Want it filled in for you? Answer a few plain-English questions and get a completed draft of the SC-500 Summons and Complaint — every field filled in from your answers, ready to copy onto the official form — plus a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Wisconsin claim qualifiesThe Wisconsin Small Claims Form
📄 SC-500 Summons and Complaint
The form that opens your case. Download it free from wicourts.gov.
Wisconsin Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Circuit Court (Small Claims, ch. 799) |
| Claim limit | $10,000 |
| Limit: Vehicle-accident damage — a tort claim (Wis. Stat. § 799.01(1)(cr)) | $5,000 |
| Limit: Property damage — a tort claim (Wis. Stat. § 799.01(1)(cr)) | $5,000 |
| Limit: Seller fraud — a tort claim (Wis. Stat. § 799.01(1)(cr)) | $5,000 |
| Claim form | SC-500 Summons and Complaint |
| Filing fee | $94.50–$114.50 — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing |
| Serving the defendant | Clerk mail (counties w/ local rule) else personal service (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Law that sets the limit | Wis. Stat. § 799.01(1)(d) |
| Court data verified | October 6, 2026 |
In Wisconsin, the exact court, local paperwork and fees can differ by county or court. The court finder below shows yours.
Filing Deadlines in Wisconsin
How long the law gives you to file. When the clock starts depends on the claim, so do not leave it late: a claim filed after the deadline can be dismissed however strong it is.
| Type of claim | Time to file | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years — 3 years on a motor-vehicle insurance policy — Wis. Stat. § 632.32(1). | Wis. Stat. § 893.43(1) |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 6 years | Wis. Stat. § 893.43(1) |
| Damage to property | 6 years — 3 years where the damage arises from an accident involving a motor vehicle — Wis. Stat. § 893.52(2). That catches most car-damage claims. | Wis. Stat. § 893.52(1) |
| Personal injury | 3 years — 2 years for wrongful death arising from a motor-vehicle accident — Wis. Stat. § 893.54(2m). | Wis. Stat. § 893.54(1m)(a) |
| Unpaid debt or account | 6 years — 3 years on a motor-vehicle insurance policy — Wis. Stat. § 893.43(2), via s. 632.32(1). | Wis. Stat. § 893.43(1) |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Being Sued in Wisconsin Instead?
Do you file an answer? Respond on the return date on the summons (8 to 30 days after it was issued): appear, answer, or move to dismiss. Some counties let you answer without appearing, and the summons says so. (Wis. Stat. § 799.20(1))
The been-sued deadline lookup covers what happens if you do nothing.
Where to Get the Official Wisconsin Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — wicourts.gov
- Official source — wicourts.gov
- Official source — wicourts.gov
- The law itself — Wis. Stat. § 799.01(1)(d)
- The clerk of the Circuit Court (Small Claims, ch. 799) — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does Wisconsin compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
Wisconsin Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in Wisconsin?
The form that opens the case is the SC-500 Summons and Complaint. The official source is wicourts.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in Wisconsin small claims court?
In Wisconsin you can claim up to $10,000 in the Circuit Court (Small Claims, ch. 799). Different limits apply in some cases: Vehicle-accident damage — a tort claim (Wis. Stat. § 799.01(1)(cr)), $5,000; Property damage — a tort claim (Wis. Stat. § 799.01(1)(cr)), $5,000; Seller fraud — a tort claim (Wis. Stat. § 799.01(1)(cr)), $5,000. If your claim is larger, you can usually reduce it to the limit or file in a higher court instead.
❓ How much does it cost to file small claims in Wisconsin?
The filing fee is $94.50–$114.50 — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the Wisconsin small claims form for me?
Yes. Answer a few plain-English questions and we produce a completed draft of the SC-500 Summons and Complaint, with every field filled in from your answers, ready to copy onto the official form and file. It comes with a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist.
Want it filled in for you?
A few plain-English questions about your Wisconsin case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Wisconsin claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.