What Expenses Are Covered by Wisconsin Child Support Orders?

 Posted on June 16, 2023 in Child Support

Raising a child can be expensive, and there are numerous costs that parents will need to address on an ongoing basis. When parents are married or living together, they will usually be able to work together to cover these costs as they manage their family's budget. However, when parents are divorced or when unmarried parents are no longer in a relationship, they will need to determine how to share the costs of raising their children. Child support orders will usually be put in place in these situations, and parents will need to understand what these orders will cover and how different types of expenses may be shared.

Addressing Children's Basic Needs

Wisconsin law provides guidelines that are used to calculate child support obligations. Under these guidelines, each parent's income may be considered, and they will be required to put a percentage of their income toward supporting their children. The number of children the parents share and the amount of time that children will live with each parent will be factored into the calculation, and one parent will typically make payments to the other parent.

The child support amounts calculated using these methods are meant to cover expenses related to children's basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter. If necessary, the court may choose to deviate from the guidelines based on evidence that these calculations would lead to results that would be unfair to the children or either parent. If children have extraordinary needs, or if there are issues that may affect a parent's ability to pay support while addressing their own needs, the amount of child support payments may be increased or decreased.

Medical Expenses

In addition to child support that addresses children's basic needs, parents will be responsible for covering costs related to medical care for children and other health-related issues. Parents will usually need to ensure that children are covered under a health insurance plan, such as medical benefits provided by one parent's employer. The costs of providing this coverage may be divided between parents, although a parent will not be required to pay more than 10 percent of their monthly income that is available for child support. Other medical expenses may also be divided between parents, including co-pays, deductibles, and the costs of treatments, medications, or products that are necessary to address the children's medical and health concerns.

Variable Costs

There are several other types of expenses that may be included in child support orders, and these expenses will usually be divided based on the percentage of time children spend with each parent. Variable costs may include:

• Child care - If children will be attending daycare or receiving other forms of child care while a parent works or attends school, both parents may be required to contribute to the costs of this care.

• Educational expenses - Tuition, school fees, supplies, or other costs related to children's education may be included in a child support order.

• Miscellaneous expenses - Parents may be required to address costs related to children's special needs, the activities they participate in, or other issues related to their needs that are not covered by other types of child support.

Contact Our Waukesha County Child Support Attorneys

Understanding the issues that may affect Wisconsin child support orders is crucial for parents who are involved in divorce or child custody cases. With proper planning, parents can make sure their children's needs will be provided for while also addressing their own ongoing expenses. To learn how the Menomonee Falls child support lawyers at Bucher, Wolff & Sonderhouse, LLP can help address these issues, contact us at 262-232-6699 and set up a free consultation today.