Creative Solutions From A Wisconsin Child Support Lawyer

Going through a divorce is tough. It is even tougher when children are involved. You want what is best for your children; we understand this. At Crothers Law, S.C., we provide a safe understanding environment. We aim for peaceful solutions to difficult problems.

From our law office in Brookfield, we serve Milwaukee, Waukesha and the surrounding metro areas. Brittany Klaus Crothers, our founding attorney, has over 17 years of experience providing help for child support cases. She works with you to find solutions to difficult family law problems. If you need a lawyer who can provide guidance you can rely on, contact us today.

How Wisconsin Calculates Child Support

Wisconsin uses a formula to calculate child support. The court considers each parent’s income as well as how many children they have. The law sets a percentage of income for child support based on how many children are involved. For one child, it might be 17% of the parent’s income. For two children, it could be 25%. The court can also consider other factors, including:

• The child’s needs
• The parents’ ability to pay
• Health insurance costs
• Childcare expenses

When making its decision, the family law court uses the standards of the child’s best interests. Our child support lawyer can help you understand these guidelines and how they apply to your situation.

How We Can Help Enforce Child Support Orders

Sometimes, a parent does not pay child support. If this happens, we can help you enforce the order. Several methods exist to ensure payments. One is wage garnishment. This involves taking the money directly from the parent’s paycheck. We can also pursue contempt-of-court charges. The court can impose fines or even jail time for not paying. Other options include seizing assets or intercepting tax refunds. Although we explore less confrontational methods first, our goal is to ensure your child receives the support they deserve.

Do I Need A Family Law Attorney For My Child Support Case?

Having a lawyer for your child support case is crucial to protecting your financial interests. In addition to fighting for a fair child support order or enforcing payment of child support, we can petition for modification to an existing court order. We can establish paternity to help you access child support or custody and visitation rights. Wisconsin family law is immensely complex, and we understand the regulations and procedures. With our help, you can get through this difficult challenge and face a brighter future.

Child Support In Shared And Variable Placement Cases

Many parents assume a 50/50 schedule cancels out child support, but in Wisconsin it usually does not. Once each parent has the children for at least 25% of the year (92 overnights), the court applies a shared-placement formula under DCF 150. This formula multiplies each parent’s standard obligation by 150% to reflect the cost of running two households. It then weighs that figure against the time the children spend with the other parent, so whoever ends up with the higher result pays the difference. Because incomes rarely match, the higher earner often still owes support under an even schedule.

Schedules that shift from week to week raise a different question, since the court may count daytime blocks as “equivalent care” when they cost a parent about as much as an overnight. We review your calendar and expenses so the numbers reflect the time you actually spend with your children.

Back Child Support And Missed Payments

Current support is the amount due each month, while arrears (back child support) are the unpaid amounts that pile up when those payments stop. In Wisconsin, past-due support grows by 0.5% interest each month once the balance equals one full month of support. Beyond wage withholding and contempt, child support enforcement in Wisconsin can include:

• Property liens: Automatic claims against the paying parent’s assets once the balance reaches $500
• License suspension: Loss of driving, professional or recreational privileges
• Passport denial: Federal refusal to issue or renew travel documents when the debt hits $2,500

If you have fallen behind, a payment plan can keep the balance from growing faster than you can pay it down. Acting quickly matters because Wisconsin courts generally cannot reduce arrears that built up before the other parent received notice of your request.

Temporary And Final Child Support Orders

During a divorce, either parent can ask for a temporary order so the children have support while the case moves forward. Under Wis. Stat. § 767.225, a court commissioner often decides these requests early, based on financial statements and the current living arrangement. The temporary order stays in place until the divorce judgment replaces it with a final order.

The two amounts often differ because income may change, the final placement schedule may shift overnights or full financial disclosure may reveal income the first hearing missed. A final order is not set in stone either, since either parent can later ask the court to revise it after a substantial change in circumstances. We prepare you for both stages so the temporary figure does not quietly become the starting point for the final one.

Let A Milwaukee County Child Support Lawyer Help You

You can receive the support and representation you need at Crothers Law, S.C. Please contact us at 414-348-8302 or send us an email to schedule a completely free consultation.