Wisconsin Child Support
Estimate for Wisconsin
Wisconsin uses the Percentage of Income model.
Wisconsin Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Paying parent income: $5,000.00/mo · Children: 2
This is an informal planning estimate, not a court worksheet and not legal advice. Confirm the current guideline with the state child-support agency or a licensed family-law attorney.
View calculation breakdown
| Statutory rate (2 children) | 25% |
|---|---|
| gross monthly income | $5,000 |
| Estimated monthly support | $1,250 |
Estimated monthly support by number of children
Typical amounts in Wisconsin
| Scenario | Obligor income/mo | Other parent | Est. monthly support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower earner | $2,500 | $4,000/mo | $425/mo |
| Typical case | $5,500 | $4,000/mo | $935/mo |
| Higher earner | $9,000 | $4,000/mo | $1,530/mo |
Wisconsin uses the percentage model on gross income. Your numbers will differ — run the calculator above with your own inputs. Estimates are educational, not a court order.
§ How Wisconsin calculates support
Wisconsin uses the Percentage of Income Standard in Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150 applied to the paying parent's gross income. Base rates: 17% (1 child), 25% (2), 29% (3), 31% (4), 34% (5+). Notable features: a high-income schedule (reduced rates above $84,000; 10–20% above $150,000), a low-income schedule below 150% of the federal poverty level, shared-placement offset (each parent ≥ 25% overnights) using a 1.5× multiplier, split-placement and serial-family adjustments, and a rebuttable presumption requiring written deviation findings.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case in Wisconsin
- Apply through your county child support agency or online via Child Support Online Services (CSOS); you may apply even if the other parent lives out of state.
- Establish parentage if needed.
- Calculate the obligation using the DCF 150 percentage standard and worksheets/calculator.
- The court enters a support order (the percentage standard is a rebuttable presumption; deviations need written findings).
- Payments go through the Wisconsin Child Support Collection Trust Fund (income withholding).
- Request a review/modification when income or placement changes, or generally every three years.
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: Paying parent gross income $5,000/month, two children, primary placement with the other parent.
Walk-through: 25% × $5,000 = $1,250/month base (before any deviation or adjustment).
Takeaway: Wisconsin's base percentage for two children is 25% of gross income.
Scenario: Each parent has the child 50% of overnights; Parent A gross $6,000, Parent B gross $4,000, two children.
Walk-through: Each parent's base: A 25% × $6,000 = $1,500; B 25% × $4,000 = $1,000. The shared-placement formula multiplies by 150% and offsets by time, so the higher earner pays the difference (a reduced transfer versus sole placement).
Takeaway: Shared placement uses both incomes and a 1.5× multiplier; the exact figure requires the DCF 150 worksheet.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://childsupport.wisconsin.gov/ · https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dcf/150 · https://www.wislawhelp.org/node/357/calculating-child-support-under-wisconsins-percentage-standard · https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/wisconsin/Wis-Admin-Code-SS-DCF-150-035
How Wisconsin calculates support
Wisconsin applies a flat percentage of gross income by number of children (17% / 25% / 29% / 31% / 34% for 1–5+ children).