Start My Answer

How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Wisconsin (2024 Guide)

George Simons | June 28, 2024

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: You have 20 days to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Wisconsin before you lose by default. You should respond by filing a written Answer with the court. In the Answer document, reply to each claim listed in the Complaint and assert your affirmative defenses. Be sure to send a copy to the person or company suing you, too. You can use SoloSuit to create an Answer document in just 15 minutes.

Life is pretty stressful these days. Chances are you're already doing everything you can to make ends meet and keep your family safe. Getting sued for debt collection on top of everything else may feel like too much to take. You might be tempted to ignore it and hope it goes away. Unfortunately it will not go away on its own, and all you get by ignoring is a guarantee that you are going to lose and end up in a worse financial state than before.

Avoiding that outcome is easier than you might think. In this article, we will teach you how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit on your own when you can't afford to hire an attorney. Hopefully, it will make this process easier for you. This article includes information specific to Wisconsin, including the state's deadlines and court forms.

Let's jump right in.

Respond to a Summons in Wisconsin.

Sued for debt in Wisconsin? SoloSuit can help you file an Answer into your case before the 20-day deadline.

Start my Answer.

Table of Contents

Respond before Wisconsin's deadline

A Wisconsin debt collection lawsuit begins when one party (the plaintiff) files a Summons and Complaint against you (the defendant). The plaintiff is usually a creditor or, more likely, a third-party debt collection company that purchased the debt from your original creditor. As soon as the lawsuit is filed, the clock starts ticking and you only have a limited period of time to respond and preserve your rights.

According to Wisconsin's Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 802.06 (1)(a) states:

“Except when a court dismisses an action or special proceeding under s. 802.05 (4), a defendant shall serve an answer within 20 days after the service of the complaint upon the defendant.”

In other words, you have 20 days to respond to a debt collection Summons and Complaint in Wisconsin. There are some legal cases where that deadline can be extended to 45 days, but those are rare. If you do not file a response with the court before those 20 days expire, you will lose by default.

If you miss the deadline to respond, the plaintiff will ask the Court for a default judgment, which means not only do they win the case, but you've also lost your chance to fight back against incorrect information (like the debt amount). Even worse, with a default judgment, the plaintiff can garnish your wages and even seize your property.

It's best to avoid a default judgment like the plague and file a response with the court before the 20-day deadline.

Use Wisconsin's Answer to Summons forms

You can use SoloSuit's Answer form to respond to a lawsuit in Wisconsin. All you have to do is answer a few questions online, and SoloSuit's automated system will use your responses to draft your Answer for you. This includes the proper legal language and formatting.

Here's an example of SoloSuit's Answer form.

If you'd rather fill out a form yourself, Wisconsin courts provide an online Answer form for debt collection cases in Small Claims Court (a division of Circuit Court which hears cases involving $10,000 or less). If your case is in Wisconsin's Small Claims Court, you can use this form SC-5200V.

If your case is in Circuit Court, you will need to draft your response in the correct format for the specific Court. Find your court's information in the caption of your Summons and Complaint at the top of the document.

Now, let's take a look at an example.

Example: Tracy received a lawsuit letter from Discovery Collections. She knew she must respond to prevent the agency from receiving a default judgment. Tracy did not know how to draft an Answer. She tried to use one of the recommended forms, SC-5200, but did not get far before needing assistance. Tracy went online and found SoloSuit. She decided to try SoloSuit's Answer form—which was straightforward and only took 15 minutes to complete. Due to her busy schedule, she paid the additional fee to have an attorney review the Answer and file it with the courts. After a few months, Tracy found out that Discovery Collections had dropped the case because the debt was past the statute of limitations, which she used as an affirmative defense in her Answer with SoloSuit's help.


Answer filing fees for Wisconsin

Great news! There are no fees to file an Answer to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.

However, if you are trying to file any other type of document into a debt collection lawsuit, which is considered a civil case, there may be fees involved. For example, there is a fee to file a motion into a civil case of anywhere from $-$300, depending on the court. Additionally, there is a fee of $125.50 to file a counterclaim. Go online to find more information on other Wisconsin filing fees.

So, responding to a Summons for debt collection won't cost you, but how do you go about doing it? Below, we discuss four simple steps you can follow to answer your debt lawsuit.

How do you respond to a Summons for debt collection in Wisconsin?

As we discussed above, a debt collection lawsuit begins when the plaintiff files a case against you. You then have only 20 days to file your response to avoid a default judgment. You should respond with a written Answer which you file into the case.

You can also respond with a Motion, but an Answer is generally sufficient in most cases for Wisconsin debt collection cases, whereas Motions can become complicated quickly. Motions often require a greater understanding of the legal system and are best left to attorneys.

It may seem intimidating to think about responding to a lawsuit on your own, but you can save yourself a lot of money and stress when you represent yourself. Follow these four steps to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Wisconsin:

  1. Create an Answer document.
  2. Answer each issue of the complaint.
  3. Assert affirmative defenses.
  4. File one copy of the Answer document with the court and serve the plaintiff with another copy.

Now, let's break down each step in detail. If you don't like reading, check out this video instead:

1. Create an Answer document

Before you start drafting your Answer, go through the Summons and Complaint to be sure you have all the information you'll need. The Summons notifies you of the lawsuit, and lists the parties involved in the case as well as the court that has jurisdiction over this case. The Complaint contains a list of the specific allegations, or claims, being made against you.

More specifically, the Summons and Complaint documents should contain the following, which you will need to draft your Answer document:

  • Defendant's first and last name (that's you)
  • Plaintiff's name (the creditor or debt collector suing you)
  • Plaintiff's attorney information
  • Physical address of both the defendant and the plaintiff
  • Court information, including which division the case is in and the court's address
  • Case number (if the case hasn't been filed in court yet, there will be no case number listed)
  • Debt amount

You can use SoloSuit's Answer form to compile all this information and format it in the correct, legal way. If you prefer to draft your own Answer, you can also fill out Wisconsin's SC-5200V form for cases in Small Claims Court. If your case is in Circuit Court, you can try drafting your own document without a form.

2. Answer each issue of the Complaint

The first section of your Answer document should include a list of responses that correspond with the numbered allegations from the Complaint. Generally, you need to enter a response for each allegation. You can answer in one of three ways:

  • Admit: This means “I Agree.”
  • Deny: This means “Prove it.”
  • Deny due to lack of knowledge: This means “I don't know.”

It's best to respond to each allegation individually, because if you leave any unanswered, the court will consider it an admission.

Most attorneys recommend that you deny as many allegations as possible. At this stage of the lawsuit, the burden of proof is not on you. So when you deny a claim, the plaintiff has to do more work to prove that it is true. If they don't have the proper documentation or evidence to prove their claims, they might choose to dismiss the case instead.

Respond to a debt Summons and Complaint with SoloSuit in 15 minutes.

For small claims cases, the form simplifies the process into a single checkbox and space to fill in additional specifics. You should choose box #1 if the matter is not contested (admit), or box #2 if the matter is contested (deny). The second choice includes a statement that requires you to state why you contest the allegations. Attach another sheet if you need to address each allegation you disagree with.

Keep in mind that you don't have to deny every claim to win the lawsuit. You can admit to true facts (such as your name and account number, etc.) without harming your argument.

It's also appropriate to use the third response when you cannot verify the allegation. For example, if the plaintiff is a third-party debt collection agency and states that they are incorporated in Wisconsin, you can answer, “I don't know.” You are not expected to research the corporation details on your own.

3. Assert affirmative defenses

The next step is to assert any appropriate affirmative defenses. An affirmative defense is any reason that shows the other side does not have a case. You can find many of the possible affirmative defenses listed in Wisconsin's Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 802.02 (3).

If you use the Wisconsin Small Claims Court Answer, include your affirmative defenses under #2 where you are contesting the matter. If you are drafting your own Answer document, you can create a new section devoted entirely to your affirmative defenses.

Keep in mind that not being able to pay the debt is not a valid affirmative defense.

Some of the most common affirmative defenses used in debt collection lawsuits are:

  • Statute of Limitations: The statute of limitations on debt refers to the time limit that a creditor or debt collector has to sue someone for a debt they owe. We will discuss in more detail the state of Wisconsin debt statute of limitations. If the lawsuit against you is outside these limits, this defense can stop the plaintiff from getting a court order against you.
  • Accord and satisfaction: Tis applicable when the parties have already reached a new agreement about the issue. In this case, you signed an agreement with the creditor to pay less than the total debt owed in full satisfaction of the debt.
  • Discharge in bankruptcy: You are no longer legally obligated to pay a debt if you previously filed a bankruptcy case that resulted in discharge and included the debt in question. This defense may come up because third-party collection agencies don't always check if the court discharged the debt through bankruptcy.
  • Payment: This defense is appropriate if you have already paid the debt in question. If you have documentation to support this defense, attach it for the court to review.
  • The debt is not yours: The lawsuit could be against someone with a similar name. Or perhaps the account number listed is not the one under your name. Additionally, you may have been a victim of identity theft. You can argue that you are not responsible for the debt.

Make the right affirmative defenses the right way, with SoloSuit.

Let's consider an example.

Example: Randy had a credit card debt with Connexus Credit Union (CCU). They tried to collect from him, but he ignored their attempts because he remembered paying the entire debt one year back and had the receipts to prove it. CCU sued Randy, and they delivered a Summons and Complaint to him at home, meaning he had 20 days to respond. On taking a closer look at the letter, he saw they had spelled his second name as Edmond instead of Edmund. Randy knew he had a strong case. He wrote down two affirmative defenses; he had paid the debt in question, and CCU could be collecting a debt that did not belong to him. He attached the receipt and a copy of his identification card for name confirmation. CCU dismissed the case after receiving his Answer.


After you've addressed your affirmative defenses, you can assert any counterclaims if you believe the plaintiff violated any state of Wisconsin debt collection laws. Wisconsin follows the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which protects consumers from harassment and threats by debt collection agencies. Wisconsin offers additional provisions beyond the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, including the Wisconsin consumer act — debt collection.

4. File the Answer with the court and serve the plaintiff

Your final step is to file your Answer with the court and serve the plaintiff with a copy. Don't forget this critical final step, or all the work you've done will have been for nothing.

Here's what you need to do to file your answer:

  • Print at least two copies of your Answer.
  • Mail one copy to the court.
  • Mail the other copy to the plaintiff's attorney.

SoloSuit can file your Answers for you in all 50 states.

The address for the court and attorney should be listed on the Summons or Complaint document. If you can't find the court's address, use this directory.

In the Wisconsin small claims form, you will sign under oath that a copy has been or will be mailed to the plaintiff or their attorney. Note that it's always a good idea to make an additional copy for your records. Watch this video for additional information on responding to a lawsuit in Wisconsin.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

The statute of limitations on debt in Wisconsin prevents lawsuits over old debts

The statute of limitations on debt in Wisconsin determines how much time a creditor has, from the date of the first missed payment, to file a lawsuit against the consumer there. If the creditor fails to take action and the statute of limitations passes, the debt becomes “time-barred,” meaning the creditor no longer has legal grounds to sue to collect the debt.

Wisconsin Chapter 893, §893.43 states that the Wisconsin statute of limitations on accounts such as credit cards and other written and oral contracts is six years. For promissory notes, the statute of limitations is ten years.

Judgments are typically the result of a lawsuit where the creditor prevails against the debtor. Judgments are handled differently in Wisconsin, and the statute of limitations is 20 years. The creditor can then file for a renewal, extending the judgment for another 20 years. Judgments typically happen in one of two ways.

The table below further outlines the statute of limitations on different types of debt in Wisconsin:

Statute of Limitations on Debt in Wisconsin
Debt Type Deadline in Years
Credit Card 6
Student loan 6
Medical 6
Auto loan 6
Personal loan 6
Mortgage 10
Promissory note 10
Judgment 10-20
Source: Wis. Stat. § 893.40/43/50

  1. The debtor fails to respond to the lawsuit, so the creditor is awarded a default judgment.
  2. The creditor proved their case in court and was awarded a judgment in their favor.

Filing an Answer protects you from a default judgment and gives you time to work out a settlement agreement or other resolution in a lawsuit.

Wisconsin debt collection laws protect its residents from debt collector bullying

The statute of limitations on debt isn't the only law that can help consumers in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin residents should understand their rights as consumers and the protections they have from both the state and federal government.

The federal government enacted the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to protect consumers from abusive and over-aggressive debt collection practices. The Wisconsin State Legislature took it a step further and enacted laws to keep debt collectors in Wisconsin in check.

Under the FDCPA, debt collectors cannot:

  • Call you when you could reasonably be expected to be sleeping
  • Call you at work if you’ve let them know your employer does not allow such calls
  • Use obscene or abusive language
  • Misrepresent themselves as attorneys or law enforcement
  • Threaten debtors with arrests or jail time
  • Threaten legal action that they do not plan to take

Wisconsin Consumer Act § 247.104 prohibits the harassment of consumers, and prohibits debt collectors from threatening to disclose information about the debt to anyone other than the debtor or credit reporting agencies.

In addition, under Wisconsin Consumer Act § 425.304, the debtor is entitled to compensation if the debt collector violates any of the above regulations.

It is important to note that in Wisconsin, it’s illegal for a third-party debt collection compnay to initiate a lawsuit without authorization from the original creditor.

Now that you know your rights when dealing with debt collectors in Wisconsin, let's talk about how you can settle your debt with them.

Settle debt in Wisconsin

The majority of Americans carry some type of debt. Typically, it includes credit cards, mortgages car loans, personal loans, and medical debts. While most consumers do their best to keep up with their financial obligations, life happens and it can become impossible to juggle it all.

Once you fall behind on payments, creditors will increase collection activities and may attempt to sue you. It’s a stressful situation, but there are steps you can take to put yourself back in the driver’s seat of your financial future.

Settle with SoloSettle

Make an Offer

Step 1: File an Answer to any pending lawsuits

The first step only applies if you are facing a debt lawsuit. If you’ve been sued, file an Answer immediately to protect your rights in the case and avoid a default judgment against you.

Step 2: Make an offer to kickstart negotiations

If you have not been sued, you should start the debt settlement negotiation process. Assess how much money you have to put toward debt settlement. To determine this figure, consider how much you have in savings, and how much you could potentially raise by liquidating assets.

When you begin the debt settlement negotiation process, remember that the debt collector is likely to counter-offer. While you may have the most success in offering to settle for approximately 60% of the debt–leave yourself room to negotiate. That might mean starting negotiations by offering 50% with room to accept an offer of 60%.

Step 3: Get the settlement agreement in writing

In the final step, ensure you get the accepted debt settlement offer in writing and signed by both parties. The contrat should clearly outline the terms of the agreement, including:

  • How much you will pay to settle the debt
  • When the lump sum payment is due and where it will be submitted
  • Language stating that the creditor waives all collection rights of the remaining balance
  • Signatures from both the debtor and the creditor

Send an offer to send your debt.

To start the debt settlement process, you can contact the debt collector via phone, email or by letter and send your first offer. Email is a quick, reliable tool that provides a written record of the discussion, but some debt collectors and debt lawyers only want to communicate over the phone. If that’s the case, ask them if you can record the call so you have evidence of your conversation, should you need it in court in the future.

Watch the following video for expert attorney tips on how to negotiate debt settlement for less and protect your rights:

How to get debt relief in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is known for its cheese and beer production and beautiful lakes, which tourists and residents enjoy in the summer. Unfortunately, Wisconsin also has high levels of debt. The average resident in Milwaukee owes $7,753.00 in credit card debt.

Inflation and rising home costs have also hit the Dairy State hard. For those forced to decide whether to buy groceries or pay a debt on time, debt relief options or financial assistance may be their only choice. Three of the greatest ways to find debt relief in Wisconsin are through debt consolidation, debt settlement, and bankruptcy.

Debt consolidation

For those looking to simplify debt management and pay less in interest, debt consolidation may be a smart move. By taking out a loan to pay multiple debts, you’ll be left with a single monthly payment. This can help you pay off your debt faster and could even reduce the amount you pay in interest. However, you will need a decent credit score of at least 650 to qualify for a debt consolidation loan. Debt consolidation should be a strong consideration for those who meet these requirements.

Debt settlement

Debt settlement may be the best option if your credit score is not high enough to explore debt consolidation. It involves working with creditors to reduce the balance owed and then making a lump sum to satisfy the debt. You can work toward debt settlement on your own or choose to use a debt settlement company.

If you decide to use a debt settlement agency, carefully research their reviews and check their profile with the Better Business Bureau. Remember, these agencies typically charge a sliding fee based on the amount of debt they settle for you. Using a debt settlement agency can also hurt your credit as they’ll typically stop making payments for a while until they’ve worked out a settlement.

If you choose to work through debt settlement on your own, consider using a tool such as SoloSettle, which can help you leverage technology to ensure you use the correct language in your debt settlement offer and debt settlement agreement. Make sure the debt settlement agreement is signed by the creditor before you make a payment. The purpose is to prevent the creditor from attempting to come after you for the rest of the debt amount despite verbally agreeing to a lesser amount.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy can also be a form of debt relief, but it comes at a high price and should be an option of last resort. Bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for up to ten years, making it difficult or impossible to get a mortgage or car loan. Further, you may have a hard time finding a landlord willing to rent to you if the bankruptcy is relatively new.

Wisconsin financial assistance programs

No matter which debt relief option you choose, you should also know about Wisconsin’s financial assistance programs that can help families and individuals who are struggling to make ends meet and provide for the necessities of life. Here are some of Wisconsin’s more helpful financial assistance resources:

  • Wisconsin Works (W-2): This program provides employment preparation services, case management and cash assistance to eligible families.
  • Job Access Loans: Offers short-term, no interest loans designed to assist eligible individuals to meet emergency needs that support employment.
  • Cash Assistance: Wisconsin has a variety of resources that provide cash assistance to people in need, including services for adoption, funerals, child support, and emergency assistance.
  • Tax Credits: You may be eligible for federal and state tax credits available to eligible W-2 working families that can reduce their tax burden and increase income.
  • Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program: Supports eligible families by funding a portion of the cost of child care while the parents are working or participating in an approved activity.
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Provides emergency cash assistance to cover the costs of heating or electric bills.
  • FoodShare: Wisconsin's version of SNAP, this program provides cash assistance to help people in need buy food.
  • Private Student Loan Relief: Provides a network of financial counselors who link troubled families with trustworthy agencies for financial assistance with private student loans.

Stop wage garnishment in Wisconsin

If a creditor is successful in a lawsuit against you, they can obtain a judgment for a wage garnishment against you. Wage garnishment can cause an extreme financial hardship for debtors who may already be struggling to keep their heads above water.

A wage garnishment can make it hard to pay for necessities such as rent, utilities and food for yourself and your family. Let’s explore the state wage garnishment laws and how to stop wage garnishment in Wisconsin.

Wage garnishment laws in WI

These regulations are designed to protect the rights of the debtor and ensure that creditors follow the law when garnishing wages.

  • Amount limitation: The maximum amount that can be garnished from your wages in Wisconsin is 20% of your disposable earnings, or the amount your earnings surpass 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less (Wis. Stat. Ann. § 812.34-2).
  • Exemptions and protections: Certain income is protected from wage garnishment, including worker’s compensation, retirement income, disability benefits and veteran benefits. In addition, Wis. Stat. Ann § 812.35 1a expressly prevents payday loan companies from using wage garnishment to recoup their money.
  • Time limits: Wisconsin places a time limit on garnishments. Garnishments can only remain in effect for up to 13 weeks, then the creditor must obtain a new court order if they wish to continue garnishing wages.
  • Other garnishment requirements: Creditors have to provide a seven day notice of garnishment to the debtor and their employer before starting a garnishment. The notice must include the garnishment amount, and provide information about the debtors right to object.

Fight the garnishment

You have the right to object a wage garnishment based on any of the following reasons:

  • The garnishment will cause undue financial hardship. Be prepared to prove why the garnishment would provide an undue hardship, especially if you have dependents and it will significantly impact their well-being.
  • The creditor miscalculated and the garnishment amount is incorrect.
  • The creditor or your employer did not follow the appropriate procedures for instituting a garnishment.
  • You have already paid the debt or you have a valid settlement agreement with the creditor.

You will file the objection with the court and may be required to attend a hearing where a judge will decide if the objection is valid.

The thirteen week rule works in the debtor’s favor when it comes to ending wage garnishment by settling the debt. The creditor knows it wil be a time-consuming, expensive endeavor to continue garnishing your wages. So, it’s never too late to institute settlement negotiations, and settling the debt can put an end to wage garnishment.

Wisconsin court case search–find your lawsuit

Wisconsin has an open records law that allows residents to see and acquire copies of their court records. You can also search the information online if you are concerned that a lawsuit has been filed against you.

If you’ve been sued by a creditor, it is crucial that you remain updated about your case. Creditors do not always serve defendants correctly, so let's explore what you need to know about how to check the status of your Wisconsin court case.

Understand Wisconsin’s civil court structure

To find your case information, you should first understand how the civil courts in Wisconsin are structured. Understanding which courts have jurisdiction over specific types of cases will make it easier to narrow down your search for where your case is assigned.

There are three levels of courts dealing with civil cases in Wisconsin:

  1. Supreme Court
  2. Court of Appeals
  3. Circuit Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in Wisconsin’s judicial branch, while the Court of Appeals handles civil cases that were initially heard in the Circuit Courts and then appealed. The Circuit Courts have jurisdiction over civil cases with no monetary limit. There are also small claims courts for cases involving up to $10,000.

Look up your Wisconsin court case online

The search becomes easier once you’ve determined which court has your case. Fortunately, Wisconsin has two great tools for searching for your case online. They are:

  1. Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
  2. Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access

You will need some of the following information to find your case online.

  • Your full name
  • The name of the entity suing you
  • Your date of birth
  • The county where the lawsuit was filed
  • The case number

The tool is easy to navigate, and your full name will often be enough to locate the needed records.

Court records can also be obtained by visiting the courthouse where the case was filed. Public access terminals at the clerk of the court’s office can also provide a way for you to search if you don’t have access to a computer at home. You can use the Wisconsin court directory to find the address of the courthouse or the clerk of the court’s phone number.

All states have legal aid organizations, some are government-funded. They offer legal services to residents who cannot otherwise afford them. Below are some of these organizations in Wisconsin.

We have answers.
Join our community of over 40,000 people.

You can ask your questions on the SoloSuit forum and the community will help you out. Whether you need help now or are just looking for support, we're here for you.

Ask a Question.

Wisconsin court locations

At some point in your lawsuit, you may want to take a trip down to the courthouse. Whether you want to check the status of your case or you need to attend a hearing or trial for your case, it's important to know where your courthouse is located.

The following link gives you the Wisconsin Court Locations for all counties throughout the state. Just click on the type of court and it will open up a directory for you with the courthouse addresses and court clerk phone numbers.

Ready to file an Answer to a Wisconsin Summons? Find your local court below to get started:

Send a Debt Validation Letter to debt collectors before they sue

When a debt collector initially contacts you, sending them a Debt Validation Letter can stop them in their tracks. Within five days of attempting to collect on a debt, the FDCPA requires a collector to provide validation of that debt. It requires the collector to include five points in its communication with you.

  1. The amount of the debt.
  2. The name of the creditor.
  3. The collector will assume the debt is valid unless the consumer sends them a Debt Validation Letter within 30 days.
  4. If you send the collector a Debt Validation Letter they will need to mail you validation of the debt.
  5. If you send them a Debt Validation Letter they will need to mail you the name and address of the original creditor.

So, the debt collector must provide these five points within five days of contacting you about the debt. Then, you have 30 days to send them a Debt Validation Letter if you dispute any aspect of the debt. If the collector doesn't provide these five points within five days, then they've violated the FDCPA and you can sue them for $1,000 or more. To learn more about Debt Validation Letters, click here.

Key takeaways

In summary, here's the review on how to Answer a Summons for debt collection in Wisconsin:

  • The response deadline is 20 days.
  • You can use SoloSuit's Answer form or Wisconsin Court's Answer and Counterclaims form for small claims to draft your Answer document.
  • Be sure to respond to each issue in the Complaint.
  • Assert your affirmative defenses.
  • File and serve the Answer.
  • The statute of limitations on debt in Wisconsin is generally six years.
  • Sending a Debt Validation Letter to collectors before they sue you can get them off your back.

Solosuit has helped thousands of consumers beat debt collectors before and during debt collection lawsuits. In addition to our Answer document, our Motion to Compel Arbitration has enabled consumers to avoid going through the court process and forcing debt collectors to honor their contracts by settling outside of court through arbitration.

Check out this video to learn more about the arbitration process:

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Get debt relief in your state

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt collection laws in all 50 states

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt state guides

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote a guide on each state’s statutes. Check it out below.

Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State (Best Guide)

Check the status of your court case

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.

How to stop wage garnishment in your state

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in all 50 states.

Other wage garnishment resources

How to settle a debt in your state

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created a guide on how to settle your debt in all 50 states. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

How to settle with every debt collector

Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement with a debt collector? We are creating guides to help you know how to start the settlement conversation and increase your chances of coming to an agreement with every debt collector.

Other debt settlement resources

Personal loan and debt relief reviews

We give a factual review of the following debt consolidation, debt settlement, and loan organizations and companies to help you make an informed decision before you take on a debt.

How to repair and improve your credit score

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt.

How to resolve student loan debt

Struggling with student debt? SoloSuit’s got you covered. Below are resources on handling student loan debt.

Civil law legal definitions

You can represent yourself in court. Save yourself the time and cost of finding an attorney, and use the following resources to understand legal definitions better and how they may apply to your case.

Get answers to these FAQs on debt collection

How-to debt guides

Learn more with these additional debt resources


It only takes 15 minutes.
And 50% of our customers' cases have been dismissed in the past.

"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" – Heather.

Get started.

Not sued yet?
Use our Debt Validation Letter.

Our Debt Validation Letter is the best way to respond to a collection letter. Many debt collectors will simply give up after receiving it.

Let's Do It.

Contents