WI · Construction payment counsel
Wisconsin Mechanics Lien Attorney
Fred Shestopal and the My Lien Lawyer team prepare, serve, and enforce Wisconsin mechanics liens, preliminary notices, and public-project bond claims for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers — directly or with vetted Wisconsin local counsel where the state requires it.
What we handle on Wisconsin projects
Wisconsin recommends, but does not require, a pre-lien notice within 60 days of first furnishing as a best practice. That is separate from the mandatory 30-day Notice of Intent to Lien that must precede the actual lien filing, so claimants should not confuse the two.
Wisconsin requires a two-step process: a Notice of Intent to Lien must be served on the owner at least 30 days before filing, and the lien claim itself must then be recorded within 6 months of last furnishing labor or materials, under Wis. Stat. § 779.06. Skipping the mandatory NOI step invalidates the lien that follows it. We verify lien rights under Wis. Stat. § 779.06 before anything is recorded.
An action to enforce a Wisconsin construction lien must be commenced within 2 years of the date the lien claim was filed. If payment still does not arrive, we take the claim into court rather than handing you a file.
A Wisconsin claimant without privity with the prime contractor must serve written bond claim notice within 90 days of last furnishing labor or materials. Claimants in direct privity may instead, or additionally, pursue a Lien on Public Funds under § 779.15 by filing notice with the public body before final payment reaches the prime contractor.
Know your Wisconsin deadlines first
This overview explains Wisconsin mechanics lien and public bond claim deadlines under Wis. Stat. § 779.06 and Wis. Stat. §§ 779.14(2) & 779.15. The mandatory 30-day Notice of Intent and 6-month recording deadline make careful sequencing essential to preserving lien rights.
A law firm, not a notice service
Filing bureaus and online lien tools mail documents on request. They cannot give you a legal opinion on whether you hold Wisconsin lien rights, cure a defective claim, respond when an owner demands suit, or appear in court. Every Wisconsin matter here is handled under an attorney-client relationship.
- Written analysis of your Wisconsin lien and bond rights before filing
- Certified mailing with proof of service retained in your file
- Deadline calendaring with reminders ahead of every statutory cutoff
- Foreclosure suit and collections handled by the same firm
See why a law firm matters, side by side with a filing service.
Wisconsin mechanics lien questions
Do I need a Wisconsin attorney to file a mechanics lien?
A filing service can mail documents, but it cannot tell you whether you actually hold lien rights in Wisconsin, fix a defective claim, or foreclose the lien if the money still does not come. My Lien Lawyer handles the analysis, the filing, and the enforcement as one engagement.
What are the key Wisconsin mechanics lien deadlines?
Wisconsin requires a two-step process: a Notice of Intent to Lien must be served on the owner at least 30 days before filing, and the lien claim itself must then be recorded within 6 months of last furnishing labor or materials, under Wis. Stat. § 779.06. Skipping the mandatory NOI step invalidates the lien that follows it. Wisconsin recommends, but does not require, a pre-lien notice within 60 days of first furnishing as a best practice. That is separate from the mandatory 30-day Notice of Intent to Lien that must precede the actual lien filing, so claimants should not confuse the two. Full detail, with statute citations, is on our Wisconsin mechanics lien law page.
Can you help on a Wisconsin public project?
Yes. A Wisconsin claimant without privity with the prime contractor must serve written bond claim notice within 90 days of last furnishing labor or materials. Claimants in direct privity may instead, or additionally, pursue a Lien on Public Funds under § 779.15 by filing notice with the public body before final payment reaches the prime contractor. The controlling statute is Wis. Stat. §§ 779.14(2) & 779.15.
When must a mechanics lien be recorded in Wisconsin?
A Notice of Intent to Lien must be served at least 30 days before filing, and the lien claim itself must be recorded within 6 months of last furnishing.
Is preliminary notice required in Wisconsin?
A pre-lien notice within 60 days of first furnishing is recommended best practice, separate from the mandatory 30-day Notice of Intent to Lien.
Unpaid on a Wisconsin project?
Send us the contract, the last invoice, and your furnishing dates. We will tell you what Wisconsin deadlines are still open and what it takes to protect the money. The first call is free.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Fred Shestopal is licensed in Illinois (with nationwide network of licensed local counsel).