Wisconsin Legislature: 801.11

, Defendant

THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, To each person named above as a Defendant:

You are hereby notified that the plaintiff named above has filed a lawsuit or other legal action against you.

Within 45 days after ...., .... (year), you must respond with a written demand for a copy of the complaint. The demand must be sent or delivered to the court, whose address is ...., and to ...., Plaintiff's attorney, whose address is ..... You may have an attorney help or represent you.

If you do not demand a copy of the complaint within 45 days, the court may grant judgment against you for the award of money or other legal action requested in the complaint, and you may lose your right to object to anything that is or may be incorrect in the complaint. A judgment may be enforced as provided by law. A judgment awarding money may become a lien against any real estate you own now or in the future, and may also be enforced by garnishment or seizure of property.

Dated: ...., .... (year)

Signed: .... ....

A. B., Plaintiff

E. F., Plaintiff's Attorney

State Bar Number: ....

Address: ....

City, State Zip Code: ....

Phone No.: ....

801.095 Note NOTE: Sub. (4) is shown as affected by two acts of the 1997 legislature and as merged by the revisor under s. 13.93 (2) (c).

801.095 History History: 1983 a. 323; Sup Ct. Order, 171 W (2d) xix (1992); 1997 a. 187, 250; s. 13.93 (2) (c).

801.10 801.10 Summons, by whom served.

801.10(1) (1) Who may serve. An authenticated copy of the summons may be served by any adult resident of the state where service is made who is not a party to the action. Service shall be made with reasonable diligence.

801.10(2) (2) Endorsement. At the time of service, the person who serves a copy of the summons shall sign the summons and shall indicate thereon the time and date, place and manner of service and upon whom service was made. If the server is a sheriff or deputy sheriff, the server's official title shall be stated. Failure to make the endorsement shall not invalidate a service but the server shall not collect fees for the service.

801.10(3) (3) Proof of service. The person making service shall make and deliver proof of service to the person on whose behalf service was made who shall promptly file such proof of service. Failure to make, deliver, or file proof of service shall not affect the validity of the service.

801.10(4) (4) Proof if service challenged. If the defendant appears in the action and challenges the service of summons upon the defendant, proof of service shall be as follows:

801.10(4)(a) (a) Personal or substituted personal service shall be proved by the affidavit of the server indicating the time and date, place and manner of service, that the server is an adult resident of the state of service not a party to the action, that the server knew the person served to be the defendant named in the summons and that the server delivered to and left with the defendant an authenticated copy of the summons. If the defendant is not personally served, the server shall state in the affidavit when, where and with whom the copy was left, and shall state such facts as show reasonable diligence in attempting to effect personal service on the defendant. If the copy of the summons is served by a sheriff or deputy sheriff of the county in this state where the defendant was found, proof may be by the sheriff's or deputy's certificate of service indicating time and date, place, manner of service and, if the defendant is not personally served, the information required in the preceding sentence. The affidavit or certificate constituting proof of service under this paragraph may be made on an authenticated copy of the summons or as a separate document.

801.10(4)(b) (b) Service by publication shall be proved by the affidavit of the publisher or printer, or the foreman or principal clerk, stating that the summons was published and specifying the date of each insertion, and by an affidavit of mailing of an authenticated copy of the summons, with the complaint or notice of the object of the action, as the case may require, made by the person who mailed the same.

801.10(4)(c) (c) The written admission of the defendant, whose signature or the subscription of whose name to such admission shall be presumptive evidence of genuineness.

801.10 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 W (2d) 585, 600 (1975); 1975 c. 218; Sup. Ct. Order, 92 W (2d) xiii (1979).

801.10 Note Judicial Council Committee's Note, 1979: Sub. (2) is amended to clarify that the individual who serves the summons on behalf of the plaintiff under the procedures in the Wisconsin Rules of Civil Procedure must indicate on the copy of the summons served both the time and date of service. There is presently a lack of uniformity of interpretation in Wisconsin of the term "time" in 801.10 (2). Some jurisdictions interpret it to include time and date of service while other jurisdictions interpret it as only the date of service. Clarifying that both the time and date of service must be indicated in the serving of the summons will insure that this potentially valuable information is noted on the served copy of every summons in Wisconsin.

801.10 Annotation Sub. (4) (a) is amended to also apply the requirement for indicating time and date of service to the affidavits and certificates of service used when proof of service is challenged. [Re Order effective Jan. 1, 1980]

801.10 Annotation A party is required to show strict compliance with the requirements of this section when service is challenged. Dietrich v. Elliot, 190 W (2d) 816, 528 NW (2d) 17 (Ct. App. 1995).

801.11 801.11 Personal jurisdiction, manner of serving summons for. A court of this state having jurisdiction of the subject matter and grounds for personal jurisdiction as provided in s. 801.05 may exercise personal jurisdiction over a defendant by service of a summons as follows:

801.11(1) (1) Natural person. Except as provided in sub. (2) upon a natural person:

801.11(1)(a) (a) By personally serving the summons upon the defendant either within or without this state.

801.11(1)(b) (b) If with reasonable diligence the defendant cannot be served under par. (a), then by leaving a copy of the summons at the defendant's usual place of abode:

801.11(1)(b)1. 1. In the presence of some competent member of the family at least 14 years of age, who shall be informed of the contents thereof;

801.11(1)(b)1m. 1m. In the presence of a competent adult, currently residing in the abode of the defendant, who shall be informed of the contents of the summons; or

801.11(1)(b)2. 2. Pursuant to the law for the substituted service of summons or like process upon defendants in actions brought in courts of general jurisdiction of the state in which service is made.

801.11(1)(c) (c) If with reasonable diligence the defendant cannot be served under par. (a) or (b), service may be made by publication of the summons as a class 3 notice, under ch. 985, and by mailing. If the defendant's post-office address is known or can with reasonable diligence be ascertained, there shall be mailed to the defendant, at or immediately prior to the first publication, a copy of the summons and a copy of the complaint. The mailing may be omitted if the post-office address cannot be ascertained with reasonable diligence.

801.11(1)(d) (d) In any case, by serving the summons in a manner specified by any other statute upon the defendant or upon an agent authorized by appointment or by law to accept service of the summons for the defendant.

801.11(2) (2) Natural person under disability. Upon a natural person under disability by serving the summons in any manner prescribed in sub. (1) upon such person under disability and, in addition, where required by par. (a) or (b), upon a person therein designated. A minor 14 years of age or older who is not mentally incompetent and not otherwise under guardianship is not a person under disability for purposes of this subsection.

801.11(2)(a) (a) Where the person under disability is a minor under the age of 14 years, summons shall be served separately in any manner prescribed in sub. (1) upon a parent or guardian having custody of the child, or if there is none, upon any other person having the care and control of the child. If there is no parent, guardian or other person having care and control of the child when service is made upon the child, then service of the summons shall also be made upon the guardian ad litem after appointment under s. 803.01.

801.11(2)(b) (b) Where the person under disability is known by the plaintiff to be under guardianship of any kind, a summons shall be served separately upon the guardian in any manner prescribed in sub. (1), (5), (6) or [(7)]. If no guardian has been appointed when service is made upon a person known to the plaintiff to be incompetent to have charge of the person's affairs, then service of the summons shall be made upon the guardian ad litem after appointment under s. 803.01.

801.11 Note NOTE: Section 801.11 (7) was repealed by 1997 Wis. Act 140. Corrective legislation is pending.

801.11(3) (3) State. Upon the state, by delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the attorney general or leaving them at the attorney general's office in the capitol with an assistant or clerk.

801.11(4) (4) Other political corporations or bodies politic.

801.11(4)(a)(a) Upon a political corporation or other body politic, by personally serving any of the specified officers, directors, or agents:

801.11(4)(a)1. 1. If the action is against a county, the chairperson of the county board or the county clerk;

801.11(4)(a)2. 2. If against a town, the chairperson or clerk thereof;

801.11(4)(a)3. 3. If against a city, the mayor, city manager or clerk thereof;

801.11(4)(a)4. 4. If against a village, the president or clerk thereof;

801.11(4)(a)5. 5. If against a technical college district, the district board chairperson or secretary thereof;

801.11(4)(a)6. 6. If against a school district or school board, the president or clerk thereof; and

801.11(4)(a)7. 7. If against any other body politic, an officer, director, or managing agent thereof.

801.11(4)(b) (b) In lieu of delivering the copy of the summons to the person specified, the copy may be left in the office of such officer, director or managing agent with the person who is apparently in charge of the office.

801.11(5) (5) Domestic or foreign corporations or limited liability companies, generally. Upon a domestic or foreign corporation or domestic or foreign limited liability company:

801.11(5)(a) (a) By personally serving the summons upon an officer, director or managing agent of the corporation or limited liability company either within or without this state. In lieu of delivering the copy of the summons to the officer specified, the copy may be left in the office of such officer, director or managing agent with the person who is apparently in charge of the office.

801.11(5)(b) (b) If with reasonable diligence the defendant cannot be served under par. (a), then the summons may be served upon an officer, director or managing agent of the corporation or limited liability company by publication and mailing as provided in sub. (1).

801.11(5)(c) (c) By serving the summons in a manner specified by any other statute upon the defendant or upon an agent authorized by appointment or by law to accept service of the summons for the defendant.

801.11(5)(d) (d) If against any insurer, to any agent of the insurer as defined by s. 628.02. Service upon an agent of the insurer is not valid unless a copy of the summons and proof of service is sent by registered mail to the principal place of business of the insurer within 5 days after service upon the agent. Service upon any insurer may also be made under par. (a).

801.11(6) (6) Partners and partnerships. A summons shall be served individually upon each general partner known to the plaintiff by service in any manner prescribed in sub. (1), (2) or (5) where the claim sued upon arises out of or relates to partnership activities within this state sufficient to subject a defendant to personal jurisdiction under s. 801.05 (2) to (10). A judgment rendered under such circumstances is a binding adjudication individually against each partner so served and is a binding adjudication against the partnership as to its assets anywhere.

801.11 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 W (2d) 585, 602 (1975); 1975 c. 218; 1977 c. 339 s. 43; 1979 c. 89, 102, 177; 1983 a. 192 s. 303 (2); 1985 a. 225; Sup. Ct. Order, 130 W (2d) xix (1986); 1993 a. 112, 184, 265, 399, 491; 1997 a. 140.

801.11 Cross-reference Cross-reference: As to service on corporation, see also s. 180.0504.

Effective date note Judicial Council Note, 1986: Sub. (1) (b) is amended to permit substituted service upon residents of other states. Service upon nonresidents may be made either as provided for Wisconsin residents or in accordance with the substituted service rule of the state wherein service is made. [Re Order eff. 7-1-86]

801.11 Annotation There is no requirement in cases of substituted service that the affidavit recite that the process server used "reasonable diligence" in attempting to make personal service, but substituted service after 2 calls when defendant was not found, with no effort to learn where he was, was not sufficient to support jurisdiction. Heaston v. Austin, 47 W (2d) 67, 176 NW (2d) 309.

801.11 Annotation Where a village is defendant, service is void if made upon the clerk's wife in his absence. Town of Washington v. Village of Cecil, 53 W (2d) 710, 193 NW (2d) 674.

801.11 Annotation The words "apparently in charge of the office" in (5) (a) refer to what is apparent to the process server. When a receptionist referred the process server to her superior, who did not send the server to the proper office, the server could serve him, particularly since the superior had accepted service of process in other actions without objection by the company. Keske v. Square D Co. 58 W (2d) 307, 206 NW (2d) 189.

801.11 Annotation Where personal jurisdiction is challenged under the "long arm" statutes, the burden is on the plaintiff to prove prima facie the facts supporting jurisdiction. A plaintiff who relies on (5) is required to establish as a predicate that the defendant entered into some consensual agreement with the plaintiff which contemplated a substantial contact in Wisconsin. Afram v. Balfour, Maclaine, Inc. 63 W (2d) 702, 218 NW (2d) 288.

801.11 Annotation Where affidavit of service under (5) (a) did not identify person served as one specified in (5) (a), no presumption of due service was raised. Danielson v. Brody Seating Co. 71 W (2d) 424, 238 NW (2d) 531.

801.11 Annotation Where husband could have ascertained wife's address by contacting any one of several relatives and in-laws, prerequisite "due diligence" for service by publication was not established, despite sheriff's affidavit. West v. West, 82 W (2d) 158, 262 NW (2d) 87.

801.11 Annotation County civil service commission is "body politic" under (4) (a) 7. Watkins v. Milwaukee County Civil Service Comm. 88 W (2d) 411, 276 NW (2d) 775 (1979).

801.11 Annotation Exact identity and job title of person upon whom service was made was not critical to issue of whether person was "apparently in charge of office" under (5) (a). Horrigan v. State Farm Ins. Co. 106 W (2d) 675, 317 NW (2d) 474 (1982).

801.11 Annotation See note to 62.13, citing Gibson v. Racine Police & Fire Comm. 123 W (2d) 150, 366 NW (2d) 144 (Ct. App. 1985).

801.11 Annotation "Reasonable diligence" under (1) discussed. Welty v. Heggy, 124 W (2d) 318, 369 NW (2d) 763 (Ct. App. 1985).

801.11 Annotation Indian tribal sovereignty is not infringed by service of process in a state action made on tribal lands. Landerman v. Martin, 191 W (2d) 788, 530 NW (2d) 62 (Ct. App. 1995).

801.11 Annotation Service of process on some of the partners in a general partnership is sufficient to properly commence a civil action against the partnership that will be binding on the partnership assets and the partners served. CH2M Hill, Inc. v. Black & Veatch, 206 W (2d) 369, 557 NW (2d) 829 (Ct. App. 1996).

801.11 Annotation Admission of service by an assistant attorney general or a clerk specifically designated for that purpose by the attorney general will constitute service of process within the meaning of (3). 63 Atty. Gen. 467.

801.11 Annotation See note to 801.05, citing Chilcote v. Shertzer, 372 F Supp. 86.

801.12 801.12 Jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem, manner of serving summons for; notice of object of action.

801.12(1) (1) A court of this state exercising jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem pursuant to s. 801.07 may affect the interests of a defendant in such action only if a summons and either a copy of the complaint or a notice of the object of the action under sub. (2) have been served upon the defendant as follows:

801.12(1)(a) (a) If the defendant is known, defendant may be served in the manner prescribed for service of a summons in s. 801.11, but service in such a case shall not bind the defendant personally to the jurisdiction of the court unless some ground for the exercise of personal jurisdiction exists.

801.12(1)(b) (b) If the defendant is unknown the summons may be served by publication thereof as a class 3 notice, under ch. 985.

801.12(2) (2) The notice of object of action shall be subscribed by the plaintiff or attorney and shall state the general object of the action, a brief description of all the property affected by it, if it affects specific real or personal property, the fact that no personal claim is made against such defendant, and that a copy of the complaint will be delivered personally or by mail to such defendant upon request made within the time fixed in s. 801.09 (2). If a defendant upon whom such notice is served unreasonably defends the action the defendant shall pay costs to the plaintiff.

801.12 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 W (2d) 585, 606 (1975); 1975 c. 218.

801.13 801.13 Summons; when deemed served. A summons is deemed served as follows:

801.13(1) (1) A summons served personally upon the defendant or by substituted personal service upon another authorized to accept service of the summons for the defendant is deemed served on the day of service.

801.13(2) (2) A summons served by publication is deemed served on the first day of required publication.

801.13 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 W (2d) 585, 607 (1975).

801.14 801.14 Service and filing of pleadings and other papers.

801.14(1)(1) Every order required by its terms to be served, every pleading unless the court otherwise orders because of numerous defendants, every paper relating to discovery required to be served upon a party unless the court otherwise orders, every written motion other than one which may be heard ex parte, and every written notice, appearance, demand, offer of judgment, undertaking, and similar paper shall be served upon each of the parties. No service need be made on parties in default for failure to appear except that pleadings asserting new or additional claims for relief against them shall be served upon them in the manner provided for service of summons in s. 801.11.

801.14(2) (2) Whenever under these statutes, service of pleadings and other papers is required or permitted to be made upon a party represented by an attorney, the service shall be made upon the attorney unless service upon the party in person is ordered by the court. Service upon the attorney or upon a party shall be made by delivering a copy or by mailing it to the last-known address, or, if no address is known, by leaving it with the clerk of the court. Delivery of a copy within this section means: handing it to the attorney or to the party; transmitting a copy of the paper by facsimile machine to his or her office; or leaving it at his or her office with a clerk or other person in charge thereof; or, if there is no one in charge, leaving it in a conspicuous place therein; or, if the office is closed or the person to be served has no office, leaving it at his or her dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein. Service by mail is complete upon mailing. Service by facsimile is complete upon transmission. The first sentence of this subsection shall not apply to service of a summons or of any process of court or of any paper to bring a party into contempt of court.