Estate Planning for Racine County, Wisconsin Property Owners

For most Racine 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 Racine 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 Racine 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, Racine 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 Racine County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Racine 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 Racine County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 730 Wisconsin Ave, Racine, WI 53403. Phone: 262-636-3208. 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 Racine County comes to $30. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Racine County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Racine County

Address

730 Wisconsin AveRacine, WI 53403

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 Racine 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

FirmRacine, WI

Knuteson, Hinkston & Rosenberg, S.C.

Since 1986 · Serves 1 county

Serves Racine and Racine County from College Avenue. Handles probate administration — validating the will, distributing assets, and working through creditor claims under Wisconsin law — plus guardianship and conservatorship orders and the wills, trusts, and powers of attorney behind them. Attorney Andrew Rosenberg leads the estate and probate work; the firm has practiced in Racine since 1986.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder Law

Office
500 College AvenueRacine, WI 53403

Solo PracticeRacine, WI

Rebecca Mason Law, LLC

Serves 1 county

Serves Racine County and Southeastern Wisconsin from Racine. Attorney Rebecca Mason handles probate and trust administration, estate and trust litigation, guardianship, and protective placement for families settling estates. A former clerk to a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, Mason has run her own Racine practice since 2012.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipTrustsWills

Office
245 Main Street, Suite 201Racine, WI 53403

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
See all 13 firms serving Racine 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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