Wisconsin allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Vilas County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Wisconsin are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Vilas County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Circuit Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Four-attorney firm on Grant Street in Wausau. Handles informal and formal probate, termination of a decedent's joint, life-estate, and marital property interests, transfer by affidavit for small estates, and trust administration, plus challenges to estate documents over competency or undue influence and breach-of-duty claims against personal representatives and trustees.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more
- Office
- 513 Grant StreetWausau, WI 54403
FirmStevens Point, WI
Since 2014
Stevens Point trusts and estates firm founded in 2014, with a second office in Wisconsin Rapids. Settles probate estates and trusts through final accountings, tax filings, and distributions, and litigates will and trust interpretation, breach of fiduciary duty, undue influence, and disputes over who serves as fiduciary. Publishes its fee ranges: most settlements fall between $5,000 and $15,000.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 106 McDill Avenue, Suite 100Stevens Point, WI 54481
FirmMilwaukee, WI
Since 1904 · Serves the whole state
Serves Wisconsin from seven offices in the state, led by Milwaukee and Madison. The Trusts and Estates group handles formal and informal probate, post-mortem trust administration, claims against estates and trusts, and estate tax returns, and represents personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries in will contests, trust disputes, and contested guardianships. Founded in 1904.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 9 more
- Office
- 411 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1000Milwaukee, WI 53202
FirmOregon, WI
Since 1999 · Serves the whole state
Serves families across Wisconsin from offices in Oregon and Madison in Dane County and Brookfield in Waukesha County. Helps executors and personal representatives administer estates, from locating assets to paying debts and distributing to beneficiaries, and offers mediation and litigation for disputes among heirs. Founder Dan Krause is a Board Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder Lawand 6 more
- Office
- 116 Spring StreetOregon, WI 53575
FirmMadison, WI
Since 1931 · Serves the whole state
Serves clients throughout Wisconsin from offices in Madison, Janesville, Appleton, and Dodgeville. Advises executors on probate administration and handles trust administration, guardianships and protective placement, and litigation over contested wills and trusts, breach of fiduciary duty, undue influence, and creditor claims in estate proceedings. Founded in Madison in 1931.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more
- Office
- 33 East Main Street, Suite 500Madison, WI 53703
FirmAppleton, WI
Serves the whole state
Serves clients throughout Wisconsin from offices in Appleton and Green Bay. Helps personal representatives through informal and formal probate, protects other beneficiaries' interests in disputes over estate administration, and brings will contests. Also handles adult and minor guardianships and elder-law and Medicaid planning. Estate planning consultations are offered at no charge.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder Lawand 2 more
- Office
- 2400 S. Kensington Drive, Suite 100Appleton, WI 54915
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.
