There are 3 kinds of executions: one against the property of the judgment debtor, another against the judgment debtor’s person, and the 3rd for the delivery of property, or such delivery with damages for withholding the same. They are the process of the court, and shall be as prescribed by s. 815.05.
815.03.Executions, kinds.
Ch. 815: Executions · Last amended 1993 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 815.03 identifies the three kinds of execution Wisconsin courts issue — against a debtor’s property, against a debtor’s person, and for the delivery of property or damages for withholding it — and ties their required form to section 815.05.
Full Text of Section 815.03
Plain-English Summary
There are three kinds of executions under Wisconsin law: one against the property of the judgment debtor, another against the judgment debtor’s person, and a third for the delivery of property, or for that delivery with damages if the property is withheld.
Section 815.03 describes all three as the process of the court, and it doesn’t leave their form up to guesswork — each is required to be as prescribed by s. 815.05, which spells out exactly what each type of execution must direct the serving officer to do, from satisfying a judgment out of personal or real property to arresting and jailing a debtor to delivering specific goods.
This three-way division explains why s. 815.05 reads as a checklist of different scenarios rather than a single generic form: property, person, and delivery each demand a different set of instructions to the officer carrying out the writ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three kinds of execution in Wisconsin?
Execution against the judgment debtor’s property, execution against the judgment debtor’s person, and execution for the delivery of property, or such delivery with damages for withholding it.
What does execution against the person mean?
It’s one of the three kinds identified in section 815.03; section 815.05 (5) explains it requires the officer to arrest and jail the debtor until they pay the judgment or are lawfully discharged.
Where is the required form of a Wisconsin execution spelled out?
Section 815.05.
Can I get damages if someone won’t hand over property a judgment awarded me?
Yes, the third kind of execution covers delivery of property, or such delivery with damages for withholding it.
Are executions considered court orders in Wisconsin?
Section 815.03 describes all three kinds of execution as the process of the court.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761, 781 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 815.03; 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 kinds of execution815.03 wisconsin statuteexecution against the person wisconsinexecution for delivery of property wisconsin