How Do I Find a Probate Attorney in Waukesha County, Wisconsin?
When to consider hiring help, what to look for in a probate attorney, and firms serving Waukesha County.
We found 12 estate law firms serving Waukesha County. Waukesha County is part of the Southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee Metro) region.
These firms handle estate administration, will contests, trust litigation, and other probate matters in Waukesha County Circuit Court.
Wisconsin allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Waukesha 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 — typically 2%Wis. Stat. § 857.05 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage for attorneys)Verified May 27, 2026 to 4%Wis. Stat. § 857.05 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage for attorneys)Verified May 27, 2026 of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Waukesha 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.
Southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee Metro) Firms
Becker, Hickey & Poster, S.C.
FirmBoutique Milwaukee firm specializing in the intersection of elder law, estate planning, and family law. Known for expertise in same-sex estate planning and special needs trusts.
Location
222 E. Erie Street, Suite 320Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone
(414) 454-9102
Estate PlanningProbateElder LawSpecial Needs PlanningGuardianship
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Walny Legal Group LLC
FirmAward-winning boutique Milwaukee law firm specializing in estate planning, elder law, and business succession planning. Founder Eido Walny holds the Estate Planning Law Specialist credential, held by fewer than 100 attorneys nationwide.
Location
250 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1750Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone
(414) 751-7531
Established
2011
Estate PlanningProbateElder LawSpecial Needs PlanningBusiness SuccessionTrust Litigation
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Walden Neitzke & Taylor, S.C.
FirmEstablished in 1984, serving Waukesha County for over 35 years. Attorneys handle estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law and disability planning.
Location
707 W Moreland Boulevard, Suite 9Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone
(262) 547-5517
Established
1984
Service Area
1 county
Estate PlanningProbateTrust AdministrationElder Law
Free consultationVisit site
Riverwood Law & Tax
FirmServes 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.
Location
N19W24200 Riverwood Drive, Suite 145Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone
(262) 446-8145
Established
2009
Service Area
1 county
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateTrust AdministrationElder LawSpecial Needs PlanningBusiness Succession
Free consultationVisit site
Wokwicz Law Offices, LLC
FirmServes 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.
Location
6121 Green Bay Road, Suite 240Kenosha, WI 53142
Phone
(262) 658-2181
Established
1958
Estate PlanningProbateTrustsAsset ProtectionElder LawTax Planning
Free consultationVisit site
Statewide Practices
These firms serve clients throughout Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Estate Planning Attorneys
FirmDivision of Karp & Iancu, S.C. providing estate planning services throughout Wisconsin. Over 10,000 clients served with 75 years combined attorney experience.
Location
933 N. Mayfair Road, Suite 325Milwaukee, WI 53226
Phone
(414) 285-3551
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateAsset ProtectionPowers Of AttorneyHealthcare Directives
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von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
FirmServes 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.
Location
411 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1000Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone
(414) 276-1122
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrustsProbateElder LawSpecial Needs PlanningBusiness SuccessionCharitable Planning
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Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.
FirmLarge regional law firm with offices across Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado, and Arizona. Trusts and Estates Practice focuses on achieving estate planning objectives while minimizing estate and gift taxes.
Location
1000 N Water Street, Suite 1700Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone
(414) 298-1000
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrustsProbateTax PlanningBusiness Succession
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Krause Estate Planning & Elder Law Center
FirmServes families throughout Oregon, Madison, Brookfield, and Milwaukee. Dan Krause is a Board Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist, one of only seven in Wisconsin. Veteran-owned firm founded in 1999.
Location
116 Spring StreetOregon, WI 53575
Phone
(608) 268-5751
Established
1999
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningSpecial Needs PlanningProbateAsset ProtectionBusiness SuccessionCharitable Planning
Free consultationVisit site
Murphy Desmond S.C.
FirmServes Dane County from its Madison office, with additional offices in Janesville, Appleton, and Dodgeville. Handles probate, estate, and trust matters along with contested will and trust litigation, breach of fiduciary duty claims, undue-influence and competency disputes, guardianship, and creditor claims in estate administration. In practice since 1931 with a focus on fiduciary litigation.
Location
33 East Main Street, Suite 500Madison, WI 53703
Phone
(608) 257-7181
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbateTrustsTax PlanningBusiness Succession
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Axley LLP
FirmServes Dane County from its Madison office, with additional offices in Waukesha and Janesville. Estate and trust attorneys handle wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs and life insurance trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives, coordinating with clients' financial and tax advisors. Counseling Wisconsin estate clients since 1885.
Location
2 East Mifflin Street, Suite 200Madison, WI 53703
Phone
(608) 257-5661
Established
1885
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateTax PlanningCharitable Planning
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Dempsey Law
FirmServes the De Pere and greater Green Bay area from its Lawrence Drive office, one of five Wisconsin locations of a firm in continuous practice since 1849. Handles trust and estate administration, probate, and elder-law matters including Medicaid and long-term-care asset protection for families settling or preparing estates. Combines multi-office resources with a small-town client approach.
Location
2079 Lawrence Drive, Suite CDe Pere, WI 54115
Phone
(920) 235-7300
Established
1849
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateElder LawBusiness Succession
Visit site
Frequently Asked Questions
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The Wisconsin self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
Wisconsin uses reasonable fees for probate. Typical Waukesha County rates run $200–$500/hour, with simple estates taking 20–40 hours. Flat-fee arrangements are available from some firms.
Files the petition, publishes required notices, helps with the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. The attorney represents the personal representative, not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if disputes arise.
Referrals from an estate planning attorney you already work with are the best source. Bar association directories are second. Avoid attorneys who won't quote a fee structure up front or who won't explain whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures.
Yes — by avoiding probate altogether. A revocable living trust removes the estate from court jurisdiction, which removes the need for a probate attorney at settlement time. Create a revocable trust online for about what one hour of probate-attorney time costs.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability. Information last verified: June 2026.
Circuit Court
Waukesha County
515 W Moreland Blvd
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone:
262-896-8525Fax:
262-896-8228
Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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