Chapter 767

767.513(4)(c) (c) After the child has coverage under the employer’s health benefit plan, and as long as the parent is eligible for family coverage under the employer’s health benefit plan, continue to provide coverage for the child unless the employer receives satisfactory written evidence that the court order is no longer in effect or that the child has coverage of health care expenses under another health insurance policy or health benefit plan that provides comparable coverage of health care expenses.

767.513(5) (5) Recovery by state of 3rd party payments.

767.513(5)(a) (a) If a parent who has been ordered by a court to provide coverage of the health care expenses of a child who is eligible for medical assistance under subch. IV of ch. 49 receives payment from a 3rd party for the cost of services provided to the child but does not pay the health care provider for the services or reimburse the department or any other person who paid for the services on behalf of the child, the department may obtain a judgment against the parent for the amount of the 3rd-party payment.

767.513(5)(b) (b) Section 767.75 (4) applies to a garnishment based on a judgment obtained under par. (a).

767.513(6) (6) Change of employment; notice.

767.513(6)(a) (a) If a parent who provides coverage of the health care expenses of a child under an order under this section changes employers and that parent has a court-ordered child support obligation with respect to the child, the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) shall provide notice of the order to provide coverage of the child’s health care expenses to the new employer and to the parent.

767.513(6)(b) (b) The notice provided to the parent shall inform the parent that coverage for the child under the new employer’s health benefit plan will be in effect upon the employer’s receipt of the notice. The notice shall inform the parent that he or she may, within 10 business days after receiving the notice, by motion request a hearing before the court on the issue of whether the order to provide coverage of the child’s health care expenses should remain in effect. A motion under this paragraph may be heard by a circuit court commissioner. If the parent requests a hearing and the court determines that the order to provide coverage of the child’s health care expenses should not remain in effect, the court shall provide notice to the employer that the order is no longer in effect.

767.513 History History: 2005 a. 443 ss. 104, 220; 2007 a. 96; 2019 a. 95.

767.513 Note NOTE: 2005 Wis. Act 443 contains explanatory notes.

767.513 Annotation Orders assigning health care responsibility pursuant to s. 767.25 (4m) [now this section] are subject to revision under s. 767.32 [now s. 767.59]. Kuchenbecker v. Schultz, 151 Wis. 2d 868, 447 N.W.2d 80 (Ct. App. 1989).

767.521 767.521 Action by state for child support. The state or its delegate under s. 49.22 (7) shall bring an action for support of a minor child under s. 767.001 (1) (f) or for paternity determination and child support under s. 767.80 if the child’s right to support is assigned to the state under s. 48.57 (3m) (b) 2. or (3n) (b) 2., 48.645 (3), 49.145 (2) (s), 49.19 (4) (h) 1. b., or 49.775 (2) (bm) and all of the following apply:

767.521(1) (1) The child has been deprived of parental support by reason of the continued absence of a parent from the home.

767.521(2) (2) A court has not issued an order under s. 767.511 requiring the parent who is absent from the home to support the child.

767.521 History History: 1987 a. 27; 1995 a. 289, 404; 1997 a. 27, 105; 2005 a. 443 s. 38; Stats. 2005 s. 767.521; 2007 a. 20.

767.531 767.531 Family support. Subject to s. 767.511 (6m), a party ordered to pay family support under this section, 2019 stats., 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 s. 767.511 (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 section 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), the department or its designee shall apply all payments received for family support ordered under this section, 2019 stats., as follows:

767.531(1) (1) First, to payment of family support due within the calendar month during which the payment is received.

767.531(2) (2) Second, to payment of unpaid family support due before the payment is received.

767.531(3) (3) Third, to payment of interest accruing on unpaid family support.

767.531 History History: 1977 c. 105; 1979 c. 32 ss. 50, 92 (4); Stats. 1979 s. 767.261; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 29; 1993 a. 481; 1995 a. 279; 1997 a. 27, 191; 1999 a. 9, 32; 2005 a. 443 s. 111; Stats. 2005 s. 767.531; 2013 a. 20; 2021 a. 35.

767.531 Annotation This section 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.

767.531 Annotation Under former s. 767.531, 2019 stats., the circuit court must separately calculate child support and maintenance as a condition precedent to calculating family support. If the court applies the percentage guidelines when setting child support, it must set family support at an amount that results in a net payment, after state and federal taxes are paid, of no less than the child support as calculated under the guidelines. Even if a court makes detailed findings as to all of the factors for family support, the court erroneously exercises its discretion if it neglects to provide a rational explanation of how its findings lead to the support award. Vlies v. Brookman, 2005 WI App 158, 285 Wis. 2d 411, 701 N.W.2d 642, 04-0315.

767.531 Annotation It is evident from the statutory framework and the purpose of family support that at least a portion of family support ordered in any case involving minor children is child support. With respect to child support, any provision in a marital settlement agreement that purports to limit a child support payee’s ability to seek a support modification upon a substantial change in circumstances is against public policy and cannot provide a basis to estop the payee from seeking a modification. Huhn v. Stuckmann, 2009 WI App 127, 321 Wis. 2d 169, 772 N.W.2d 744, 08-3102.

767.54 767.54 Required exchange of financial information.

767.54(1) (1) In an action in which the court has ordered a party to pay family support under s. 767.225, 2019 stats., or s. 767.531, 2019 stats., or child support or maintenance under this chapter, including an action to revise a judgment or order under s. 767.59, the court shall require the parties annually to exchange financial information. Information required under this section shall be exchanged no later than May 1 of each calendar year, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by the parties. The information required to be exchanged shall include all of the following:

767.54(1)(a) (a) A complete copy of the party’s federal and state income tax return for the prior calendar year, including all W-2 forms and 1099 forms.

767.54(1)(b) (b) A year-end paycheck stub from all sources of employment for the prior calendar year.

767.54(1)(c) (c) The party’s most recent paycheck stub from all sources of employment showing year-to-date gross and net income.

767.54(1)(d) (d) Any other documentation of the party’s income from all sources for the 12-month period preceding the exchange of information.

767.54(2) (2) A party may redact or remove the following personally identifying information from documents provided under sub. (1) unless otherwise ordered by the court:

767.54(2)(a) (a) The party’s home or work address, if the party is participating in the program under s. 165.68, or if the party’s address is otherwise protected or sealed.

767.54(2)(b) (b) The name, date of birth, and address of the party’s spouse.

767.54(2)(c) (c) The name, date of birth, and other personally identifying information of a minor child not related to the other party.

767.54(2)(d) (d) Any social security number.

767.54(2)(e) (e) An identification number assigned by an employer.

767.54(2)(f) (f) A taxpayer identification number assigned by the department of revenue or federal internal revenue service.

767.54(2)(g) (g) Any depository account number, investment account number, or other personally identifying number related to any investment tool.

767.54(2)(h) (h) A military identification number.

767.54(2)(i) (i) Any other personally identifying information that is intended to be used to access services, funds, or benefits of any kind to which an individual is entitled.

767.54(2)(j) (j) Any other personally identifying information that is not required to determine the income or financial status of the party.

767.54(3) (3) Information disclosed under this section is subject to s. 767.127 (3). A party who fails to furnish information required by the court under this section may be proceeded against for contempt of court under ch. 785. If the court finds that a party has failed to furnish information required under this section, the court may award to the party bringing the action costs and, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), reasonable attorney fees.

767.54 History History: 2005 a. 443 s. 122; 2021 a. 35, 259.

767.54 Note NOTE: 2005 Wis. Act 443 contains explanatory notes.

767.55 767.55 Child support: employment-related orders.

767.55(1) (1) Generally. In an action for modification of a child support order under s. 767.59 or an action in which an order for child support is required under s. 767.511 (1), 767.804 (3), 767.805 (4), or 767.89 (3), the court may order either or both parents of the child to seek employment or participate in an employment or training program.

767.55(2) (2) Noncustodial parent.

767.55(2)(a) (a) In this subsection, “custodial parent” means a parent who lives with his or her child for substantial periods of time.

767.55(2)(am) (am) In an action for modification of a child support order under s. 767.59, an action in which an order for child support is required under s. 767.511 (1), 767.804 (3), 767.805 (4), or 767.89 (3), or a contempt of court proceeding to enforce a child support or family support order in a county that contracts under s. 49.36 (2), the court may order a parent who is not a custodial parent to register for a work experience and job training program under s. 49.36 if all of the following conditions are met:

767.55(2)(am)1. 1. The parent is able to work full time.

767.55(2)(am)1m. 1m. The parent resides in a county, or resides within a reasonable driving distance, as determined by the court, from a county, that has a work experience and job training program under s. 49.36 and that agrees to enroll the parent in the program.

767.55(2)(am)2. 2. The parent works, on average, less than 32 hours per week, and is not participating in an employment or training program which meets guidelines established by the department.

767.55(2)(am)3. 3. The parent’s actual weekly gross income averages less than 40 times the federal minimum hourly wage under 29 USC 206 (a) (1) or the parent is earning less than the parent has the ability to earn, as determined by the court.

767.55(2)(b) (b) Under this subsection, the parent is presumed to be able to work full time. The parent has the burden of proving that he or she is not able to work full time.

767.55(2)(c) (c) If the court enters an order under par. (am), it shall order the parent to pay child support equal to the amount determined by applying the percentage standard established under s. 49.22 (9) or equal to the amount of child support that the parent was ordered to pay in the most recent determination of support under this chapter. The child support obligation ordered under this paragraph continues until the parent makes timely payment in full for 3 consecutive months or until the person participates in the program under s. 49.36 for 16 weeks, whichever occurs first. The court shall provide in its order that the parent shall make child support payments calculated under s. 767.511 (1j) or (1m) after the obligation to make payments ordered under this paragraph ceases.

767.55(3) (3) Absent parent.

767.55(3)(a) (a) In this subsection, “case involving a dependent child” means an action which meets all of the following criteria:

767.55(3)(a)1. 1. Is an action for modification of a child support order under s. 767.59 or an action in which an order for child support is required under s. 767.511 (1), 767.804 (3), 767.805 (4), or 767.89 (3).

767.55(3)(a)2. 2. The child’s right to support is assigned to the state under s. 48.57 (3m) (b) 2. or (3n) (b) 2., 48.645 (3), or 49.19 (4) (h) 1. b.

767.55(3)(a)3. 3. The child has been deprived of parental support by reason of the continued absence of a parent from the home.

767.55(3)(b) (b) Except as provided in par. (c), in a case involving a dependent child, if the child’s parent who is absent from the home is not employed, the court shall order that parent to do one or more of the following:

767.55(3)(b)1. 1. Register for work at a public employment office established under s. 106.09.

767.55(3)(b)2. 2. Apply for jobs.

767.55(3)(b)3. 3. Participate in a job training program.

767.55(3)(c) (c) An order is not required under par. (b) if the court makes written findings that there is good cause for not issuing the order.

767.55(3)(d) (d) Paragraph (b) does not limit the authority of a court to issue an order, other than an order under par. (b), regarding employment of a parent in an action for modification of a child support order under s. 767.59 or an action in which an order for child support is required under s. 767.511 (1), 767.804 (3), 767.805 (4), or 767.89 (3).

767.55(4) (4) Unemployed teenage parent.

767.55(4)(a) (a) In this subsection, “unemployed teenage parent” means a parent who satisfies all of the following criteria:

767.55(4)(a)1. 1. Is less than 20 years of age.

767.55(4)(a)2. 2. Is unemployed.

767.55(4)(a)3. 3. Is financially unable to pay child support.

767.55(4)(a)4. 4. Would be ordered to make payments for the support of a child but for subd. 3.

767.55(4)(b) (b) In an action for revision of a judgment or order providing for child support under s. 767.59 or an action in which an order for child support is required under s. 767.511 (1), 767.804 (3), 767.805 (4), or 767.89 (3), the court shall order an unemployed teenage parent to do one or more of the following:

767.55(4)(b)1. 1. Register for work at a public employment office established under s. 106.09.

767.55(4)(b)2. 2. Apply for jobs.

767.55(4)(b)3. 3. Participate in a job training program.

767.55(4)(b)4. 4. Pursue or continue to pursue an accredited course of instruction leading to the acquisition of a high school diploma or its equivalent if the unemployed teenage parent has not completed a recognized high school course of study or its equivalent, except that the court may not order the unemployed teenage parent to pursue instruction if the instruction requires the expenditure of funds by the unemployed teenage parent other than normal transportation and personal expenses.

767.55 History History: 2005 a. 443 ss. 40, 41, 107, 108, 135, 136, 223; 2007 a. 20; 2015 a. 331; 2019 a. 95.

767.553 767.553 Annual adjustments in support orders.

767.553(1) (1) When adjustment may be ordered.

767.553(1)(a) (a) An order for child support under this chapter may provide for an annual adjustment in the amount to be paid based on a change in the payer’s income if the amount of child support is expressed in the order as a fixed sum and based on the percentage standard established by the department under s. 49.22 (9). No adjustment may be made under this section unless the order provides for the adjustment.

767.553(1)(b) (b) An adjustment under this section may not be made more than once in a year and shall be determined on the basis of the percentage standard established by the department under s. 49.22 (9).

767.553(1)(c) (c) In the order the court shall specify what information the parties must exchange to determine whether the payer’s income has changed in accordance with s. 767.54.

767.553(2) (2) Form for stipulating. If the court provides for an annual adjustment, the court shall make available to the parties, including the state if the state is a real party in interest under s. 767.205 (2) (a), a form approved by the court for the parties to use in stipulating to an adjustment of the amount of child or family support and to modification of any applicable income-withholding order. The form shall include an order, to be signed by the court, for approval of the stipulation of the parties.

767.553(3) (3) Income changes.

767.553(3)(a) (a) If the payer’s income changes from the amount found by the court or stipulated to by the parties for the current child or family support order, the parties may implement an adjustment under this section by stipulating, on the form under sub. (2), to the changed income amount and the adjusted child or family support amount, subject to sub. (1) (b).

767.553(3)(b) (b) The stipulation form shall be signed by all parties, including the state if the state is a real party in interest under s. 767.205 (2) (a), and filed with the court. If the stipulation is approved, the order shall be signed by the court and implemented in the same manner as an order for a revision under s. 767.59. An adjustment under this subsection is effective as of the date on which the order is signed by the court.

767.553(4) (4) Implementation; when effective.

767.553(4)(a) (a) Any party, including the state if the state is a real party in interest under s. 767.205 (2) (a), may file a motion, petition, or order to show cause for implementation of an annual adjustment under this section if any of the following applies:

767.553(4)(a)1. 1. A party refuses to provide the information required by the court under sub. (1) (c).

767.553(4)(a)2. 2. The payer’s income changes, but a party refuses to sign the stipulation for an adjustment in the amount of child or family support.