Wisconsin · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Wisconsin: get back what you're owed

Nine free guides for Wisconsin, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Wisconsin

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$10,000
Court
small claims court
Filing fee
$95
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Wisconsin

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
21 days
Security deposit limit
No statewide limit
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
5 days (or 14, no chance to pay)
Notice before the landlord enters
12 hours

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Wisconsin

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Minimum wage (2026)
$7.25
Final paycheck if fired
See the rules
Deadline to file a wage claim
2 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Wisconsin

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
12 months
What makes it a lemon
4 repairs · 30 days
Covers used cars
No
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Wisconsin

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
48 hrs before Board of Review
Where you appeal first
Board of Review (BOR)
Median effective tax rate
1.42%
Median yearly tax on a home
$3,792

Closed for 2026Closed for 2026. The next Board of Review meets in spring 2027 (from late April); give 48 hours' notice before the first meeting. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Wisconsin

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
See the rules
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
See the rules

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Wisconsin

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
Wisconsin Unclaimed Property
Held by the state
See the guide
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Wisconsin

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
6 months
Waiting period
120 days after service
Filing fee
$184.50

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Debt Collector Map

Debt collectors in Wisconsin

A collector can sue you only for a limited time, and state law limits how much of your pay it can take after a judgment. You can dispute the debt in writing.

Time limit to sue on a debt
See the guide
Wage garnishment limit
Up to 20%
State license for collectors
Yes

Facts from Debt Collector Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Wisconsin

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Wisconsin
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit21 daysTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent5 days (or 14, no chance to pay)Tenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim2 yearsWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedSee the rulesWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period12 monthsLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineThe Wisconsin Department of Transportation says you have 36 months from delivery to file a claim.Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appeal48 hrs before Board of ReviewTax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file6 monthsDivorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting period120 days after serviceDivorce Law Map
Debt collectorsTime limit to sue on a debtSee the guideDebt Collector Map

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Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.

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