How to file small claims in Wisconsin

Sue for up to $10,000 in the Small Claims Court (Circuit Court); filing fee around $95.

Wisconsin Circuit Courts hear small claims up to $10,000 (tort claims cap at $5,000), with lawyers and counterclaims allowed.

• Dollar limit: $10,000 — $10,000 generally; no limit for eviction, and $10,000 cap does not apply to certain tort claims (which cap at $5,000).
• Filing fee: $95 — About $90–$95 plus service.
• Where to file: Small Claims Court (Circuit Court)
• Lawyers at the hearing: allowed

1. Confirm your claim is at or under the dollar limit and within the statute of limitations for your claim type.
2. Send a written demand letter first — most courts expect it, and it often gets you paid without filing.
3. Get the correct filing form (often a "Statement of Claim" or "Plaintiff's Claim") from the Small Claims Court clerk or the court's website.
4. File the form with the Small Claims Court for the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened, and pay the filing fee.
5. Arrange service of process so the defendant is officially notified (by the sheriff, certified mail, or a process server, per local rules).
6. Gather your evidence — contract, texts, photos, receipts, the demand letter — and bring organized copies to your hearing.
7. Show up on your court date and present your case; if you win, ask the judge how to collect the judgment.

What are you suing for?

• Suing for unpaid loan in Wisconsin: 6 years to file
• Suing for security deposit in Wisconsin: 6 years to file
• Suing for property damage in Wisconsin: 6 years to file
• Suing for unpaid rent in Wisconsin: 6 years to file
• Suing for contractor dispute in Wisconsin: 6 years to file

Source: Wis. Stat. § 799.01. Reviewed 2026-06-17 (verify with the court clerk).

Nearby states: Minnesota ($15,000) · Iowa ($6,500) · Illinois ($10,000) · Michigan ($7,000).

General legal information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by county and court; consult a licensed attorney or your court clerk.

Updated July 2026