If it shall appear upon or pending any such examination that there is danger of the debtor leaving the state and that the debtor has property which the debtor has unjustly refused to apply to such judgment, the judgment debtor may be ordered to give a bond with one or more sureties, that the judgment debtor will from time to time attend before the court or judge, as the court or judge shall direct, and that the judgment debtor will not, during the pendency of the proceedings, dispose of any property not exempt from execution. In default of such bond the judgment debtor may be committed to prison as for a contempt.
816.07.Bond; commitment.
Ch. 816: Remedies Supplementary to Execution · Last amended 1993 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 816.07 lets a court order a judgment debtor who might flee and is unjustly withholding property to post a bond promising to keep attending and not dispose of nonexempt property, and lets the debtor be committed to prison for contempt if the bond is not given.
Full Text of Section 816.07
Plain-English Summary
The debtor examination under section 816.06 can reveal a real risk that the debtor will run. Section 816.07 gives the court a tool for that risk. If it appears during or after the examination that the debtor may leave the state and has property being unjustly withheld from the judgment, the court may order the debtor to post a bond with one or more sureties. The bond promises two things: that the debtor will keep appearing before the court or judge as directed, and that the debtor will not dispose of any nonexempt property while the proceedings are pending.
If the debtor fails to post that bond, the consequence is serious. Section 816.07 allows the debtor to be committed to prison, treated the same as a contempt of court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can a Wisconsin court do if a judgment debtor seems likely to flee during supplementary proceedings?
Section 816.07 lets the court order the debtor to post a bond promising continued attendance and a promise not to dispose of nonexempt property, if it appears the debtor may leave the state and has property unjustly withheld from the judgment.
What does the bond require the debtor to promise?
Under section 816.07, the debtor promises to attend before the court or judge as directed, and not to dispose of any property not exempt from execution during the proceedings.
What happens if the debtor refuses or fails to post the bond?
Section 816.07 allows the debtor to be committed to prison as for a contempt.
Does this bond requirement apply automatically in every supplementary proceeding?
No. Section 816.07 applies only if it appears during or pending the examination that there is danger the debtor will leave the state and that the debtor has property unjustly withheld from the judgment.
Is exempt property covered by the bond’s promise not to dispose of property?
No. Section 816.07 limits the promise to property not exempt from execution.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 816.07; 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 debtor bond supplementary proceedingscommitment for contempt judgment debtor wisconsindebtor flight risk bond wisconsin statutedisposing of property during examination wisconsin