Wisconsin Family Laws

State residency: 6 months (180 days). County residency: 30 days.

120 days after service of the petition before the divorce can be finalized.

The divorce filing fee in Wisconsin is $184.50.

Wisconsin is one of only 9 community property states. The presumption is 50/50 division of all marital property. Courts may deviate based on 13 statutory factors including length of marriage, contributions, earning capacity, age, health, and property brought to the marriage. Non-marital property (pre-marriage, gifts, inheritances) is generally not divided.

Courts consider: marriage length, age and health, education level, earning capacity, contributions to spouse's education/career, standard of living, tax consequences, and any prenuptial agreements. Under 10 years: maintenance less likely. Over 20 years: may be indefinite.

Wisconsin presumes joint legal custody (decision-making authority). Physical placement is based on the best interests of the child, considering each parent's wishes, the child's preference, adjustment to home/community, health, and domestic abuse history.

Wisconsin uses a percentage-of-income model: 1 child = 17%, 2 = 25%, 3 = 29%, 4 = 31%, 5+ = 34% of gross income. Shared placement (25%+ time / 92+ days per year): a 150% multiplier formula based on each parent's income and time share.