Common Uses of a Wisconsin Memorandum of Contract
1. Protecting the Buyer Without Exposing Deal Terms
This is the #1 reason people use it.
Records the buyer’s equitable interest
Keeps price, interest rate, default terms, and amortization private
Still gives full constructive notice under Wis. Stat. § 706.05 & § 706.08
Perfect for private seller-financed deals.

2. Seller Financing / Installment Sales
If you’re doing:
Land contract
Contract for deed
Seller carryback
Recording the memorandum:
Prevents the seller from reselling or mortgaging behind the buyer
Avoids clouding title with full contract terms

3. Asset Protection & Privacy
Good choice when:
Parties want to avoid broadcasting purchase price
Deal includes non-standard terms
Seller doesn’t want public scrutiny
Common with:
Family transactions
Estate planning transfers
Investor-to-investor deals

4. Recording-Speed or Simplicity Matters
Memorandums:
Are short
Rarely rejected by registers of deeds
Reduce recording errors (no missing pages, initials, riders)
Useful when:
County recording offices are picky
You’re closing remotely or fast

5. Avoiding Transfer Fee Confusion
In Wisconsin:
Recording a memorandum alone does not trigger a transfer fee
Fee is tied to the deed (when issued)
This avoids premature questions at recording.

6. Preserving Flexibility
If the contract might:
Be amended
Be assigned
Be refinanced later
A memorandum lets you:
Amend the private contract without re-recording sensitive terms
Record a simple Amended Memorandum if needed

How to Use This Form

Select your county from the list above
Download the county-specific form
Fill in the required information
Have the document notarized if required
Record with your county recorder's office

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Common Uses for Memorandum of Contract

Assign a seller's interest in a land contract to a new party
Formalize a residential purchase and sale agreement for recording
Clear title after a contract for deed has been fulfilled
Document the abandonment of a buyer's interest in a land contract
Provide public notice of a land contract to protect the buyer

Compare other Wisconsin deed forms and documents

Quitclaim Deed Full Release of Memorandum of Contract Gift Deed Warranty Deed Special Warranty Deed Grant Deed Correction Deed Easement Deed Termination of Easement Mineral Deed Mineral Deed with Quitclaim Covenants Special Power of Attorney for the Purchase of Property Power of Attorney for the Sale of Real Estate Mortgage and Promissory Note Satisfaction of Mortgage Assignment of Mortgage Land Contract Personal Representative Deed Termination of Decedent Property Interest Transfer on Death Deed Transfer on Death to Beneficiary Contractor Notice of Intent to File Lien Contractor Claim of Lien Subcontractor Identification Notice Subcontractor Notice of Intent to File Lien Subcontractor Claim of Lien Construction Lien Waiver Construction Lien Release Trustee Deed Disclaimer of Interest Certificate of Trust Lis Pendens Release of Lis Pendens

Important: County-Specific Forms

Our memorandum of contract forms are specifically formatted for each county in Wisconsin.

After selecting your county, you'll receive forms that meet all local recording requirements, ensuring your documents will be accepted without delays or rejection fees.

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