In actions in which the cause of action shall, by assignment, after the commencement of the action or in any other manner become the property of a person not a party to the action the person shall be liable for the costs in the same manner as if the person were a party; and payment thereof may be enforced by attachment.
814.15.Assignee’s liability for costs.
Ch. 814: Court Costs, Fees, and Surcharges · Last amended 1993 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 814.15 makes a nonparty who becomes the owner of a claim by assignment during or after a lawsuit liable for costs the same as if they were a party, and allows that liability to be enforced by attachment.
Full Text of Section 814.15
Plain-English Summary
Section 814.15 closes a gap that could otherwise let someone dodge cost liability by acquiring a claim without formally joining the case. If the cause of action becomes the property of a person who is not a party to the action — whether through an assignment after the action commenced or by any other manner — that person is liable for the costs in the same way as if they had been a party all along.
The section also gives that liability teeth: payment of the costs may be enforced by attachment. The nonparty who now owns the claim cannot stand outside the litigation and avoid the cost consequences that come with pursuing or benefiting from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
If someone acquires a lawsuit’s claim by assignment after it was filed, are they on the hook for costs?
Yes. Section 814.15 makes a person who becomes the owner of the cause of action by assignment after the action commenced liable for costs the same as if they were a party.
Does this rule only apply to formal assignments made during the lawsuit?
No. Section 814.15 covers a claim that becomes the nonparty’s property by assignment after the action commenced or in any other manner, so it is not limited to one specific method of transfer.
How can costs be collected from someone who is not formally a party to the case?
Section 814.15 allows payment of those costs to be enforced by attachment against the nonparty who now holds the claim.
Does the nonparty need to formally join the case before being liable for costs under this section?
No. Section 814.15 imposes the liability by virtue of owning the claim, treating that person as liable for costs in the same manner as if they were a party, without requiring formal joinder first.
Why does Wisconsin law hold an assignee liable for costs in someone else’s lawsuit?
The section does not state a reason, but treating the assignee as liable in the same manner as a party keeps a change in ownership of the claim from being used to escape the cost consequences of pursuing it.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 814.15; 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 assignee liable for costswho pays costs after assignment of claim814.15 nonparty cost liabilityattachment to collect costs wisconsin