Wisconsin § 409.108 - Sufficiency of description.
Full text of Wisconsin Wisconsin Statutes § 409.108 — Sufficiency of description., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 409.108. Sufficiency of description.
409.108(1) (1) Sufficiency of description. Except as otherwise provided in subs. (3) to (5) , a description of personal or real property is sufficient, whether or not it is specific, if it reasonably identifies what is described. 409.108(2) (2) Examples of reasonable identification. Except as otherwise provided in sub. (4) , a description of collateral reasonably identifies the collateral if it identifies the collateral by: 409.108(2)(a) (a) Specific listing; 409.108(2)(b) (b) Category; 409.108(2)(c) (c) Except as otherwise provided in sub. (5) , a type of collateral defined in chs. 401 to 411 ; 409.108(2)(d) (d) Quantity; 409.108(2)(e) (e) Computational or allocational formula or procedure; or 409.108(2)(f) (f) Except as otherwise provided in sub. (3) , any other method, if the identity of the collateral is objectively determinable. 409.108(3) (3) Supergeneric description not sufficient. A description of collateral as “all the debtor’s assets” or “all the debtor’s personal property” or using words of similar import does not reasonably identify the collateral. 409.108(4) (4) Investment property. Except as otherwise provided in sub. (5) , a description of a security entitlement, securities account, or commodity account is sufficient if it describes: 409.108(4)(a) (a) The collateral by those terms or as investment property; or 409.108(4)(b) (b) The underlying financial asset or commodity contract. 409.108(5) (5) When description by type insufficient. A description only by type of collateral defined in chs. 401 to 411 is an insufficient description of: 409.108(5)(a) (a) A commercial tort claim; or 409.108(5)(b) (b) In a consumer transaction, consumer goods, a security entitlement, a securities account, or a commodity account. 409.108 History History: 2001 a. 10 . 409.108 Annotation A wrong statement of section, township, range, and county where crops were grown was not minor, and, without directing further inquiry, was insufficient. Whether a party was misled by the description was not part of the inquiry under s. 409.110 or 409.402. Smith & Spidahl Enterprises, Inc. v. Lee, 206 Wis. 2d 663 , 557 N.W.2d 865 (Ct. App. 1996), 96-0882 . 409.108 Note NOTE: The above annotation cites to the pre- 2001 Wis. Act 10 version of this chapter.
Source: official Wisconsin text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin § 409.108
What does Wisconsin Statutes § 409.108 cover?
Section 409.108 ("Sufficiency of description.") 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 § 409.108?
A common citation format is "Wisconsin Statutes § 409.108" (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 § 409.108 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.