Probate

TYPES OF PROBATE

     INFORMAL PROBATE:   When a decedent leaves property subject to administration which exceeds $50,000 in value.   This type of probate is the administration of the decedent's estate, testate and intestate, without exercise of continous supervision of the court.   Click on the following for a guideline and forms required:

• Informal Probate

     SUMMARY ASSIGNMENT:   When a decedent leaves property subject to administration which does not exceed $50,000.00, and Summary Settlement does not apply.   Click on the following for a guideline and forms required:

• Summary Assignment

     SUMMARY SETTLEMENT:   When there is a surviving spouse or minor children and the estate does not exceed $50,000.00 or when the value of the estate does not exceed the priority debts, such as administrative expenses, funeral, burial, taxes, last illness, spousal and family allowances.    Click on the following for a guideline and forms required:

• Summary Settlement

     SPECIAL ADMINISTRATION:   The Court can appoint a Special Administrator pursuant to the grounds  specified in Wisconsin Statutes, Sec. 867.07.    Click on the following for a guideline and forms required:

• Special Administration

Filing Documents
If an attorney does not represent you, please call the probate office to set up an appointment.   All documents must be complete and ready to file, along with the original Will, if any.    You may also file your case electronically; however, the original Will must be filed with the probate office.

Probate Benchmarks
Wisconsin Statutes require all estates to be settled as soon as reasonably possible, without unnecessary delay.   The Wisconsin Chief Judges have set twelve (12) months as the benchmark for disposing of probate estates.   All estates in Barron County must be closed within twelve (12) months of the date the initial documents are filed.

Filing Claims
To file a claim against an estate that is being probated, please complete standard state form PR-1819 – Claim Against Estate.   File the completed form with the Register in Probate together with the $3.00 statutory filing fee.   Please send a copy to the Personal Representative and the estate attorney.    There is a time limit for filing a claim based on when the probate action was started.  You can check the court file in person or review the court record on the internet at: http://wcca.wicourts.gov/index.xsl  to find out the claims deadline for a particular case.