Wisconsin Alimony Attorneys Near You - BEST Wisconsin Alimony Calculator

A divorce in Wisconsin doesn’t always start equal.

Legally reviewed for accuracy by Attorney Kelly Dodd

The information provided does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Talk to a lawyer today for legal advice

Sometimes fairness dictates that spouses must continue to share income after the divorce has concluded. This can happen, for example, when the parties have had a long marriage and only one party was the primary income-earner, or when one party needs a little extra time to establish a professional earning history that will allow him or her to support themselves at the standard of living both parties enjoyed during the marriage. When such circumstances exist, the court can order spousal support or “maintenance.”

Alimony Calculator in Wisconsin- How Much Does Alimony Cost in Wisconsin Near You

Calculating alimony or spousal maintenance can be difficult—our experienced lawyers can help you determine the proper amount of spousal support you or your spouse should be expected to pay, based on income, financial obligations, and state-specific guidelines.

When choosing to divorce your spouse, alimony calculations can cause some confusion and anxiety. You might be concerned about how your property and income will be split. While more couples are both choosing to work, not every relationship is balanced in this way. You or your spouse may not have a job, whether that’s for childcare purposes, homemaking, or an inability to work due to various reasons. This can significantly affect how alimony is calculated, as it is often income-based and depends on factors such as living standards, earning capacity, and the duration of the marriage.

If you are struggling to calculate alimony for your case, our legal guidance can help you evaluate the factors involved and determine the best route to take when it comes to spousal support. Whether you need a quick alimony estimate using a calculator or are navigating a complex court-ordered support case, we can ensure you receive the appropriate support based on your unique circumstances.

2025 Wisconsin Alimony Calculator & Spousal Maintenance Estimator – Estimate Your Payments

Learn how courts determine alimony and get expert legal help from Karp & Iancu.  While there is no specific set calculator for how alimony is calculated in Wisconsin – you can get a general estimate using our calculator below.  You should not use the number provided on any paperwork, this is purely for informational purposes.  If you’d like more information on a possible maintenance award for your specific situation – we recommend giving us a call to discuss your case.

Wisconsin Alimony Calculator: How is Spousal Support Determined?

In Wisconsin, there is no standardized alimony calculator or formula used to determine spousal support (alimony). Unlike some other states, Wisconsin’s courts make decisions about alimony based on a variety of factors, with each case being evaluated individually. This means that while an online calculator may provide an estimate, the final alimony award is subject to the specifics of the case, including the financial circumstances of both spouses and the length of the marriage.

Key Factors Considered in Wisconsin Alimony Decisions:

While there is no exact formula, Wisconsin courts typically assess the following factors when determining spousal support:

• Length of the Marriage: The duration of the marriage often plays a key role in determining how long alimony will be awarded and how much. Longer marriages may result in longer spousal support periods.

• Age and Health of Both Spouses: The physical and emotional health of each spouse is taken into account, as this can affect their ability to work and earn a living.

• Financial Needs and Ability to Pay: The court examines whether the recipient spouse needs support to maintain a reasonable standard of living and whether the paying spouse has the ability to afford the alimony payments.

• Earning Capacity and Employment History: Both spouses’ education, work history, and earning capacity are crucial in assessing whether one spouse can support themselves independently or whether they require alimony.

• Contribution to the Marriage: Courts look at non-financial contributions as well, such as raising children or supporting the other spouse’s career, when determining alimony.

• Tax Consequences: Alimony has tax implications for both the paying and receiving spouse, and these will be factored into the decision.

• Property Division: The court considers how property and assets are divided during the divorce, as this can influence the alimony amount.

• Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreements: If a prenuptial agreement exists, it may set specific guidelines for alimony.

No Guaranteed Alimony Award

It’s important to note that requesting alimony does not automatically result in an award. Wisconsin’s courts evaluate the need and ability of both spouses based on the above factors, and each case is unique. The court may deny alimony or grant an amount that differs from what either spouse expects.

Wisconsin Alimony Modifications and Legal Advice

If your situation changes, keep in mind that your alimony can change, too. You or your spouse could go through a major life change, like a job loss or a significant shift in income and expenses, so you may need to recalculate your Wisconsin spousal maintenance at that time. Using a spousal maintenance calculator can help you estimate potential changes based on updated financial information.

If your situation changes and you need your alimony to be reconsidered, seek out a lawyer who can help you modify your case. You’ll need to sign the right papers and provide evidence that your living situation has changed substantially. Courts typically consider factors like income loss, new financial obligations, or dependents, which could impact your required spousal support payments.

Unfortunately, you might not be sure how much that alimony should change, or whether the court will decide that the change is significant enough to justify modifying it. In these cases, you may need legal help to assess your financial situation, determine whether you qualify for an adjustment, and present a strong case for modification. A spousal maintenance calculator can be a useful tool to provide an estimate, but a divorce attorney or financial advisor can help you navigate the legal process and ensure your alimony payments are fair and reasonable.

For accurate calculations, consult with our team of Wisconsin divorce and maintenance attorneys to seek guidance to ensure the outcome aligns with your financial stability and legal obligations.

How is Alimony Calculated in Wisconsin vs Child Support?

Alimony calculations can vary by state – our Wisconsin courts evaluate the following factors when deciding on alimony:

• Length of the Marriage: Longer marriages are more likely to result in alimony awards, especially if one spouse has been financially dependent on the other.
• Age and Health of Both Spouses: The physical and emotional health of each party can impact their ability to support themselves post-divorce.
• Educational Level and Earning Capacity: The court assesses each spouse’s education, training, employment skills, work experience, and the time and expense needed to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment.
• Standard of Living During the Marriage: Alimony may be awarded to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a standard of living similar to what was established during the marriage.
• Financial and Non-Financial Contributions: Contributions to the marriage, such as homemaking and supporting the other spouse’s career, are considered.
• Property Division: The division of marital property can affect the need for alimony.
• Tax Consequences: The court considers the tax implications of maintenance payments for each spouse.

Often in a divorce, alimony in Wisconsin is awarded for the benefit of a spouse whereas child support is awarded for the benefit of children. Learn more about your child support options here.

Are there different kinds of alimony in Wisconsin?

Yes, there are three different types of alimony. Courts typically order spousal support for one of three purposes:

1. Rehabilitative: This is for the purpose of getting someone back on their feet. Perhaps they’re just finishing school or they’re just about to get back into the workforce and they need some training and a divorce hits. This will help people get the education they need or the job credits that they need to get back on their feet. This is usually a shorter term type of maintenance.This type of maintenance is generally for a short term.
2. Compensatory: The best example of this is where a spouse maybe put aside his or her career and harmed his or her earning capacity to put the other spouse through college or medical school, for example. Now the parties are getting a divorce and one party got an education and is able to earn a larger wage while the other party sacrificed his or her earnings and now is seeking to be compensated for that. This is the least common type of spousal support.
3. Lifestyle Maintenance: This is by far the most common type of maintenance that we see. This type of maintenance is paid so that the spouses can enjoy a lifestyle similar to that enjoyed during the marriage. Typically, this is going to be ordered on a longer term marriage of more than 10 to 15 years, but can sometimes be ordered on shorter marriages as well. This kind of spousal support can be awarded for a fixed term or can even be awarded indefinitely under certain circumstances.

How long do I have to pay alimony in Wisconsin?

A judge takes two things into consideration when deciding how long you or your spouse will be responsible or paying a specific amount of alimony—alimony amount and alimony terms.

While alimony is a binding financial agreement that could likely not end until you remarry or until either spouse passes away, your payment terms can change. For example, if you lose your job years after your initial alimony agreement with your old spouse, you won’t have any income to substantiate your payment, so instead of risking penalization, you’d return to the court and request a change to your alimony payments amount.

When doing so, remember that the judge will need proof that your financial situation has changed significantly enough that you can’t make your payments. After that, the judge will prepare a better payment plan for them, and your spousal maintenance will change. Learn about other factors that influence whether or not you can modify your alimony agreement.

How long do I get alimony?

You can receive alimony from anywhere from a set period of months—or more likely— years based on the goals and objectives of your court-approved alimony agreement. As mentioned above, alimony duration and amount is subsequent to change if one spouse’s circumstances change during that time period.

In some cases, the court will order “indefinite” maintenance. This does not mean you will receive (or vice versa pay) alimony forever—it means the order will remain in effect until further order of the court.This is the court’s way of leaving the maintenance termination date “open” and flexible in order to accommodate changing circumstances such as a party’s pending retirement, the receipt of a forthcoming inheritance, or the emancipation of the parties’ children.

In any event, an alimony agreement typically terminates automatically if the recipient spouse remarries or if either spouse dies.

Can alimony be avoided in Wisconsin?

Short answer: sometimes, but it depends.

• Think ahead. If you make more money than your spouse, consider entering a prenuptial agreement to protect your financial assets and avoid paying alimony in the future.
• Request a vocational evaluation for your spouse to complete. This is an objective assessment issued and reviewed by judge to determine your spouse’s ability to work and their potential earnings.
• Give evidence that your spouse is financially stable on their own. Investigate whether or not they’ve got trust funds or other assets under their name that could support their current lifestyle.
• Request an end date for alimony payment. Shorter marriages typically warrant half of the alimony time. In Wisconsin, if you have been married less than ten years, you can request an end date.

How do I hire a Wisconsin alimony lawyer to help me receive alimony?

There are two ways to kick-off the process of asking for alimony in a divorce. Both will be presented to you within your first conversation with an attorney.

Option 1: Mediation. Talk to one of our experienced mediators for help on how to guide you and your spouse toward a joint agreement without the stressors of a courtroom. Although cost will vary based on your needs, the starting price for mediation services at Karp & Iancu is $1,799 per spouse.

Option 2: Litigation. Schedule a no-cost, no pressure consultation with one of our family law attorneys.

Read more about the benefits of choosing mediation over litigation.

Related Content About Alimony In Wisconsin

• How to calculate alimony in Wisconsin – Need help determining the amount of alimony/maintenance you or your spouse should be receiving?
• Cancelling or reducing alimony payments in Wisconsin – Spousal maintenance payments, or alimony, refers to court-ordered financial compensation awarded to a spouse typically to provide support.
• Waiving maintenance in Wisconsin – Learn about when and for how long alimony is issued and what types of divorce cases call for alimony to be held open.
• Cohabitation can affect maintenance payments – Under Wisconsin law, when you are receiving maintenance payments (better commonly known as “alimony”)  and if you get remarried, your payments automatically stop under Wisconsin law. What happens, if you live with someone instead? Do your payments automatically stop?