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Circuit court eFiling - eFiling an earnings garnishment on an existing case

  • Updated

    • Purpose: This article walks through how to file an earnings garnishment on an existing case.

    Applicable Users: eFilers

    1. Visit the eFiling website at https://efiling.wicourts.gov/ and log in. For more information see the article Logging into Wisconsin circuit court eFiling.
    2. Select my cases from the main navigation or the [My cases] button from the bottom menu.
    3. Wisconsin Circuit court eFiling homepage with attention called to my cases link and button
    4. Enter the case number or caption in the search filter fields on the My cases page to quickly locate the case you wish to file on. Filter cases by county using the County dropdown list, or case number or type by entering a case number or case type abbreviation (CV, FA, SC, etc.) in the Case no. field. Sort the My cases list alphabetically by county, caption, status, and attorney, or numerically by case number using the arrows at the top of each column.
      Note: To view closed cases, select the Click here to search link near the top of the page.My cases screen with attention called to Click here to search link and case list column filters for County, Case number, Caption, Status and Attorney
    5. Once you have located the case, select the File another document link.My cases screen with attention called to Click here to search link and File another document link under Actions column in case list
      Note: To view closed cases, select the Click here to search link near the top of the page. Cases in Submitted status have not been reviewed or processed by the court. Documents cannot be filed on Submitted cases until the case has been accepted. After the court reviews and processes the case, the status for the filing will change to Open and additional documents can then be filed.
    6. Review the bulleted specifications list to ensure your documents are correctly formatted. Select the [Upload documents] button to browse for and upload your CV-421 - Earnings Garnishment Notice and the CV-422 - Earnings Garnishment.Additional Documents screen with attention called to file requirements list and Upload documents button
    7. From the Document type dropdown menu, select the correct document type, and enter a descriptive title in the Document title text entry field. Then, select [Continue].
      Documents screen with attention called to Document type dropdown menu, Document title text field, Notes to clerk text field and Continue button
      Note: An accurate and descriptive title is beneficial for identifying documents. The title entered here displays in the View documents list on your My cases page and is visible to the courts.
      The Notes to Clerk text entry field functions like a virtual sticky note on your filing. Anything entered in this box is displayed to the clerk while they process your filing, but is deleted once it is accepted. These notes are not permanently saved to the case.
    8. After selecting the document type, an alert appears, reminding you of your responsibility to service the debtor and the garnishee. A red error message also display if a CV-422 - Earnings Garnishment is not uploaded along with the CV-421 - Earnings Garnishment Notice.Documents screen with an uploaded CV-421 Earnings Garnishment notice and error message saying a CV-422 Earnings Garnishment must also be included
    9. On the Ready to file page, select the checkbox next to the filings(s) you wish to submit, or select the checkbox next to a county name to submit all filings in that county. Choose a Payment type (if applicable), and select the [File] or [File and Pay] button.
      Ready to file screen with attention called to selected County filings and individual case filing checkboxes and File button
      Note: If you have set up a court debit account (CDA) with the circuit court you are filing in, you can choose a payment method. To learn how to set up a CDA, see the Creating and managing a court debit account user guide. It is your responsibility to ensure that proper funds are available in the account when filing.
      If you pay with a credit/debit card or eCheck via the US Bank ePayment website, a transaction fee will be applied to the total.
      If filing on behalf of a county agency, the $35 eFiling fee is waived, and selecting a payment type is not required. Select [File] to submit the case filing.
    10. On the Filings submitted page, select [Make payment with US Bank] to proceed to the US Bank ePayment website and pay the associated filing fees.
      Filings submitted success message with attention called to Make payment with US Bank button
      If fees are not assessed, the [Make payment with US Bank] button will display as [Return to main menu] instead.
      Note: Once you have advanced to this page, do not close your browser window or take a break. Selecting the [File and pay] button at the bottom of the previous page initiates a connection with the US Bank ePayment website that exists for 10-15 minutes.
      If you wait longer than that to complete your payment or exit the system before the payment process is complete, you will need to select the $ payment needed link to make payment. Your filing will not be processed by the county until payment has been made. 
      Wisconsin circuit court eFiling homepage with attention called to payment needed navigation link denoting one filing is in need of payment
      US Bank is the vendor that processes circuit court credit card and electronic check transactions. You do not need a US Bank checking or savings account to pay for filings on the US Bank ePayment website. You can pay using a Visa card, MasterCard, or electronic check.
    11. Once payment is received, the circuit court processes the filing.
    12. Only the filer receives an email notification and has access to the CV-422 - Earnings Garnishment on the My cases page of the eFiling website once the clerk processed it. As noted in step 6, you are required to print and serve all documents traditionally on the debtor.
      Note: The CV-422 - Earnings Garnishment will have the clerk of court’s seal applied, but will not be file stamped or saved to the case. Unlike a non-earnings garnishment, this document is not visible on the Courthouse Public Access website.

    Support

    Contact the eFile support center if you have further questions. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for court holidays.

    Phone: 1-800-462-8843
    Online support form: https://www.wicourts.gov/ecourts/efilesupportform.htm
    Email: efilesupport@wicourts.gov

    Wisconsin Court Systems (Updated: )