Large Claims Lawsuit - $10,000 or More

Large Claims Cases are cases involving issues such as breach of contract, property damage, personal injury, etc. where the amount claimed is more than $10,000/OR may be a case involving no money at all such as a Temporary Restraining Order. A complete list of the specific case types can be found here. Large Claims Cases generally take longer to resolve, are more costly, and the rules are more complicated and formal than Small Claims Cases.

The Wisconsin Statutes govern how these matters are filed and processed. Waukesha County judges have developed a set of Local Rules that contain information pertinent to many large claim case types and the various court procedures surrounding them. A hard copy may be obtained in the Civil Division of the Courthouse.

Some important things to consider when deciding whether to file a large claim lawsuit:

1. If you're not 100% sure of how to handle a Large Claims matter from filing to resolution, it is best to seek legal assistance. Lawsuits involving large claims and their governing statutes can be complex, often requiring legal expertise to navigate effectively. While staff such as Clerk of Court personnel, Court Commissioners, Judges, and other court personnel can offer limited procedural information, they are not allowed to provide legal advice.
2. The Civil Division does not provide any forms or instructions for most large claim matters, with these exceptions:
   
   • Restraining Orders
   • Name Change
   • Garnishments
3. Most large claim actions require a filing fee to start. That fee will vary depending on the type of case being filed. It is paid at the time of filing in the Civil Division.
4. There will also most likely be a service fee associated with any new large claim case filed (some exceptions apply). All Sheriff’s Departments and private process agencies that serve paperwork on parties to an action, will charge a fee to the requesting party. That fee varies depending on the agency contacted.