When parents go through a breakup, they often worry about how they can manage their finances while continuing to provide for their children. Under Wisconsin’s law, parents are legally obligated to financially contribute to their children’s upbringing even after separation.
If you are a parent who is just starting with the process or is currently going through a financial hurdle, here are four commonly asked questions that tackle child support payments in Wisconsin:
How can I send my child support payment if I am self-employed?
If you are self-employed in Wisconsin, you may pay for your child support through one of four alternative methods:
- Online payment: You can process your payment online by completing a credit card, debit card or savings account transaction with your local child support agency’s authorized website providers.
- Payment by phone: You can begin this process by filing an authorization form. Once completed, you will receive a four-digit access code that you will use to access your phone payment.
- Payment by mail: You can mail your check payment to the Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund’s official mailing address.
- Payment by cash: You can pay in person through any available MoneyGram locations in Wisconsin.
After fulfilling your transaction, you can check your payment history online through Wisconsin’s Child Support Online Services.
Can I update my child support costs?
Yes. Either parent can request modification for child support by filing the required documents with their county’s clerk of courts. For the request to be considered, it must display a valid change in circumstances, including:
- There is an increase or decrease in either parent’s income.
- There is a change in the custody order.
- There is a change in parenting time.
- There is a change involving the health or educational needs of their child.
- There is a medical emergency for either parents or their child.
Once you have filled in the required paperwork and gathered the supporting documents, you can file your request for modification with the court that issued your original child support order.
What happens if my ex-spouse stops paying for child support?
If the non-custodial parent does not make a payment for more than a month, the custodial parent can seek assistance from their local child support agency. The agency can enforce other measures to ensure that the child or children can continuously receive their child support.
Some of these include intercepting tax refunds, denying loans or grants, suspending licenses and charging interests on the past-due amounts. The agency can also file a “motion for contempt” on behalf of the custodial parent. This action helps enforce a court order when the non-custodial parent fails to fulfill their child support payments.
How long will I pay child support for my children?
The paying parent is responsible for child support until their youngest child turns 18 or once they graduate from high school. Both parents will receive an official emancipation notice 90 days before their youngest child turns 18 years old.
Although college fees are not included in a child support order, there are some parents who mutually agree in sharing the financial responsibility of providing for their child’s ongoing college education.
Your children will always be taken care of
Navigating through your life’s chapter after a separation does not have to feel complicated. By understanding how child support payments work, you can go through the process with better clarity and ensure that your children will always be supported.
