Estate Planning for Washington County, Wisconsin Property Owners

For most Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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, Washington 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 Washington County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Washington 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 Washington County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Lisa Budish, at 484 Rolfs Ave, Suite 1500, West Bend, WI 53090. Phone: 262-335-4320. Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM (closed Friday).

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

Washington County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Washington County · Lisa Budish

Address

484 Rolfs Ave, Suite 1500West Bend, WI 53090

Fax

262-335-4884

Hours

Monday - Thursday, 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM (closed Friday)

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 Washington County

FirmWest Bend, WI

Falkowski Law Firm, LLC

Serves 1 county

Serves Washington County from the Centrum Building in downtown West Bend. Handles probate and trust administration for families after a death, alongside elder law and Title 19 planning and special needs planning. A boutique practice that explains the law in plain terms rather than reaching for unnecessarily complex strategies.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawSpecial Needs Planning

Office
120 N. Main Street, Suite 240West Bend, WI 53095

FirmWest Bend, WI

Schloemer Law Firm, S.C.

Since 1933 · Serves 1 county

Serves West Bend and Washington County, plus Dodge, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Fond du Lac, and Waukesha counties. Guides personal representatives and successor trustees through formal and informal probate and trust administration, and handles will and trust contests involving undue influence or breach of fiduciary duty. Practicing in West Bend since 1933.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningGuardianshipTrusts

Office
143 S Main Street, Third FloorWest Bend, WI 53095
Free consultation

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
See all 13 firms serving Washington 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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