How Do I Find a Probate Attorney in Dane County, Wisconsin?
When to consider hiring help, what to look for in a probate attorney, and firms serving Dane County.
We found 10 estate law firms serving Dane County. Dane County is part of the South Central Wisconsin (Madison Area) region.
These firms handle estate administration, will contests, trust litigation, and other probate matters in Dane County Circuit Court.
Wisconsin allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Dane County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Wisconsin are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2%Wis. Stat. § 857.05 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage for attorneys)Verified May 27, 2026 to 4%Wis. Stat. § 857.05 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage for attorneys)Verified May 27, 2026 of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Dane County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Circuit Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
South Central Wisconsin (Madison Area) Firms
Consigny Law Firm, S.C.
FirmOne of Rock County's oldest law firms, serving south central Wisconsin since 1957. Seven attorneys provide wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate administration with a focus on tax minimization and probate avoidance.
Location
303 East Court StreetJanesville, WI 53545
Phone
(608) 755-5050
Established
1957
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbatePowers Of AttorneyHealthcare DirectivesTax Planning
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Cross, Jenks, Mercer & Maffei LLP
FirmSauk County's oldest continuously operating law firm since 1889. Eight attorneys serve Baraboo, Reedsburg, and surrounding communities with estate planning, probate, and elder law.
Location
221 3rd AvenueBaraboo, WI 53913
Phone
(608) 356-3981
Established
1889
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateElder Law
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Firms from Neighboring Regions
These firms are based in other regions but serve Dane County.
Statewide Practices
These firms serve clients throughout Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Estate Planning Attorneys
FirmDivision of Karp & Iancu, S.C. providing estate planning services throughout Wisconsin. Over 10,000 clients served with 75 years combined attorney experience.
Location
933 N. Mayfair Road, Suite 325Milwaukee, WI 53226
Phone
(414) 285-3551
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateAsset ProtectionPowers Of AttorneyHealthcare Directives
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von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
FirmServes Milwaukee and Madison clients across seven Wisconsin offices, handling formal and informal probate in the local circuit courts. The Estate and Trust Administration group represents personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries through trust administration, claims against estates and trusts, estate tax compliance, and will contests. Practicing in Milwaukee for more than a century.
Location
411 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1000Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone
(414) 276-1122
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrustsProbateElder LawSpecial Needs PlanningBusiness SuccessionCharitable Planning
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Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.
FirmLarge regional law firm with offices across Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado, and Arizona. Trusts and Estates Practice focuses on achieving estate planning objectives while minimizing estate and gift taxes.
Location
1000 N Water Street, Suite 1700Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone
(414) 298-1000
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrustsProbateTax PlanningBusiness Succession
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Krause Estate Planning & Elder Law Center
FirmServes families throughout Oregon, Madison, Brookfield, and Milwaukee. Dan Krause is a Board Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist, one of only seven in Wisconsin. Veteran-owned firm founded in 1999.
Location
116 Spring StreetOregon, WI 53575
Phone
(608) 268-5751
Established
1999
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningSpecial Needs PlanningProbateAsset ProtectionBusiness SuccessionCharitable Planning
Free consultationVisit site
Murphy Desmond S.C.
FirmServes Dane County from its Madison office, with additional offices in Janesville, Appleton, and Dodgeville. Handles probate, estate, and trust matters along with contested will and trust litigation, breach of fiduciary duty claims, undue-influence and competency disputes, guardianship, and creditor claims in estate administration. In practice since 1931 with a focus on fiduciary litigation.
Location
33 East Main Street, Suite 500Madison, WI 53703
Phone
(608) 257-7181
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbateTrustsTax PlanningBusiness Succession
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Axley LLP
FirmServes Dane County from its Madison office, with additional offices in Waukesha and Janesville. Estate and trust attorneys handle wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs and life insurance trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives, coordinating with clients' financial and tax advisors. Counseling Wisconsin estate clients since 1885.
Location
2 East Mifflin Street, Suite 200Madison, WI 53703
Phone
(608) 257-5661
Established
1885
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateTax PlanningCharitable Planning
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Dempsey Law
FirmServes the De Pere and greater Green Bay area from its Lawrence Drive office, one of five Wisconsin locations of a firm in continuous practice since 1849. Handles trust and estate administration, probate, and elder-law matters including Medicaid and long-term-care asset protection for families settling or preparing estates. Combines multi-office resources with a small-town client approach.
Location
2079 Lawrence Drive, Suite CDe Pere, WI 54115
Phone
(920) 235-7300
Established
1849
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateElder LawBusiness Succession
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The Wisconsin self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
Wisconsin uses reasonable fees for probate. Typical Dane County rates run $200–$500/hour, with simple estates taking 20–40 hours. Flat-fee arrangements are available from some firms.
Files the petition, publishes required notices, helps with the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. The attorney represents the personal representative, not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if disputes arise.
Referrals from an estate planning attorney you already work with are the best source. Bar association directories are second. Avoid attorneys who won't quote a fee structure up front or who won't explain whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures.
Yes — by avoiding probate altogether. A revocable living trust removes the estate from court jurisdiction, which removes the need for a probate attorney at settlement time. Create a revocable trust online for about what one hour of probate-attorney time costs.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability. Information last verified: June 2026.
Circuit Court
Dane County
215 S Hamilton St
Madison, WI 53703
Phone:
608-266-4311Fax:
608-266-9286
Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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