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Wisconsin Contracts Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Banking for Wisconsin on
Q: My bank has listed online on my latest statement that they have written my car loan off as bad debt. When writing the

Loan off what now are my legal obligations to the loan and does the bank need to file a lien release on the vehicle?

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answered on Mar 20, 2024

When a bank writes off your car loan as bad debt, it means the bank has deemed the debt unlikely to be collected and has removed it from their books. However, this does not absolve you of your responsibility to pay the loan. You are still legally obligated to repay the debt, and the bank or a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation and Personal Injury for Wisconsin on
Q: Can I repossess my car after buyer's missed payments in WI?

I'm in the process of selling my vehicle, but the buyer is not making the payments on time, and everything is still in my name. We do not have a written contract, and the buyer has only made two payments since acquiring the car in early March. I have communicated with them about the late... View More

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answered on Jun 13, 2025

This situation is stressful, especially when someone isn’t holding up their end of the deal. Since the car is still titled in your name and there’s no written contract, you may have stronger control over the vehicle than you think. In Wisconsin, ownership usually follows the name on the title,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Contracts, Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Can we win a lawsuit for unpaid rent against a roommate in Wisconsin?

Four tenants, including myself, signed a lease in Wisconsin. One roommate declared she wouldn't move in or pay her share of the rent. Although we're joint and severally liable, she offered sublessors. We accepted them for 3 months, but for 9 months we weren't comfortable with her... View More

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answered on Jun 11, 2025

You’re facing a frustrating situation, and it's understandable to want fairness after being left to cover someone else’s share. In Wisconsin, when all tenants sign the lease and are listed as jointly and severally liable, each one is legally responsible for the full rent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, White Collar Crime, Contracts and Criminal Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Employer forged my name and altered Wisconsin Buyers Guide without consent

Is it okay for my employer to forge my name on a Wisconsin Buyers Guide for an RV, especially after changing the content without my consent? The original guide originally described potential vehicle issues, but the employer altered it and replaced it with a version they deemed more... View More

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answered on Jun 11, 2025

You have every right to be upset: forging your signature is a criminal act under Wisconsin law, and altering the Buyers Guide to hide known defects can violate the state’s motor‐vehicle sales statutes.

You can report the forgery to your HR department or ethics hotline and insist your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Personal Injury and Contracts for Wisconsin on
Q: Can a church be liable for issues from free oil changes even with a waiver?

My church plans to offer free oil changes to community members as part of our community service. We intend to include a release of liability and acknowledgment of risk form, which participants must read and sign, stating they understand we are not providing professional services and we are not... View More

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answered on Jun 5, 2025

When participants sign a clear waiver stating the church is not providing professional mechanic services, courts will generally enforce it to bar ordinary negligence claims. In Wisconsin, waivers are valid for ordinary negligence but cannot shield against reckless or intentional misconduct. By... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Contracts, Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Tenant threatens to sue for unjust enrichment over lease option to buy.

I am facing a legal dispute with my tenant, who entered into a lease option to buy my property. They are threatening to sue me for unjust enrichment, claiming they made unauthorized repairs to the property, and now demand a lower purchase price. Our contract clearly states the property is sold... View More

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answered on May 15, 2025

You’re in a difficult but not uncommon position, and it sounds like your lease option agreement was written to protect you. If the contract clearly states that the property is being sold "as is" and that no repairs or modifications are to be made without written permission, your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Copyright, Libel & Slander, Intellectual Property and Personal Injury for Wisconsin on
Q: Can I use a journalist's name and a letter in my non-fiction book?

I would like to include a letter I wrote in 1995 addressed to a journalist at LIFE Magazine in the foreword of my non-fiction book. The letter references an article the journalist wrote in that issue. I haven't been able to locate the journalist to request permission to use the letter. Since... View More

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answered on May 8, 2025

You may legally include both the journalist's name and the text of your own letter in your non-fiction book's foreword without obtaining explicit permission. The right of publicity laws vary by state, but it is generally uncommon for non-fiction authors to face lawsuits for simply... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Law and Consumer Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Music producer demanding extra payment after agreement.

I purchased two music beats from a producer for $250. After I sent the money, it took them a few days to provide a written contract. I signed it, but they never signed their part. Now, they are asking for an additional $150 to send back the signed contract, which was not part of our initial... View More

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answered on Apr 13, 2025

It sounds like the producer is trying to modify the terms of your agreement after the fact, which is not fair unless both parties agree to the new terms. Since you have a written record of the initial agreement and the producer did not sign their part, it could be argued that the contract is not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation and Business Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Can my first vendor sue me for violating a non-compete in Wisconsin?

I worked for a vendor through another vendor and recently left to work directly for the main vendor. My contract with the first vendor included a non-compete clause with a one-year time restriction. Can the first vendor sue me for violating the non-compete?

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answered on Apr 12, 2025

While Wisconsin does recognize non-compete agreements, courts apply rigorous scrutiny under Wisconsin Statute §103.465, which requires such restrictions be reasonably necessary to protect legitimate business interests. Your situation of moving from a staffing vendor to working directly with the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Contracts and Civil Litigation for Wisconsin on
Q: Am I allowed to repossess my own vehicle in Wisconsin?

I legally own a vehicle outright, with my name on the title. Someone else has possession of it, but they are not co-signers, co-owners, or in any agreement regarding the use of the vehicle. They have had it for a few months and have been ignoring my attempts to communicate about getting it back. Am... View More

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answered on Apr 12, 2025

Yes, you can legally reclaim your vehicle in Wisconsin, but there are important legal boundaries to keep in mind. Even though you’re the titled owner, the law doesn’t allow you to simply take the vehicle back without following proper procedures. If you attempt to retrieve it without consent or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Employment Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Choosing between employment letter and contract for job security as NP/PA in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, as an advanced practice provider (NP/PA), I am considering whether to choose an employment letter of understanding or an employment contract. I am particularly concerned about job security in an at-will state and have past experience with both types of documents. Additionally, a... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2025

Given your concerns about job security and your past experience with non-compete clauses, an employment *contract* is usually the better option over a letter of understanding. In Wisconsin—an at-will employment state—a letter of understanding often doesn’t provide strong legal protections and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Civil Litigation for Wisconsin on
Q: Can they sue me for a refund after contract work dissatisfaction?

I built a kitchen for a client with whom I have a written contract. The client paid $6,000 in cash upfront. After she viewed the kitchen in person, she was dissatisfied with the doors. I offered to replace the doors, which she initially accepted. However, her husband later demanded a refund, and in... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2025

That’s a frustrating and stressful situation, especially when you tried to resolve the issue by offering to replace the doors. Since you have a written contract and completed the work, the client’s dissatisfaction doesn’t automatically entitle them to a full refund—especially when the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Contracts, Landlord - Tenant, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Can my girlfriend take our child without telling me where they are and my car registered in my name?

I have no formal custody agreements with my girlfriend, and she has taken our child without informing me of their whereabouts. She also took my car, which is registered in my name, despite our verbal agreement that it should only be used for work purposes. This is the second time she has done this,... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2025

That situation sounds incredibly stressful, and your concern for your child’s safety is completely valid. In Wisconsin, if there’s no formal custody order in place, both parents typically have equal rights to the child. That said, taking the child without telling you where they are—especially... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: How to resolve a survey discrepancy for building compliance?

I hired a surveyor to determine the 25 ft line for building compliance on my property, but the crew conducted only a corner-to-corner survey, which wasn't my request. Their boss assured me they'd address any issues. I'm withholding payment until the specific survey I requested is... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2025

This situation is understandably frustrating, especially when you made a specific request and didn’t receive the service you expected. If the surveyor’s team performed a general corner-to-corner survey instead of marking the 25-foot building line you needed for compliance, then they didn’t... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Wisconsin on
Q: Can I sue ADT for deceptive practices by their representative?

I am considering taking legal action against ADT due to deceptive practices by their sales representative. The representative attempted to bind me into another three-year contract without proper disclosure, demanding additional money before sending documents via email for me to sign. It was never... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2025

What you’re describing sounds deceptive and manipulative, especially since the representative tried to pressure you into signing a new contract without clearly explaining it. If you were misled about the nature of the documents and are still under an active contract, you may have grounds to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Construction Law and Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: How to cancel window installation if roof is leaking under contract?

I have a contract with a company for a new roof and windows, both of which are already paid for. The roof was installed late last summer, but it is leaking. I have contacted the company, and they are working on resolving the roof issue. However, they say I cannot cancel the windows, which have not... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2025

That sounds like a frustrating situation, especially after already paying in full. In Wisconsin, canceling a contract like this can be tricky if the windows were part of the same agreement as the roof, unless the contract includes specific cancellation terms. Since the roof is leaking and they’re... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Contracts for Wisconsin on
Q: What can I do if my co-owners want to occupy our jointly-owned cabin all summer?

My brother, his wife, and I jointly own a cabin that is not winterized, so it's closed from October until May. They plan to live in the cabin throughout the summer without discussing the matter with me, which is upsetting as we have always divided everything equally. My sister was once an... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 11, 2025

All tenants in common have the same rights of title and possession. Outside of filing suit for a Partition Sale, no other legal actions are available outside of criminal complaints for assault, etc. (which you do not want).

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Law and Real Estate Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Can I charge my sibling rent for using our co-owned cabin in Wisconsin?

I co-own a cabin with my sibling, and we currently share expenses evenly. My sibling, who lives in Arizona, wants to buy me out but has stated he can't afford to do so right now. He intends to spend the summer living at the cabin. Am I within my rights to charge him rent for his use of the... View More

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answered on Mar 6, 2025

No, both of you are tenants in common. If a partition suit occurs, then you might ask for reimbursement of your expenses.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Contracts and Intellectual Property for Wisconsin on
Q: What paperwork do I need for starting a YouTube channel with an LLC?

I'm starting a YouTube channel and currently in the process of registering an LLC to protect myself, particularly against copyright strikes. The service I'm using is recommending additional items like obtaining an EIN and accounting software, but I'm unsure if I need these yet. I... View More

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answered on Mar 1, 2025

Starting a YouTube channel through an LLC is a smart move for liability protection. For the initial setup, you'll need your Articles of Organization (filed with your state), an Operating Agreement outlining ownership and operations, and a separate business bank account to maintain the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Rights and Entertainment / Sports for Wisconsin on
Q: Freedom of intimate association to personally interact between 2 consenting adults.

Is it unlawful to prevent 2 consenting adults from personal contact in the form of writing, phone calls/video chats, or in person meetings??

Example: Australian Hollywood TV celebrity-woman falls in love with American man . They each would like to have personal contact with each other by... View More

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answered on Jan 9, 2025

This situation touches on fundamental rights to freedom of association and personal autonomy, which are protected under various international human rights frameworks and many national constitutions, including those of Australia and the United States.

Contract terms that excessively restrict...
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