Wisconsin Alimony Calculator
Build a planning estimate for Wisconsin alimony from both incomes and marriage length. Courts apply Wis. Stat. §767.56 factors — this tool shows a transparent difference-% amount plus duration bands. Click any i for detail.
Wisconsin planning inputs
Income figures are
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Income basis
Use comparable figures for both spouses (both annual or both monthly). |
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Payor income ($)
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Payor income
Spouse with greater ability to pay. Net is preferable when available. |
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Recipient income ($)
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Recipient income
Spouse seeking support — include wages and steady other income. |
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Marriage length (years)
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Marriage length
Wisconsin duration discussions often track short / moderate / long marriages. We sketch a duration ceiling from your years married. |
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Share of income difference (%)
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Difference share
Planning dial for amount. Wisconsin does not mandate this percent — adjust to match settlement talks. |
How to use this calculator
- Enter both incomes on the same annual/monthly basis.
- Enter years married.
- Set the difference-share percent used for the amount sketch.
- Compare the monthly estimate with the modeled duration band for your marriage length.
Results explained
Wisconsin maintenance can follow advisory guideline math for amount in many cases, but judges retain discretion. This calculator uses a share of income difference (default 40%) and marriage-length duration fractions for stress-testing — not a court order.
Quick reference: Wisconsin Alimony bands
Educational duration ceilings — not a substitute for current statute analysis.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Amount model | % of (payor − recipient) income ÷ 12 (default 40%) |
| Very short (<3 yrs) | Duration sketch ~25% of marriage years |
| Mid (3–10 yrs) | Up to ~45% of marriage years |
| Long (20+ yrs) | Up to ~60% of marriage years |
For house equity in a divorce, see the divorce buyout calculator.
How the estimate is built
Annual sketch = diff% × max(0, payor − recipient). Monthly = annual ÷ 12. Duration sketch uses marriage-year × band factor (0.25 / 0.45 / 0.5 / 0.6).
Example scenario
Payor $120,000, recipient $45,000, 40% difference → gap $75,000 → ~$30,000/year (~$2,500/month). Twelve-year marriage → mid band duration sketch ~5.4 years.
FAQ
Is there a Wisconsin guideline formula?
Wisconsin has no single statewide amount formula — courts weigh statutory factors (Wis. Stat. §767.56). This page is a planning sketch only.
Temporary vs permanent?
This page does not separate temporary orders from long-term maintenance — map types with your attorney.
Child support first?
Child support affects ability to pay. Model child support separately before locking maintenance.
Tax treatment?
Federal tax treatment of alimony depends on divorce date and agreement terms — not modeled here.