Child Support Attorney

Application Deadline: 2026-10-06 | County position

About the role

Advises and represents the Child Support Agency in child support and paternity cases. Provides legal guidance to staff and collaborates with the Child Support Director on policy, operational efficiencies, and training.

Responsibilities

• Appear in court on behalf of the State of Wisconsin for establishment/revision hearings, pro-se motion hearings, contempt hearings, paternity establishment hearings, and warrant hearings.
• Draft legal documents for child support establishment, revision, and enforcement in divorce, paternity, action to compel, foster care, and interstate cases.
• Enforce, establish, and revise support orders in compliance with federal regulations and state statutes.
• Provide guidance to child support staff on legal procedures related to child support matters.
• Consult with the Child Support Director on changes in federal regulations and state statutes affecting child support policies.
• Conduct training within the Child Support Agency as requested.
• Make recommendations to the Child Support Director concerning operational efficiencies.
• Review legal documents prepared by support staff for accuracy and completeness.
• Prepare referral documents to the District Attorney’s office for criminal non-support cases and provide support during prosecutions.
• Provide information to custodial/non-custodial parents on procedures for establishment and enforcement of child support orders.
• Consult with other legal counsels, out-of-state child support agencies, and private attorneys regarding child support issues.
• Maintain current knowledge of child support law through continual review and research of case law, state statutes, and federal regulations.
• Advise staff on administrative enforcement, establishment, revision, and enforcement of support orders, as well as parent interviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of law and legal principles related to paternity establishment and enforcement, establishment, and revision of child support in various case types (divorce, paternity, action to compel, foster care, interstate).
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of legal research methods, materials, practices, and references.
• Ability to analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, testimony, and law; present material in clear and logical form.
• Ability to present and argue cases competently in court.
• Knowledge and ability to use legal terminology, format, and processes.
• Knowledge of Wisconsin Statutes and ongoing statutory, procedural, and form changes.
• Skill in taking notes and accurately incorporating essential details into legal documents.
• Ability to prepare court documents accurately and timely.
• Knowledge and ability to use the State of Wisconsin Kids Information Data System (KIDS) and other systems (e.g., CARES/CWW, DOT, CCAP, CCAP e-Filing, DWD, WiKIDS).
• Ability to obtain information from the Department of Children and Families-Bureau of Child Support Resource page.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies, written instructions, general correspondence, and federal/state/local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently under stringent time limits with minimal supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of current office practices, procedures, and standard office equipment/software.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required for the position.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in resolving problems and interpreting policies.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, in compliance with open records laws and applicable statutes.

Physical and work environment

• Occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force.
• Regularly requires sitting; frequently requires standing, speaking, hearing, and using hands to handle or feel.
• Occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and reaching with hands and arms.
• Standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication required for expressing or exchanging ideas.
• Hearing required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work involves preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing surroundings.
• Generally in a moderately noisy office setting.
• May require dealing with hostile or aggressive individuals in threatening conditions.