Wisconsin Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support and how long it lasts under Wis. Stat. § 767.56. Enter your numbers below for an instant estimate with a step-by-step breakdown and statute citations.
Wisconsin Alimony Calculator
This state publishes a guideline equation that takes a share of the payor’s income and subtracts a share of the payee’s.
Based on Wis. Stat. § 767.56 · Verified June 1, 2026
Wisconsin has no statutory alimony formula
Wisconsin has no statutory alimony formula, so this figure uses the AAML national guideline (30% of the payor's gross income minus 20% of the payee's, capped at 40% of combined income) purely as a ballpark. The figure below is an estimate to give you a ballpark — a Wisconsin judge decides the actual amount and duration using the factors listed beneath the calculator. About this method.
Enter income details to see your estimate
Eligibility: No minimum marriage-length eligibility gate, but length of marriage is the first statutory factor and courts rarely award maintenance in short marriages.
Factors Wisconsin Courts Weigh
- •The length of the marriage
- •The age and physical and emotional health of both parties
- •How property was divided between the parties in the divorce (under Wis. Stat. 767.61)
- •The educational level of each party at the time of marriage and when the divorce action began
- •The earning capacity of the party seeking maintenance, including education, training, job skills, work experience, time absent from the job market, and child-custody responsibilities
- •The time and expense needed for the party seeking maintenance to acquire education or training to become appropriately employed
- •The feasibility of the party seeking maintenance becoming self-supporting at a standard of living reasonably comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage, and the length of time needed
- •The tax consequences to each party
- •Any mutual agreement made by the parties before or during the marriage concerning financial or service contributions
- •Contributions by one party to the education, training, or increased earning power of the other
How Wisconsin Alimony Works
- •Wisconsin calls spousal support 'maintenance,' governed by Wis. Stat. 767.56. There is no statutory formula or percentage for the amount it is entirely within the court's discretion based on the listed factors.
- •Wisconsin courts are guided by two objectives from case law (LaRocque v. LaRocque and related decisions): the 'support' objective (maintaining the recipient at the marital standard of living) and the 'fairness' objective (fairly compensating for contributions and ensuring an equitable financial arrangement). A common starting reference point in long marriages is roughly equalizing the parties' net incomes, but this is a judicial guideline, not a statute.
- •There is no statutory duration rule. Maintenance may be ordered for a 'limited or indefinite length of time.' Long-term/indefinite maintenance is more likely after long marriages; short marriages rarely result in any award.
- •Maintenance terminates by statute on the death of either party (Wis. Stat. 767.56(2c)) and is commonly terminated or modified upon the recipient's remarriage or a substantial change in circumstances.
- •Wisconsin distinguishes maintenance from 'family support' (a combined maintenance-plus-child-support order). Child support in Wisconsin uses a percentage-of-income standard (DCF 150), but that does not apply to maintenance.
This is an estimate for educational purposes only, not legal advice. Alimony is highly discretionary; a Wisconsin judge can order a different amount or duration. Consult a licensed Wisconsin family-law attorney about your situation. See the official Wisconsin resource.
How Wisconsin Calculates Alimony
Wisconsin addresses spousal support under Wis. Stat. § 767.56. It uses a guideline equation that takes a percentage of the payor's gross income and subtracts a percentage of the payee's gross income, with statutory caps. The calculator above applies that equation to your figures and shows each step.
Unlike child support, alimony is one of the most discretionary areas of family law. Even in states with a guideline equation, the figure is a starting point a judge can adjust after weighing the statutory factors, the length of the marriage, and each spouse's needs and ability to pay. Treat any number here as an informed estimate, not a guaranteed award.
Key Rules in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin calls spousal support 'maintenance,' governed by Wis. Stat. 767.56. There is no statutory formula or percentage for the amount it is entirely within the court's discretion based on the listed factors.
- Wisconsin courts are guided by two objectives from case law (LaRocque v. LaRocque and related decisions): the 'support' objective (maintaining the recipient at the marital standard of living) and the 'fairness' objective (fairly compensating for contributions and ensuring an equitable financial arrangement). A common starting reference point in long marriages is roughly equalizing the parties' net incomes, but this is a judicial guideline, not a statute.
- There is no statutory duration rule. Maintenance may be ordered for a 'limited or indefinite length of time.' Long-term/indefinite maintenance is more likely after long marriages; short marriages rarely result in any award.
- Maintenance terminates by statute on the death of either party (Wis. Stat. 767.56(2c)) and is commonly terminated or modified upon the recipient's remarriage or a substantial change in circumstances.
- Wisconsin distinguishes maintenance from 'family support' (a combined maintenance-plus-child-support order). Child support in Wisconsin uses a percentage-of-income standard (DCF 150), but that does not apply to maintenance.
How Long Alimony Lasts in Wisconsin
Under the AAML national guideline, duration is a share of the marriage length that rises with the length of the marriage; marriages of 20+ years may receive indefinite support. This is an illustration, not a state durational rule.
What Counts as Income
Wisconsin's calculation uses each spouse’s gross income — earnings before taxes, including wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and many recurring sources. Courts can also impute income to a spouse who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, meaning support can be based on what a spouse could earn rather than what they currently do. Use your most recent pay stubs and tax return for the most accurate estimate.
Eligibility & Modifying an Order
No minimum marriage-length eligibility gate, but length of marriage is the first statutory factor and courts rarely award maintenance in short marriages.
Alimony orders can usually be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances — for example, a significant change in either spouse's income, the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation, retirement, or the payor's loss of employment. The specific rules and any non-modifiable agreements depend on your court order and Wisconsin law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Wisconsin alimony calculator accurate?
It applies the Wisconsin guideline from Wis. Stat. § 767.56 to the numbers you enter, so it gives a close estimate of a typical guideline award. It is not an official court calculation — a judge can order a different amount after weighing the statutory factors.
Is alimony taxable in Wisconsin?
For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, alimony is not deductible by the payor and is not taxable income to the recipient under federal law. Most states follow the federal treatment, but check Wisconsin's current rules for state income tax.
Does cheating affect alimony in Wisconsin?
It depends on the state. Some states let courts consider marital misconduct among the alimony factors, while others bar it entirely. Review Wis. Stat. § 767.56 and speak with a Wisconsin attorney about how fault is treated where you live.
Can alimony be changed later?
Usually yes. Alimony can often be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances — such as a large change in income, the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation, or the payor's retirement — unless your order or agreement makes it non-modifiable.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Alimony is highly fact-specific and discretionary; the amount and duration a Wisconsin court actually orders may differ significantly from any estimate here. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Wisconsin family-law attorney.
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