Development Home sellers who owe past-due child support may encounter delays in selling their homes this fall once child support liens are established.
Federal law requires Wisconsin to create automatic liens against property for unpaid child support.
However, these liens cannot be enforced until they are docketed. Child support liens can be satisfied by paying child support and spousal support arrears in full. Like mortgage liens or other liens against real property, child support liens must be satisfied or released when property is sold. The docket itself will be an electronic registry accessible through the Internet. Access will be restricted to authorized government officials such as registers of deeds and closing agent representatives.