Wisconsin lawyer costs and court fees
Short answer
Wisconsin has small claims cases up to $10,000, a 3-year personal injury filing deadline, a divorce filing fee of $184.50. Clio does not publish a Wisconsin rate; the national average is $349 an hour. Below are the verified court fees, deadlines, fee-cap rules and free-help options, each linked to its official source.
Wisconsin legal costs at a glance
| Small claims limit | $10,000 ($5,000 for personal injury and tort claims)[1][2][3][4] |
|---|---|
| Small claims filing fee | $94.50 total for claims of $10,000 or less and for personal injury/tort claims of $5,000 or less (statutory base fee $22 under Wis. Stat. 814.62(3)(a), plus surcharges). E-filing adds $35 per case per party. (WI circuit court fee chart updated Sept 2, 2026.)[1][2][3][4] |
| Circuit Court civil filing fee | $265.50 (money judgment claim over $10,000, including foreclosure), plus $35 e-filing fee where applicable[3] |
| Divorce filing fee | $184.50 with no request for support or maintenance; $194.50 with such a request[3] |
| Personal injury deadline | 3 years (Wis. Stat. 893.54); motor-vehicle wrongful death: 2 years under sub. (2m)[5] |
| Attorney fee caps | No statewide percentage cap identified in our review |
| Average lawyer rate | No Wisconsin figure published; national average $349/hour[6] |
What lawyers charge in Wisconsin
Clio publishes state-level averages for only some states, and Wisconsin is not one of them. The national average billed rate in Clio's 2025 data is $349 per hour[6]. We do not publish an invented Wisconsin figure: ask two or three local lawyers for their hourly rate and compare it with the national number.
Illustrative budget at $349/hour (not a quote): a 1-hour consultation ≈ $349; a 5-hour document review ≈ $1,745; a 20-hour contested matter ≈ $6,980, before court fees and expenses. Many lawyers quote flat fees for routine work instead; see hourly vs flat fees.
Small claims court in Wisconsin
Small claims cases are heard in the Circuit Court, Small Claims. You can ask for up to $10,000 ($5,000 for personal injury and tort claims)[1][2][3][4]. Eviction actions may be filed in small claims regardless of the rent amount (Wis. Stat. 799.01).
- Filing fee: $94.50 total for claims of $10,000 or less and for personal injury/tort claims of $5,000 or less (statutory base fee $22 under Wis. Stat. 814.62(3)(a), plus surcharges). E-filing adds $35 per case per party. (WI circuit court fee chart updated Sept 2, 2026.)
- Serving the other side: service costs are not listed in the official sources we checked; ask the clerk which service methods are allowed and what they cost.
- Court self-help: Wisconsin court self-help resources
See how Wisconsin compares with other states in our 50-state small claims table.
Court filing fees
Circuit Court: $265.50 (money judgment claim over $10,000, including foreclosure), plus $35 e-filing fee where applicable[3]
Divorce: $184.50 with no request for support or maintenance; $194.50 with such a request[3] The same amounts apply to annulment and legal separation. The fee chart is guidance; the statutes control.
If you cannot afford a filing fee, every state lets you ask the court to waive it; the form is usually called a fee waiver or an application to proceed without paying fees. Our divorce cost guide compares filing fees across states.
Deadlines and attorney fee rules
Personal injury filing deadline: 3 years (Wis. Stat. 893.54); motor-vehicle wrongful death: 2 years under sub. (2m)[5]. Exceptions exist (for example for minors, government defendants and medical claims), so check with a lawyer before the deadline gets close.
Contingency and fee caps: we did not find a statewide percentage cap in Wisconsin. Fees must still be reasonable under the state's version of ABA Model Rule 1.5, and contingency agreements must be in writing.
If you disagree with a lawyer's bill: we did not find a statewide fee-dispute program for Wisconsin; ask your local county bar association whether it runs one.
Free and low-cost legal help in Wisconsin
- Legal aid: Wisconsin State Law Library – Legal Resources in Wisconsin Counties. Programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation generally serve households at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines; in 2026 that is $19,950 a year for one person and $41,250 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states[7].
- Lawyer referral: State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Referral Service — 800-362-9082.
- Before you hire: read what consultations cost and options if you can't afford a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the small claims limit in Wisconsin?
$10,000 ($5,000 for personal injury and tort claims), in the Circuit Court, Small Claims. Eviction actions may be filed in small claims regardless of the rent amount (Wis. Stat. 799.01).
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Wisconsin?
$94.50 total for claims of $10,000 or less and for personal injury/tort claims of $5,000 or less (statutory base fee $22 under Wis. Stat. 814.62(3)(a), plus surcharges). E-filing adds $35 per case per party. (WI circuit court fee chart updated Sept 2, 2026.) Service of the papers usually costs extra.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Wisconsin?
Generally 3 years (Wis. Stat. 893.54); motor-vehicle wrongful death: 2 years under sub. (2m). Exceptions apply, so talk to a lawyer well before the deadline.
How much is the divorce filing fee in Wisconsin?
$184.50 with no request for support or maintenance; $194.50 with such a request. The same amounts apply to annulment and legal separation. The fee chart is guidance; the statutes control. You can ask the court to waive fees if you cannot afford them.
Sources
- Wis. Stat. 799.01 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Wis. Stat. 814.62 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Wisconsin Court System, Circuit Court Fee Chart (checked October 11, 2026)
- Wisconsin Court System, Small Claims Self-Help (checked October 11, 2026)
- Wis. Stat. 893.54 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Clio, Compare Lawyer Rates (2025 Legal Trends data) (checked October 11, 2026)
- Federal Register: LSC income guidelines (2026) (checked October 11, 2026)