Wisconsin child support guidelines use the percentage of income formula, which calculates the support obligation as a percentage of the income of the non-custodial parent who is obligated to support the child.  Each party's gross income is used in the calculation, which is defined as income from any source, whether or not it is reported or taxed under federal law.  Once each party's gross income is determined, the method simply applies a percentage to the income of the parent according to the number of children requiring support and the number of overnights each child spends with each parent.  Hence, the child support guidelines are based on:  each parent's income; the number of overnights a child spends with each parent; and whether a parent is supporting other children.   

There are special formulas that apply in low-income, high-income, serial-payer, shared-placement, and split-custody situations.  Further, upon request by a party, the court may deviate or modify child support payments determined by the child support guidelines if after considering a number of factors, the court finds that use of the percentage standard is unfair to the child or to any of the parties.

The attorneys at Balisle & Roberson, S.C. can help you identify your and your spouse's true incomes, estimate the amount of child support that should be paid in your situation, and discuss with you whether or not a deviation from the percentage standard may be appropriate in your case.