The court or a judge may grant the writ of ne exeat to prevent any defendant from going out of the state until the defendant shall give security. It may be granted at any time before judgment.
813.13.Writ of ne exeat.
Ch. 813: Injunctions, Ne Exeat and Receivers · Last amended 1993 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 813.13 lets a court or judge grant a writ of ne exeat at any time before judgment, ordering a defendant not to leave Wisconsin until the defendant posts security.
Full Text of Section 813.13
Plain-English Summary
A writ of ne exeat is an order restraining a defendant from leaving the state while a case is pending, used to keep the defendant within reach of the court until a judgment can be satisfied. Section 813.13 gives a court or judge the power to grant that writ, preventing the defendant from going out of Wisconsin until the defendant gives security.
The section limits itself to timing: the writ may be granted at any point before judgment is entered. It does not itself set the grounds for granting the writ or the amount of security required — those questions are addressed in the sections immediately following, which govern when the writ may issue and how a defendant can have it discharged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a writ of ne exeat under Wisconsin law?
It is an order a court or judge may grant preventing a defendant from leaving Wisconsin until the defendant gives security, meant to keep the defendant available to answer a judgment in the pending action.
Can a lawsuit against me stop me from leaving the state?
Only if a court or judge grants a writ of ne exeat under section 813.13, and only until the defendant posts the required security.
What does a defendant have to do to be released from the restraint?
Section 813.13 does not itself say; it establishes that the writ restrains the defendant until security is given, while the discharge process is addressed in section 813.15.
How late in a case can a court issue a writ of ne exeat?
Section 813.13 allows the writ to be granted at any time before judgment.
Does section 813.13 explain what grounds are needed for the writ?
No. It authorizes the writ and sets its timing; the grounds required before a court may grant it are set out separately in section 813.14.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 760 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 813.13; 1993 a. 486.
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: wisconsin writ of ne exeatprevent defendant from leaving state lawsuit wisconsinne exeat bond wisconsinrestrain defendant from leaving wisconsin