A child custody determination made by a court of this state that had jurisdiction under this chapter binds all persons who have been served in accordance with the laws of this state or notified in accordance with s. 822.08 or who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court, and who have been given an opportunity to be heard. As to those persons, the determination is conclusive as to all decided is- sues of law and fact except to the extent that the determination is modified.
822.06.Effect of child custody determination.
Ch. 822: Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act · Last amended 2005 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 822.06 makes a Wisconsin custody determination binding and conclusive on everyone who was properly served, notified under section 822.08, or who submitted to the court’s jurisdiction and had a chance to be heard, unless and until the determination is later modified.
Full Text of Section 822.06
Plain-English Summary
Section 822.06 fixes who is bound by a Wisconsin custody determination made under a court’s chapter 822 jurisdiction. Three routes lead to being bound: service in accordance with Wisconsin law, notice given in accordance with section 822.08, or voluntarily submitting to the court’s jurisdiction. Whichever route applies, the person must also have had an opportunity to be heard before the determination binds them.
For those persons, the determination is conclusive as to every issue of law and fact the court decided, except to the extent it is later modified. That conclusiveness connects the determination to sections 822.22 and 822.23, which govern when and where a later modification can happen; until that modification occurs through the proper channel, the original determination stands.
This finality serves the purposes section 822.01 sets out, particularly avoiding relitigation of settled custody issues. A person who was served, notified, or who submitted to the court’s authority, and who had a chance to be heard, cannot reopen decided issues by bringing them up again in a new proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is bound by a Wisconsin child custody determination?
Section 822.06 binds anyone served in accordance with Wisconsin law, anyone notified under section 822.08, or anyone who submitted to the court’s jurisdiction, provided that person was also given an opportunity to be heard.
What does ‘conclusive’ mean for a custody determination under this section?
It means the determination settles every decided issue of law and fact for the bound persons, and that settlement holds except to the extent the determination is later modified.
Can a bound custody determination ever change?
Yes, through modification. Section 822.06 itself makes the determination conclusive only until it is modified; sections 822.22 and 822.23 set out when and where a modification can occur.
Does someone who was never served or notified get bound by a Wisconsin custody determination?
No. Section 822.06 limits the binding, conclusive effect to persons served in accordance with Wisconsin law, notified under section 822.08, or who submitted to the court’s jurisdiction, and who had an opportunity to be heard.
Can a person become bound without ever being formally served or notified?
Yes, if that person submitted to the jurisdiction of the court and was given an opportunity to be heard, section 822.06 treats that as sufficient to bind them just as service or notice would.
Amendment History
History: 2005 a. 130.
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
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