change occurred.

Parents who delay filing risk accumulating arrears under the original order that cannot be forgiven, since federal law prohibits retroactive reduction of child support arrears. Families navigating this process should contact a Wisconsin family law attorney to confirm the specific modification threshold and filing procedures that apply to their order.

Wisconsin has multiple enforcement mechanisms under Wis. Stat.

§ 767.511; Wis. Admin.

Code DCF 150 to ensure child support is paid. The most common tool is income withholding (wage garnishment), which is now mandatory for most new and modified child support orders.

Under an income withholding order, the obligor's employer deducts the support amount directly from their paycheck and sends it to the state disbursement unit. This approach removes the obligation from the paying parent's discretion and provides the custodial parent with reliable, timely payments.

When wage garnishment is insufficient or the obligor is self-employed, Wisconsin can pursue additional enforcement actions:

• Intercepting federal and state tax refunds
• Placing liens on real and personal property
• Suspending driver's licenses and professional or occupational licenses
• Denying or revoking passport applications for arrears exceeding $2,500
• Reporting delinquent obligors to credit bureaus

Each tool creates significant practical consequences that apply without a separate court hearing.

In severe cases, Wisconsin courts may hold a non-paying parent in contempt of court, which can result in fines, community service, or incarceration. Repeated willful failure to pay can lead to criminal prosecution under both state and federal law.

The Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act makes it a federal crime to willfully fail to pay child support for a child living in another state when the arrearage exceeds $5,000 or has been unpaid for more than one year. The federal Office of Child Support Services (OCSE) can assist custodial parents with enforcement at no cost.

To contact the Wisconsin child support program directly, use the OCSE state programs directory.

The amount of parenting time each parent exercises directly affects the child support calculation in Wisconsin. When the non-custodial parent has the child for a significant number of overnights — typically 25% or more of the year (approximately 92 overnights in many jurisdictions) — Wisconsin's guidelines under Percentage of obligor's gross income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, 34% for five+ apply a shared-custody or parenting-time adjustment that reduces the non-custodial parent's obligation.

A parent who has the child more often incurs more direct expenses for housing, food, and daily needs, so the transfer payment to the other parent reflects that shared financial responsibility.

In cases where parents share custody equally (50/50), Wisconsin courts typically still calculate support based on the income differential between the parents. The higher-earning parent generally pays support to the lower-earning parent, even in a true 50/50 arrangement, because the child's standard of living should be roughly comparable in both households.

The amount is usually significantly lower than in a traditional custody arrangement as calculated under Percentage of obligor's gross income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, 34% for five+. Even small changes in the overnight count — such as moving from 120 to 128 overnights — can cross a threshold that triggers a meaningful change in the support calculation.

Use the Wisconsin Custody Time Calculator to track overnights precisely and determine which parenting time threshold applies to your schedule.