How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin sets executor compensation by statute — about $10,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.0%Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2) (2% commission on inventory value less mortgages and liens plus net principal gains, subject to court approval; a different rate by written agreement; extraordinary services)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
Wisconsin sets executor compensation by statute — about $10,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.0%Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2) (2% commission on inventory value less mortgages and liens plus net principal gains, subject to court approval; a different rate by written agreement; extraordinary services)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. The fee applies to the gross value of the probate estate; executors and beneficiaries may agree to a different amount, but the schedule is the default. Executors can waive the fee entirely or accept a reduced amount.
The Wisconsin statutory schedule for executor compensation is 2% of the estateWis. Stat. § 857.05(2) (2% commission on inventory value less mortgages and liens plus net principal gains, subject to court approval; a different rate by written agreement; extraordinary services)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. The fee applies to the gross value of the probate estate, and extraordinary services may warrant additional compensation as the court approves.
The Wisconsin probate statute does not address how co-executors share compensation.Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2)Verified Oct 23, 2026View source
Wisconsin requires a bond of the personal representative by defaultWis. Stat. § 856.25 (bond solely within court discretion; will requests not binding)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. The requirement can often be excusedWis. Stat. § 856.25 (bond solely within court discretion; will requests not binding)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, by a waiver in the will, agreement of the heirs, or court order, depending on the state. If the court requires a corporate surety, the premium runs about 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under Wis. Stat. § 856.25 (bond solely within court discretion; will requests not binding)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the bonded amount annually; most estates avoid it through a waiver or a surety-free bond. The bond protects beneficiaries against executor misconduct or mismanagement.
Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Wisconsin probate: attorney fees of typically 1.8%Modeled estimate under Wis. Stat. § 851.40(1) (just and reasonable compensation for services under chs. 851-879, incl. ch. 865 informal administration; no statutory percentage for attorneys): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source to 2.9%Modeled estimate under Wis. Stat. § 851.40(1) (just and reasonable compensation for services under chs. 851-879, incl. ch. 865 informal administration; no statutory percentage for attorneys): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate, and executor compensation is set separatelyWis. Stat. § 857.05(2) (2% commission on inventory value less mortgages and liens plus net principal gains, subject to court approval; a different rate by written agreement; extraordinary services)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Both are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries. When the executor is also the estate's attorney: The court may allow an attorney personal representative either the executor's commissions (including any extraordinary-services sums under § 857.05(2)) or attorney fees, may allow both, and must allow both where the will authorizes the payments.Wis. Stat. § 857.05(3)Verified Oct 23, 2026View source Estimate the attorney fee with the Wisconsin probate attorney fee calculator.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate in Wisconsin
Free forms for settling an estate in Wisconsin: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Notice to Creditors
In Wisconsin, the notice to creditors is published for 3Wis. Stat. §§ 859.01, 859.02, 859.07, 859.25Verified Oct 19, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsWis. Stat. § 859.01 (3-4 month deadline set by court)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from the personal representative's appointment to present claims.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Wisconsin, heirs put their identity on the land records with a recorded affidavit of facts affecting title that states who the heirs areWis. Stat. §§ 706.05, 706.06, 706.09(1)(i); WisDOT Form MV2300Verified Sep 24, 2026View source.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Wisconsin, the Transfer by Affidavitsmall estate: § 867.03Verified Sep 9, 2026View source covers estates valued at $50,000small estate: § 867.03Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
In Wisconsin, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 180 daysWis. Stat. §§ 858.01, 858.13, 858.15, 858.17Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Wisconsin, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsWis. Stat. §§ 865.16(2), 865.18, 863.47Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
IRS Form 1310
Claim a refund due a deceased taxpayer on the official form, on the box the form routes you to, with what the form says to attach.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Wisconsin
Free tools for settling an estate in Wisconsin: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
Can I Self-File Probate?
Wisconsin has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableWis. Stat. Ch. 865 (informal administration by probate registrar)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?
In Wisconsin, the Probate registrar issues a Domiciliary Letters once the Circuit Court appoints the personal representative; an informal (registrar) track is availableWis. Stat. Ch. 865 (informal administration by probate registrar)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Wisconsin, creditors have 4 monthsWis. Stat. § 859.01 (3-4 month deadline set by court)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from the personal representative's appointment to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Wisconsin pays the claims in 8Wis. Stat. § 859.25Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with administration expenses.
How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property?
In Wisconsin, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Unclaimed PropertyWis. Stat. ch. 177 (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The claimant attaches a copy of a government-issued ID, provides proof of a Social Security number to validate identity, and gives a current addressUnclaimed Property (Wisconsin Department of Revenue)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Social Security Survivor Benefits Can I Get?
Which Social Security survivor benefit a spouse, former spouse, child or parent can get, what share it pays, and the lump-sum death payment.
Hire a Wisconsin Probate Attorney
Browse 61 probate firms in Wisconsin with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
Your kids shouldn't have to do this.
Wisconsin Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Wisconsin probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.