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FA-4171VA

Declaration to Show Cause and to Change: Custody/Placement/Support/Maintenance

Wisconsin · Wisconsin Court System · Effective October 16, 2025

This form is a declaration used to ask the court to change existing orders regarding custody, physical placement, child support, maintenance, or payment of arrears. It requires the person filing to state the changes they want and explain why those changes are needed.

The court describes it as: Declaration to show cause and to change: Custody/Placement/Support/Maintenance. Voluntary form.

Open the official PDFfrom Wisconsin Court System

Where this fits in a case

Hearing

Stage: Hearing

This form is used when a person needs to ask the court to change an existing court order about custody, where the children live, support payments, or spousal maintenance.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

Who fills out this form?
The form has sections for both Petitioner/Joint Petitioner A and Respondent/Joint Petitioner B, suggesting either party can fill it out. The form is described as a voluntary form.
What must be included when asking for changes?
When asking for changes, the form requires the filer to list the specific changes requested for custody, placement, support, and maintenance. It also asks for a description of the facts that justify the change.
Does this form need a notary?
The form allows the filer to provide an unsworn declaration instead of needing a Notary Public.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 10, 2026. The current version took effect October 16, 2025.

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