Wisconsin's New Budget Increases Small Claims Dollar Limit
On June 26, Governor Scott Walker signed into law Wisconsin's 2011-2013 biennial budget bill. This bill increases the amount that one may sue in Small Claims from "$5,000 or less" to "$10,000 or less." This means that claims for money judgments, garnishments, attachments or actions to enforce a lien upon movable assets may now be brought in Small Claims Court, so long as the amount in controversy is $10,000 or less.
While such actions may be brought as regular large claims, the filing fee for a large claim is $265.50, as compared to the relatively modest cost of $94.50 for a small claim filing.
The new increase does not apply to third-party complaints, personal injury claims or tort claims, which remain at the current $5,000 or less limit.
The same law will now permit the State of Wisconsin to pay claims up to $10,000 without legislative approval.
The new law affects small claims filed on or after July 1, 2011.
