Costs may be allowed on a motion, in the discretion of the court or judge, not exceeding $300, and may be absolute or directed to abide the event of the action.
814.07.Costs on motion.
Ch. 814: Court Costs, Fees, and Surcharges · Last amended 2003 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 814.07 lets a court or judge award costs on a motion, up to $300, in its discretion, either as a final award or contingent on how the underlying action ultimately turns out.
Full Text of Section 814.07
Plain-English Summary
Section 814.07 gives courts a separate, discretionary source of costs tied to individual motions rather than the outcome of the whole action. Costs may be allowed on a motion, in the discretion of the court or judge, up to $300.
The section also gives the court a choice in how to structure that award: it may be made absolute, meaning payable regardless of how the case ends, or it may be directed to abide the event of the action, meaning the obligation to pay depends on which side ultimately prevails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Wisconsin court award costs just for winning a motion, separate from the whole case?
Yes. Section 814.07 allows costs on a motion, in the court’s or judge’s discretion, apart from the costs of the underlying action.
Is there a cap on costs awarded for a motion?
Yes, up to $300.
Does the court have to award costs on a motion?
No. Section 814.07 leaves the allowance of motion costs to the discretion of the court or judge.
What does it mean for motion costs to abide the event of the action?
It means the award is not payable immediately but depends on the ultimate outcome of the underlying action, rather than being an absolute award payable right away.
Who decides whether motion costs are awarded outright or made contingent?
The court or judge, which section 814.07 lets choose between an absolute award and one that abides the event of the action.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 814.07; 2003 a. 138.
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 costs on a motionmotion costs cap wisconsindiscretionary motion costs wisconsinabide the event costs wisconsin