Chapter 767

767.57 Annotation An agency assigned benefits under sub. (2) was entitled to collect unpaid alimony and support money that had accumulated prior to the effective date of the assignment and prior to the assignor’s receipt of public assistance. Schiavo v. Schiavo, 71 Wis. 2d 136, 237 N.W.2d 702 (1976).

767.57 Annotation The defense of laches is not available in an action or proceeding brought to secure enforcement of a child support order in a divorce action. Paterson v. Paterson, 73 Wis. 2d 150, 242 N.W.2d 907 (1976).

767.58 767.58 Notice of change of employer, address, and ability to pay; other information.

767.58(1) (1) Support or maintenance order; notice requirements.

767.58(1)(a) (a) Each order for child support, family support, or maintenance payments shall include an order that the payer and payee notify the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) of any change of address within 10 business days of the change.

767.58(1)(b) (b) Each order for child support, family support, or maintenance payments shall also include an order that the payer notify the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and the payee, within 10 business days, of any change of employer and of any substantial change in the amount of his or her income, including receipt of bonus compensation, affecting his or her ability to pay child support, family support, or maintenance. The order shall also include a statement that notification of any substantial change in the amount of the payer’s income will not result in a change of the order unless a revision of the order under s. 767.59 or an annual adjustment of the child or family support amount under s. 767.553 is sought.

767.58(1)(c) (c) Each order for family support or maintenance payments shall include an order requiring the payee to notify the court and the payer within 10 business days of the payee’s remarriage.

767.58(1)(d) (d) An order under this subsection is enforceable under ch. 785.

767.58(2) (2) Information for child support agency. When an order is entered under sub. (1), each party shall provide to the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) his or her social security number, residential and mailing addresses, telephone number, operator’s license number and the name, address and telephone number of his or her employer. A party shall advise the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) of any change in the information provided under this subsection within 10 business days after the change.

767.58 History History: 1977 c. 105; 1979 c. 32 s. 50; Stats. 1979 s. 767.263; 1989 a. 212; 1995 a. 279; 1997 a. 27, 191; 2001 a. 16; 2005 a. 443 ss. 113, 226; Stats. 2005 s. 767.58; 2013 a. 209.

767.58 Note NOTE: 2005 Wis. Act 443 contains explanatory notes.

767.59 767.59 Revision of support and maintenance orders.

767.59(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “support or maintenance order” means a judgment or order providing for child support under this chapter or s. 48.355 (2) (b) 4. or (4g) (a), 48.357 (5m) (a), 48.363 (2), 938.183 (4), 938.355 (2) (b) 4. or (4g) (a), 938.357 (5m) (a), 938.363 (2), or 948.22 (7), for maintenance payments under s. 767.56, for family support payments under s. 767.531, 2019 stats., or for the appointment of trustees or receivers under s. 767.57 (5).

767.59(1c) (1c) Court authority.

767.59(1c)(a) (a) On the petition, motion, or order to show cause of either of the parties, the department, a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23, or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) if an assignment has been made under s. 48.57 (3m) (b) 2. or (3n) (b) 2., 48.645 (3), 49.19 (4) (h), or 49.45 (19) or if either party or their minor children receive aid under s. 48.57 (3m) or (3n) or 48.645 or ch. 49, a court may, except as provided in par. (b), do any of the following:

767.59(1c)(a)1. 1. Revise and alter a support or maintenance order as to the amount and payment of maintenance or child support and the appropriation and payment of the principal and income of property held in trust.

767.59(1c)(a)2. 2. Make any judgment or order on any matter that the court might have made in the original action.

767.59(1c)(b) (b) A court may not revise or modify a judgment or order that waives maintenance payments for either party or a judgment or order with respect to final division of property.

767.59(1f) (1f) Support: substantial change in circumstances.

767.59(1f)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (d), a revision under this section of a judgment or order as to the amount of child or family support may be made only upon a finding of a substantial change in circumstances.

767.59(1f)(b) (b) In an action under this section to revise a judgment or order with respect to the amount of child support, any of the following constitutes a rebuttable presumption of a substantial change in circumstances sufficient to justify a revision of the judgment or order:

767.59(1f)(b)1. 1. Commencement of receipt of aid to families with dependent children under s. 49.19 or participation in Wisconsin works under ss. 49.141 to 49.161 by either parent since the entry of the last child support order, including a revision of a child support order under this section.

767.59(1f)(b)2. 2. Unless the amount of child support is expressed in the judgment or order as a percentage of parental income, the expiration of 33 months after the date of the entry of the last child support order, including a revision of a child support order under this section.

767.59(1f)(b)3. 3. Failure of the payer to furnish a timely disclosure under s. 767.54.

767.59(1f)(b)4. 4. A difference between the amount of child support ordered by the court to be paid by the payer and the amount that the payer would have been required to pay based on the percentage standard established by the department under s. 49.22 (9) if the court did not use the percentage standard in determining the child support payments and did not provide the information required under s. 46.10 (14) (d), 49.345 (14) (d), 301.12 (14) (d), or 767.511 (1n), whichever is appropriate.

767.59(1f)(c) (c) In an action under this section to revise a judgment or order with respect to an amount of child support, any of the following may constitute a substantial change of circumstances sufficient to justify revision of the judgment or order:

767.59(1f)(c)1. 1. Unless the amount of child support is expressed in the judgment or order as a percentage of parental income, a change in the payer’s income, evidenced by information received under s. 49.22 (2m) by the department or the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) or by other information, from the payer’s income determined by the court in its most recent judgment or order for child support, including a revision of a child support order under this section.

767.59(1f)(c)2. 2. A change in the needs of the child.

767.59(1f)(c)3. 3. A change in the payer’s earning capacity.

767.59(1f)(c)4. 4. Any other factor that the court determines is relevant.

767.59(1f)(d) (d) In an action under this section to revise a judgment or order with respect to child or family support, the court is not required to make a finding of a substantial change in circumstances to change to a fixed sum the manner in which the amount of child or family support is expressed in the judgment or order.

767.59(1k) (1k) Maintenance: change in cost of living. In an action under this section to revise maintenance payments, a substantial change in the cost of living for either party or as measured by the federal bureau of labor statistics may be sufficient to support a revision of the amount of maintenance, except that a change in an obligor’s cost of living is not by itself sufficient if payments are expressed as a percentage of income.

767.59(1m) (1m) Payment revisions prospective. In an action under sub. (1c) to revise a judgment or order with respect to child support, maintenance payments, or family support payments, the court may not revise the amount of child support, maintenance payments, or family support payments due, or an amount of arrearages in child support, maintenance payments, or family support payments that has accrued, prior to the date that notice of the action is given to the respondent, except to correct previous errors in calculations.

767.59(1r) (1r) Credit to payer for certain payments. In an action under sub. (1c) to revise a judgment or order with respect to child support or family support, the court may grant credit to the payer against support due prior to the date on which the petition, motion, or order to show cause is served for payments made by the payer other than payments made as provided in s. 767.57 or 767.75, in any of the following circumstances:

767.59(1r)(b) (b) The payer shows by documentary evidence that the payments were made directly to the payee by check or money order, and shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the payments were intended for support and not intended as a gift to or on behalf of the child, or as some other voluntary expenditure, or for the payment of some other obligation to the payee.

767.59(1r)(c) (c) The payer proves by clear and convincing evidence, with evidence of a written agreement, that the payee expressly agreed to accept the payments in lieu of child or family support paid as provided in s. 767.57 or 767.75, not including gifts or contributions for entertainment.

767.59(1r)(d) (d) The payer proves by documentary evidence that, for a period during which unpaid support accrued, the child received benefits under 42 USC 402 (d) based on the payer’s entitlement to federal disability insurance benefits under 42 USC 401 to 433. Any credit granted under this paragraph shall be limited to the amount of unpaid support that accrued during the period for which the benefits under 42 USC 402 (d) were paid.

767.59(1r)(e) (e) The payer proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the child lived with the payer, with the agreement of the payee, for more than 60 days beyond a court-ordered period of physical placement. Credit may not be granted under this paragraph if, with respect to the time that the child lived with the payer beyond the court-ordered period of physical placement, the payee sought to enforce the physical placement order through civil or criminal process or if the payee shows that the child’s relocation to the payer’s home was not mutually agreed to by both parents.

767.59(1r)(f) (f) The payer proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the payer and payee resumed living together with the child and that, during the period for which a credit is sought, the payer directly supported the family by paying amounts at least equal to the amount of unpaid court-ordered support that accrued during that period.

767.59(2) (2) Percentage standard required; exceptions.

767.59(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b) or (c), if the court revises a judgment or order with respect to child support payments, it shall do so by using the percentage standard established by the department under s. 49.22 (9).

767.59(2)(b) (b) Upon request by a party, the court may modify the amount of revised child support payments determined under par. (a) if, after considering the factors listed in s. 767.511 (1m), the court finds, by the greater weight of the credible evidence, that the use of the percentage standard is unfair to the child or to any of the parties.

767.59(2)(c) (c) If the court revises a judgment or order providing for child support that was entered under s. 48.355 (2) (b) 4. or (4g) (a), 48.357 (5m) (a), 48.363 (2), 938.183 (4), 938.355 (2) (b) 4. or (4g) (a), 938.357 (5m) (a), or 938.363 (2), the court shall determine child support in the manner provided in s. 49.345 (14) or 301.12 (14), whichever is applicable.

767.59(2s) (2s) Stipulation for revision of support. In an action under sub. (1c), the court may not approve a stipulation for the revision of a judgment or order with respect to an amount of child support or family support unless the stipulation provides for payment of an amount of child support or family support that is determined in the manner required under s. 46.10 (14), 49.345 (14), 301.12 (14), 767.511, 767.804 (3), 767.805 (4), or 767.89, whichever is appropriate.

767.59(2w) (2w) When revision effective. A revision of a judgment or order with respect to child support, family support, or maintenance payments has the effect of modifying the original judgment or order with respect to the payments to the extent of the revision from the date on which the order revising the payments is effective. The child support, family support, or maintenance payments modified by the order for revision shall cease to accrue under the original judgment or order from the date on which the order revising the payments is effective.

767.59(3) (3) Remarriage; vacating maintenance order. After a final judgment requiring maintenance payments has been rendered and the payee has remarried, the court shall, on application of the payer with notice to the payee and upon proof of the payee’s remarriage, or upon receiving notice from the payee of the payee’s remarriage, as required under s. 767.58 (1) (c), vacate the order requiring the maintenance payments.

767.59(4) (4) Review when the state is a real party in interest. In any case in which the state is a real party in interest under s. 767.205 (2), the department shall review the support obligation periodically and, if appropriate, petition the court for revision of the judgment or order with respect to the support obligation.

767.59(5) (5) Notice of child support information. A summons or petition, motion, or order to show cause under this section shall include notification of the availability of information under s. 767.105 (2).

767.59 History History: 1971 c. 220; 1977 c. 105 ss. 38, 48, 49; 1977 c. 418; 1979 c. 32 ss. 50, 92 (4); Stats. 1979 s. 767.32; 1981 c. 20 s. 2202 (20) (m); 1981 c. 314 s. 146; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 176; 1987 a. 27, 355, 413; 1989 a. 212; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16, 481, 491; 1995 a. 27 s. 9126 (19); 1995 a. 77, 201, 225, 279, 289, 404, 417; 1997 a. 27, 35, 105, 191, 237, 273; 1999 a. 9, 103; 2001 a. 16, 61, 105; 2005 a. 443 ss. 147 to 159, 227, 228; Stats. 2005 s. 767.59; 2007 a. 20; 2013 a. 209; 2015 a. 373; 2019 a. 95; 2021 a. 35.

767.59 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also Wisconsin Administrative Code Citations published in the Wisconsin Administrative Code for a list of citations to cases citing chs. DCF 150, HSS 80, HFS 80, and DWD 40, Wis. adm. code, the child support percentage of income standard.

767.59 Note NOTE: The standard for modifying child support orders was significantly changed by 1993 Wis. Act 16.

767.59 Note NOTE: 2005 Wis. Act 443 contains explanatory notes.

767.59 Annotation Although one parent took the children out of the state without court approval or letting the other know where the children could be visited, the court could not suspend payment of a support allowance without a hearing as to the effect on the children. Krause v. Krause, 58 Wis. 2d 499, 206 N.W.2d 589 (1973).

767.59 Annotation Even assuming the parties’ agreement as to child support gave rise to contractual obligations, these obligations remained subject to modification by the court under this section. Vaccaro v. Vaccaro, 67 Wis. 2d 477, 227 N.W.2d 62 (1975).

767.59 Annotation While a divorced party owes no duty of sexual fidelity to the former spouse, cohabitation by the party can be a change of circumstances affecting the former spouse’s responsibility to provide alimony, with the manner and extent of the cohabitation and surrounding circumstances to be considered in determining whether alimony payments should be modified. Taake v. Taake, 70 Wis. 2d 115, 233 N.W.2d 449 (1975).

767.59 Annotation A child support provision reducing payments proportionately as each of several minor children attains majority is not against public policy. Severson v. Severson, 71 Wis. 2d 382, 238 N.W.2d 116 (1976).

767.59 Annotation The trial court abused its discretion in denying the former husband’s motion to terminate alimony by failing to consider the former wife’s increased estate as the result of an inheritance. Lemm v. Lemm, 72 Wis. 2d 457, 241 N.W.2d 593 (1976).

767.59 Annotation The trial court abused its discretion by terminating maintenance without sufficiently addressing the factors under s. 767.26. Vander Perren v. Vander Perren, 105 Wis. 2d 219, 313 N.W.2d 813 (1982).

767.59 Annotation It was improper to discontinue maintenance payments to a former spouse solely upon the ground of cohabitation. Van Gorder v. Van Gorder, 110 Wis. 2d 188, 327 N.W.2d 674 (1983).

767.59 Annotation When a stipulation required maintenance payments during the wife’s lifetime, the husband was estopped from requesting termination of payments under sub. (3) when the wife remarried. Rintelman v. Rintelman, 118 Wis. 2d 587, 348 N.W.2d 498 (1984).

767.59 Annotation A court may revise a judgment incorporating a stipulation regarding limited maintenance if the petition to revise is filed before expiration of a maintenance obligation. Fobes v. Fobes, 124 Wis. 2d 72, 368 N.W.2d 643 (1985).

767.59 Annotation A petition for revision filed 20 days after receipt of the final scheduled maintenance payment was properly dismissed as untimely. Lippstreu v. Lippstreu, 125 Wis. 2d 415, 373 N.W.2d 53 (Ct. App. 1985).

767.59 Annotation A state family court may modify the paying spouse’s support obligation following the spouse’s discharge in bankruptcy. Eckert v. Eckert, 144 Wis. 2d 770, 424 N.W.2d 759 (Ct. App. 1988).

767.59 Annotation Orders assigning health care responsibility pursuant to s. 767.25 (4m) are subject to revision under s. 767.32. Kuchenbecker v. Schultz, 151 Wis. 2d 868, 447 N.W.2d 80 (Ct. App. 1989).

767.59 Annotation It is within a trial court’s discretion to apply the percentage standards to a child support revision. If applied to a remarried parent, gross income must be computed as if the remarried parent is still single. The trial court retains discretion to adjust the percentage calculation based on the circumstances. Abitz v. Abitz, 155 Wis. 2d 161, 455 N.W.2d 609 (1990).

767.59 Annotation A remarriage, though unlawful in Wisconsin and dissolved through annulment, is sufficient to terminate maintenance under sub. (3). The requirement that maintenance be terminated following remarriage is unconditional. Falk v. Falk, 158 Wis. 2d 184, 462 N.W.2d 547 (Ct. App. 1990).

767.59 Annotation A divorce stipulation waiving or setting a ceiling on child support and preventing modification is against public policy and will not be enforced. Ondrasek v. Tenneson, 158 Wis. 2d 690, 462 N.W.2d 915 (Ct. App. 1990).

767.59 Annotation A party is estopped from seeking a maintenance revision if the parties stipulated to permanent nonmodifiable maintenance that was part of a comprehensive settlement of all property and maintenance issues that was approved by the court and was fair and not illegal or against public policy at the time and relief is being sought on the grounds that the court did not have power to enter the order the parties had agreed to. Nichols v. Nichols, 162 Wis. 2d 96, 469 N.W.2d 619 (1991).

767.59 Annotation A divorce judgment provision waiving maintenance takes precedence over other provisions arguably reserving or awarding maintenance. Tyson v. Tyson, 162 Wis. 2d 551, 469 N.W.2d 913 (Ct. App. 1991).

767.59 Annotation In determining income for maintenance revision, investment income from property awarded in an equal property division may be included. Interest payments to the payee spouse under the division may not be deducted. Hommel v. Hommel, 162 Wis. 2d 782, 471 N.W.2d 1 (1991).

767.59 Annotation Lottery proceeds won after a divorce may be considered a change in financial circumstances in determining whether a change in maintenance is justified. A maintenance award is to assure the recipient spouse a standard of living comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage. Gerrits v. Gerrits, 167 Wis. 2d 429, 482 N.W.2d 134 (Ct. App. 1992).

767.59 Annotation The absence of a mortgage obligation is relevant to the assessment of a party’s economic circumstances, but does not translate into imputed income under the applicable administrative rule. Zimmerman v. Zimmerman, 169 Wis. 2d 516, 485 N.W.2d 294 (Ct. App. 1992).

767.59 Annotation When a paying spouse’s termination of employment is voluntary, an order may be based on the spouse’s earning capacity whether or not bad faith is shown. Roberts v. Roberts, 173 Wis. 2d 406, 496 N.W.2d 210 (Ct. App. 1992).

767.59 Annotation A paying spouse should be allowed a fair choice of livelihood even though an income reduction may result, but the spouse may be found to be shirking if the choice is not reasonable in light of the payer’s support obligation. Van Offeren v. Van Offeren, 173 Wis. 2d 482, 496 N.W.2d 660 (Ct. App. 1992).

767.59 Annotation The parties’ extrajudicial agreement that child support payments be discontinued was enforceable via the doctrine of equitable estoppel. Harms v. Harms, 174 Wis. 2d 780, 498 N.W.2d 229 (1993). But see Monicken v. Monicken, 226 Wis. 2d 119, 593 N.W.2d 509 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-2922.

767.59 Annotation The date when a maintenance order is vacated under sub. (3) is a discretionary determination based on the specific facts and equities of the case. Hansen v. Hansen, 176 Wis. 2d 327, 500 N.W.2d 357 (Ct. App. 1993).

767.59 Annotation In the absence of a specific agreement that maintenance payments continue after the payee’s remarriage, the payer was not estopped from seeking termination upon the payee’s remarriage. Jacobson v. Jacobson, 177 Wis. 2d 539, 502 N.W.2d 869 (Ct. App. 1993).

767.59 Annotation An agreement that the husband would complete his education when the wife completed hers and the wife’s increased income upon completion of her education were both relevant to the husband’s request for a change in support upon returning to graduate school full time. Kelly v. Hougham, 178 Wis. 2d 546, 504 N.W.2d 440 (Ct. App. 1993).

767.59 Annotation When a broadly worded settlement agreement required the payer to meet the children’s current and changing needs rather than to pay a set amount or percentage, a change in the children’s needs, although a change in circumstances, did not require a modification of child support to impose percentage guidelines when the court found those needs were being met. Jacquart v. Jacquart, 183 Wis. 2d 372, 515 N.W.2d 539 (Ct. App. 1994).

767.59 Annotation Unlike an initial award of maintenance, a party seeking to change maintenance has the burden of proof. Haeuser v. Haeuser, 200 Wis. 2d 750, 548 N.W.2d 535 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-1087.

767.59 Annotation Under sub. (1r), a court is without discretion to grant credits against arrearages for direct payments made for child support regardless of when the order was entered. Douglas County Child Support Enforcement Unit v. Fisher, 200 Wis. 2d 807, 547 N.W.2d 801 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-1960.

767.59 Annotation A change in an administrative rule, absent a change in factual circumstances, is not grounds for modification of a child support order. Beaupre v. Airriess, 208 Wis. 2d 238, 560 N.W.2d 285 (Ct. App. 1997), 96-0336.

767.59 Annotation When a support order is not based on the percentage standards, the passage of 33 months gives a party a prima facie claim under sub. (1) (b) 2. [now sub. (1f) (b) 2.] that child support should be modified, but the family court maintains its discretion whether the percentage guidelines should be applied. Zutz v. Zutz, 208 Wis. 2d 338, 559 N.W.2d 919 (Ct. App. 1997), 96-1136.

767.59 Annotation A stipulation incorporated into a divorce judgment is in the nature of a contract. That a stipulation appears imprudent is not grounds for construction of an unambiguous agreement. Rosplock v. Rosplock, 217 Wis. 2d 22, 577 N.W.2d 32 (Ct. App. 1998), 96-3522.

767.59 Annotation The purpose of maintenance is, at least in part, to put the recipient in a solid financial position that allows the recipient to become self-supporting by the end of the maintenance period. That the recipient becomes employed and makes productive investments of property division proceeds and maintenance payments is not a substantial change in circumstances, but an expected result of receiving maintenance. Rosplock v. Rosplock, 217 Wis. 2d 22, 577 N.W.2d 32 (Ct. App. 1998), 96-3522.

767.59 Annotation The limitation under sub. (1m) that a court may not revise the amount of child support due or the amount of arrearages restricts the court’s authority to that of correcting mathematical errors only. State v. Jeffrie C.B., 218 Wis. 2d 145, 579 N.W.2d 69 (Ct. App. 1998), 97-2453.

767.59 Annotation Sub. (1r) modifies the common law. A court may grant credit for support payments not made in accordance with a judgment only under the circumstances enumerated under sub. (1r). Equitable estoppel does not apply. Monicken v. Monicken, 226 Wis. 2d 119, 593 N.W.2d 509 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-2922.

767.59 Annotation Once the court determined that a reduction in support was warranted, even though the reduction was based on a finding that the payment level was inequitable and not that the payer had an inability to pay, the court did not have authority to condition that reduction on payment of arrearages. Benn v. Benn, 230 Wis. 2d 301, 602 N.W.2d 65 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-2950.

767.59 Annotation If a motion seeks to clarify a court’s ambiguous property division rather than revise or modify it, it is not barred by former sub. (1) (a), 1997 stats. Section 767.01 (1) [now s. 767.201] grants the power to effectuate a divorce judgment by construing an ambiguous provision of a final division of property. Washington v. Washington, 2000 WI 47, 234 Wis. 2d 689, 611 N.W.2d 261, 98-1234.