Wisconsin Child Support Calculator

Estimate Wisconsin child support for 2026 using the Percentage of Income Standard guideline model under Wis. Stat. § 767.511; Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Wisconsin uses a flat Percentage of Income model under Wis. Stat. § 767.511 and DCF 150. Support is calculated as a fixed percentage of the non-custodial parent's adjusted income, 17% of gross income for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and 34% for five or more. The custodial parent's income is generally not factored into the base obligation.

Wisconsin uses a shared-care formula when each parent has the child at least 25% of overnights, roughly 92 nights a year or more. Once that threshold is met, the standard flat percentage no longer applies on its own and a separate shared-placement calculation accounts for both parents' incomes and the time the child spends with each. If your overnights fall below that level, the basic Percentage of Income Standard percentages drive the number. The calculator on this page is an estimate only, and the official DCF worksheet controls the actual figure.

In Wisconsin the obligor's gross income is adjusted for the cost of any health insurance the paying parent provides for the children, under Wis. Stat. § 767.511 and DCF 150. The court typically orders one parent to carry the child's health coverage and the premium attributable to the children factors into the support math. Uninsured medical costs are usually shared between the parents. Because these adjustments change the bottom line, treat the on-page estimate as a starting point, not legal advice, and confirm the result with the official worksheet or a licensed attorney.

Work-related child care and daycare are not part of the base flat percentage in Wisconsin. Instead, reasonable child care costs that let a parent work or attend school are generally treated as an add-on that the parents share, often in proportion to their incomes, on top of the guideline support amount. The exact split is set by the court and reflected on the official DCF calculation. The estimate shown here does not capture every add-on, so verify daycare allocation against the official Wisconsin worksheet or with an attorney.

Wisconsin courts presume the Percentage of Income Standard amount is correct, but a judge may deviate if applying the standard would be unfair to the child or to a party under Wis. Stat. § 767.511 and DCF 150. The parent asking the court to move away from the guideline number carries the burden of showing why a different amount is appropriate, and the judge must put specific reasons on the record. Factors can include the financial resources of each parent, the child's needs, and other support obligations. Any deviation is a judicial decision, so the on-page calculator cannot predict it.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin uses a flat Percentage of Income Standard under Wis. Stat. § 767.511 and DCF 150, administered through the Wisconsin Bureau of Child Support. The base obligation is a fixed share of the paying parent's adjusted gross income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and 34% for five or more. The custodial parent's income generally does not factor into the base number unless a special calculation applies. Different math is used for shared placement, split placement, and serial family situations. The estimate on this page is informational only, and the official DCF worksheet or a licensed attorney controls the real amount.

Is there an official Wisconsin child support worksheet or calculator I should use?

Yes. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families publishes the controlling guideline calculation, and the Bureau of Child Support hosts an official online calculator at dcf.wisconsin.gov/cs/calculator. That tool, built on the percentages in DCF 150 and Wis. Stat. § 767.511, is the form courts and the agency rely on, not any third-party estimate. The calculator on this page is a quick, plain-English preview to help you understand the order of magnitude. For a figure you can take into court or to a hearing, run the numbers through the official DCF calculator and, ideally, confirm with a licensed Wisconsin attorney.

How does shared placement or a 50/50 schedule change child support in Wisconsin?

When each parent has the child for at least 25% of overnights, roughly 92 nights a year, Wisconsin switches from the flat percentage to a shared-placement formula. This calculation considers both parents' incomes and how the overnights split, so a near-equal or 50/50 schedule can substantially lower or even offset what the higher-earning parent pays. Wisconsin also has separate methods for split placement, where each parent has primary placement of different children. Because shared placement turns on overnight counts and both incomes, the simple percentage estimate here will not reflect it. Use the official DCF calculator or speak with an attorney to model your schedule accurately.

How are bonuses, overtime, and self-employment income counted in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin bases support on gross income, so wages, overtime, commissions, and bonuses are generally part of the income used in the Percentage of Income Standard under DCF 150. For self-employed parents, income is figured net of reasonable and necessary business expenses, which prevents someone from hiding income behind inflated write-offs. Courts can look at recent earnings history and may average variable income to reach a fair figure. Because the percentages apply to adjusted gross income, every dollar counted matters. This calculator uses simplified inputs, so verify how irregular income is treated through the official DCF worksheet or with a Wisconsin attorney.

Can a parent's income be imputed if they are unemployed or underemployed in Wisconsin?

Yes. If a Wisconsin court finds a parent is voluntarily unemployed or earning less than they reasonably could, it can impute income based on earning capacity rather than actual pay, then apply the Percentage of Income Standard to that figure. Judges look at work history, education, skills, and available jobs. The Bureau of Child Support and the courts use this to stop a parent from dodging support by quitting or taking a lower-paying role. Imputation is a fact-specific judicial decision, so the estimate on this page, which relies on the income you enter, cannot account for it. Discuss earning-capacity arguments with a licensed attorney.

How do I modify a Wisconsin child support order, and what counts as a change?

To change a Wisconsin order, you file a motion in circuit court or request a review through the Bureau of Child Support. A modification generally requires a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant income shift, a change in placement, or a change in the child's needs. For IV-D cases handled by the agency, orders are reviewed roughly every 33 months. Until a court enters a new order, the existing amount stays in force, so do not stop paying based on an informal agreement. This page estimates a current guideline figure, but only a judge can actually modify your order.

When does child support end in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin child support generally ends when the child turns 18. It can extend to age 19 if the child is still pursuing a high school diploma or an equivalency program, so support may continue through that final stretch of school. Continuing support for an adult child with a disability is also available in appropriate cases. Ending support is not automatic in every situation, and any past-due balance, known as arrears, survives the child reaching the age of majority and remains collectible. For your specific end date and any arrears, check your order, the Bureau of Child Support, or a licensed Wisconsin attorney rather than relying on this estimate.