Who fills out this form?

The form has sections for both Petitioner/Joint Petitioner A and Respondent/Joint Petitioner B, suggesting either party can use it to request changes.

What happens if I don't show up for the hearing?

The form states that if a party does not appear as directed, the court may move forward without them and grant the requests or issue an arrest warrant.

What documents must I bring to court?

Both parties must bring a fully completed, dated, and signed Financial Disclosure Statement to court.

FA-4171VB

Order to Show Cause and to Change: Custody/Placement/Support/Maintenance

Wisconsin · Wisconsin Court System · Effective September 12, 2024

This form is used to ask the court to make changes regarding custody, where a child lives, support payments, or money owed. It asks both parties to appear in court to explain why the requested changes should or should not be made.

The court describes it as: Order to show cause and to change: Custody/Placement/Support/Maintenance. Voluntary form.

Open the official PDFfrom Wisconsin Court System

Where this fits in a case

Judgment

Start a case
Respond
Motions
Discovery
Hearing
Judgment
After judgment
Appeal

Stage: Judgment

This form is used when parties need to ask the court to change existing orders about custody, physical placement, or financial support.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Plain-language summary

Common questions

Who fills out this form?: The form has sections for both Petitioner/Joint Petitioner A and Respondent/Joint Petitioner B, suggesting either party can use it to request changes.
What happens if I don't show up for the hearing?: The form states that if a party does not appear as directed, the court may move forward without them and grant the requests or issue an arrest warrant.
What documents must I bring to court?: Both parties must bring a fully completed, dated, and signed Financial Disclosure Statement to court.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 10, 2026. The current version took effect September 12, 2024.

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