Demand Letter in Wisconsin

A demand letter asks someone to pay or fix a problem before you go to small claims court. Many judges expect one, and it is useful evidence. Your state's small claims limit and fee are shown below.

What Wisconsin law says

Small claims limit	$10,000 for money claims and replevin of property worth up to $10,000, rising to $15,000 on January 1, 2027 (2025 Wis. Act 105). Tort and personal injury claims are limited to $5,000. Evictions, earnest-money returns and certain real estate arbitration matters use small claims regardless of amount. Statutes as published October 1, 2026. Source: Wis. Stat. 799.01(1)
Filing fee	The statutory clerk's fee to start a small claims action is $22, rising to $39 on November 1, 2026 (2025 Wis. Act 179). Service by mail costs $2 per defendant, rising to $7 on November 1, 2026 (plus the certified-mail cost when certified mail is required). A counterclaim over the small claims limit requires paying the difference up to the regular civil filing fee. Check with the clerk of circuit court for the total amount charged. Source: Wis. Stat. 814.62(3)(a), (4)

Small claims limit

$10,000 for money claims and replevin of property worth up to $10,000, rising to $15,000 on January 1, 2027 (2025 Wis. Act 105). Tort and personal injury claims are limited to $5,000. Evictions, earnest-money returns and certain real estate arbitration matters use small claims regardless of amount.

Statutes as published October 1, 2026.

Source: Wis. Stat. 799.01(1)

Filing fee

The statutory clerk's fee to start a small claims action is $22, rising to $39 on November 1, 2026 (2025 Wis. Act 179). Service by mail costs $2 per defendant, rising to $7 on November 1, 2026 (plus the certified-mail cost when certified mail is required). A counterclaim over the small claims limit requires paying the difference up to the regular civil filing fee.

Check with the clerk of circuit court for the total amount charged.

Source: Wis. Stat. 814.62(3)(a), (4)

Fill it in

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[today's date]

To: [person or business name], [their address]

From: [your name], [your address]

This letter is a formal demand for $[amount demanded] for [what happened, with dates].

[Short list of facts and attached documents: contract, receipts, photos, messages.]

Please pay this amount by [payment deadline] by [payment method].

If I do not receive payment by then, I intend to file a claim in [court name] without further notice.

[your name] [phone or email]

Demand Letter for other states · Wisconsin tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.