766.55 AnnotationThe obligation of support is imposed under s. 765.001 and is not relieved simply because sub. (2) (a) may not apply. Sinai Samaritan Medical Center, Inc. v. Mc Cabe, 197 Wis. 2d 709, 541 N.W.2d 190 (Ct. App. 1995), 95-0012.

766.55 AnnotationThe definition of “creditor” under s. 766.01 (2r) does not apply to sub. (4m). A judgment creditor is a creditor for purposes of sub. (4m) and must have notice of the marital property agreement at the time the misconduct resulting in the judgment occurs in order for the agreement to be effective against the creditor. Journal Sentinel, Inc. v. Schultz, 2001 WI App 260, 248 Wis. 2d 791, 638 N.W.2d 76, 00-2595.

766.55 AnnotationA creditor’s right to reach property subject to division in a divorce is not determined by s. 767.255 [now s. 767.61], but is driven solely by the classification into which the obligation falls under this section. A restitution order imposed by a criminal judgment for conversion was an obligation resulting from a tort committed by the incurring spouse under sub. (2) (cm). Whether an obligation resulted from a tort requires examination of the spouse’s conduct that gave rise to the claim made. An individual’s conduct may constitute a tort without a civil judgment so concluding. Sokaogon Gaming Enterprise Corp. v. Curda-Derickson, 2003 WI App 167, 266 Wis. 2d 453, 668 N.W.2d 736, 02-0924.

766.555(1)(a)(a) “Open-end plan” means credit extended on an account pursuant to a plan under which the creditor may permit a spouse to make purchases or obtain loans, from time to time, directly from the creditor or indirectly by use of a credit card, check or other device, as the plan may provide.

766.555(1)(b)(b) “Open-end plan” includes only those open-end plans entered into by a person whose spouse is not a party to the account.

766.555(2)(a)(a) This subsection applies to spouses for whom the determination date is 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 1986.

766.555(2)(b)(b) Unless additional property is available under par. (c), an obligation incurred by a spouse on or after January 1, 1986, under an open-end plan entered into by that spouse before January 1, 1986, may be satisfied only from property of that spouse that is not marital property and from that part of marital property that would have been the property of that spouse but for the enactment of this chapter.

766.555(2)(c)1.1. An obligation described under s. 766.55 (2) (b) incurred by a spouse on or after January 1, 1986, under an open-end plan entered into by that spouse before January 1, 1986, may be satisfied only from property of that spouse that is available under par. (b) and, if the creditor gives written notice complying with this paragraph to both spouses prior to the date the obligation is incurred, from all marital property.

766.555(2)(c)2.2. The notice under subd. 1. shall describe the nature of the open-end plan and state that an obligation described under s. 766.55 (2) (b) that is incurred under the open-end plan may be satisfied from all marital property of the spouses, including the income of both spouses, and from the property of the incurring spouse that is not marital property.

766.555(2)(c)4.4. The notice under subd. 1. may be enclosed in an envelope addressed to the incurring spouse at the last-known address of that spouse appearing on the records of the creditor if a statement appears on the face of the envelope alerting both spouses that the envelope contains important information for both spouses.

766.555(3)(a)(a) This subsection applies to persons for whom the determination date is after 12:01 a.m., January 1, 1986.

766.555(3)(b)(b) Except as provided under par. (c), an obligation incurred by a spouse after the determination date for that spouse, under an open-end plan entered into by that spouse before that determination date, may be satisfied only from all property of that spouse that is not marital property and from that part of marital property which would have been the property of that spouse but for the enactment of this chapter.

766.555(3)(c)(c) An obligation described under s. 766.55 (2) (b) incurred by a spouse after the determination date for that spouse under an open-end plan entered into by that spouse before that determination date may be satisfied from all marital property and all other property of the incurring spouse.

766.56(1)(1) If a spouse applies for credit that will result in an obligation described under s. 766.55 (2) (b), the creditor, in evaluating the spouse’s creditworthiness, shall consider all marital property available under s. 766.55 (2) (b) to satisfy the obligation in the same manner that the creditor, in evaluating the creditworthiness of an unmarried credit applicant, considers the property of an unmarried credit applicant available to satisfy the obligation.

766.56(2)(a)(a) The recording, under s. 59.43 (1c) (r), of a marital property agreement or a unilateral statement or revocation under s. 766.59 does not constitute actual or constructive notice to 3rd parties. This paragraph does not affect the application of ch. 706.

766.56(2)(b)(b) A creditor shall include in every written application for an extension of credit that is governed by chs. 421 to 427 a notice that no provision of a marital property agreement, a unilateral statement under s. 766.59 or a court decree under s. 766.70 adversely affects the interest of the creditor unless the creditor, prior to the time the credit is granted, is furnished a copy of the agreement, statement or decree or has actual knowledge of the adverse provision when the obligation to the creditor is incurred. The notice requirement under this paragraph does not apply to renewals, extensions or modifications or the use of an open-end credit plan.

766.56(2)(c)(c) If the applicant spouse in any credit transaction discloses the existence of a currently effective marital property agreement or a decree issued under s. 766.70 and provides a copy of it to the creditor prior to the time credit is granted or, in the case of an open-end plan, as defined under s. 766.555 (1) (a), prior to the time the open-end plan is entered into, the creditor is bound by any property classification, characterization of an obligation, or management and control right contained in the agreement or decree. If a spouse discloses the existence of an agreement or decree after credit is granted or an open-end plan is entered into, the creditor is not bound under this paragraph by the agreement or decree with respect to that obligation or open-end plan, including any renewals, extensions, modifications or use of the obligation or open-end plan.