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.
Stoughton is in Dane County.
More Trust Administration Firms in Dane County
Serves Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Madison from Reinhart's Wisconsin offices. The Trusts and Estates group counsels trustees and personal representatives through administration, handles probate court filings and hearings, and prepares estate and fiduciary income tax returns; its fiduciary litigation attorneys handle will and trust contests and fiduciary removal actions. Founded in 1894.
Serves clients throughout Wisconsin from offices in Madison, Janesville, Appleton, and Dodgeville. Advises executors on probate administration and handles trust administration, guardianships and protective placement, and litigation over contested wills and trusts, breach of fiduciary duty, undue influence, and creditor claims in estate proceedings. Founded in Madison in 1931.
Serves Dane and Waukesha counties from offices in Madison and Waukesha. Represents fiduciaries, families, and beneficiaries in formal and informal probate, post-mortem trust administration, and fiduciary tax returns, and litigates will contests, challenges to a personal representative or trustee, and declaratory judgments, alongside adult and minor guardianships. Founded in Madison in 1885.
Probate in Dane County
Probate Court Record
Dane County Circuit Court
Dane County · 5th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 7:45 AM-4:30 PM
Office
Room 1005, 215 South Hamilton Street, Madison, WI 53703
Website
Files probate
Register in Probate
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Dane County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Dane County? →Settling an estate in Dane 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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