Questions? Ask a Librarian
Finding Forms
Generally, there are two kinds of forms:
- Pleading & practice
- Filed in court proceedings
- Transactional forms
- Includes contracts, business, real estate, estate planning, etc
Every legal situation varies, so an attorney’s expertise is often necessary to tailor a form to a specific legal situation or to rules of a specific court.
Sources for Forms
- Internet
- Books & Other Specialty Materials
- Court Records
Finding Forms Online
- Wisconsin Court Forms include mandatory standardized court forms
- County courts and agencies may have their own forms
- Many Wisconsin agency forms are online, as are Federal agency forms
- Our legal topic pages often include links to forms
- The Wisconsin State Law Library also offers forms for sale
- Legal Advice vs. Legal Aid (National Center for State Courts)
Finding Forms in Books & Other Materials
- Form books may include sample forms, drafting guides, checklists, clauses, and more.
- Specialty forms may be found in the library
- To find books at the State Law Library, start by performing a catalog search
- Do a keyword search using the word "forms" and any relevant keywords
- Example: forms wisconsin
- Search for books on specific topics. Not all books with forms may be found by searching for the "forms" keyword
- Find a book you want? Contact us for more information or order a document.
General Form Books
- Civil Litigation Forms Manual
- WI Pleading and Practice
- West's Legal Forms
- Remember: Search the catalog or ask a librarian when researching a specific topic!
Finding Forms in Court Records
- Court records can include forms filed
- Sometimes Appellate and Supreme Court briefs include circuit court filings