Quick answer: Wisconsin has no maintenance formula. Under Wis. Stat. § 767.56 the court may order maintenance to either party for a limited or indefinite length of time after considering ten factors: the length of the marriage; the age and physical and emotional health of the parties; the division of property under § 767.61; each party’s educational level at marriage and when the action began; the earning capacity of the party seeking maintenance and the time and expense of training; the feasibility that the party can become self-supporting at a standard of living reasonably comparable to the marital one and how long that would take; tax consequences; mutual agreements about financial or service contributions; one party’s contribution to the other’s education, training or earning power; and other relevant factors. Maintenance terminates at the death of the payee or payer (§ 767.56(2c)), the court shall vacate the order if the payee remarries and the payer applies (§ 767.59(3)), and an order can be revised on a substantial change in circumstances, including a substantial change in the cost of living. Courts have described equal division of income as a reasonable starting point, but the goal is the marital standard of living, not half of the former earnings.
What this calculator shows
The calculator shows a ceiling from the requesting spouse’s shortfall and the payor’s surplus, and an equal-income starting point for reference. It does not predict an award. The factors are in how Wisconsin decides maintenance, the link with the property division in maintenance and the property division and revision and termination in revising and ending maintenance.
Property, child support and maintenance
The division of property is a factor in maintenance, and maintenance is a factor in the division of property. See the Wisconsin property division calculator and the Wisconsin child support calculator.
Maintenance across Wisconsin
The statute applies in every circuit court that hears divorces, from Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine or Appleton.
Frequently asked questions
How is alimony calculated in Wisconsin?
There is no formula. The court weighs the ten factors in Wis. Stat. 767.56(1c) and may order maintenance for a limited or indefinite time.
Does remarriage end Wisconsin maintenance?
The court shall vacate the order if the payee remarries, on the payer's application and proof.
Does death end Wisconsin maintenance?
Yes. Maintenance terminates at the death of the payee or the payer, whichever occurs first.
Can Wisconsin maintenance be modified?
Yes, on a substantial change in circumstances, including a substantial change in the cost of living.
Is maintenance based on the marital standard of living in Wisconsin?
The goal is a standard of living reasonably comparable to the marital one where the recipient can become self-supporting, not 50% of former earnings.