Estate Planning for Rock County, Wisconsin Property Owners

For most Rock 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.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Rock 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 Rock 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 Rock County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Rock 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.

Create a WisconsinTOD deed →Rock Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Rock County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Sandy Disrud, at 51 S Main St, Janesville, WI 53545. Phone: 608-757-5650. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

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

Rock County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Rock County · Sandy Disrud

Address

51 S Main StJanesville, WI 53545

Fax

608-757-5563

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)

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 9, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Rock County

FirmBeloit, WI

Bolgrien, Koepke & Kimes, LLC

Since 1985 · Serves 1 county

Serves southern Wisconsin from its Beloit office in Rock County, with a companion office in Pecatonica, Illinois. Handles probate and estate administration, will drafting and review, living trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and guardianship and conservatorship matters for area families. Offers free initial consultations; locally owned and practicing since 1985.

PracticesEstate PlanningPowers Of AttorneyTrustsWills

Office
542 E Grand AvenueBeloit, WI 53511
Free consultation

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

FirmMonroe, WI

Schluesche Fields S.C.

Serves 4 counties

Serves Green, Dane, Lafayette, and Rock counties from Monroe, with a second office in New Glarus. Handles probate and estate matters for families alongside elder law work — Medicaid planning and protecting assets from long-term care costs — and drafts the wills and trusts behind the plan.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawTrustsWills

Office
250 N. 18th Avenue, Suite 106Monroe, WI 53566

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 Rock 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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