Estate Planning for Waukesha County, Wisconsin Property Owners

For most Waukesha 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 Waukesha 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 Waukesha 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 Waukesha County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Waukesha 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 Waukesha County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 515 W Moreland Blvd, Room AC110, Waukesha, WI 53188. Phone: 262-548-7585. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

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

Waukesha County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Waukesha County

Address

515 W Moreland Blvd, Room AC110Waukesha, WI 53188

Fax

262-548-7576

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 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 Waukesha County

FirmWaukesha, WI

Riverwood Law & Tax

Since 2009 · Serves 1 county

Serves Waukesha, Lake Country, and Southeastern Wisconsin from Waukesha. Attorneys Matthew DeMark and Jyllian Schwendeman handle probate and trust administration, wills and trusts, special needs and Title 19 planning, and related tax matters for families settling estates. The firm opens each matter with a complimentary initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more

Office
W240N1221 Pewaukee RoadWaukesha, WI 53188
Free consultation

FirmWaukesha, WI

Walden Neitzke & Taylor, S.C.

Since 1984 · Serves 1 county

Established in 1984, serving Waukesha County for over 35 years. Attorneys handle estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law and disability planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Law

Office
707 W Moreland Boulevard, Suite 9Waukesha, WI 53188
Free consultation

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

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
See all 12 firms serving Waukesha 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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Legal Sources

Data sourced from Wisconsin statutes and official state code. How we research.

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