Chapter 767

767.511(1)(a) (a) Order either or both parents to pay an amount reasonable or necessary to fulfill a duty to support a child. The support amount must be expressed as a fixed sum unless the parties have stipulated to expressing the amount as a percentage of the payer’s income and the requirements under s. 767.34 (2) (am) 1. to 3. are satisfied.

767.511(1)(b) (b) Ensure that the parties have stipulated which party, if either is eligible, will claim each child as an exemption for federal income tax purposes under 26 USC 151 (c) or as an exemption for state income tax purposes under the laws of another state. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement about the tax exemption for each child, the court shall make the decision in accordance with state and federal tax laws. In making its decision, the court shall consider whether the parent who is assigned responsibility for the child’s health care expenses under s. 767.513 is covered under a health insurance policy or plan, including a self-insured plan, that is not subject to s. 632.897 (10) and that conditions coverage of a dependent child on whether the child is claimed by the insured parent as an exemption for purposes of federal or state income taxes.

767.511(1)(c) (c) In addition to ordering child support for a child under par. (a), assign as a support obligation responsibility for, and direct the manner of payment of, the child’s health care expenses under s. 767.513.

767.511(1g) (1g) Consideration of financial information. In determining child support payments, the court may consider all relevant financial information or other information relevant to the parent’s earning capacity, including information reported under s. 49.22 (2m) to the department or the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5).

767.511(1j) (1j) Percentage standard generally required. Except as provided in sub. (1m), the court shall determine child support payments by using the percentage standard established by the department under s. 49.22 (9).

767.511(1m) (1m) Deviation from standard; factors. Upon request by a party, the court may modify the amount of child support payments determined under sub. (1j) if, after considering the following factors, the court finds by the greater weight of the credible evidence that use of the percentage standard is unfair to the child or to any of the parties:

767.511(1m)(a) (a) The financial resources of the child.

767.511(1m)(b) (b) The financial resources of both parents.

767.511(1m)(bj) (bj) Maintenance received by either party.

767.511(1m)(bp) (bp) The needs of each party in order to support himself or herself at a level equal to or greater than that established under 42 USC 9902 (2).

767.511(1m)(bz) (bz) The needs of any person, other than the child, whom either party is legally obligated to support.

767.511(1m)(c) (c) If the parties were married, the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the marriage not ended in annulment, divorce or legal separation.

767.511(1m)(d) (d) The desirability that the custodian remain in the home as a full-time parent.

767.511(1m)(e) (e) The cost of child care if the custodian works outside the home, or the value of custodial services performed by the custodian if the custodian remains in the home.

767.511(1m)(ej) (ej) The award of substantial periods of physical placement to both parents.

767.511(1m)(em) (em) Extraordinary travel expenses incurred in exercising the right to periods of physical placement under s. 767.41.

767.511(1m)(f) (f) The physical, mental, and emotional health needs of the child, including any costs for health insurance as provided for under s. 767.513.

767.511(1m)(g) (g) The child’s educational needs.

767.511(1m)(h) (h) The tax consequences to each party.

767.511(1m)(hm) (hm) The best interests of the child.

767.511(1m)(hs) (hs) The earning capacity of each parent, based on each parent’s education, training and work experience and the availability of work in or near the parent’s community.

767.511(1m)(i) (i) Any other factors which the court in each case determines are relevant.

767.511(1n) (1n) Deviation from standard; record. If the court finds under sub. (1m) that use of the percentage standard is unfair to the child or the requesting party, the court shall state in writing or on the record the amount of support that would be required by using the percentage standard, the amount by which the court’s order deviates from that amount, its reasons for finding that use of the percentage standard is unfair to the child or the party, its reasons for the amount of the modification and the basis for the modification.

767.511(2) (2) Separate fund or trust. The court may protect and promote the best interests of the minor children by setting aside a portion of the child support which either party is ordered to pay in a separate fund or trust for the support, education and welfare of such children.

767.511(3) (3) Effect of physical placement violation. Violation of physical placement rights by the custodial parent does not constitute reason for failure to meet child support obligations.

767.511(4) (4) Age of child eligible for support. The court shall order either party or both to pay for the support of any child of the parties who is less than 18 years old, or any child of the parties who is less than 19 years old if the child is pursuing an accredited course of instruction leading to the acquisition of a high school diploma or its equivalent.

767.511(5) (5) Liability for past support. Subject to ss. 767.804 (4), 767.805 (4m), and 767.89 (4), liability for past support is limited to the period after the birth of the child.

767.511(6) (6) Interest on arrearage. Subject to sub. (6m), a party ordered to pay child support under this section shall pay simple interest at the rate of 1 percent per month on any amount in arrears that is equal to or greater than the amount of child support due in one month. Subject to sub. (6m), if the party no longer has a current obligation to pay child support, interest at the rate of 1 percent per month shall accrue on the total amount of child support in arrears, if any. Interest under this subsection is in lieu of interest computed under s. 807.01 (4), 814.04 (4), or 815.05 (8) and is paid to the department or its designee under s. 767.57. Except as provided in s. 767.57 (1m) and except as required under federal statutes or regulations, the department or its designee shall apply all payments received for child support as follows:

767.511(6)(a) (a) First, to payment of child support due within the calendar month during which the payment is received.

767.511(6)(b) (b) Second, to payment of unpaid child support due before the payment is received.

767.511(6)(c) (c) Third, to payment of interest accruing on unpaid child support.

767.511(6m) (6m) Pilot program on interest rate. The department may conduct a pilot program under which the interest that accrues on the amounts in arrears specified in s. 767.531, 2019 stats., and in sub. (6) shall be at the rate of 0.5 percent per month instead of 1 percent per month. If the department conducts a pilot program under this subsection, the program may begin at any time after December 31, 2013, and the new rate shall apply to interest that accrues during that time.

767.511(7) (7) Effect of joint legal custody. An order of joint legal custody under s. 767.41 does not affect the amount of child support ordered.

767.511 History History: 1971 c. 157; 1977 c. 29, 105, 418; 1979 c. 32 ss. 50, 92 (4); 1979 c. 196; Stats. 1979 s. 767.25; 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 27, 37, 355, 413; 1989 a. 31, 212; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 481; 1995 a. 27 ss. 7101, 7102, 9126 (19); 1995 a. 201, 279, 404; 1997 a. 27, 35, 191; 1999 a. 9, 32; 2001 a. 16, 61; 2005 a. 253, 342; 2005 a. 443 ss. 103, 105, 219; Stats. 2005 s. 767.511; 2009 a. 185; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 20; 2017 a. 366; 2019 a. 95; 2021 a. 35, 127.

767.511 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DCF 150, Wis. adm. code.

767.511 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also Wisconsin Administrative Code Citations published in the Wisconsin Administrative Code for a list of citations to cases citing chs. DCF 150, HSS 80, HFS 80, and DWD 40, the child support percentage of income standard.

767.511 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also notes to s. 767.59 for decisions regarding postjudgment modifications.

767.511 Annotation A provision in a judgment as to the education of children past the age of majority, inserted pursuant to a stipulation of the parties, cannot later be challenged and can be enforced by contempt proceedings. Bliwas v. Bliwas, 47 Wis. 2d 635, 178 N.W.2d 35 (1970).

767.511 Annotation When parents each own a one-half interest in future proceeds of real estate and the state contributes to child support, the court may not order the custodial parent to pay child support in the form of an accumulating real estate lien in favor of the state. State v. Reible, 91 Wis. 2d 394, 283 N.W.2d 427 (Ct. App. 1979).

767.511 Annotation The trial court abused its discretion by setting child support payments without considering the needs of the children or the payer’s ability to pay. Edwards v. Edwards, 97 Wis. 2d 111, 293 N.W.2d 160 (1980).

767.511 Annotation A personal injury damage award to a noncustodial spouse can be considered as a change of circumstances justifying increased support. Sommer v. Sommer, 108 Wis. 2d 586, 323 N.W.2d 144 (Ct. App. 1982).

767.511 Annotation Sub. (6) imposes interest on arrearages existing on July 2, 1983, as well as on those accruing afterward. Greenwood v. Greenwood, 129 Wis. 2d 388, 385 N.W.2d 213 (Ct. App. 1986).

767.511 Annotation Federal Supplemental Security Income may not be considered to be an economic resource for purposes of computing a child support obligation. However, a seek-work order may be appropriate. Langlois v. Langlois, 150 Wis. 2d 101, 441 N.W.2d 286 (Ct. App. 1989).

767.511 Annotation Educational grants and loans, AFDC, and other child support are not economic resources for purposes of computing a child support obligation. Thibadeau v. Thibadeau, 150 Wis. 2d 109, 441 N.W.2d 281 (Ct. App. 1989).

767.511 Annotation Consideration of expenses incurred by a child as an adult, including education expenses, is error. Resong v. Vier, 157 Wis. 2d 382, 459 N.W.2d 591 (Ct. App. 1990).

767.511 Annotation A divorce stipulation waiving or setting a ceiling on child support and preventing modification is against public policy and will not be enforced. Ondrasek v. Tenneson, 158 Wis. 2d 690, 462 N.W.2d 915 (Ct. App. 1990).

767.511 Annotation The trial court’s use of a computer program to analyze financial evidence was not error. Bisone v. Bisone, 165 Wis. 2d 114, 477 N.W.2d 59 (Ct. App. 1991).

767.511 Annotation In a joint custody situation, the parent with primary physical custody may be ordered to pay child support. Matz v. Matz, 166 Wis. 2d 326, 479 N.W.2d 245 (Ct. App. 1991).

767.511 Annotation A stepparent has no legal obligation to support a stepchild. Under appropriate circumstances the theory of equitable estoppel may apply to cases involving child support. Ulrich v. Cornell, 168 Wis. 2d 792, 484 N.W.2d 545 (1992).

767.511 Annotation The absence of a mortgage obligation is relevant to the assessment of a party’s economic circumstances but does not translate into imputed income under the applicable administrative rule. Zimmerman v. Zimmerman, 169 Wis. 2d 516, 485 N.W.2d 294 (Ct. App. 1992).

767.511 Annotation A support order against actual AFDC grants is prohibited by Thibadeau, 150 Wis. 2d 109 (1989), but an order against earned income of one who also receives AFDC is not. State v. Rose, 171 Wis. 2d 617, 492 N.W.2d 350 (Ct. App. 1992).

767.511 Annotation No matter how corporate income is labeled, a family court may pierce the corporate shield if it is convinced the obligor’s intent is to avoid financial obligations. Evjen v. Evjen, 171 Wis. 2d 677, 492 N.W.2d 361 (Ct. App. 1992).

767.511 Annotation The parties’ extrajudicial agreement that child support payments be discontinued was enforceable via the doctrine of equitable estoppel. Harms v. Harms, 174 Wis. 2d 780, 498 N.W.2d 229 (1993).

767.511 Annotation Discussing the “serial family payer” rule adopted under the percentage standards referred to in sub. (1) [now sub. (1j)]. Brown v. Brown, 177 Wis. 2d 512, 503 N.W.2d 280 (Ct. App. 1993).

767.511 Annotation The mandatory percentage standards for determining support do not allow for deferred payments. Kelly v. Hougham, 178 Wis. 2d 546, 504 N.W.2d 440 (Ct. App. 1993).

767.511 Annotation An AFDC recipient assigns all rights to child support payments to the state. As such the payments may not be held in trust for the child under sub. (2). State v. William W., 180 Wis. 2d 708, 510 N.W.2d 718 (Ct. App. 1993).

767.511 Annotation A lump sum separation benefit received upon termination of employment was properly considered to be income subject to the percentage standards for support. Gohde v. Gohde, 181 Wis. 2d 770, 512 N.W.2d 199 (Ct. App. 1993).

767.511 Annotation In deciding not to apply the percentage standard, the court erred when it compared the parties’ available incomes after deducting the percentage amount from the payer’s income, but failed to consider the assumed contribution of the same percentage by the payee. Kjelstrup v. Kjelstrup, 181 Wis. 2d 973, 512 N.W.2d 264 (Ct. App. 1994).

767.511 Annotation A trial court could not set child support at zero, convert post-divorce income to marital property, and order that income to be held in trust to be distributed to the child when AFDC benefits ended. Luna v. Luna, 183 Wis. 2d 20, 515 N.W.2d 480 (Ct. App. 1994).

767.511 Annotation If the interests of the children and custodial parent are protected, parties are free to contract in a settlement agreement that the primary custodian will not have spending discretion over child support. Jacquart v. Jacquart, 183 Wis. 2d 372, 515 N.W.2d 539 (Ct. App. 1994).

767.511 Annotation An asset and its income stream may not be counted both as an asset in the property division and as part of the payer’s income from which support is paid. State v. Maley, 186 Wis. 2d 125, 519 N.W.2d 717 (Ct. App. 1994).

767.511 Annotation A minimum fixed child support amount, rather than the percentage standard, based on the payer’s “potential income” was appropriate when the court found that the payer had a substantial potential to manipulate the amount of support. Doerr v. Doerr, 189 Wis. 2d 112, 525 N.W.2d 745 (Ct. App. 1994).

767.511 Annotation Trust income that is income to the beneficiary under federal tax law is subject to a child support order regardless of whether a distribution is made to the beneficiary. Grohmann v. Grohmann, 189 Wis. 2d 532, 525 N.W.2d 261 (1995).

767.511 Annotation The trial court may consider the amount of time a child is placed with the paying parent and that parent’s second family in setting support. Molstad v. Molstad, 193 Wis. 2d 602, 535 N.W.2d 63 (Ct. App. 1995).

767.511 Annotation The percentage standards may be used to generate future as well as present support. Mary L.O. v. Tommy R.B., 199 Wis. 2d 186, 544 N.W.2d 417 (1996), 93-1929.

767.511 Annotation The percentage standards presumptively apply in the case of a high income payee absent the payer’s showing of unfairness by the greater weight of the credible evidence. Luciani v. Montemurro-Luciani, 199 Wis. 2d 280, 544 N.W.2d 561 (1996), 93-2899.

767.511 Annotation Sub. (6) makes interest on child support arrearages mandatory. A trial court has no discretion in awarding interest, even if it determines that to do so would be inequitable. Douglas County Child Support Enforcement Unit v. Fisher, 200 Wis. 2d 807, 547 N.W.2d 801 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-1960.

767.511 Annotation A court may consider earning capacity rather than actual earnings in determining child support and maintenance if it finds a parent’s job choice voluntary and unreasonable. Sellers v. Sellers, 201 Wis. 2d 578, 549 N.W.2d 481 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-2730.

767.511 Annotation The fact that a party, by deliberate conduct, frustrates an accurate calculation of the party’s income does not prevent the trial court from making the appropriate finding of fact. The court may make its findings based on the available evidence. Lellman v. Mott, 204 Wis. 2d 166, 554 N.W.2d 525 (Ct. App. 1996), 96-0618.

767.511 Annotation The court did not abuse its discretion in ruling against a request in a high income payer case for an increase in support according to the percentage standards when the court believed that the request was really a disguised claim for extra money to support the custodial parent’s own lifestyle. Nelsen v. Candee, 205 Wis. 2d 632, 556 N.W.2d 784 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-2208.

767.511 Annotation In certain cases, such as with military retirement pay, an asset may be divided in the property division and its income stream considered as income in determining child support. Cook v. Cook, 208 Wis. 2d 166, 560 N.W.2d 246 (1997), 95-1963.

767.511 Annotation When a noncustodial parent seeks to impose a trust on arrearages owed under a pre-August 1, 1987, support order, that parent must demonstrate that the trust is in the child’s best interest and, when the custodial parent does not agree to the trust, that the primary custodian is unwilling to or incapable of managing the support money. Cameron v. Cameron, 209 Wis. 2d 88, 562 N.W.2d 126 (1997), 95-0311.

767.511 Annotation Income disparity resulting from applying the percentage standards is only relevant if the payer can show inability to pay or that the income disparity will adversely affect the children or payer. Equalizing lifestyles between parents is not a support objective. The amount of discretionary income either parent will have to spend on their children is a secondary consideration. Raz v. Brown, 213 Wis. 2d 296, 570 N.W.2d 605 (Ct. App. 1997), 96-1997.

767.511 Annotation The repayment to the payer spouse of a loan made by him to a company that he owned was a proper addition to the payer’s income available for support. It was properly found to be deferred compensation, which is included within the applicable definition of income. Raz v. Brown, 213 Wis. 2d 296, 570 N.W.2d 605 (Ct. App. 1997), 96-1997.

767.511 Annotation A stipulation for child support with no time limit or opportunity for review was against public policy, and the payer was not estopped from seeking a modification due to a material change in circumstances. Krieman v. Goldberg, 214 Wis. 2d 163, 571 N.W.2d 425 (Ct. App. 1997), 96-3489.

767.511 Annotation Absent a finding that an individual partner has authority to unilaterally control a partnership asset, partnership assets will be imputed as available income only in accordance with the partnership agreement. Health insurance premiums paid by a partnership are included in the partners’ income available for child support. Weis v. Weis, 215 Wis. 2d 135, 572 N.W.2d 123 (Ct. App. 1997), 96-3576.

767.511 Annotation The trial court properly exercised its discretion under sub. (1m) (i) by excluding from the application of the percentage standards the value of nonassignable trips received by the paying spouse as employment bonuses although the trips constituted taxable income. State v. Wall, 215 Wis. 2d 595, 573 N.W.2d 862 (Ct. App. 1997), 97-0826.

767.511 Annotation In concluding that a deviation from the percentage standards is warranted, all listed factors need not be applied. State v. Alonzo R., 230 Wis. 2d 17, 601 N.W.2d 328 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-3333.

767.511 Annotation The percentage standards under sub. (1j) include the shared-time payer formula in s. DWD 40.04 (2) [now s. DCF 150.04 (2)], Wis. Adm. Code, as well as the straight percentage standards in s. DWD 40.03 (1) [now s. DCF 150.03 (1)]. The shared-time formula applies if the payer will be assuming costs in proportion to the number of days the court is ordering placement with the parent. Randall v. Randall, 2000 WI App 98, 235 Wis. 2d 1, 612 N.W.2d 737, 99-0531.

767.511 Annotation Incarceration is a valid factor for a court to consider in setting child support because of the impact it may have on the payor’s employability due to what may be voluntary and unreasonable acts. It was proper to base child support on earning capacity and to provide for an offset against the payor’s property division payout to provide for payment of the support obligation. Modrow v. Modrow, 2001 WI App 200, 247 Wis. 2d 889, 634 N.W.2d 852, 00-1868.

767.511 Annotation Subs. (1j), (1m), and (1n) give the court authority to determine and order some amount for child support. While that authority implicitly includes the authority to determine the amount to be zero, it does not implicitly include the authority to order the parents to divide expenses for the children among themselves in particular ways as an alternative to ordering one parent to pay child support to the other. Zawistowski v. Zawistowski, 2002 WI App 86, 253 Wis. 2d 630, 644 N.W.2d 252, 01-0655.

767.511 Annotation This section makes no provision as to splitting child care costs beyond what is provided in the child support payments. The trial court erroneously exercised its discretion when, without addressing the sub. (1m) factors, it deviated from the child support percentage standards by ordering one party to pay one-half of the daycare expenses in addition to support required by the percentage standards. McLaren v. McLaren, 2003 WI App 125, 265 Wis. 2d 529, 665 N.W.2d 405, 02-2451.

767.511 Annotation A trial court may establish a trust from funds paid for child support for the purpose of funding a child’s postminority educational expenses. Because the percentage standards presume a higher standard of living commensurate with the payer’s higher income, a child is entitled to the money over and above the child’s needs. A trust is in the child’s best interests and puts the child in the same position as if in an intact high-income family. Further, consideration of “educational needs” under sub. (1m) (g) is broad enough to encompass the higher educational needs of the child. Kowalski v. Obst, 2003 WI App 218, 267 Wis. 2d 400, 671 N.W.2d 339, 03-0573.

767.511 Annotation Sub. (6) does not limit the authority a trial court would otherwise have to consider imposing interest on unpaid maintenance arrears. Cashin v. Cashin, 2004 WI App 92, 273 Wis. 2d 754, 681 N.W.2d 255, 03-1010.

767.511 Annotation When a spouse presented a challenge to the application of the percentage standards on fairness grounds and presented a developed argument based on evidence in support of that challenge, the trial court was required to perform the analysis of the relevant statutory factors in answer to that challenge. Maritato v. Maritato, 2004 WI App 138, 275 Wis. 2d 252, 685 N.W.2d 379, 03-2074.

767.511 Annotation When information the payer spouse supplied did not permit more than an approximate determination of the payer’s true gross income, the court was not required to precisely subtract the amount the payer alleged the payer would have to pay to service a new debt. Derr v. Derr, 2005 WI App 63, 280 Wis. 2d 681, 696 N.W.2d 170, 03-2181.

767.511 Annotation The trial court erred when it ordered that child support be held open based upon the asset of the wife’s Ph.D. in psychology and upon her imputed enhanced education income upon her expected, but as yet unattained, licensure to practice. Child support determinations are to be made upon the basis of the circumstances existing at the time of the divorce and a held-open determination indicates that an order for child support is not necessary based upon current circumstances. Weiler v. Boerner, 2005 WI App 64, 280 Wis. 2d 519, 695 N.W.2d 833, 03-2606.

767.511 Annotation When undistributed company earnings are at issue, the court must: 1) ascertain whether the child support payer has the ability to individually control or access the undistributed earnings; and 2) determine whether there is a valid business reason for the company’s decision to retain the earnings. If the payer has the ability to individually control or access earnings and the company has no valid reason for retaining its earnings, the undistributed income can be considered when calculating the payer’s child support obligation. Winters v. Winters, 2005 WI App 94, 281 Wis. 2d 798, 699 N.W.2d 229, 04-0747.

767.511 Annotation A lump sum payment as the result of a pension plan enhancement was gross income subject to the child support standards. There is no windfall exception to the application of child support to gross income. Absent a finding of unfairness, grounded in the specific facts of the case, and after considering all enumerated factors in sub. (1m) and any other factors relevant to the particular case, a trial court is not authorized to deviate from the percentage standards. Winkler v. Winkler, 2005 WI App 100, 282 Wis. 2d 746, 699 N.W.2d 652, 04-1231.