Wisconsin Alimony & Spousal Support (2026)
Unlike child support, Wisconsin has no fixed formula for how much alimony (spousal support) costs or how long it lasts. A judge decides both based on a list of factors set out in Wis. Stat. § 767.56. There is no calculator that can honestly give you an exact number here — but the factors below are what actually drives the decision.
What determines alimony in Wisconsin
Under Wis. Stat. § 767.56 (Wisconsin Statutes § 767.56, Maintenance), a court considers:
- Length of the marriage
- Age and physical and emotional health of the parties
- Division of property made under Wis. Stat. § 767.61
- Educational level of each party at the time of marriage and at the time the action is commenced
- Earning capacity of the party seeking maintenance, including educational background, training, employment skills, work experience, length of absence from the job market, custodial responsibilities for children, and the time and expense necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment
- Feasibility that the party seeking maintenance can become self-supporting at a standard of living reasonably comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage, and, if so, the length of time necessary to achieve this
- Tax consequences to each party
- Any mutual agreement made by the parties before or during the marriage concerning financial or service contributions by one party with the expectation of repayment or other compensation, or concerning any arrangement for the financial support of the parties
- Contribution by one party to the education, training, or increased earning power of the other
- Other factors the court determines to be relevant in the individual case
Good to know
- Wisconsin has no statutory formula or written guideline for maintenance amount or duration — Wis. Stat. § 767.56(1c) lists ten factors for the court to weigh, with no single factor given priority by law.
- Attorneys sometimes describe rough real-world patterns (for example, short marriages rarely producing long-term support, and very long marriages more often producing indefinite support), but these are observed tendencies in outcomes, not a codified rule.
Also need a child support estimate?
Alimony and child support are calculated completely separately in Wisconsin. If you also have children, use our free Wisconsin child support calculator — that one does compute a real number, based on the official guideline formula.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an alimony formula in Wisconsin?
No. Wis. Stat. § 767.56 sets no formula or percentage for maintenance amount or duration. Unlike some neighboring states, Wisconsin leaves both entirely to judicial discretion after weighing the statutory factors, such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, and the property division.
What factors determine alimony in Wisconsin?
Wis. Stat. § 767.56(1c) directs courts to weigh the length of the marriage, each party's age and health, the property division, each party's education level at marriage and at divorce, the earning capacity of the party seeking maintenance, the feasibility of that party becoming self-supporting, tax consequences, any prior mutual agreements between the parties, contributions to the other spouse's education or earning power, and any other relevant factors.
Source: Wisconsin Statutes § 767.56, Maintenance · Last verified 2026-07-22
Disclaimer: This page explains the general legal framework for alimony in Wisconsin and is for informational purposes only — it is not legal advice and does not predict the outcome of any specific case. Laws change; always verify with the official source above or a family law attorney licensed in Wisconsin before making decisions.