Small claims court in Wisconsin

$10,000maximum claim in Circuit court (small claims), as of 29 October 2026

Change coming on 1 January 2027: the limit rises to $15,000. 2025 Wisconsin Act 105 raises the small claims limit from $10,000 to $15,000 for actions started on or after 1 January 2027. The $5,000 limit for tort and personal injury claims does not change.

The basics

Small claims limit: $10,000^1,2,3,4Wis. Stat. 799.01(1)(d), 799.01(1)(cr)
Most small claims are limited to $10,000, and tort and personal injury claims to $5,000. A new law (2025 Wisconsin Act 105) raises the $10,000 limit to $15,000 for cases started on or after January 1, 2027, while the $5,000 tort limit stays the same.
Court: Circuit court (small claims)^2,5,6Wis. Stat. ch. 799
Small claims are a type of civil case heard in circuit court. Many cases are first heard by a court commissioner.
Filing fee: $94.50 ($124 from November 1, 2026)^6,7Wis. Stat. 814.62(3)(a)
The statewide cost to start a small claims case is $94.50, which includes a $22 filing fee and two state surcharges. From November 1, 2026 the total rises to $124. E-filing adds a separate fee.
Lawyers: Yes, not required^8,5Wis. Stat. 799.06(2)
You may represent yourself or hire a Wisconsin lawyer. A business may appear through a member, agent or authorized employee.
Appeals: 10 days (new trial before a judge)⁵Wis. Stat. 799.207
If a court commissioner decides your case, either side can ask for a new trial before a judge. File the demand within 10 days of the hearing, or within 15 days after a written decision is mailed.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

How long you usually have to file, counted from when the claim arose. Exceptions apply.

Written contract: 6 years⁹Wis. Stat. 893.43(1)
6 years for a contract claim, written or implied.
Oral contract: 6 years⁹Wis. Stat. 893.43(1)
6 years. Wisconsin uses the same period for written and oral contracts.
Property damage: 6 years¹⁰Wis. Stat. 893.52
6 years for damage to real or personal property. Property damage from a motor vehicle accident has 3 years.
Personal injury: 3 years¹¹Wis. Stat. 893.54(1m)(a)
3 years for injuries to the person.

Small claims rules are set by state law and court rules, and fees are often set locally. Before you file, check the court's own page or call the clerk.

Sources

Wis. Stat. 799.01, Applicability of chapter, Wisconsin State Legislatureofficial
Small claims, self help, Wisconsin Court System, 2024-07-31official
2025 Senate Bill 787 as signed (2025 Wisconsin Act), Office of the Governor of Wisconsin, 2026-03-20official
Gov. Evers Takes Action on 27 Bills, Office of the Governor of Wisconsin, 2026-03-20official
Basic Guide to Wisconsin Small Claims Actions (SC-6000V, 09/24), Wisconsin Court System, 2024-09official
Circuit court fee, surcharge, and fine tables (updated September 2, 2026), Wisconsin Court System, 2026-09-02official
Circuit court fee, surcharge, and fine tables (effective November 1, 2026), Wisconsin Court System, 2026-11-01official
Wis. Stat. 799.06, Actions, how commenced, pleadings, appearances, Wisconsin State Legislatureofficial
Wis. Stat. 893.43, Action on contract, Wisconsin State Legislatureofficial
Wis. Stat. 893.52, Action for damages for injury to property, Wisconsin State Legislatureofficial
Wis. Stat. 893.54, Injury to the person, Wisconsin State Legislatureofficial

Checked 29 October 2026. "Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read and mark them here.