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. The order shall specify a sum which will be sufficient for the support of the dependent person under sub. (1) (a) 1. or the maintenance of a child of a dependent person under sub. (1) (a) 2., to be paid weekly or monthly, during a period fixed by the order or until the further order of the court. If the court is satisfied that any such relative is unable wholly to maintain the dependent person or the child, but is able to contribute to the person’s support or the child’s maintenance, the court may direct 2 or more of the relatives to maintain the person or the child and prescribe the proportion each shall contribute. If the court is satisfied that these relatives are unable together wholly to maintain the dependent person or the child, but are able to contribute to the person’s support or the child’s maintenance, the court shall direct a sum to be paid weekly or monthly by each relative in proportion to ability. Contributions directed by court order, if for less than full support, shall be paid to the department of health services or the department of children and families, whichever is appropriate, and distributed as required by state and federal law. An order under this subsection that relates to maintenance required under sub. (1) (a) 2. shall specifically assign responsibility for and direct the manner of payment of the child’s health care expenses, subject to the limitations under subs. (1) (a) 2. and (11). Upon application of any party affected by the order and upon like notice and procedure, the court may modify such an order. Obedience to such an order may be enforced by proceedings for contempt.
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