When you are a parent facing divorce in Wisconsin, you probably have some concerns about what your finances will look like after you and your spouse split. You know child support payments can be expensive. But what will you have to pay each month? How does Wisconsin calculate child support?
Calculating child support in Wisconsin
Wisconsin bases child support on three different factors:
- What each parent’s income is
- How much time each parent spends with the child
- If the parent is supporting other children
When calculating the percentage you will pay from your income, Wisconsin has child support levels of:
- Paying 17% of your income for one child
- Paying 25% of your income for two children
- Paying 29% of your income for three children
- Paying 31% of your income for four children
When factoring your income to determine how much child support you will pay, Wisconsin includes income you receive from:
- Your wages, salaries, tips, commissions and bonuses
- Any workers’ compensation or any personal injury awards you receive
- Any Social Security disability benefits you receive
- Any unemployment benefits you receive
- Any interest you earn on investments
- Any military pension or veteran benefits you receive
When facing issues with child support
If you recently lost your job or took a lower-paying job, you may need to modify your child support payments. You should consult an experienced family law attorney before you become delinquent on your child support payments.
You know it costs money to raise a child. So even if you need to lower your child support payments, you want to ensure your child has what they need to thrive.