Interactive small claims forms online

By Ann Zimmerman, pro se coordinator

The Wisconsin court system is continuing efforts to make navigation of the courts easier for pro se litigants by introducing its new, interactive small claims Web site to the public.  Like its family law counterpart introduced in March 2006, this user-friendly program will provide an inexpensive alternative for people in need of small claims assistance but who do not have an attorney. The new site debuted in August.

The Web site, https://prosesmallclaims.wicourts.gov, guides users through a series of questions, and the Summons and Complaint form is automatically filled in based on the answers provided.  The Web site operates much like the software used to complete a tax return. Blank versions of the statewide-standardized forms are also offered for people to fill in by hand.  Additionally, the site offers many county-specific instructional guides to assist users.

The Pro Se Small Claims Forms Committee revamped existing small claims forms into plain English to make them easier to understand and made additional forms available on the court system's Web site. The forms contain step-by-step instructions down the left hand sides of the forms.

So far, more than 20 small claims forms and 11 instructional guides have been adapted or created to assist pro se litigants.  Since then, Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) has worked to convert some of them into a Web-based application.

Not only will these interactive forms provide users with small claims assistance in general, each county in Wisconsin has tailored many of the instructional materials that accompany the forms to reflect their court-specific procedures.  Ensuring that the forms are completed correctly, and that they comply with local rules, will save time and prevent frustration, both for self-represented litigants and court officials.

Printable forms and the interactive forms can be found at:  http://wicourts.gov/services/public/prose.htm. For further information, contact the State Pro Se Coordinator Ann Zimmerman at ann.zimmerman@wicourts.gov.

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