Stipulation (Agreement)

The information contained on this web page is provided as a courtesy to members of the public, and shall not be construed as legal advice. If you have questions, contact the Wisconsin Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service at (800) 362-9082 for additional assistance.

A stipulation is a formal written agreement that allows the parties to change a court order/judgment concerning legal custody, physical placement, child support, maintenance, or any other aspect of a court order/judgment without scheduling a court hearing.

• Both parties must agree to the changes being made to the court order and sign the stipulation.
  • If parties are changing the order for child support and/or health insurance, the Oconto County Child Support Agency must also review and sign the stipulation.
  • If there is an active appointment of a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) assigned to the case, the GAL must also review and sign the stipulation.
• Changes cannot be made to the stipulation once a party has signed it. If a change must be made after one or both parties have signed it, the changes must be initialed and dated by both parties.
• An Order on Stipulation to Change must accompany the stipulation.
• The Family Court Commissioner will review the stipulation. If approved, an Order on Stipulation to Change will be entered and the provision(s) of the stipulation become a court order without having a court hearing.

Do not use the Stipulation to Change and Order on Stipulation to Change if:

• Parties do not have an agreement to change the court order or judgment and/or both parties have not signed the Stipulation to Change;
  • View more information on scheduling a court hearing to change order. 
• A divorce, legal separation, or paternity judgment or establishment orders have not yet been granted; or
• A party is requesting enforcement of a court order or judgment.
  • View more information regarding contempt and/or enforcement of physical placement order.  

Fees

There is no cost to file a Stipulation to Change and Order on Stipulation to Change.

Forms and Instructions

Pro se family forms and instructions are available at the Wisconsin Court Systems Website.

Form FA-604A (PDF) Stipulation to Change: Custody/Placement/Support/Maintenance/Arrears

• The caption (top section of page 1 with parties’ names, addresses, case number, and check appropriate box(ex) as to the orders being changed) shall remain the same as the original case filing documents (i.e. summons, joint petition)
• Both parties must date and sign the stipulation along with the Oconto County Child Support Agency and/or GAL, if necessary

Form FA-604B (PDF) Order on Stipulation to Change: Custody/Placement/Support/Maintenance/Arrears

• Parties to complete the caption (top section of page 1 with parties’ names, addresses, case number, and check appropriate box(es) as to the orders being changed).

Filing Instructions

Return the completed and signed Stipulation to Change with the Order on Stipulation to Change to the Family Court Commissioner’s Office, Oconto County Courthouse, 301 Washington St., Building C-Rm 1174, Oconto, WI for a court official to review.

• If the stipulation is modifying child support and/or health insurance, the Oconto County Child Support Agency must review and sign the documents before they are given to the court official for review.

If the court official approves the Stipulation to Change and signs the Order on Stipulation to Change, the provision(s) in the stipulation becomes a court order.

If the Stipulation to Change is not approved, the parties will need to submit another stipulation correcting any deficiencies and resubmit it to the court with another accompanying order.

The original documents are filed with the Oconto County Clerk of Courts.

Parties are mailed an authenticated copy of the documents after the court official has reviewed and approved/declined them.

Service Instructions

There are no service requirements when filing a Stipulation to Change and Order on Stipulation to Change.