Court orders
Child support guidelines
Questions parents ask
Why are the guidelines based on gross income and not net income?
Gross income is a more accurate reflection of income. Net income may be
manipulated through the use of exemptions and deductions.
How were the guidelines in the Percentage Standard chosen?
Wisconsin's guidelines are based on a study that shows the amount of
income parents use to raise their children. The guidelines assume that
when parents are living apart, both parents will continue to spend part of their
income on their children. The guidelines are based on the principle that a
child’s standard of living should not be negatively affected because his or her
parents are not living together.
Do courts use the Percentage Standard when setting family support
orders?
Family support orders combine child support and spousal maintenance.
The family support amount determined under the Percentage Standard should be
increased by the amount necessary to provide a net family support payment, after
taxes are paid, of at least the amount of the child support set by the
guidelines.
Do the courts have to use the guidelines in the Percentage of Income
Standard?
A court may order a parent to pay more or less than the amounts set by
the Percentage of Income Standard if the court decides that the Income Standard
would be unfair to the child or one of the parents. The court must note
the reason for not using the guidelines.
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