Practices from West Pleasant Street in Portage, Columbia County, where the firm opened in 1971. Takes on probate and estate disputes: a will that favors one relative, assets re-titled payable on death late in life, an attorney-in-fact who has not accounted. Also drafts wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, and powers of attorney, and offers a free half-hour consultation.
Portage is in Columbia County.
Probate in Columbia County
Probate Court Record
Columbia County Circuit Court
Columbia County · 5th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
400 DeWitt Street, Portage, WI 53901
Website
Files probate
Register in Probate
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Columbia County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Columbia County? →Settling an estate in Columbia County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Wisconsin
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Revocable Living Trust
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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