If there is any reasonable doubt as to the ownership of the property or as to its liability to be taken on the execution the officer may require sufficient security to indemnify the officer for levying upon such property.
815.24.Indemnity may be required.
Ch. 815: Executions · Last amended 1993 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 815.24 lets an officer conducting a levy require security to indemnify the officer whenever there is reasonable doubt about who owns the property or whether it can be taken on the execution.
Full Text of Section 815.24
Plain-English Summary
Section 815.24 gives an officer a way to protect against liability when a levy is not clear-cut. If there is any reasonable doubt as to the ownership of the property, or as to its liability to be taken on the execution, the officer may require sufficient security to indemnify the officer for levying on that property.
The requirement is discretionary, tied directly to the existence of that doubt — the officer “may” require security, not must, and only when a genuine question exists about ownership or about whether the property is properly reachable under the execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can an officer require indemnity before levying on property?
When there is reasonable doubt about who owns the property, or about whether it can be taken on the execution.
Who typically provides this security to the officer?
Section 815.24 does not name who supplies it, only that the officer may require sufficient security to indemnify the officer for levying on the property.
Is the officer required to demand indemnity in every levy?
No. The section makes it discretionary, tied to the presence of reasonable doubt about ownership or liability to execution.
What does the indemnity protect the officer against?
Liability for levying on the property.
What counts as “reasonable doubt” under this section?
Doubt as to the ownership of the property, or as to its liability to be taken on the execution.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 815.24; 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 officer indemnity levy executionsheriff security bond levy wisconsinwis stat 815.24doubt over property ownership execution wisconsinindemnifying officer for wrongful levy wisconsin