This is an abbreviated version of the detailed Guide to Small Claims Court prepared yearly by the Wisconsin Judicial Council. This summary is intended as an introduction to Small Claims Court. It is not intended as legal advice.

For legal advice, contact an attorney.

For the statutes governing small claims actions, see Chapter 799 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

Suing the Right Party: Getting it Right the First Time

Type	Definition	What is the Liability?	How do I tell?	Who gets named in the lawsuit?	Who gets served?
Natural Person	A living, breathing actual human being.	Personally responsible for obligations.	May not have a business name at all or may go by a "doing business as" tradename; in a business context this is known as a "sole proprietorship."	Individual person	Individual person (s.801.11(1))
Partnership	Two or more natural persons who have joined together in order to conduct business.	Each partner is personally responsible for all obligations incurred by the partnership.	May not have a business name at all or may go by a "doing business as" tradename	Each individual partner	Each individual partner (s.801.11(6))
Limited Partnership	A legally-created organization (under ch. 179, Wis. Stats.) having one or more general partners and one or more limited partners.	General partners are liable for obligations; limited partners are not liable unless they are also general partners or participate in the control of the business.	Must have a business name containing the words Limited Partnership or the initials LP.	Business name	All general partners or Agent (s.801.11(6))
Corporation	A legally-created organization owned by "stockholders" who have purchased or received shares of stock in the organization.	Individual stockholders are NOT personally responsible; only the assets of the corporation itself are liable for obligations.	Business name followed by the word "Incorporated" or "Inc." A corporation must give you fair notice that it is a corporate entity when dealing with you.	Business name	Officer, director, managing agent or Registered Agent (s.801.11(5)); contact the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Limited Liability Corporation	A legally-created organization (under ch. 183, Wis. Stats.) created by "members" who enter into an operating agreement concerning the business' activities.	Individual owners are NOT personally responsible; only the assets of the corporation itself are liable for obligations	Business name followed by the letters "LLC." A limited liability corporation must give you fair notice that it is a corporate entity when dealing with you.	Business name
What is meant by "doing business as" or "DBA"	Often a natural person or a partnership will create a distinctive trade name under which to operate or advertise. For example, a person named Tom Smith might do business as "Smith Welding" or a partnership of Tom Smith and Peter Jones may do business as "Smith & Jones Welding." The legal designation in the case of a natural person would be "Tom Smith doing business as Smith Welding."		Business or shop may have a business name on its paperwork (letters or invoices), advertising, or building without any designation that it is either limited or incorporated (for example, LP, Inc. or LLC).	Individual person(s) with additional words "doing business as [name]."	Same as for natural person or partnership

This document is only a general guide and cannot substitute for sound legal advice. There are many other types of business entities that exist in Wisconsin or which do business in Wisconsin. Any change in the facts of your particular case may drastically alter the type of entity with which you are dealing and the appropriate parties that should be named in YOUR lawsuit.

Introduction

A. Small Claims actions can be filed for:

1. Money
2. The return of property (called "Replevin")
3. Eviction of tenants
4. Arbitration confirmation etc.
5. Return of earnest money.

B. If you have been sued in Small Claims Court, your options are:

1. To not contest the case.

(A judgment will then be entered against you for the amount in the complaint, unless the parties "settle" the case by agreeing to a different amount.)

2. To contest the case by appearing in person and/or filing a written answer by the return date indicated on the complaint form.

(Be sure to put the case number on your answer and send a copy to the plaintiff or plaintiff's lawyer, if any.)

The case will then be set for court trial before a Judge. You will be sent a written notice of the time and place of the court hearing.

3. Your written answer may include:

a. A counterclaim, if you think that plaintiff owes you money.

b. A cross-complaint, if there are other defendants besides you in the case, and you think one of them should pay the money.

c. If you think that someone who has not been sued by the plaintiff owes the money, you may bring that person into the case by filing an impleader action and paying the required filing fee.

C. IF POSSIBLE, THE PARTIES SHOULD TRY TO SETTLE THE CASE BEFORE THE COURT TRIAL IS HELD.

D. If you are under 18 years old, the court may require the appointment of a guardian ad litem to protect your legal interests.

Starting Your Small Claims Case

A. Where to file.

1. If your case involves a consumer transaction, you may file in the county:

a. Where the customer lives, or b. Where the purchase was made, or c. Where the collateral is located.

2. For other kinds of cases, you file in the county: a. Where the claim arose, or b. Where the property is located, or c. Where the defendant lives or does substantial business.

B. The Summons and Complaint.

You can obtain all necessary Summons and Complaint forms on-line at https://myforms.wicourts.gov/ or http://www.wicourts.gov/forms1/circuit.htm . You will need to complete the form, file the original and provide enough copies for service. You will also need to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. A SASE is required for all mail filings.

COURT STAFF CANNOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE.

1. You will have to pay the clerk a fee to file the summons and complaint at the time a case is filed. Make checks payable to "Clerk of Courts."

 

2. If you are indigent (too poor), you may file the petition to waive the filing fees and costs of serving your papers, otherwise, you must pay these fees and costs. 

C. Filing the Forms.

The Small Claims forms are basically self-explanatory. If you need help, the staff can answer simple questions for you about filling them out.

D. Serving the Summons and Complaint on Defendant(s).

The Summons and Complaint must be served by the Sheriff or a process server. Service must be obtained not less than 8 business days before the return date, but no longer than 90 calendar days from the date the action was filed. Defendants who live outside of Wisconsin can also be served with the Small Claims papers in their home state. The Summons and Complaint may be sent by court mail only if all below are met:

• the type of action qualifies for mail service
• the defendant's home address is inside Green County and
• the filing, including the Summons, does not exceed 5 pages.

Any party filing subsequent documents with the court after the initial summons and complaint, including requests to reschedule hearings, must send a copy to all other parties in the action and note on the court's copy that this was done.

The Return Date

THE PLAINTIFF MUST APPEAR IF HE WISHES TO TAKE JUDGMENT.

THE DEFENDANT MUST APPEAR IF HE WISHES TO CONTEST THE MATTER

 

Default Judgments

If the defendant fails to appear in person or by counsel, a default judgment  may be entered against the defendant.  A Notice of Entry of Judgment will be sent to the parties.

 

 

 

The Court Trial

This is before a Circuit Judge, but can be before a jury. There is no extra fee for this trial unless a jury is requested.

1. Preparing for Trial.

Where necessary, use a subpoena to force witnesses to attend the trial, or a "subpoena duces tecum" to make the witness(es) bring documents.

The Judge will decide the case based on the evidence presented at the trial. 

2. Conduct of witnesses.

Witnesses should speak clearly and not ramble.

3. Cross-examination.

The parties have a right to ask questions of witnesses for the other side. Parties should not, however, argue with witnesses.

4. Stipulated Dismissal Pending Payment.

The parties may enter into a Stipulated Dismissal where the parties have reached a payment agreement.

With approval of the judge, the case is dismissed with agreed payments to be made; if the agreed payments are not made, the case is reopened, either for entry of a judgment, or for trial.

After the Trial

A. Reimbursement of costs.

The winning party is entitled to be paid filing fees, out-of pocket court costs, and statutory attorneys' fees, if an attorney participated.

Lost wages, parking and transportation expenses to come to court are not allowed.

B. Financial Disclosures by Judgment Debtors.

The Small Claims Court will order the party owing money under the decision (the "judgment debtor") to send to the other party a statement disclosing his/her name, address, employers and their addresses, real property he/she owns, financial institutions in which he/she has deposits, and other information on standard financial disclosure forms.

These financial disclosure forms must be mailed to the winning party within 15 days after the judgment was filed in court. This information must be provided even if the judgment debtor decides to appeal.

If the judgment debtor does not provide the financial disclosure statement as required, you may petition a judge to have the judgment debtor found in contempt of court.

C. Docketing and Satisfying the Judgment.

You may docket your judgment by paying a fee. Docketing your judgment will make it a lien on real estate owned by the judgment debtor in Green County. Your judgment may also be docketed for a fee in other counties. Wisconsin Supreme Court Order 98-01 makes court forms approved by the Records Management Committee mandatory in Wisconsin Circuit Court proceedings. Accordingly, form GF-129, Satisfaction of Judgment or Partial Release filed pursuant to '806.19, will be required for all case types, including Small Claims. This form is available on line at the Wisconsin Supreme Court website. The docketing fee of $5.00 must accompany the satisfaction when presented for filing.

D. Appeals.

A party may appeal to the Court of Appeals from a Small Claims judgment.  If you decide to appeal, it is recommended you consult an attorney.

E. Reopening Default Judgments.

A party may reopen a default judgment within 6 months and, in some cases, up to a year after judgment is entered.

You must file a motion or petition to reopen along with the motion to reopen. A hearing will be set to consider the reasons for the request to reopen.

F. Garnishment of Wages.

One of several ways to try to enforce a judgment is by "garnishment." Garnishment is an action to withhold part of a person's wages or bank accounts to pay off the judgment.

A garnishment can be filed in Small Claims Court, just as the original case was. Part of the judgment debtor's wages are exempt from garnishment.

If you require assistance appearing in court as a result of a disability, please call (608)328-9433 to make special arrangements.