Wisconsin

State

Wisconsin Legislature: 49.90

Statute

49.90 49.90 Liability of relatives; enforcement.

Who owes the duty and Condition on the parent

The parent and spouse of any dependent person who is unable to maintain himself or herself shall maintain such dependent person, so far as able, in a manner approved by the authorities having charge of the dependent, or by the board in charge of the institution where such dependent person is; but no parent shall be required to support a child 18 years of age or older.

Ability-to-pay qualifier

The circuit court shall in a summary way hear the allegations and proofs of the parties and by order require maintenance from these relatives, if they have sufficient ability, considering their own future maintenance and making reasonable allowance for the protection of the property and investments from which they derive their living and their care and protection in old age, in the following order: First the husband or wife; then the father and the mother; and then the grandparents in the instances in which sub. (1) (a) 2. applies.

Civil or criminal and Who may bring the action

Upon receipt of the report the corporation counsel shall, within 60 days, apply to the circuit court for the county in which the dependent person under sub. (1) (a) 1. or the child of a dependent person under sub. (1) (a) 2. resides for an order to compel the maintenance.

Defences in the statute

For purposes of this section those persons receiving benefits under federal Title XVI or under s. 49.77 shall not be deemed dependent persons.

Limited to public assistance cases

If any relative who has been ordered to maintain an institutionalized dependent person or an institutionalized child of a dependent person under 18 years of age neglects to do as ordered, the authorities in charge of the dependent or child or in charge of the institution may recover in an action on behalf of the relief agency or institution for relief or support accorded the dependent person or child against such relative while the order was disobeyed and up to the time of judgment, with costs.