Milwaukee is in Milwaukee County.

Probate in Milwaukee County

Probate Court Record

Milwaukee County Circuit Court

Milwaukee County · 1st Judicial District

Phone

1-414-278-4444 (option 2)

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

Room 207, 901 North 9th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233-1425

Files probate

Register in Probate

Filing in person

Walk-ins accepted

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

Court forms packet

Open in Google Maps

How to file probate in Milwaukee County →

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

Do I need a lawyer for probate in Milwaukee County? →Settling an estate in Milwaukee County →

Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Wisconsin

Free Wisconsin forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Wisconsin.

$12/month

Revocable Living Trust

Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.

Get Started
Free

Last Will and Testament

In Wisconsin, a will is signed before 2Wis. Stat. § 853.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyWis. Stat. § 853.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.

Get Started

All Wisconsin forms

Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Wisconsin

Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Wisconsin: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Wisconsin.

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Wisconsin costs an estimated $22,090Wis. Stat. § 851.40(1) (just and reasonable compensation for services under chs. 851-879, incl. ch. 865 informal administration; no statutory percentage for attorneys)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.8%Modeled estimate under Wis. Stat. § 851.40(1) (just and reasonable compensation for services under chs. 851-879, incl. ch. 865 informal administration; no statutory percentage for attorneys): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source to 2.9%Modeled estimate under Wis. Stat. § 851.40(1) (just and reasonable compensation for services under chs. 851-879, incl. ch. 865 informal administration; no statutory percentage for attorneys): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.

Calculate Costs

Who Inherits Without a Will?

Without a will in Wisconsin, a surviving spouse takes the entire estateWis. Stat. § 852.01Verified Oct 21, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesWis. Stat. § 852.01(1)(b); Wis. Stat. § 854.04(1)Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.

Check the Rules

What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

In Wisconsin, creditors have 4 monthsWis. Stat. § 859.01 (3-4 month deadline set by court)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from the personal representative's appointment to present claims; late claims are barred.

Check the Rules

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Wisconsin: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 180 daysWis. Stat. §§ 858.01, 858.13, 858.15, 858.17Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsWis. Stat. §§ 859.01, 859.02, 859.07, 859.25Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.

See the Steps

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Wisconsin sets executor compensation by statute — about $10,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.0%Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2) (2% commission on inventory value less mortgages and liens plus net principal gains, subject to court approval; a different rate by written agreement; extraordinary services)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.

Calculate the Fee

All Wisconsin tools