For most Oconto 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 Oconto 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 Oconto 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, Oconto County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple Wisconsin probates run 6+ months and start with about $20 in filing fees.
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Oconto 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.
Deeds and other real property documents for Oconto County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Laurie Wusterbarth, at 301 Washington St, Oconto, WI 54153. Phone: 920-834-7113. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
The Register of Deeds charges $30 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Oconto County comes to $30. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Oconto County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Oconto County · Laurie Wusterbarth
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $30 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
Wis. Stat. 59.43(2)(ag)
Verified September 9, 2026 · Source
FirmGreen Bay, WI
Serves the Green Bay metro and Northeast Wisconsin from Packerland Drive, appearing regularly in Brown, Outagamie, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Oconto, Shawano, and Winnebago counties. Drafts wills, revocable living trusts, durable and healthcare powers of attorney, and living wills. Founded in 1997 by Shane Laughton Brabazon.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrustsWills
FirmManitowoc, WI
Established Manitowoc law firm with four attorneys, all Manitowoc natives. Handles wills, trusts, summary and formal probate administration, and advises out-of-state executors on Wisconsin probate procedures.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrustsWills
FirmSheboygan, WI
Serves Sheboygan and the surrounding lakeshore from North 8th Street, originally founded in 1898. A dedicated Estate Planning, Probate and Trusts team handles probate and trust administration for families after a death, and works with small to medium-sized businesses and the families that own them.
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FirmGreen Bay, WI
Serves the Fox River Valley from Green Bay, with a second office in Kaukauna, reaching Appleton and the surrounding communities. Handles probate and estate settlement alongside wills, trusts, Medicaid planning, and asset protection, and drafts business succession plans for family-owned companies. Founded by Kevin W. Davidson; every prospective client is offered a complimentary consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateAsset ProtectionMedicaid Planningand 3 more
FirmMilwaukee, WI
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
FirmMilwaukee, WI
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
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.
Data sourced from Wisconsin statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Wisconsin.
Forms and tools for property owners in Oconto County.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate.
Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Designate someone to manage your financial affairs.
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate ownership, marital status, and family situation to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone. Includes estimated probate costs for your state.
Answer questions about your property type, ownership structure, and estate plan to see if a TOD deed is the right approach. Includes state-specific availability, signing requirements, and recording fees.
Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
Estate planning articles for Wisconsin.
