Wisconsin § 403.305 - Defenses and claims in recoupment.

Full text of Wisconsin Wisconsin Statutes § 403.305 — Defenses and claims in recoupment., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 403.305. Defenses and claims in recoupment.

403.305(1) (1) Except as stated in sub. (2) , the right to enforce the obligation of a party to pay an instrument is subject to the following: 403.305(1)(a) (a) A defense of the obligor based on any of the following: 403.305(1)(a)1. 1. Infancy of the obligor to the extent that it is a defense to a simple contract. 403.305(1)(a)2. 2. Duress, lack of legal capacity or illegality of the transaction which, under other law, nullifies the obligation of the obligor. 403.305(1)(a)3. 3. Fraud that induced the obligor to sign the instrument with neither knowledge nor reasonable opportunity to learn of its character or its essential terms. 403.305(1)(a)4. 4. Discharge of the obligor in insolvency proceedings. 403.305(1)(b) (b) A defense of the obligor stated in another section of this chapter or a defense of the obligor that would be available if the person entitled to enforce the instrument were enforcing a right to payment under a simple contract. 403.305(1)(c) (c) A claim in recoupment of the obligor against the original payee of the instrument if the claim arose from the transaction that gave rise to the instrument; but the claim of the obligor may be asserted against a transferee of the instrument only to reduce the amount owing on the instrument at the time that the action is brought. 403.305(2) (2) The right of a holder in due course to enforce the obligation of a party to pay the instrument is subject to defenses of the obligor stated in sub. (1) (a) , but is not subject to defenses of the obligor stated in sub. (1) (b) or claims in recoupment stated in sub. (1) (c) against a person other than the holder. 403.305(3) (3) Except as stated in sub. (4) , in an action to enforce the obligation of a party to pay the instrument, the obligor may not assert against the person entitled to enforce the instrument a defense, a claim in recoupment or a claim to the instrument under s.

Source: official Wisconsin text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin § 403.305

What does Wisconsin Statutes § 403.305 cover?

Section 403.305 ("Defenses and claims in recoupment.") 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 § 403.305?

A common citation format is "Wisconsin Statutes § 403.305" (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 § 403.305 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.