How to answer a debt lawsuit in Wisconsin

Deadlines by court, filing, fees and defenses, with a calculator.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026.

Short answer

Small claims: by the date on your summons. Large-claim circuit court case: by the date on your summons. Fill out the Answer and Counterclaim (SC-5200V), make at least 3 copies, and file it with the clerk of court in the county where the case was filed; then deliver a copy to the plaintiff as your county's rules require (by mail, file a Declaration of Mailing, SC-5130V).

Time to answer
Date on your summons
Official answer form
Answer and Counterclaim (Small Claims), SC-5200V
Fee to answer
The court's answer guide lists a filing fee only for a counterclaim over $10,000 (or a tort or personal injury counterclaim over $5,000), which moves the case out of small claims.

Your deadline to answer in Wisconsin

  • Small claims: by the date on your summons.
  • Large-claim circuit court case: by the date on your summons.

Small claims: the summons gives a return date and time. You must appear at the time and place stated, and/or file a written answer and give a copy to the plaintiff or its lawyer on or before that date and time, as the summons says. Rules differ by county. In a large-claim circuit court case, file a written answer within the time stated in the summons.

Law: Court forms SC-500 (03/26), SC-5200V; guide SC-6040V (09/24); Wis. Stat. ch. 799

In nearby states

Count your exact deadline

The date is counted in your browser.

The court's name is at the top of your summons.

An estimate from our state data, not legal advice. Court holidays and local rules can change a deadline. File early, and ask the court clerk if you are not sure.

Fill in Wisconsin's official answer form: a helper

Start with the official form: Answer and Counterclaim (Small Claims), SC-5200V

This helper is not a court form and does not file anything. It lists what to copy onto the official form, in plain words.

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What to put on the official form

Fees and fee waivers in Wisconsin

Fee to answer

The court's answer guide lists a filing fee only for a counterclaim over $10,000 (or a tort or personal injury counterclaim over $5,000), which moves the case out of small claims.

If you can't pay the fees

Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs - Declaration of Indigency (CV-410A): https://www.wicourts.gov/formdisplay/CV-410A.pdf?formNumber=CV-410A&formType=Form&formatId=2&language=en

Service of the court papers in Wisconsin

Service means officially getting the court papers. Your deadline usually starts that day.

A small claims summons and complaint for money must be served at least 8 business days before the return date. It can be served personally, by substitute service, or by publication; it can be mailed only if local court rules allow it and you live in the county where the case was filed. Service must be made within 90 days after the case was filed.

Law: Court guide SC-6050V (Basic Steps to Small Claims Service)

Defenses you can raise in Wisconsin

If you dispute the claim, you can explain why in your answer and add a counterclaim. If you think the debt is too old to sue on, raise the statute of limitations in your answer. A default judgment in a case filed in the wrong county can be reopened (see below).

What an answer is and how to file it in Wisconsin

Fill out the Answer and Counterclaim (SC-5200V), make at least 3 copies, and file it with the clerk of court in the county where the case was filed; then deliver a copy to the plaintiff as your county's rules require (by mail, file a Declaration of Mailing, SC-5130V). Many courts accept eFiling.

Mediation and settlement in Wisconsin

Some counties offer mediation services in small claims cases (Wisconsin Court System, SC-6000V).

What to do now in Wisconsin

  1. Read the papers

    The summons names the court, the case number and the lawyer suing you. Keep it safe.

  2. Note your last day

    In Wisconsin: Small claims: by the date on your summons; Large-claim circuit court case: by the date on your summons.

  3. Write and file your answer

    Start with the official form: Answer and Counterclaim (Small Claims), SC-5200V.

  4. Make them show the paperwork

    Send a documents request letter to the plaintiff's lawyer.

Federal rules in every state

  • Where a collector must sue. A debt collector that sues you over a consumer debt must file where you signed the contract or where you live when the suit starts. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1692i(a)(2)
  • Old debts. A debt collector must not sue you, or threaten to sue you, on a debt that is too old to sue on. Law: 12 CFR 1006.26(b)

Free help in Wisconsin

Questions about answering in Wisconsin

How long do I have to answer a debt lawsuit in Wisconsin?

Small claims: the summons gives a return date and time. You must appear at the time and place stated, and/or file a written answer and give a copy to the plaintiff or its lawyer on or before that date and time, as the summons says. Rules differ by county. In a large-claim circuit court case, file a written answer within the time stated in the summons.

What do I file to answer in Wisconsin?

Fill out the Answer and Counterclaim (SC-5200V), make at least 3 copies, and file it with the clerk of court in the county where the case was filed; then deliver a copy to the plaintiff as your county's rules require (by mail, file a Declaration of Mailing, SC-5130V). Many courts accept eFiling.

Is there an official answer form in Wisconsin?

Answer and Counterclaim (Small Claims), SC-5200V: https://www.wicourts.gov/formdisplay/SC-5200V.pdf?formNumber=SC-5200V&formType=Form&formatId=2&language=en

Is there a fee to answer in Wisconsin?

The court's answer guide lists a filing fee only for a counterclaim over $10,000 (or a tort or personal injury counterclaim over $5,000), which moves the case out of small claims.

Can Wisconsin courts waive my fees?

Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs - Declaration of Indigency (CV-410A): https://www.wicourts.gov/formdisplay/CV-410A.pdf?formNumber=CV-410A&formType=Form&formatId=2&language=en

Keep reading about Wisconsin

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources
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