The court or the presiding judge thereof may, at any time vacate or modify the writ of attachment upon motion of the defendant for any sufficient cause. A motion to vacate or modify may be combined with a motion to increase the plaintiff’s security under s. 811.07.
811.18.Vacation or modification of writ.
Ch. 811: Attachment · Last amended 1977 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 811.18 lets the court or presiding judge vacate or modify a writ of attachment at any time on the defendant’s motion for sufficient cause, and allows that motion to be combined with a motion to increase the plaintiff’s security under section 811.07.
Full Text of Section 811.18
Plain-English Summary
A writ of attachment is not necessarily set in stone once issued. Section 811.18 gives the defendant a direct route to challenge it: the court, or the presiding judge, may vacate or modify the writ at any time, on the defendant’s motion, for any sufficient cause.
The section leaves sufficient cause open rather than listing specific grounds, giving the court flexibility to weigh whatever problem the defendant raises with the writ’s issuance or scope. It also links this remedy to another one in the chapter: a defendant does not have to choose between attacking the writ and pushing for a bigger bond. A motion to vacate or modify may be combined with a motion to increase the plaintiff’s security under section 811.07, letting the defendant raise both issues in a single proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a defendant get a writ of attachment thrown out after it has already been executed?
Yes. Section 811.18 lets the court or presiding judge vacate or modify the writ at any time on the defendant’s motion for sufficient cause.
Does the section define what counts as sufficient cause to vacate or modify?
No. It leaves that determination to the court based on the facts the defendant raises in the motion.
Can a defendant ask for a bigger security bond at the same time as challenging the writ?
Yes. Section 811.18 allows a motion to vacate or modify to be combined with a motion to increase the plaintiff’s security under section 811.07.
Who decides a motion to vacate or modify a writ of attachment?
The court, or the presiding judge of the court.
Is there a time limit on when the defendant can bring this motion?
No. The section allows the motion to vacate or modify the writ at any time.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 758 (1975), 778; Stats. 1975 s. 811.18; 1977 c. 412.
Source & verification. Section text and official notes are
reproduced verbatim from the Wisconsin Statutes, published by the
Wisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau). Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: vacating a writ of attachment wisconsinmodifying attachment writ wisconsinsection 811.18 wisconsinchallenging attachment writ sufficient cause