How Much Does Probate Cost in Green Lake County, Wisconsin?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Green Lake County can expect.
What probate costs in Green Lake County, Wisconsin comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Circuit Court at 571 County Road A, Green Lake. The court is part of the 6th Judicial District.
Wisconsin charges $20 for estates <= $10K; otherwise 0.2% of administered property less liens. Gross-estate input adjusted to ~45% per Federal Reserve SCF 2022 (real estate ~32% of mean assets; further reduction for typical liens on administered property).Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)Verified May 27, 2026 to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Circuit Court accepts e-filing (https://efiling.wicourts.gov). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Wisconsin are negotiated, 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 estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is also statutory in Wisconsin, typically 2%Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2) (2% commission on inventory value less mortgages/liens plus net principal gains; parties may agree to different rate in writing; court may allow additional sums for unusual difficulty or extraordinary services)Verified May 27, 2026 to 4%Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2) (2% commission on inventory value less mortgages/liens plus net principal gains; parties may agree to different rate in writing; court may allow additional sums for unusual difficulty or extraordinary services)Verified May 27, 2026 of estate value. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Wisconsin requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Wis. Stat. § 856.25 (bond solely within court discretion; will requests not binding)Verified May 27, 2026 of estate value annually.
Probate in Wisconsin typically runs 9 monthsWis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2. (filing fees: $20 ≤$10K, 0.2% over $10K, no statutory cap)Verified May 27, 2026 to 12 monthsWis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2. (filing fees: $20 ≤$10K, 0.2% over $10K, no statutory cap)Verified May 27, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 4 monthsWis. Stat. § 859.01 (3-4 month deadline set by court)Verified May 27, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)
- Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2. (filing fees: $20 ≤$10K, 0.2% over $10K, no statutory cap)
- Wis. Stat. § 856.25 (bond solely within court discretion; will requests not binding)
- Wis. Stat. § 857.05 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage for attorneys)
- Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2) (2% commission on inventory value less mortgages/liens plus net principal gains; parties may agree to different rate in writing; court may allow additional sums for unusual difficulty or extraordinary services)
- Wis. Stat. § 859.01 (3-4 month deadline set by court)
Data sourced from Wisconsin statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Green Lake County, that means filing fees (about $450 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs about $450 in Green Lake County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Wisconsin uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
Wisconsin caps executor compensation by statute — the same schedule used for attorney fees in many states. Executors can waive this fee, which often makes sense for family members who are also beneficiaries.
Yes. Wisconsin estates under $50,000 can use a small estate affidavit and avoid most probate costs. Check the Wisconsin self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Green Lake County probate.
Circuit Court
Green Lake County
571 County Road A
Green Lake, WI 54941-3188
Phone:
920-294-4145Fax:
920-294-4171
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.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Named as Executor
Being named executor means navigating probate, managing assets, and distributing the estate. What's expected, what you can charge, and how to start.
Learn more
Death of a Parent
Losing a parent is overwhelming. What needs to happen next — settling the estate, navigating probate, and the steps to move forward.
Learn more
