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FA-5000V

Service Instruction Packet

Wisconsin · Wisconsin Court System · Effective September 12, 2024

This packet gives instructions on how to legally give notice of a lawsuit or court hearing to another person. It lists different ways to serve papers and the time limits for each method.

The court describes it as: Instructions for service on family matters for self-represented parties.

Open the official PDFfrom Wisconsin Court System

Where this fits in a case

General & info

Information / general use — not tied to one step of a case

This packet is used when a person needs to serve legal papers to another party in a case. The correct method and timing are important for the court to hear the case.

Either party may file.

Common questions

What is 'service' in this packet?
'Service' means the legal act of giving notice of a lawsuit or court hearing to another person. There are specific rules for how and when this must happen.
What should I do if I can't serve the other party on time?
If you cannot serve the other party within the required time limits, you may write a letter to the court asking for a different court date.
Do I need to return original documents to the court?
The originals of the documents and proof of service must be returned to the court after the other party has been served.

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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