Estate Planning for Ozaukee County, Wisconsin Property Owners

For most Ozaukee 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 Ozaukee 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 Ozaukee 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, Ozaukee 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 Ozaukee County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Ozaukee 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 Ozaukee County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Jennifer J. Laurin, at 121 W Main St, Room 120, Port Washington, WI 53074. Phone: 262-284-8260. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Vital Records counter closes 4:00 PM).

Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 994, Port Washington, WI 53074.

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

Ozaukee County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC eRecording Solutions, Indecomm Global Services, ePN (eRecording Partners Network).

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Ozaukee County · Jennifer J. Laurin

Address

121 W Main St, Room 120Port Washington, WI 53074Mailing: PO Box 994, Port Washington, WI 53074

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Vital Records counter closes 4:00 PM)

E-recording

Available via Simplifile, CSC eRecording Solutions, Indecomm Global Services, ePN (eRecording Partners Network)E-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 Ozaukee County

FirmMequon, WI

Wessels & Liebau LLC

Serves 3 counties

Serves Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Washington, Sheboygan, and Waukesha counties from Mequon, with a Sheboygan office by appointment. Handles probate and out-of-court trust administration, guardianship matters (both seeking and contesting appointment), special needs planning, and elder law. Attorneys Carol Wessels and Jessica Liebau focus on Wisconsin elder and estate law.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
11649 N. Port Washington Road, Suite 210Mequon, WI 53092

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

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

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
See all 11 firms serving Ozaukee 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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