Estate Planning for Kenosha County, Wisconsin Property Owners

For most Kenosha 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 Kenosha 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 Kenosha 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.

Skipping this planning step means the Circuit Court decides who receives the property: a simple Wisconsin probate takes 6+ months and opens with about $20 in court filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Kenosha County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Kenosha 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 Kenosha County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 1010 56th St, Kenosha, WI 53140. Phone: 262-653-2444. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

The Register of Deeds charges $30 flat, regardless of page count. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $30 to record in Kenosha County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Kenosha County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Kenosha County

Address

1010 56th StKenosha, WI 53140

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 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 Kenosha County

Solo PracticeKenosha, WI

Frozena Law LLC

Serves 2 counties

Serves Kenosha and Racine counties from Green Bay Road in Kenosha, reaching Pleasant Prairie, Twin Lakes, Union Grove, and Sturtevant. Attorney Angela Frozena helps personal representatives and successor trustees distribute property under a decedent's will or trust, and drafts the estate plans behind them, drawing on a background in tax and financial services.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawTax Planningand 4 more

Office
6633 Green Bay Road, Suite 4Kenosha, WI 53142

FirmKenosha, WI

Guttormsen & Hartley, LLP

Serves 1 county

Serves Kenosha County from 52nd Street in downtown Kenosha. Prepares the wills, trusts, and powers of attorney that move property to heirs and name financial and healthcare decision-makers, with planning aimed at reducing estate tax exposure, and handles the probate that follows a death. Attorney Neil F. Guttormsen has over 30 years in estate planning. Consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbatePowers Of AttorneyTrustsWills

Office
600 52nd Street, Suite 120Kenosha, WI 53140
Free consultation

FirmKenosha, WI

Wokwicz Law Offices, LLC

Since 1958

Serves the Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, and Milwaukee county probate courts from Kenosha. Handles estate administration for personal representatives, including asset inventory and valuation, creditor claims, fiduciary income and estate tax returns, beneficiary distributions, and will contests, plus trust administration. In continuous local practice since 1958, with no-cost initial consultations.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawTax Planningand 2 more

Office
6121 Green Bay Road, Suite 240Kenosha, WI 53142
Free consultation

Serves Milwaukee families from its office on East Erie Street. Guides estate administrators through probate for the assets that require it, administers trusts under an existing estate plan, and works to head off disagreements among family members. The firm also handles elder and disability law, public benefits planning, guardianships, and same-sex estate planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planning

Office
222 E. Erie Street, Suite 320Milwaukee, WI 53202

FirmMilwaukee, WI

Walny Legal Group LLC

Since 2011

Serves Milwaukee and Waukesha County families from downtown Milwaukee, with a second office in Brookfield. Walks executors, trustees, and beneficiaries through probate and trust administration, and handles estate litigation and mediation when a family disagrees. Also covers elder and special needs law and business succession; founder Eido Walny holds the Estate Planning Law Specialist credential.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrust LitigationElder Lawand 2 more

Office
250 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1750Milwaukee, WI 53202

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
See all 12 firms serving Kenosha 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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