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SC-6040V

Pre-Judgment: Basic Steps for Filing an Answer to a Small Claims Complaint

Wisconsin · Wisconsin Court System · Effective September 12, 2024

This guide gives general steps for filing an answer to a small claims complaint in Wisconsin. It outlines what steps to take, such as filling out forms and filing documents, but it is not a form itself.

The court describes it as: Basic steps for filing an answer to a small claims complaint. Voluntary form.

Open the official PDFfrom Wisconsin Court System

Where this fits in a case

Respond

Stage: Respond

This guide is used by someone who has been served with a small claims complaint and needs general information on how to respond to it.

Either party may file.

Common questions

Is this a form I need to fill out?
No, this is a guide that gives general information about the steps for filing an answer. You will need to obtain other forms, like the Answer and Counterclaim form (SC-5200V).
Do I need to pay a fee?
If you have a counterclaim asking for money over $10,000 or a personal injury claim over $5,000, you may have to pay a filing fee. Always follow local court rules for fee information.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 10, 2026. The current version took effect September 12, 2024.

Related forms

  • SC-506A

    Order for Financial Disclosure (Small Claims)

    This form is an order that tells the person who owes money (the debtor) that after a small claims judgment is made, they must either pay the money owed or fill out a Financial Disclosure Statement.

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  • SC-506B

    Financial Disclosure Statement (Small Claims)

    This form asks for detailed financial information about assets, income, and property for both the creditor and the debtor after a small claims judgment has been made. It requires listing various types of income and property to help determine what can be collected to satisfy the judgment.

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  • SC-507A

    Motion and Request for Hearing on Contempt (Small Claims)

    This form is used to ask the court to schedule a hearing to find out why a person who owes money has not followed a court order about providing financial information.

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  • SC-507B

    Order for Hearing on Contempt (Small Claims)

    This form is a court order that sets a date and time for a hearing about contempt in a small claims case. It tells the person who owes money (the judgment debtor) that they must appear to explain why they did not follow the court's order for a financial disclosure statement.

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  • SC-5130V

    Declaration of Mailing (Small Claims)

    This form is used to tell the court that you mailed certain legal papers to another person in a small claims case. It asks you to list the documents you mailed, the date you mailed them, and the name and address of the person who received them.

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  • SC-517

    Demand for Trial and Instructions (Small Claims)

    This form is used in small claims court to ask for a trial before a judge. It requires the person filing to state when the case was decided—either by an oral decision or a written decision—and to confirm they will give copies of the form to everyone else involved.

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  • SC-5200V

    Answer and Counterclaim (Small Claims)

    This form is used by a defendant in a small claims case to formally reply to the lawsuit and to state whether they agree with the claim or if they disagree. It also allows the defendant to ask the court for money from the person who sued them (a counterclaim).

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  • SC-5250V

    Notice of Counterclaim - Claim against Plaintiff(s) (Small Claims)

    This form is a notice that tells the person who started the case (the plaintiff) that the defendant has filed a counterclaim against them in small claims court. It explains that if the counterclaim is for a large amount of money or involves personal injury, the case might need to move to a different type of court.

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