For most St. Croix 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 St. Croix 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 St. Croix 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, St. Croix 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 St. Croix 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 St. Croix County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Beth Pabst, at 1101 Carmichael Rd, Suite 1215, Hudson, WI 54016. Phone: 715-386-4652. 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 St. Croix County comes to $30. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
St. Croix County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
St. Croix County · Beth Pabst
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
FirmHudson, WI
Serves Hudson and the St. Croix Valley across western Wisconsin, in local practice since 1983. Handles probate and estate administration along with the wills and trusts that let certain assets bypass probate entirely. Five attorneys covering individuals, couples, and families at every stage.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrustsWills
FirmHudson, WI
Serves Hudson and the St. Croix Valley on both sides of the Wisconsin-Minnesota line. Builds revocable and irrevocable trusts, trusts for family members with disabilities, wills, powers of attorney for finances and health care, and advance directives, with a practice devoted to older clients and Medicaid planning. Attorney Jennifer O'Neill is one of the region's few Certified Elder Law Attorneys.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawMedicaid Planning
FirmMenomonie, WI
Serves Northwest Wisconsin from its Menomonie office on Wolske Bay Road, one of four locations alongside New Richmond, Baldwin, and Eau Claire. Handles estate and trust administration, probate after the death of a family member, guardianship and conservatorship, and elder law matters for surviving families. The firm has practiced in the region since 1985.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningBusiness Successionand 2 more
FirmEau Claire, WI
Serves Eau Claire and clients statewide across Wisconsin from its office on Pinnacle Way. Handles wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, and powers of attorney on flat-fee packages, with attorney Thomas B. Burton licensed in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. Meets clients in person or by secure video and phone, with a dedicated virtual estate planning consult.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrustsWills
FirmEau Claire, WI
Serves the Chippewa Valley from Eau Claire, with a second office in Marshfield, reaching Chippewa Falls and Menomonie. Handles probate and trust administration after a death alongside elder law and special needs trusts. Clients work directly with an attorney rather than being handed to support staff; Aric Burch is a member of NAELA and the Special Needs Alliance.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawSpecial Needs Planning
FirmRiver Falls, WI
Serves Pierce County from River Falls. Guides personal representatives through court-supervised probate and estate settlement, handles federal and Wisconsin estate tax compliance, and structures living trusts and joint ownership to avoid probate. Probate work is led by attorneys Leo Beskar and Max Neuhaus.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawTrustsWills
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 St. Croix 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.
