Estate Planning for Jefferson County, Wisconsin Property Owners

For most Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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, Jefferson 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 Jefferson County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Jefferson 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 Jefferson County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Staci Hoffman, at 311 S Center Ave, Room C1030, Jefferson, WI 53549. Phone: 920-674-7235. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

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

Jefferson County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Jefferson County · Staci Hoffman

Address

311 S Center Ave, Room C1030Jefferson, WI 53549

Fax

920-674-7238

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

Available via SimplifileE-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 Jefferson County

FirmJanesville, WI

Consigny Law Firm, S.C.

Since 1957

Serves Rock County and south central Wisconsin from Janesville, with a second office in Brodhead, in practice since 1957. Drafts wills, codicils, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, and transfer on death deeds, with planning aimed at minimizing death taxes and avoiding probate. Wills and estate work is led by attorneys Michael A. Faust and Holly D. Jensen.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningHealthcare Directivesand 3 more

Office
303 East Court StreetJanesville, WI 53545

FirmBaraboo, WI

Cross, Jenks, Mercer & Maffei LLP

Since 1889

Serves Baraboo, Reedsburg, and Sauk County from Third Avenue, continuously in practice since 1889. Attorney Robert Ginther handles formal and informal probate and the procedures for transferring a deceased person's assets, alongside wills and asset-protection trusts. Eight attorneys covering estate, family, business, and injury matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawTrustsWills

Office
221 3rd AvenueBaraboo, WI 53913

FirmMilwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Estate Planning Attorneys

Serves the whole state

Serves clients across Wisconsin from Mayfair Road in Milwaukee, with a second office in West Bend. A division of Karp & Iancu, S.C. handling wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and asset-protection planning, with plan pricing published up front on its site.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateAsset ProtectionHealthcare Directivesand 3 more

Office
933 N. Mayfair Road, Suite 325Milwaukee, WI 53226

FirmMilwaukee, WI

von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

Serves the whole state

Serves 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.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 3 more

Office
411 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1000Milwaukee, WI 53202

FirmMilwaukee, WI

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

Serves the whole state

Serves Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha, and Wausau clients from four Wisconsin offices. The Trusts and Estates group builds revocable living trusts, wills, marital property agreements, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, with attention to estate and gift tax exposure and to keeping a plan flexible as the family or the tax law changes.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningBusiness SuccessionTrusts

Office
1000 N Water Street, Suite 1700Milwaukee, WI 53202

FirmOregon, WI

Krause Estate Planning & Elder Law Center

Since 1999 · Serves the whole state

Serves Dane County and southeastern Wisconsin from Oregon, with offices in Madison and Brookfield. Handles probate administration, including tracking down uncashed checks, forgotten accounts, and other lost estate money, and finishes plans left partway — assets titled correctly, paperwork actually signed. Veteran-owned since 1999; Dan Krause is a Board Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 4 more

Office
116 Spring StreetOregon, WI 53575
Free consultation
See all 9 firms serving Jefferson 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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