Wisconsin Laws

Are Autopsy Reports Public in Wisconsin? (2026)

In Wisconsin the manner of death is public, but the full autopsy report goes only to next of kin and those with a direct interest. Here is how to request one.

Common Law Marriage in Wisconsin: Is It Recognized? (2026)

Wisconsin abolished common law marriage in 1917. Wis. Stat. section 765.01 requires a license and solemnization; no new common law marriage can be formed in Wisconsin. Wisconsin does recognize valid common law marriages formed in other states.

How Long Is a Life Sentence in Wisconsin? (2026 Guide)

Complete guide to life sentences in Wisconsin: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.

How to Find a Cause of Death in Wisconsin (2026)

Find a cause of death in Wisconsin through the death certificate, an autopsy report, or an obituary. The cause is restricted to family for 50 years.

How to Get a Wisconsin Death Certificate (2026)

Get a Wisconsin death certificate from the state Vital Records Office or a county register of deeds. A certified copy costs $20, plus $3 for each extra copy.

Wisconsin AI Laws and Regulation (2026)

Guide to Wisconsin AI laws, regulation, and legislation covering deepfakes, employment AI, healthcare AI, and more.

Wisconsin AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)

Learn how Wisconsin consent laws apply to AI meeting recorders. One-party consent rules, penalties, and compliance.

Wisconsin At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights

Wisconsin is an at-will employment state. Learn which exceptions apply, right-to-work status under Wis. Stat. § 111.04(3), and your legal rights if fired.

Wisconsin Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026)

Learn Wisconsin audio recording laws under Wis. Stat. 968.31. One-party consent allows recording your own calls and conversations. Class H felony penalties for violations.

Wisconsin Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)

Complete guide to Wisconsin background check laws covering employer screening, the substantial relationship test, FCRA rules, expungement under 973.015, housing checks, and caregiver screening.

Wisconsin Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)

Wisconsin's breach notification law covers biometric data and DNA profiles with a 45-day notice rule. Learn about protections and proposed legislation.

Wisconsin Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim

Wisconsin is an at-fault state with a 51% comparative-negligence bar. Learn the minimum insurance requirements, statute of limitations, and how fault affects your claim.

Wisconsin Car Seat Laws: Requirements and Guidelines

Wisconsin car seat laws require rear-facing seats under age 1, forward-facing seats to age 4, and boosters to age 8. Learn all requirements, fines, and rules.

Wisconsin Child Custody Laws (2026): Legal Custody, Physical Placement, and Your Rights

Wisconsin presumes joint legal custody but not equal placement time. Learn how courts apply 16 best-interests factors, the relocation rule, and modification standards.

Wisconsin Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator

Wisconsin uses the Percentage of Income Standard: 17%-34% of gross income by number of children under DCF 150. Learn guidelines, modification, and enforcement rules.

Wisconsin Dashcam Laws: Mounting Rules, Audio Recording, and Evidence (2026)

Wisconsin Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)

Wisconsin requires data breach notification within 45 days. Learn its PI definition covering biometric data and DNA, no AG reporting requirement, and $10,000 per violation penalty.

Wisconsin Data Privacy Laws: Breach Notification & Consumer Rights (2026)

Wisconsin requires 45-day breach notification under Wis. Stat. 134.98, protects student records through Wis. Stat. 118.125, and has pending comprehensive privacy legislation.

Wisconsin Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One

Wisconsin is a closed-record state for death certificates. Only family or those with a direct and tangible interest can get a certified copy until 50 years pass. Fee is $20.

Wisconsin Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)

Wisconsin outlaws sexual deepfakes under s. 942.09 (2025 Act 34) and requires AI disclosure in campaign ads under s. 11.1303(2m). Learn penalties and what victims can do.

Wisconsin Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)

Wisconsin defamation laws: the three-year statute of limitations (Wis. Stat. 893.57), per se categories, the 895.05 correction rule, and no anti-SLAPP.

Wisconsin Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process

Wisconsin divorce laws explained: no-fault only, 6-month residency, 120-day waiting period, community property rules, and how to file in Circuit Court.

Wisconsin Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights

Learn Wisconsin dog bite laws under Wis. Stat. 174.02: strict liability, double damages for repeat bites, defenses, penalties, and filing deadlines.

Wisconsin Emancipation Laws: How Minors Become Emancipated in Wisconsin (2026)

Wisconsin has no emancipation petition statute. Learn how Wisconsin minors can become emancipated through marriage, military service, or common law, and what rights that status grants.

Wisconsin Expungement Laws: Wis. Stat. § 973.015 Explained

Wisconsin expungement under Wis. Stat. § 973.015 requires the court to order relief at sentencing for offenses committed before age 25 with a maximum sentence of 6 years or less. Learn eligibility, exclusions, and how failed reform efforts have repeatedly stalled.

Wisconsin GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)

Wisconsin makes it a crime to place a GPS tracker on someone else's car and to read the data. Wis. Stat. 940.315 penalties, exceptions, and AirTag rules.

Wisconsin Hit And Run Laws Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

Understand Wisconsin Hit And Run Laws's hit and run laws: legal obligations after an accident, penalties for leaving the scene, and steps to protect your rights.

Wisconsin Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

Understand Wisconsin's hit and run laws: legal obligations after an accident, penalties for leaving the scene, and steps to protect your rights.

Wisconsin Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026): Deposits, Notice, and Tenant Rights

Wisconsin has no deposit cap, a 21-day return deadline, and requires 12 hours notice to enter. Learn tenant rights, late fees, and habitability rules.

Wisconsin Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Cameras, Surveillance, and Privacy (2026)

Learn Wisconsin landlord-tenant recording laws. Tenant recording rights, landlord surveillance limits, security camera rules, and privacy protections under state law.

Wisconsin Laws on Recording in Public: Filming, Photography, and Privacy (2026)

Learn Wisconsin laws on recording in public. The First Amendment protects filming in public spaces. Understand limits on photography, open meetings recording, and protest filming.

Wisconsin Laws on Recording Police: Your Rights and Limitations (2026)

Learn your rights to record police in Wisconsin. The First Amendment protects filming officers in public. Understand limitations, body camera laws, and what to do if stopped.

Wisconsin Lemon Law (2026): How to Qualify & Get a Refund

Wisconsin's lemon law (Wis. Stat. § 218.0171) triggers after 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service. Consumers choose a replacement or full refund. Learn your rights.

Wisconsin Maintenance (Alimony) Laws: How It Works (2026)

Wisconsin maintenance (alimony) is governed by Wis. Stat. 767.56. No formula exists. Courts weigh 10 factors and aim for both support and fairness. Learn how courts decide, how long it lasts, and when it ends.

Wisconsin Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights, HIPAA, and Consent (2026)

Learn Wisconsin medical recording laws. Patients can record doctor visits under one-party consent (§ 968.31). Covers HIPAA, telehealth, mental health, and evidence use.

Wisconsin Medical Records Retention Laws (2026 Guide)

Wisconsin medical records retention laws: how long hospitals and doctors keep your records, HIPAA rules, and patient rights.

Wisconsin Phone Call Recording Laws: Consent Rules for All Call Types (2026)

Learn Wisconsin phone call recording laws. One-party consent under Wis. Stat. 968.31 allows recording your own calls. Interstate rules, business recording, and VoIP explained.

Wisconsin Power of Attorney Laws: Durable, Medical, and Financial POA (2026)

Wisconsin financial POA is durable by default under Wis. Stat. ch. 244 (UPOAA). Execution requires principal signature and notarization. Health care POA is separate under ch. 155, requiring two witnesses.

Wisconsin Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules

Wisconsin is a one-party consent state under Wis. Stat. § 968.31. Recording without any party's consent is a Class H felony. Learn the rules, penalties, and exceptions.

Wisconsin Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Domestic Abuse Injunction

Learn how to get a domestic abuse injunction in Wisconsin: who qualifies, how long it lasts (up to 4 years), filing steps, firearm rules, and violation penalties.

Wisconsin Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026

Learn Wisconsin Ring doorbell laws including one-party consent rules, audio recording rights, video surveillance limits, and penalties under Wis. Stat. 968.31.

Wisconsin School Recording Laws: Student, Parent, and Teacher Rights (2026)

Wisconsin Security Camera Laws: Home, Business, and HOA Rules (2026)

Learn Wisconsin security camera laws for homes, businesses, and HOAs. Placement rules, audio recording restrictions, neighbor disputes, and privacy protections explained.

Wisconsin Self-Defense Laws: Castle Doctrine & Duty to Retreat (2026)

Wisconsin has a castle-doctrine presumption under Wis. Stat. 939.48(1m) for home, vehicle, and business, but no stand-your-ground law. In public, retreat ability is a jury factor. Learn the full Wisconsin self-defense rules.

Wisconsin Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties

Learn about Wisconsin sexting laws, child pornography penalties under Wis. Stat. 948.12, the solicitation exception for minors, and revenge porn charges in 2026.

Wisconsin Slip and Fall Laws: Proving Premises Liability

Wisconsin slip and fall law: modified 51% bar, 3-year SOL, 120-day government notice, open-and-obvious is comparative, ice/snow duty applies to private premises.

Wisconsin Smart Glasses Recording Laws

Wisconsin is a one-party consent state under Wis. Stat. § 968.31. Learn when you can legally record audio and video with smart glasses in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Squatters Rights and Adverse Possession Laws (2026)

Wisconsin adverse possession requires 20 years without a deed, 10 years with a recorded instrument, or 7 years with recorded title plus tax payments. Learn how Wisconsin property owners can remove squatters.

Wisconsin Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type

Wisconsin statute of limitations for personal injury, contracts, property damage, fraud, criminal charges, and more. Filing deadlines and statute references.

Wisconsin Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)

Wisconsin surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.

Wisconsin Video Recording Laws: Surveillance, Filming, and Privacy Rules (2026)

Learn Wisconsin video recording laws including surveillance cameras, filming in public, and privacy protections under Wis. Stat. 942.08 and 942.09.

Wisconsin Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Privacy Crimes and Penalties (2026)

Learn Wisconsin voyeurism and hidden camera laws under Wis. Stat. 942.08 and 942.09. Penalties range from misdemeanor to Class C felony for capturing intimate images.

Wisconsin Whistleblower Laws: Protections and How to Report

Learn about Wisconsin whistleblower laws, including the State Employee Whistleblower Law, Fair Employment Act protections, and key filing deadlines.

Wisconsin Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits

Wisconsin requires 50% VLT on front side windows (35% with medical exemption) and 35% on back and rear windows. Learn the rules, penalties, and how to comply.

Wisconsin Windshield Mounting Laws

Wisconsin windshield mounting laws for GPS, phone mounts, and dashcams. Covers Wis. Stat. 346.88, tinting rules, distracted driving laws, and penalties.

Wisconsin Workers' Compensation Laws: Benefits, Deadlines, and Your Rights

Wisconsin workers' comp: mandatory coverage rules, 66 2/3% wage replacement, 6-year filing deadline, free choice of doctor (plus a second choice), and the exclusive-remedy rule explained.

Wisconsin Workplace Recording Laws: Employee and Employer Rights (2026)

Learn Wisconsin workplace recording laws. Employees can record conversations under one-party consent. Employer surveillance rules, NLRA protections, and no-recording policies explained.