Issues related to child support often play a crucial role in family law cases. The costs of raising children can be significant, and they should be shared by both parents. For those who are going through a divorce or who need to resolve child custody issues as unmarried parents, it is important to understand the methods that will be used to calculate child support under the guidelines provided in Wisconsin law. An experienced attorney can assist with these matters, ensuring that all factors are considered correctly when establishing child support obligations.

What Determines Child Support in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin’s approach to child support is designed to ensure that both parents will contribute toward meeting their child’s needs based on their respective incomes. The State uses a percentage of income standard, which calculates support based on a percentage of the paying parent’s gross income and the number of children being supported. In some cases, obligations may be calculated for both parents and offset based on the amount of physical placement (visitation) each parent will have with his or her child.