Earnest money in Wisconsin must be:

Option A is incorrect because while the seller receives the earnest money initially, they cannot simply hold it. Wisconsin law mandates proper handling through a trust account, not personal holding by the seller.

Option C is incorrect because earnest money is given by the buyer to demonstrate commitment, not given to the buyer. This reversal of roles would undermine the entire purpose of earnest money.

Option D is incorrect because Wisconsin does have specific requirements for earnest money handling. The state mandates deposit in a trust account within a specified timeframe, which protects all parties involved.