Serves Wisconsin from seven offices in the state, led by Milwaukee and Madison. The Trusts and Estates group handles formal and informal probate, post-mortem trust administration, claims against estates and trusts, and estate tax returns, and represents personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries in will contests, trust disputes, and contested guardianships. Founded in 1904.
Probate in Rock County
Probate Court Record
Rock County Circuit Court
Rock County · 5th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
Floor 3R, 51 South Main Street, Janesville, WI 53545
Website
Files probate
Register in Probate
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Rock County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Rock County? →Settling an estate in Rock County →
Trust Administration Firms Serving Rock County
Serves the Green Bay area from its appointment-only De Pere office, one of five Wisconsin offices of a firm established in Oshkosh in 1849. Handles court-supervised probate, trust administration for successor trustees, and estate disputes including beneficiary and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims and guardianships. Its elder-law attorneys also handle Medicaid and long-term-care planning.
Serves Monroe, Jackson, Vernon, Juneau, La Crosse, and Adams counties from Tomah, and takes probate cases throughout Wisconsin. Walks personal representatives through the whole probate, from court appointment through distribution and closing, and administers trusts for successor trustees. Attorney Joshua D. Shudlick is a NAELA member.
Serves the Chippewa Valley from Eau Claire, with a second office in Marshfield, and takes clients throughout Wisconsin. Handles formal and informal probate administrations and trust administrations outside of court, alongside elder law, Medicaid eligibility, and special needs trusts. Aric Burch is a Certified Elder Law Attorney; the initial consultation carries a fee.
Estate planning and elder law firm opened in Wausau in 2013, with offices in Rhinelander and Plover, serving all of Wisconsin. Guides administrators through supervised and unsupervised probate, helps successor trustees administer trusts the firm did not draft, and handles guardianship and crisis Medicaid planning. New estate planning clients start with a two-hour complimentary consultation.
Attorney Vincent Hein practices from South Main Street in downtown Fort Atkinson, in Jefferson County, with a second office in Richland Center. He handles probate and estate and trust administration, and litigates probate and trust disputes and will contests, alongside Medicaid, long-term care and special needs trust planning. He serves on the board of the Wisconsin Chapter of NAELA.
All 9 Wisconsin trust administration firms serving Rock 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.
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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Pour-Over Will
In Wisconsin, a pour-over will is signed before 2Wis. Stat. § 853.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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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 Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Wisconsin happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeWis. Stat. § 701.0101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In Wisconsin, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Wis. Stat. § 701.0708Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
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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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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Wisconsin requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Wis. Stat. § 71.06(1r), (2e)(bm); Wis. Stat. § 71.05(22)(dp), (dt)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Wisconsin take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces state tax on the 70% of long-term gain left after a 30% exclusionWis. Stat. § 71.05(6)(b)9 (30% general LTCG exclusion; reaches estates and trusts per § 71.125(1))Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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