Forms are available at both the federal and state court levels, including Wisconsin. Model federal forms relate the federal court rules to the required forms. The forms provide the necessary language for court filings and help the practitioner in complying with the rules. It is imperative that both the forms and the court rules consulted are current.
Multivolume sets of treatises on federal practice, such as Moore's Federal Practice, include forms. Sets of form books such as AmJur Legal Forms may also prove helpful.
Documents filed in actual court cases provide examples for drafting pleadings. Such court documents filed in federal court may be available on PACER (registration is required) and commercial subscription databases such as Bloomberg Law, Lexis or Westlaw. Access to these databases through this library is restricted to members of the Marquette University Law School community.
Similarly, many state-specific form books are available. The forms relate to the local practice and procedure rules and may be published by state bar associations and/or commercial publishers. Some state codes/statutes also include forms along with the court rules. Be sure to search Marqcat for form books.
Many federal forms are available both online and in print. Model federal forms relate the federal court rules to the required forms. The forms provide the necessary language for court filings and help the practitioner in complying with the rules. It is imperative that both the forms and the court rules consulted are current.
Multivolume sets of treatises on federal practice, such as Moore's Federal Practice, include forms. Sets of form books such as AmJur Legal Forms may also prove helpful.
Documents filed in actual court cases provide examples for drafting pleadings. Such court documents filed in federal court may be available on PACER (registration is required) and commercial subscription databases such as Bloomberg Law, Lexis or Westlaw. Access to these databases through this library is restricted to members of the Marquette University Law School community.
Most states have forms specific to practice in the state courts. State statutes/codes and the state court rules may specify what must be included in pleadings filed in court. Forms are often included in the rules volumes. Many states provide forms on local or state court websites. In most instances, state court forms are not as numerous as federal forms. Therefore, it may be necessary to combine portions of a state form with a federal or general form for a specific issue. However, the form must comply with the court rules for the specific state (jurisdiction).
Suggestions for finding forms for state courts:
As for most states, many forms specific to practicing in Wisconsin courts are available. Wisconsin statutes and the state court rules may specify what must be included in pleadings filed in court. Forms are often included in the rules volumes and are usually available on local or state court websites. The Wisconsin State Law Library also has a comprehensive list of Wisconsin-specific forms. Because state court forms are usually not as numerous or varied as federal or general forms, it may be necessary to combine portions of multiple forms for a specific issue. The form must comply with the court rules for the specific jurisdiction, however.
Commercial subscription databases such as Bloomberg Law, Lexis and Westlaw also contain court rules and can be checked for available forms. Access to these databases through this library is restricted to members of the Marquette University Law School community.
Additionally, the Milwaukee Justice Center also includes some free information about how to complete selected Wisconsin forms.
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