What happens after I submit a Screening Form?

Once this office has all three screening forms, a member of our team will be assigned. They may reach out to get more details. An attorney will review the information to decide if there is enough information to support the filing of a Three-Party Petition.

If supported, an affidavit and formal Petition will be prepared for each petitioner to sign before a notary. Our office can notarize the documents at no charge, during normal business hours.

The petition is filed with the Waukesha County Circuit Court. Within 24 business hours of the filing, a court official will review the petition and make one of three decisions:

• The court may order the person in need be detained. If the court does, the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department will seek out the person in need, take the person to the hospital for medical clearance, then take the person to an in-patient mental health facility for evaluation. A Probable Cause Hearing will happen within 72 hours of detention; or
• The court may order the person in need to attend a Probable Cause Hearing without first being detained; or
• The court may decide the Petition does not meet the legal standards and dismiss the case. 

Petitioners should be ready to testify at all hearings, either in person or via Zoom.

If probable cause is not found at the Probable Cause Hearing, the case will be dismissed. If probable cause is found, a future hearing will be scheduled.