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Circuit court eFiling - eFiling a new earnings garnishment case

  • Updated

    • Purpose: This article walks through how to file a new earnings garnishment case. 

    Applicable Users: eFilers

    1. Visit the eFiling website at http://efiling.wicourts.gov. Enter your eFiling User name and Password and select [Log in]. For detailed instructions, see the article Log into an existing eCourts account.
    2. On the Wisconsin Circuit Court eFiling home page. Select file new case from the main navigation or [File a new case] button from the bottom menu.
      Wisconsin Circuit court eFiling homepage with attention called to file a new case link and button
    3. Select the county you are filing in from the County dropdown menu and the applicable class code from the Class code dropdown menu. Then, select the Yes or No radio button beneath "Is this earnings garnishment for the collection of restitution?" Select [Continue].
      New filing screen with attention called to county and class code dropdowns, Is this earnings garnishment for the collection of restitution? yes/no prompt and continue button
    4. Select the [Add party] button to add party information to the case. 
      Note: The yellow banner will tell you what party types are required for the selected class codes. 
      Parties screen with attention called to Add party button
    5. Complete the New party window. Start by choosing the Party type, beginning with the filing party. Select the [Add attorney] button to add the attorney representing the filing party on the case.
      New party screen with attention called to Add other name button
    6. Select the [Save, and Add next party] button to add additional parties to the case.
      Is an interpreter needed? yes/no prompt with attention called to Save and Add next party button below it
    7. If the party you entered requires an interpreter, select [Yes] and select the language needed form the [Language] dropdown.
      Is an interpreter needed? yes/no prompt set to Yes with attention called to Language selection dropdown
    8. When all parties have been added, review them for accuracy and select [Continue].
      Parties screen with creditor and debtor parties listed and attention called to Continue button
    9. Select [Upload documents] to browse for and upload your Earnings Garnishment documents. Review the bulleted list to ensure your documents are correctly formatted.
      Note: The yellow banner will display the filing document required based on the class code selected.
      Documents screen with attention called to file requirements list, Upload documents button and informational banner denoting that an Earnings Garnishment Notice or Summons and Complaint Non-Earnings Garnishment filing document is required
    10. From the Document type dropdown menu, select both the CV-421 - Earnings Garnishment and the CV-422 - Earnings Garnishment documents. Enter a descriptive title in the Document title text entry field. Select [Continue].
      Uploaded documents table with attention called to Document Type dropdown menu and Document title text field and Continue button
      Note: An accurate and descriptive title is beneficial for identifying documents. The title entered here is displayed in the View documents list on the My cases page and is visible to the courts.
      After selecting the Document type, an alert appears, reminding you of your responsibility to service the debtor and the garnishee. A red error message displays if a CV-422: Earnings Garnishment is not uploaded along with the CV-421: Earnings Garnishment Notice or the Earnings Garnishment Notice for Small Claims.
      Upload documents table with error banner explaining that Earnings Garnishment Notice CV-421 must be uploaded with Earnings Garnishment CV-422 document.
    11. On the Review page, review the filing for accuracy. Select a document link to open and view any of your uploaded files. When you are ready to proceed, select [Continue].
      Review screen with case details and attention called to Notes to clerk text field and Continue button
      Note: The Notes to Clerk text entry field functions like a virtual sticky note on your filing. Anything you type in this box will display to the clerk while they process your filing but will be deleted once your filing is accepted. These notes are not permanently saved to the case.
    12. On the Ready to file page, select the checkbox next to the filing(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 [File] or [File and Pay].
      Ready to file field with selected checkboxes for county filings and individual case filing followed by File and Pay 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 article Creating and managing a court debit account. It is your responsibility to ensure sufficient funds are available in the account when filing.
      A transaction fee is applied to the total when paying with a credit/debit card or eCheck via the US Bank ePayment website.
      If filing on behalf of a county agency, the $35 eFiling fee is waived and the selection of a payment type is not required. Select [File] to submit the new case filing.
    13. On the Filings submitted page, select [Make payment with US Bank] to proceed to the US Bank ePayment website and pay associated filing fees. If fees were not assessed, the [Make payment with US Bank] button displays as [Return to main menu] instead.
      Filings submitted success screen with attention called to Make Payment with US Bank button
      Note: Once you have advanced to this page, do not close your browser window or take a break. Selecting [File and pay] at the bottom of the previous page initiates a connection with the US Bank ePayment website that lasts 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 in the main navigation to make payment. You may need to wait 1-2 hours for the filing in need of payment to appear. Your filing will not be processed by the county until payment has been made. Filings will expire after 48 hours without payment.
      eFiling homescreen top navigation bar with attention called to payment needed link denoted one filing is missing 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.
    14. The circuit court processes the new case once payment is received. Only the filer receives an email notification and can access the CV-422- Earnings Garnishment on the My cases page of the eFiling website. The CV-422 - Earnings Garnishment will have the clerk of court’s seal applied but will not be filed stamped and will not be saved to the case. As previously noted, you are required to print and serve all documents traditionally on the debtor.
      Note: 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: )