Wisconsin
Lien Waiver Forms
Wisconsin Lien Waivers: No Statutory Form, but Waivers Are Construed Broadly Against the Signer
State Rules
How Wisconsin treats lien waivers
Wisconsin prescribes no lien waiver form and requires no notarization, so our general-purpose conditional and unconditional waivers for progress and final payments apply, but Wisconsin heavily regulates waiver effect. Wis. Stat. § 779.05(1) makes a signed waiver valid even without consideration, deems it to waive all lien rights for the improvement unless it specifically and expressly limits itself to a particular portion, and construes any ambiguity against the signer, so the express limitation language in a progress waiver is critical. Wis. Stat. § 779.135(1) voids contract clauses requiring a waiver before payment, and a claimant may refuse to furnish a waiver until paid in full for the work it covers.
Wisconsin lien waiver forms we generate
Four house forms cover every payment on a Wisconsin project: conditional or unconditional, progress or final.
Conditional Waiver and Release of Lien: Progress Payment
Signed when a progress payment is promised: the waiver only takes effect once that payment actually arrives.
Unconditional Waiver and Release of Lien: Progress Payment
Signed after a progress payment has been received: immediately waives lien rights for work through the covered date.
Conditional Waiver and Release of Lien: Final Payment
Signed when the final payment is promised: waives all remaining lien rights, but only once the payment clears.
Unconditional Waiver and Release of Lien: Final Payment
Signed after the final payment is in hand: a complete, immediate waiver of lien rights on the project.
Signing a lien waiver in Wisconsin
Execution rules (the form's wording, notarization, witnesses, and whether an electronic signature works) are set by state law. Here's what applies in Wisconsin, built into every waiver we generate.
Advance waivers
Wis. Stat. § 779.135(1) voids construction contract provisions requiring a person entitled to a construction lien to waive lien rights or payment-bond claims before being paid for the labor, services, materials, plans, or specifications furnished, and under Wis. Stat. § 779.05(1) a claimant is entitled to refuse to furnish a waiver unless paid in full for the work the waiver relates to. A signed standalone waiver document, however, is valid and binding whether or not consideration was paid and whether signed before or after the work is furnished.
Wisconsin execution rules
- ⚖ No prescribed statutory form: our attorney-reviewed house forms apply.
- ✓ Notarization: not required in Wisconsin.
- ✓ Witness: not required in Wisconsin.
- ✓ E-signature: available. Send Wisconsin waivers for electronic signature and get the signed copy stored with a tamper-evident audit certificate.
Create a free Wisconsin lien waiver
The correct Wisconsin form, filled in and ready to download in about two minutes. Free to generate and download. Upgrade only when you want e-signature and automatic reminders.
Working in another state?
Every state's waiver rules are different. Check before you sign.