Wisconsin § 767.215 - Initiating action; petition and response.
Full text of Wisconsin Wisconsin Statutes § 767.215 — Initiating action; petition and response., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 767.215. Initiating action; petition and response.
767.215(1) (1) Initiation of action. 767.215(1)(a) (a) Either or both of the parties to the marriage may initiate the action. The party initiating the action or his or her attorney shall sign the petition. Both parties or their respective attorneys shall sign a joint petition. 767.215(1)(b) (b) The clerk of court shall provide without charge, to each person filing a petition requesting child support, a document setting forth the percentage standard established by the department under s. 49.22 (9) and listing the factors that a court may consider under s. 767.511 (1m) . 767.215(1)(c) (c) The clerk of court shall provide, without charge, to each person filing a petition showing that the parties have a minor child, a copy of s. 767.41 (1m) or a parenting plan form if a standard form for parenting plans is used in the county. 767.215(2) (2) Petition content. Except as otherwise provided, in an action affecting the family, the petition shall state: 767.215(2)(a) (a) The name and birthdate of the parties, the date and place of marriage, and the facts relating to the residence of both parties. 767.215(2)(b) (b) The name and birthdate of each minor child of the parties and each other child born to the wife during the marriage, and whether the wife is pregnant. 767.215(2)(c) (c) If the relief requested is a divorce or a legal separation in which the parties do not file a petition under s. 767.315 (2) , that the marriage is irretrievably broken, or, alternatively, that both parties agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken. 767.215(2)(cm) (cm) If the relief requested is a legal separation and the parties have filed a petition under s. 767.315 (2) , that both parties agree that the marital relationship is broken. 767.215(2)(d) (d) Whether an action for divorce or legal separation by either of the parties has been at any time commenced, or is pending in any other court, in this state or elsewhere. 767.215(2)(dm) (dm) Whether either party was previously married and, if so, the manner in which the marriage was terminated, and, if terminated by court judgment, the name of the court that granted the judgment and the time and place the judgment was granted, if known. 767.215(2)(e) (e) Whether the parties have entered into a written agreement as to support, legal custody, and physical placement of the children, maintenance of either party, or property division. If so, the written agreement shall be attached. 767.215(2)(f) (f) The relief requested. If the relief requested is a legal separation, the petition shall state the specific reason for requesting that relief. 767.215(2)(h) (h) That during the pendency of the action, the parties are prohibited from, and may be held in contempt of court for, harassing, intimidating, physically abusing or imposing any restraint on the personal liberty of the other party or a minor child of either party. 767.215(2)(i) (i) If the action is one under s. 767.001 (1) (a) , (b) , (c) , (d) , (h) , or (i) , that during the pendency of the action, without the consent of the other party or an order of the court, the parties are prohibited from, and may be held in contempt of court for, encumbering, concealing, damaging, destroying, transferring, or otherwise disposing of property owned by either or both of the parties, except in the usual course of business, in order to secure necessities, or in order to pay reasonable costs and expenses of the action, including attorney fees. 767.215(2)(j) (j) Unless the action is one under s. 767.001 (1) (g) or (h) , that during the pendency of the action the parties are prohibited from, and may be held in contempt of court for, doing any of the following without the consent of the other party or an order of the court: 767.215(2)(j)1. 1. Relocating and establishing a residence with a minor child of the parties more than 100 driving miles from the residence of the other party. 767.215(2)(j)2. 2. Removing a minor child of the parties from the state for more than 90 consecutive days. 767.215(2)(j)3. 3. Concealing a minor child of the parties from the other party. 767.215(2e) (2e) Relationship of petition to complaint. All references to a “complaint” in chs. 801 to 807 apply to petitions under this section. 767.215(2m) (2m) Summons, content. 767.215(2m)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b) , if only one party initiates the action and the parties have minor children, the summons served on the other party: 767.215(2m)(a)1. 1. Shall include notification of the availability of information under s. 767.105 (2) and of the contents of s.
Source: official Wisconsin text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin § 767.215
What does Wisconsin Statutes § 767.215 cover?
Section 767.215 ("Initiating action; petition and response.") is part of the Wisconsin Statutes, the codified statutory law of Wisconsin. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Wisconsin § 767.215?
A common citation format is "Wisconsin Statutes § 767.215" (Wisconsin). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Wisconsin law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Wisconsin official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
How does Wisconsin § 767.215 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Wisconsin can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Wisconsin.