Wisconsin utilizes the income share model when calculating child support. This method takes into account both parents’ incomes, approximating the percentage of income each parent will contribute to cover basic support such as food, shelter and clothing; medical support to cover health insurance and medical costs; and variable support to cover costs of education, extracurricular activities, child care costs and more.
2024 Changes to Child Support Calculation
In 2024, anticipated changes to the income shares model will redefine gross income to include all sources of income, not just wages, to ensure child support payments are reflective of each parent’s ability to contribute to the child’s financial support. It is important for parents to keep comprehensive income records to ensure precise calculations, including any overtime and bonuses received averaged over a three year period.
Parenting Time and Child Support
Because custody arrangements also figure into the calculation for child support, the court will take into account the specific number of overnights each parent shares with a child to ensure fairness when calculating support payments in 2024 and moving forward. Parents may wish to review their custody arrangements and update the parenting agreement to reflect the current schedule as child support may increase or decrease depending on the time each parent spends with the child.
Contact an Experienced Family Law Attorney
If you are seeking a modification to your child support payments, such as a reduction in the child support obligation based on time spent with a child or an increase in support taking into account all sources of income , it is important to discuss your concerns with an experienced Wisconsin family law attorney. Contact Jane Probst at Probst Law Offices S.C. for immediate assistance today at 414-210-3135.