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, 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.
FirmMadison, WI
Since 1885 · Serves 2 counties
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more
- Office
- 2 East Mifflin Street, Suite 200Madison, WI 53703
FirmFort Atkinson, WI
Since 2009 · Serves 9 counties
Offices in Fort Atkinson and Jefferson, in Jefferson County, among a dozen across southern Wisconsin. Its probate practice files and serves probate documents, handles intestacy proceedings, coordinates personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries, and mediates and litigates disputes, alongside guardianship and conservatorship. Nathan Russell founded the firm in 2009.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 79 North Main StFort Atkinson, WI 53538
FirmMilwaukee, WI
Since 1894 · Serves 3 counties
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more
- Office
- 1000 N Water Street, Suite 1700Milwaukee, WI 53202
FirmMonroe, WI
Serves 4 counties
Serves Green, Dane, Lafayette, and Rock counties from Monroe, with a second office in New Glarus. Takes personal representatives step by step through probate after a death, and handles elder law work — Medicaid applications, crisis planning, and irrevocable trusts that protect assets from nursing home costs.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawAsset ProtectionMedicaid Planning
- Office
- 250 N. 18th Avenue, Suite 106Monroe, WI 53566
FirmMilwaukee, WI
Since 1904 · Serves the whole state
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 9 more
- Office
- 411 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1000Milwaukee, WI 53202
FirmOregon, WI
Since 1999 · Serves the whole state
Serves families across Wisconsin from offices in Oregon and Madison in Dane County and Brookfield in Waukesha County. Helps executors and personal representatives administer estates, from locating assets to paying debts and distributing to beneficiaries, and offers mediation and litigation for disputes among heirs. Founder Dan Krause is a Board Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder Lawand 6 more
- Office
- 116 Spring StreetOregon, WI 53575
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
