Wisconsin Probate Courts

Court

Circuit Court (Probate Division / Register in Probate)In Wisconsin, probate is administered by the County Circuit Court and the Register in Probate in each of the 72 counties. Wisconsin offers informal administration handled directly by the Register in Probate.

Small estates

$50,000 gross value of property subject to administration in Wisconsin; heirs/trustee/guardian may transfer real property by affidavit (a named PR who is not an heir cannot); DHS notice required if Medicaid/long-term care receivedWis. Stat. § 867.03 (Transfer by Affidavit)

Filing the will

Custodian must file the will with the court or deliver to the named PR within 30 days after knowledge of death; named PR must file within 30 days after learning of nomination (Wis. Stat. § 856.05)

Creditor claims

Deadline set by court order: not less than 3 nor more than 4 months from the date of the orderWis. Stat. § 859.01

Executor fees

2% of inventory value less mortgages/liens plus net principal gains (or a written agreed rate), plus court-approved sums for unusual difficulty/extraordinary servicesWis. Stat. § 857.05 · calculator

Estate tax

NoneWisconsin repealed its state estate tax effective January 1, 2008.

Inheritance tax

NoneNo state inheritance tax in Wisconsin.

Typical duration

6 to 12 months

Official courts site

wicourts.govCase search: Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA / CCAP)

Re-checked Sept 2026 against: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov (statute) · docs.legis.wisconsin.gov (statute) · docs.legis.wisconsin.gov (statute) · docs.legis.wisconsin.gov (statute)