Estate Planning for Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin Property Owners

For most Fond du Lac County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

For a Fond du Lac County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court. The two tools that keep a Fond du Lac County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Register of Deeds, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Fond du Lac County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple Wisconsin probates run 6+ months and start with about $20 in filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Fond du Lac County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Fond du Lac County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the Register of Deeds during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a Wisconsin transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentWis. Stat. 705.15Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathWis. Stat. 705.15Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Fond du Lac County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by James M. Krebs, at 160 S Macy St, 1st Floor, Fond du Lac, WI 54935. Phone: 920-929-3018. Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 509, Fond du Lac, WI 54936-0509.

The Register of Deeds charges $30 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Fond du Lac County comes to $30. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Fond du Lac County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC eRecording Solutions, Indecomm Global Services, ePN (eRecording Partners Network), Hopdox.

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Fond du Lac County · James M. Krebs

Address

160 S Macy St, 1st FloorFond du Lac, WI 54935Mailing: PO Box 509, Fond du Lac, WI 54936-0509

Fax

920-929-3293

Hours

Monday - Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile, CSC eRecording Solutions, Indecomm Global Services, ePN (eRecording Partners Network), HopdoxE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$30
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Wis. Stat. 59.43(2)(ag)

Verified September 9, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Fond du Lac County

FirmFond du Lac, WI

Andrew Law Offices, S.C.

Since 1970 · Serves 1 county

Serves Fond du Lac County from downtown Fond du Lac, with a second office in the Milwaukee area. Handles probate administration, revocable and irrevocable trust administration, powers of attorney, beneficiary-designation and non-probate transfers, and special-needs WisPACT matters for families settling small to large estates. Offers phone and video consultations for new and existing clients.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrustsWills

Office
481 East Division Street, Suite 550Fond du Lac, WI 54935

FirmOshkosh, WI

Olson Legal Group LLC

Since 2007 · Serves 9 counties

Serves Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Waushara, Waupaca, Marquette, Dodge, and Brown counties from downtown Oshkosh, with a second office in Berlin. Handles probate — including the complications that surface when family members disagree — alongside wills, trusts, and business succession planning. Founded in 2007 by attorney Nathan Olson.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness SuccessionTrustsWills

Office
21 West New York AvenueOshkosh, WI 54901

FirmFond du Lac, WI

Ullenberg Law Offices SC

Serves 3 counties

Serves Fond du Lac, Dodge, and Sheboygan counties from Camelot Drive in Fond du Lac, with a second office in Beaver Dam. Handles probate for families settling an estate and represents them in will and trust contests, alongside wills, trusts, powers of attorney, guardianship, and business succession planning. More than 28 years in practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipBusiness Successionand 3 more

Office
101 Camelot Drive, Suite 2BFond du Lac, WI 54935

FirmAppleton, WI

Hooper Law Office

Since 1996

Serves the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin from Appleton, with offices in Green Bay and Oshkosh. Handles probate and estate settlement alongside elder law, Medicaid and long-term care planning, and asset protection, with accounting, financial planning, and insurance professionals working beside the attorneys. New clients start with a two-hour initial consultation at no charge.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 4 more

Office
2 Systems DriveAppleton, WI 54914
Free consultation

FirmAppleton, WI

Legacy Law Group, LLC

Serves Northeast Wisconsin from Appleton, with offices in Green Bay and Clintonville. Represents heirs, beneficiaries, family members, and corporate fiduciaries at every step of probate or trust administration — carrying out the decedent's wishes, paying estate debts, and settling the estate under the will or Wisconsin law — alongside elder law and Medicaid planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawAsset Protectionand 3 more

Office
5740 Grande Market Drive, Suite DAppleton, WI 54913

FirmOshkosh, WI

McCleer Law Office, LLC

Since 2018

Serves Oshkosh and Winnebago County from State Street, with a practice limited to elder law and estate planning. Handles long-term care and Medicaid planning, special needs planning, disability planning, and farm succession, plus young-family planning. Consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawSpecial Needs PlanningAsset ProtectionMedicaid Planning

Office
128 State StreetOshkosh, WI 54901
Free consultation
See all 14 firms serving Fond du Lac County→

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.

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