Wisconsin Judgment: Types, Records, Duration, and What to Expect

A judgment is a court's final verdict that resolves a dispute and establishes the parties' respective rights and responsibilities. In Wisconsin, judgments may arise from civil lawsuits, debt collections, property, family law, or criminal restitution matters. Once entered, they are enforceable and can result in liens, wage garnishment, or poor credit history.

What Is a Judgment in Wisconsin?

According to Wisconsin Statute §806.01, a judgment is defined as the determination of action, which may be final or interlocutory. It may require monetary payments, property transfer, or certain injunctive relief. Once recorded, judgments carry the authority of law and may be executed through liens, garnishments, and levies.

Creditors may obtain judgment for unpaid medical bills, while in family court, a judgment may set grounds for child support or spousal maintenance obligations. Regardless of type, judgments impose financial and legal consequences until formally satisfied or terminated under Wisconsin state law.

Types of Judgments in Wisconsin

Wisconsin courts may deliver a range of judgment types depending on the case type:

1. Money Judgments

These are the most common types of judgments, and they require the debtor to pay a specific amount to the creditor. This is possible in cases involving unpaid medical bills, breach of contract, or damages awarded in civil lawsuits.

2. Default Judgments

A default judgment is entered when the defendant fails to respond to a lawsuit or misses a court hearing. In such cases, the plaintiff wins, and the court may issue a judgment without trial, thereby granting the relief requested.

3. Property or Lien Judgments

Creditors may secure repayment by recording a judgment lien against a debtor’s property. In Wisconsin, such liens are recorded with the county Register of Deeds and apply to real estate. This judgment type restricts the sale or refinancing of such property until debts are fully resolved.

4. Family Court Judgments

Family-related judgments may establish obligations for custody, property division, and child and spousal support (alimony). Compliance is achieved through enforcement tools such as wage withholding, contempt actions, or property liens.

5. Criminal Restitution Judgments

In criminal cases, Wisconsin courts may issue restitution judgments, requiring offenders to repay victims for financial losses. These judgments remain enforceable until fully satisfied.

How to Search for Judgments in Wisconsin

Judgments are public records in Wisconsin and may be retrieved via several platforms:

1. Clerk of Court Offices: In each county, individual Circuit Court Clerks maintain judgment records and preserve them for future purposes. In-person searches are also available at the office of each Circuit Court Clerk, including certified copies.
2. Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): The WCCA, also known as the Consolidated Courts Automation Program (CCAP) case management system provides online access to civil, criminal, and family case records, including judgments. Searches may be performed using a name, case number, business name, or attorney name.
3. County Register of Deeds: For liens, searches may be performed through the county land records system.
4. Third-Party Services: Third-party providers aggregate judgment records statewide; therefore, interested persons may visit these websites to access them. On the other hand, only courthouses provide official sources and serve as the most reliable.

Judgment records in Wisconsin include key case details such as:

• Case number
• Names of the parties
• Court location
• Judgment date
• Amount owed or type of relief granted

Judgment Records in Major Wisconsin Counties

While Wisconsin provides centralized online access, clerks at the county level are instrumental in retrieving certified records:

• Milwaukee County (Milwaukee): Judgment records are accessible through the WCCA system and in person at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, found at 901 N 9th St., Milwaukee, WI 53233.
• Dane County (Madison): Judgments may be searched online through theCCAP case management system and locally at the Dane County courthouse, found at 215 S Hamilton St., Madison, WI 53703.
• Brown County (Green Bay): Records are available through the statewide portal and at the local clerk’s office, found at 305 E. Walnut St., Room #120, Green Bay, WI 54301.

The CCAP case management system is the most comprehensive statewide resource for retrieving judgment records. On the other hand, certified copies of judgments and lien documents may be obtained from the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Register of Deeds in the county.

How Long Does a Judgment Last in Wisconsin?

As outlined in Wisconsin Statutes §806.15(1), a civil judgment is valid and enforceable for 10 years from the date of entry. Creditors may renew or extend judgment liens for another 10 years during that period to maintain their claim against a debtor’s property.

This long enforceability period allows creditors enough time to pursue collection. Debtors, on the contrary, may face limitations until the judgment is resolved.

What Happens After a Judgment Is Entered in Wisconsin?

Once the court issues a judgment, creditors may exercise their rights to recover payments. Debtors face legal and financial consequences, such as accrued interest, before judgments are resolved.

For Creditors:

• Wage Garnishment: Creditors may obtain a court order requiring employers to withhold a portion of the debtor’s wages until the judgment is satisfied. Wisconsin law sets a limit on how much of a debtor's income may be garnished.
• Judgment Liens: A lien may be recorded against a debtor’s real estate with the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located. It is done to block the transfer or refinancing of such property until repayment is resolved.
• Bank Levies: Creditors who obtain court approval may directly seize funds from a debtor’s bank account.

For Debtors:

• Credit Reporting: Judgments often appear on credit reports, lowering scores and reducing access to loans.
• Satisfaction of Judgment: Once the debt is paid, the creditor is required to file a Satisfaction of Judgment with the court with jurisdiction over the case. This action relieves the debtor of any remaining obligation.
• Appeals or Motions to Vacate: If a debtor believes a judgment was entered without fair notice or opportunity to respond, they may request that the court reconsider or vacate the decision.