Free Wisconsin Transfer on Death Deed

In Wisconsin, a transfer on death deed is signed before a notary, then recorded with the county before the owner's death.

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Owner Information

Enter your information as the property owner (transferor). If the property is jointly owned, you’ll add the second owner below.

How is the property owned?*

Choose “Jointly owned” if two people are on the title (e.g. spouses as joint tenants or tenants by the entirety). Both owners must sign.

I am the sole ownerJointly owned with one other person

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Street Address*

City*

State*

ZIP Code*

State Where Property Is Located*

County Where Property Is Located*

Email Address*

Phone Number*

Marital Status*

Wisconsin is a community property state. Marital status determines whether spouse consent may be required.

SingleMarriedDivorcedWidowed

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Wisconsin prescribes no form. The deed identifies the property, names the beneficiary and states that the transfer takes effect at the owner's death.

A Wisconsin transfer on death deed is recorded with the Register of Deeds for the county where the property sits and must be on record before the owner's death to take effect. The designation is not effective unless the document, and any fees required to record it, are submitted for recording to the register of deeds office of the county where the property is located before the death of the sole owner or the last to die of multiple owners. Wis. Stat. 705.15(2)(c).

Co-owners may sign one deed together. Wisconsin requires the owner's spouse to join in the deed; the document carries the spouse's signature line.

Wisconsin passes the share of a beneficiary who dies before the owner to that beneficiary's descendants under its antilapse rule. The deed can name a successor beneficiary to take in that case. If a designated beneficiary does not survive the owner, a contingent beneficiary designated in this document takes in preference to any substitute.

The beneficiary takes the property subject to the mortgages, liens and other encumbrances on it at death. Wisconsin can recover correctly paid medical assistance and long-term care benefits from property that passes by a TOD deed. The deed moves this parcel alone; a revocable living trust set up with SimplyTrust carries the rest of the estate.

Wisconsin Transfer on Death Deed

Wisconsin authorizes transfer on death deeds: a property owner names a beneficiary who receives the property at death — bypassing probate entirely for that asset. The owner retains full control during their lifetime, including the right to revoke the deed at any time.

Without a TOD deed, real property in Wisconsin passes through probate — a process that takes at least 6 months for simple estates. A TOD deed removes that property from the probate estate entirely. Estates under $50,000 may qualify for simplified procedures, but a TOD deed avoids the process altogether. See the full cost breakdown with the probate calculator.

TOD deeds are a focused tool — one deed per property, covering only real estate. A revocable trust handles all assets and provides incapacity planning as well. The trust vs. will tool compares the two approaches side by side.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated October 17, 2026

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Wisconsin statutes and official state code. How we research.

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In-depth guides covering Wisconsin probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

Free Wisconsin Transfer on Death Deed

In Wisconsin, a transfer on death deed is signed before a notary, then recorded with the county before the owner's death.

Progress0%

Wisconsin Transfer on Death Deed

Free Wisconsin Transfer on Death Deed

Owner Information

Is this your situation?

New Home

Retirement

Forms for Planning Your Estate in Wisconsin

Healthcare Power of Attorney

Financial Power of Attorney

Living Will

Last Will and Testament

Tools for Planning Your Estate in Wisconsin

Do I Need a TOD Deed?

Do I Need a Vehicle TOD?

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

How Much Does Probate Cost?

When you're ready, we're here.

Wisconsin Estate Planning Resources

Free Wisconsin Transfer on Death Deed

Owner Information