If any party or the party’s legal representative withholds possession of land from the party adjudged to be entitled thereto or his or her legal representatives, the party withholding possession may be punished as for a contempt.
843.15.Possession under judgment; contempt.
Ch. 843: Actions for Possession of Real Property; Damages for Withholding · Last amended 1993 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 843.15 makes withholding possession of land from the party a judgment declared entitled to it punishable as contempt.
Full Text of Section 843.15
Plain-English Summary
Section 843.15 gives a possession judgment teeth. If a party, or that party’s legal representative, withholds possession of the land from the party the judgment adjudged entitled to it, the party withholding possession may be punished as for a contempt. The section applies whether the withholding party is a defendant refusing to leave or someone else whose obligation runs through a legal representative.
This backs the judgment with the court’s contempt power rather than leaving the winning party to pursue possession through separate collection proceedings alone. A defendant, or the defendant’s representative, who disregards an adverse possession judgment faces the same consequences as anyone who defies another court order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the losing party in a possession lawsuit just refuses to leave?
Section 843.15 allows that party, or their legal representative, to be punished as for a contempt for withholding possession from the party the judgment adjudged entitled to it.
Does this apply to a legal representative acting on the losing party’s behalf, not just the party personally?
Yes. Section 843.15 covers withholding possession by the party or by the party’s legal representative.
Is contempt the only remedy for a party who ignores a possession judgment?
Section 843.15 states that the withholding party may be punished as for a contempt; it does not say this is the exclusive remedy available to enforce the judgment.
Does the judgment need to specifically say who is entitled to possession for this section to apply?
Section 843.15 refers to the party adjudged to be entitled to possession, which presumes the judgment has already resolved that question before the contempt remedy comes into play.
Can a court hold someone in contempt for withholding possession from a deceased party’s representative?
Yes. Section 843.15 protects the party adjudged entitled to possession or that party’s legal representatives, extending the remedy beyond the named party alone.
Amendment History
History: 1973 c. 189; Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 767 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 843.15; 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 contempt for withholding possessionenforcing a possession judgment wisconsindefendant refuses to leave after judgment wisconsin843.15 contempt