Chapter 893

893.38 History History: 2021 a. 80; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

subch. IV of ch. 893 SUBCHAPTER IV

ACTIONS RELATING TO CONTRACTS
AND COURT JUDGMENTS

893.40 893.40 Action on judgment or decree; court of record. Except as provided in ss. 846.04 (2) and (3) and 893.415, action upon a judgment or decree of a court of record of any state or of the United States shall be commenced within 20 years after the judgment or decree is entered or be barred.

893.40 History History: 1979 c. 323; 1997 a. 27; 2003 a. 287.

893.40 Note Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: This section has been created to combine the provisions of repealed ss. 893.16 (1) and 893.18 (1). A substantive change from prior law results as the time period for an action upon a judgment of a court of record sitting without this state is increased from 10 years to 20 years and runs from the time of entry of a judgment. The separate statute of limitations for an action upon a sealed instrument is repealed as unnecessary. [Bill 326-A]

893.40 Annotation The defendant was prejudiced by an unreasonable 16-year delay in bringing suit; thus laches barred suit even though the applicable limitation period did not. Schafer v. Wegner, 78 Wis. 2d 127, 254 N.W.2d 193 (1977).

893.40 Annotation A request by the state or an offender to correct a clerical error in the sentence portion of a written judgment to reflect accurately an oral pronouncement of sentence is not an “action upon a judgment” under this section. State v. Prihoda, 2000 WI 123, 239 Wis. 2d 244, 618 N.W.2d 857, 98-2263.

893.40 Annotation This section clearly and unambiguously specifies that the date when a cause of action to collect past-due child support payments begins to run is the date when a judgment ordering payments is entered. State v. Hamilton, 2003 WI 50, 261 Wis. 2d 458, 661 N.W.2d 832, 01-1014.

893.40 Annotation Under the circumstances present in this case in which a statute precluded a provision in a judgment, the statute of repose could not begin to run as to that provision until the legislature changed the law such that the provision could be carried out. Johnson v. Masters, 2013 WI 43, 347 Wis. 2d 238, 830 N.W.2d 647, 11-1240.

893.40 Annotation This section did not bar an action to enforce a divorce judgment that required a party to divide the party’s pension only “when and if” the pension became “available” to the party because it was impossible to judicially enforce that requirement during the first 21 years after the divorce judgment. Schwab v. Schwab, 2021 WI 67, 397 Wis. 2d 820, 961 N.W.2d 56, 19-1200.

893.41 893.41 Breach of contract to marry; action to recover property. An action to recover property procured by fraud by a party in representing that he or she intended to marry the party providing the property and not breach the contract to marry, to which s. 768.06 applies, shall be commenced within one year after the breach of the contract to marry.

893.41 History History: 1979 c. 323; 1981 c. 314 s. 146.

893.41 Note Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: This section has been created to place into ch. 893 the statute of limitations for an action to recover property for an alleged breach of a contract to marry. See also note following s. 768.06. [Bill 326-A]

893.415 893.415 Action to collect support.

893.415(1) (1) In this section, “action” means any proceeding brought before a court, whether commenced by a petition, motion, order to show cause, or other pleading.

893.415(2) (2) An action to collect child or family support owed under a judgment or order entered under ch. 767, or to collect child support owed under a judgment or order entered under s. 48.355 (2) (b) 4. or (4g) (a), 48.357 (5m) (a), 48.363 (2), 938.183 (4), 938.355 (2) (b) 4. or (4g) (a), 938.357 (5m) (a), 938.363 (2), or 948.22 (7), shall be commenced within 20 years after the youngest child for whom the support was ordered under the judgment or order reaches the age of 18 or, if the child is enrolled full-time in high school or its equivalent, reaches the age of 19.

893.415(3) (3) An action under this section is commenced when the petition, motion, order to show cause, or other pleading commencing the action is filed with the court, except that an action under this section is not commenced if proper notice of the action, as required by law or by the court, has not been provided to the respondent in the action within 90 days after the petition, motion, order to show cause, or other pleading is filed.

893.415 History History: 2003 a. 287; 2015 a. 373.

893.42 893.42 Action on a judgment of court not of record. An action upon a judgment of a court not of record shall be commenced within 6 years of entry of judgment or be barred.

893.42 History History: 1979 c. 323.

893.42 Note Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: This section is previous s. 893.19 (1) renumbered for more logical placement in restructured ch. 893. [Bill 326-A]

893.425 893.425 Voidable transfers and obligations. An action with respect to a transfer or obligation under ch. 242 shall be barred unless the action is commenced:

893.425(1) (1) Under s. 242.04 (1) (a), not later than 4 years after the transfer is made or the obligation is incurred or, if later, not later than one year after the transfer or obligation is or could reasonably have been discovered by the claimant.

893.425(2) (2) Under s. 242.04 (1) (b) or 242.05 (1), not later than 4 years after the transfer is made or the obligation is incurred.

893.425(3) (3) Under s. 242.05 (2), not later than one year after the transfer is made.

893.425 History History: 1987 a. 192; 2023 a. 246.

893.425 Annotation Sub. (1) sets a one-year statute of limitations from the point at which the claimant discovers or reasonably could have discovered the fraudulent nature of the transfer or obligation. The statute of limitations test is not based on discovery of the transfer; it is based on discovery of the fraudulent nature of the transfer. Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Great Lakes Quick Lube LP v. Theisen, 2018 WI App 70, 384 Wis. 2d 580, 920 N.W.2d 356, 18-0333.

893.425 Note NOTE: The above annotation relates to the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act as adopted in ch. 242 prior to the revision and renaming of that chapter to the Uniform Voidable Transactions Law by 2023 Wis. Act 246.

893.43 893.43 Action on contract.

893.43(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), an action upon any contract, obligation, or liability, express or implied, including an action to recover fees for professional services, except those mentioned in s. 893.40, shall be commenced within 6 years after the cause of action accrues or be barred.

893.43(2) (2) An action upon a motor vehicle insurance policy described in s. 632.32 (1) shall be commenced within 3 years after the cause of action accrues or be barred. A cause of action involving underinsured motorist coverage, as defined in s. 632.32 (2) (d), or uninsured motorist coverage, as defined in s. 632.32 (2) (f), accrues on the date there is final resolution of the underlying cause of action by the injured party against the tortfeasor.

893.43 History History: 1979 c. 323; 2015 a. 133.

893.43 Note Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: This section is previous s. 893.19 (3) renumbered for more logical placement in restructured ch. 893. [Bill 326-A]

893.43 Annotation A bonus plan to compensate for increased profits is a contract. Younger v. Rosenow Paper & Supply Co., 51 Wis. 2d 619, 188 N.W.2d 507 (1971).

893.43 Annotation An action to recover benefits under a pension plan is an action to enforce a contract, not an action for wages. Estate of Schroeder v. Gateway Transportation Co., 53 Wis. 2d 59, 191 N.W.2d 860 (1971).

893.43 Annotation An action for personal injuries resulting from medical malpractice, although based on contract, is subject to the three-year limitation for injuries to the person. Estate of Kohls v. Brah, 57 Wis. 2d 141, 203 N.W.2d 666 (1973).

893.43 Annotation An action by an insured against an insurance agent for failing to procure requested coverage is not an action against the insurer on the policy, but is an action resting upon the agent’s contract with the insured to procure the insurance coverage agreed upon subject to the statute of limitations for contract. Estate of Ensz v. Brown Insurance Agency, Inc., 66 Wis. 2d 193, 223 N.W.2d 903 (1974).

893.43 Annotation A cause of action for contribution is based upon a contract implied by law and must be brought within six years after one joint tortfeasor has paid more than the tortfeasor’s share. Hartford Fire Insurance Co. v. Osborn Plumbing & Heating, Inc., 66 Wis. 2d 454, 225 N.W.2d 628 (1975).

893.43 Annotation When an employer deducted a “hypothetical tax factor” from salaries of its overseas employees so as to equalize compensation of its employees worldwide, an action to recover amounts so deducted had to be brought within the limitation period on wage claims, and not the period on other contract claims. Sussmann v. Gleisner, 80 Wis. 2d 435, 259 N.W.2d 114 (1977).

893.43 Annotation If the object of a disputed contract is the end product or fruit of human labor rather than the labor per se, s. 893.19 (3) [now this section] applies rather than s. 893.21 (5) [now s. 893.44]. Rupp v. O’Connor, 81 Wis. 2d 436, 261 N.W.2d 815 (1978).

893.43 Annotation Partial payment of an obligation made prior to the running of the statute of limitations tolls the statute and sets it running from the date of payment. St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center v. Tarkenton, 103 Wis. 2d 422, 309 N.W.2d 14 (Ct. App. 1981).

893.43 Annotation A breach of a roofing contract occurred when the faulty roof was completed, not when the building was completed. State v. Holland Plastics Co., 111 Wis. 2d 497, 331 N.W.2d 320 (1983).

893.43 Annotation An unjust enrichment claim accrues when a cohabitational relationship terminates. The court does not determine what statute of limitations, if any, applies. Watts v. Watts, 152 Wis. 2d 370, 448 N.W.2d 292 (Ct. App. 1989).

893.43 Annotation A contract cause of action accrues at the time of the breach. The discovery rule is inapplicable. CLL Associates v. Arrowhead Pacific Corp., 174 Wis. 2d 604, 497 N.W.2d 115 (1993).

893.43 Annotation This section applies to actions for the recovery of sales commissions. Erdman v. Jovoco, Inc., 181 Wis. 2d 736, 512 N.W.2d 487 (1994).

893.43 Annotation A party’s deficient performance of a contract does not give rise to a tort claim. There must be a duty independent of the contract for a cause of action in tort. Atkinson v. Everbrite, Inc., 224 Wis. 2d 724, 592 N.W.2d 299 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-1806.

893.43 Annotation For actions seeking coverage under an underinsured motorist policy, the statute of limitations begins to run from the date of loss, which is the date on which a final resolution is reached in the underlying claim against the tortfeasor, be it through denial of that claim, settlement, judgment, execution of releases, or other form of resolution, whichever is the latest. Yocherer v. Farmers Insurance Exchange, 2002 WI 41, 252 Wis. 2d 114, 643 N.W.2d 457, 00-0944.

893.43 Annotation The label of the documents here—“access easement agreement”—and the fact that each was signed by both parties did not transform the grants of easement into contracts subject to contract law. The plaintiffs alleged that a driveway could not be built on the easements described in the agreements because of a wetland delineation and sought a modification of the easements. This claim for relief was an action to enforce the recorded easements, albeit a modified version, and was therefore governed by s. 893.33 (6), not the contract statute, this section. Mnuk v. Harmony Homes, Inc., 2010 WI App 102, 329 Wis. 2d 182, 790 N.W.2d 514, 09-1178.

893.43 Annotation The running of the six-year statute of limitations under this section [now sub. (1)] that applies to enforcement of a note does not prevent timely foreclosure of the mortgage that secures the note. Bank of New York Mellon v. Klomsten, 2018 WI App 25, 381 Wis. 2d 218, 911 N.W.2d 364, 17-0405.

893.43 Annotation The statute of limitations for a subrogated claim is the same as the statute of limitations that would apply to the claim if it had not been subrogated. In this case, the plaintiff insurance company was subrogated to the insured’s contract claim that the defendant insurance company breached its duty to defend the insured. Because subrogation does not change the identity of the cause of action, the plaintiff’s claim was also for breach of contract. Claims for breach of contract have a six-year statute of limitations under sub. (1). Steadfast Insurance Co. v. Greenwich Insurance Co., 2019 WI 6, 385 Wis. 2d 213, 922 N.W.2d 71, 16-1631.

893.43 Annotation Nothing in the plain language of sub. (1) limits its application to actions seeking damages, as opposed to injunctive relief. Wascher v. ABC Insurance Co., 2022 WI App 10, 401 Wis. 2d 94, 972 N.W.2d 162, 20-1961.

893.43 Annotation Rescission is not an “action upon the contract,” as that phrase is used in this section. CMFG Life Insurance Co. v. RBS Securities, Inc., 799 F.3d 729 (2015).

893.43 Annotation A claim for unjust enrichment is a quasi-contractual claim. Accordingly, Wisconsin courts have applied sub. (1)’s six-year limitations period for contract-based claims to quasi-contractual claims. Smith v. RecordQuest, LLC, 989 F.3d 513 (2021).

893.43 Annotation An unconscionability of contract claim is governed by this section. Dairyland Power Cooperative v. Amax Inc., 700 F. Supp. 979 (1986).

893.44 893.44 Compensation for personal service.

893.44(1) (1) Any action to recover unpaid salary, wages or other compensation for personal services, except actions to recover fees for professional services and except as provided in sub. (2), shall be commenced within 2 years after the cause of action accrues or be barred.

893.44(2) (2) An action to recover wages under s. 109.09 shall be commenced within 2 years after the claim is filed with the department of workforce development or be barred.

893.44 History History: 1979 c. 323; 1985 a. 220; 1995 a. 27 s. 9130 (4); 1997 a. 3.

893.44 Note Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: This section is previous s. 893.21 (5) renumbered for more logical placement in restructured ch. 893. Actions to collect fees for professional services are brought under s. 893.43. [Bill 326-A]

893.44 Annotation A stock-purchase plan as a reward for increased profits is not subject to s. 893.21 (5) [now this section]. Younger v. Rosenow Paper & Supply Co., 51 Wis. 2d 619, 188 N.W.2d 507 (1971).

893.44 Annotation Professional services by a physician or attorney, although not customarily performed in the profession, may be classified as professional if requested by reason of the professional’s expertise and training, if the professional then utilizes that knowledge and training. If the services are so classified depends upon the facts of the particular employment. Lorenz v. Dreske, 62 Wis. 2d 273, 214 N.W.2d 753 (1974).

893.44 Annotation Section 893.21 (5) [now this section] does not apply unless services are actually rendered. Yanta v. Montgomery Ward & Co., 66 Wis. 2d 53, 224 N.W.2d 389 (1974).

893.44 Annotation If the object of a disputed contract is the end product or fruit of human labor rather than the labor per se, s. 893.19 (3) [now s. 893.43] applies rather than s. 893.21 (5) [now this section]. Rupp v. O’Connor, 81 Wis. 2d 436, 261 N.W.2d 815 (1978).

893.44 Annotation An unjust enrichment claim accrues when a cohabitational relationship terminates. The court does not determine which statute of limitations, if any, applies. Watts v. Watts, 152 Wis. 2d 370, 448 N.W.2d 292 (Ct. App. 1989).

893.44 Annotation This section applies only to actions for wages already earned. Lovett v. Mt. Senario College, Inc., 154 Wis. 2d 831, 454 N.W.2d 356 (Ct. App. 1990).

893.44 Annotation This section does not apply to actions for the recovery of sales commissions. Erdman v. Jovoco, Inc., 181 Wis. 2d 736, 512 N.W.2d 487 (1994).

893.44 Annotation The distinguishing feature of personal services under this section is whether the human labor itself is sought and is the object of the compensation or whether the end-product of the service is purchased. Paulson v. Shapiro, 490 F.2d 1 (1973).

893.45 893.45 Acknowledgment or new promise. No acknowledgment or promise shall be sufficient evidence of a new or continuing contract, whereby to take the cause out of the operation of this chapter, unless the same be contained in some writing signed by the party to be charged thereby.

893.45 History History: 1979 c. 323.

893.45 Note Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: This section is previous s. 893.42 renumbered for more logical placement in restructured ch. 893. [Bill 326-A]

893.46 893.46 Acknowledgment, who not bound by. If there are 2 or more joint contractors or joint personal representatives of any contractor, no such joint contractor or joint personal representative shall lose the benefit of this chapter so as to be chargeable by reason only of any acknowledgment or promise made by any other of them.

893.46 History History: 1979 c. 323; 2001 a. 102.

893.46 Note Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: This section is previous s. 893.43 renumbered for more logical placement in restructured ch. 893. [Bill 326-A]

893.47 893.47 Actions against parties jointly liable. In actions commenced against 2 or more joint contractors or joint personal representatives of any contractors, if it shall appear, on the trial or otherwise, that the plaintiff is barred by this chapter as to one or more of the defendants but is entitled to recover against any other or others of them by virtue of a new acknowledgment or promise or otherwise, judgment shall be given for the plaintiff as to any of the defendants against whom the plaintiff is entitled to recover and for the other defendant or defendants against the plaintiff.

893.47 History History: 1979 c. 323; 2001 a. 102.

893.47 Note Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: This section is previous s. 893.44 renumbered for more logical placement in restructured ch. 893. [Bill 326-A]

893.48 893.48 Payment, effect of, not altered. Nothing contained in ss. 893.44 to 893.47 shall alter, take away or lessen the effect of a payment of any principal or interest made by any person, but no endorsement or memorandum of any such payment, written or made upon any promissory note, bill of exchange or other writing, by or on behalf of the party to whom the payment is made or purports to be made, is sufficient proof of the payment so as to take the case out of the operation of this chapter.

893.48 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 784 (1975); 1979 c. 323.

893.48 Note Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: This section is previous s. 893.46 renumbered for more logical placement in restructured ch. 893. [Bill 326-A]

893.49 893.49 Payment by one not to affect others. If there are 2 or more joint contractors or joint personal representatives of any contractor, no one of them shall lose the benefit of this chapter so as to be chargeable by reason only of any payment made by any other of them.

893.49 History History: 1979 c. 323; 2001 a. 102.

893.49 Note Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: This section is previous s. 893.47 renumbered for more logical placement in restructured ch. 893. [Bill 326-A]

893.50 893.50 Other actions. All personal actions on any contract not limited by this chapter or any other law of this state shall be brought within 10 years after the accruing of the cause of action.

893.50 History History: 1979 c. 323.

893.50 Note Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: This section is previous s. 893.26 renumbered for more logical placement in restructured ch. 893. [Bill 326-A]

subch. V of ch. 893 SUBCHAPTER V

TORT ACTIONS

893.51 893.51 Action for wrongful taking of personal property.